Connectors and connector systems

Abstract

To provide a connector which is effective for improving reliability of a signal transmission.SOLUTION: A connector 2 is a connector 2 that is attached to a circuit board 10, and is connected to a mating connector 2 along a shaft line CL1 vertical to the circuit board 10, and comprises: a conductive inner surrounding wall 110 that surrounds the shaft line CL1; a conductive outer surrounding wall 120 that surrounds the shaft line CL1 and the inner surrounding wall 110; a plurality of conductive inner contacts 210 that is arranged in the inner side of the inner surrounding wall 110, is electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and is contacted to each of the plurality of conductive inner contacts 210 of the mating connector 2; and one or more conductive outer contacts 220 that are arranged between the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120, are electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and are contacted to the one or more conductive outer contacts 220 of the mating connector 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors and connector systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector set including a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a first connecting terminal, a first high-frequency connecting terminal having a first mounting portion and transmitting high-frequency signals, and a first external grounding member surrounding the first high-frequency connecting terminal. The second connector has a second connecting terminal, a second high-frequency connecting terminal having a second mounting portion, and a second external grounding member surrounding the second high-frequency connecting terminal. When the first connector and the second connector are mated, the second external grounding member is located inside the first external grounding member, and the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal are located outside the first external grounding member, and the second external grounding member is closed circumferentially so as to surround the outer shapes of the first high-frequency connecting terminal and the second high-frequency connecting terminal when viewed from the insertion / removal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-102462 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a connector that is effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a connector that is mounted on a circuit board and connected to a mating connector along an axis perpendicular to the circuit board, and includes: a conductive inner surrounding wall that surrounds the axis; a conductive outer surrounding wall that surrounds the axis and the inner surrounding wall; a plurality of conductive inner contacts that are arranged within the inner surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board, and each contact a plurality of mating inner contacts of the mating connector; and one or more conductive outer contacts that are arranged between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board, and each contact one or more mating outer contacts of the mating connector.

[0006] By electrically isolating one or more outer contacts from the outside of the connector with an outer surrounding wall, it is possible to suppress noise generated at one or more outer contacts from sources outside the connector. By shielding multiple inner contacts from one or more outer contacts with an inner surrounding wall, it is possible to suppress noise generated at one or more outer contacts from sources outside the connector. This is therefore effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0007] The outer surrounding wall may be continuous without interruption around the entire periphery, which can improve electrical shielding between one or more outer contacts and the outside of the connector.

[0008] The inner surrounding wall may be continuous without a break around the entire periphery, which can improve the electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts and the one or more outer contacts.

[0009] The connector may further include a conductive connecting plate connecting the inner surrounding wall to the outer surrounding wall, in which case the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall can be handled as a single shell integrated by the connecting plate, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the connector.

[0010] The outer surrounding wall may have a first outer end wall and a second outer end wall that are parallel to each other, and a first outer side wall and a second outer side wall that are parallel to each other and respectively connect the first outer end wall to the second outer end wall, and the one or more outer contacts may include a first outer contact that is disposed between the first outer end wall and the inner surrounding wall, and a second outer contact that is disposed between the second outer end wall and the inner surrounding wall. By disposing the first outer contact and the second outer contact apart, noise generated in the second outer contact from the first outer contact as a source, and noise generated in the first outer contact from the second outer contact as a source, can be further suppressed.

[0011] A gap may be formed between the first outer side wall and the inner surrounding wall, and between the second outer side wall and the inner surrounding wall, making it possible to easily form the shell.

[0012] Each of the first outer contact and the second outer contact may contact the mating outer contact from one direction along a contact direction parallel to the circuit board and the first outer end wall, and each of the plurality of inner contacts may contact the mating inner contact from two directions along the contact direction. For example, when the first outer contact and the second outer contact transmit signals of a higher frequency than the signals transmitted by the inner contact, it is possible to further suppress the generation of noise between each of the first outer contact and the second outer contact and the mating outer contact.

[0013] The connector may further include an insulating inner housing that holds the plurality of inner contacts within the inner surrounding wall, and an insulating outer housing that holds the first outer contact and the second outer contact between the outer surrounding wall and the inner surrounding wall, the inner housing and the outer housing being divided by the inner surrounding wall. In this case, the inner surrounding wall can be disposed seamlessly at the boundary between the inner housing and the outer housing, thereby improving electrical shielding between the plurality of inner contacts and the first outer contact and the second outer contact.

[0014] The outer housing includes a first outer housing that holds the first outer contact and a second outer housing that holds the second outer contact, and the first outer housing and the second outer housing are separated by an inner surrounding wall, thereby further improving electrical shielding between the first outer contact and the second outer contact.

[0015] The inner surrounding wall may have a first inner end portion close to the circuit board and a second inner end portion remote from the circuit board, the outer surrounding wall may have a first outer end portion close to the circuit board and a second outer end portion remote from the circuit board, and the connecting plate may connect the second inner end portion to the second outer end portion. In this case, the mating connector can be slid along the connecting plate to easily guide the mating connector to the mating position.

[0016] The connecting plate may have a first opening and a second opening that expose the first outer contact and the second outer contact. The connecting plate integrates the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall to improve manufacturing efficiency, and allows each of the first outer contact and the second outer contact to easily come into contact with the mating outer contact.

[0017] The first inner end and the first outer end may contact a conductive pattern on a circuit board, which can further improve the electrical shielding between the plurality of inner contacts and the first and second outer contacts, and between the first and second outer contacts and the outside of the connector.

[0018] The first inner end portion may be bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall along the entire periphery, and the first outer end portion may be bent outwardly of the outer surrounding wall along the entire periphery, thereby increasing the connection allowance to the circuit board and improving the workability of attaching the connector to the circuit board.

[0019] The inner housing may be in contact with the first inner end portion in the direction along the axis. The first inner end portion bent inward of the inner surrounding wall can be effectively used to position the inner housing.

[0020] The inner housing may have a base portion that contacts the first inner end portion in the axial direction, and a contact holding portion that protrudes from the base portion in a direction away from the circuit board and holds a plurality of inner contacts, and a gap may be formed around the entire periphery between the contact holding portion and the inner surrounding wall. For example, a space for inserting a mating inner surrounding wall of a mating connector can be secured within the inner surrounding wall. This allows the inner surrounding wall and the mating inner surrounding wall to be fitted together, further improving the shielding between the plurality of inner contacts and the first and second outer contacts.

[0021] The inner surrounding wall may have a first inner end portion close to the circuit board and a second inner end portion remote from the circuit board, the outer surrounding wall may have a first outer end portion close to the circuit board and a second outer end portion remote from the circuit board, and the connecting plate may connect the first inner end portion to the first outer end portion. The connecting plate integrates the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing a mating connector to be received between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall.

[0022] The connecting plate may have a first opening and a second opening that expose the first outer contact and the second outer contact, respectively. The connecting plate integrates the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall, improving manufacturing efficiency, and also makes it possible to easily connect each of the first outer contact and the second outer contact to a circuit board.

[0023] The connecting plate may contact the conductive pattern of the circuit board. By using the connecting plate as a connecting portion to the conductive pattern, the workability of attaching the connector to the circuit board can be improved.

[0024] The second inner end portion may be bent inwardly around the inner surrounding wall along the entire circumference, and the second outer end portion may be bent outwardly around the outer surrounding wall along the entire circumference, allowing a mating connector to be smoothly introduced between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall.

[0025] The inner housing may be in contact with the second inner end portion within the inner surrounding wall, and the second inner end portion bent inward of the inner surrounding wall can be effectively used to position the inner housing.

[0026] The height of the inner surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate may be less than the height of the outer surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate. By reducing the height of the inner surrounding wall, it is possible to easily ensure space for arranging the mating inner housing of the mating connector, etc.

[0027] The first outer housing and the second outer housing may be separated from the outer surrounding wall and the inner surrounding wall along the entire periphery, respectively. A space for inserting, for example, a mating inner surrounding wall and a mating outer surrounding wall of a mating connector can be secured between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall. This allows the inner surrounding wall to be fitted with the mating inner surrounding wall, and the outer surrounding wall to be fitted with the mating outer surrounding wall, thereby further improving electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts and the first and second outer contacts, and between the first and second outer contacts and the outside of the connector.

[0028] The connecting plate may be formed with one or more first anchors to be inserted into the first outer housing and one or more second anchors to be inserted into the second outer housing, thereby improving the fixing strength of the first outer housing and the second outer housing to the connecting plate.

[0029] A connector system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a mating connector mounted on a mating circuit board, and a connector mounted on the circuit board and connected to the mating circuit board and the mating connector along an axis perpendicular to the circuit board, wherein the mating connector includes a mating inner surrounding wall surrounding the axis, a mating outer surrounding wall surrounding the axis and the mating inner surrounding wall, a plurality of mating inner contacts disposed within the mating inner surrounding wall and electrically connected to the mating circuit board, and one or more mating outer contacts disposed between the mating inner surrounding wall and the mating outer surrounding wall and electrically connected to the mating circuit board, and the connector includes an inner surrounding wall surrounding the axis and mating with the mating inner surrounding wall, an outer surrounding wall surrounding the axis and the inner surrounding wall and mating with the mating outer surrounding wall, a plurality of inner contacts disposed within the inner surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board and each contacting the plurality of mating inner contacts, and one or more outer contacts disposed between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board and each contacting the one or more mating outer contacts.

[0030] The inner surrounding wall may be fitted around the inner periphery of a mating inner surrounding wall, and the outer surrounding wall may be fitted around the outer periphery of a mating outer surrounding wall.

[0031] The mating inner surrounding wall and inner surrounding wall that are mated with each other may surround the plurality of mating inner contacts and the plurality of inner contacts over the entire height between the circuit board and the mating circuit board, and the mating outer surrounding wall and outer surrounding wall that are mated with each other may surround the mating inner surrounding wall and inner surrounding wall and one or more mating outer contacts and one or more outer contacts over the entire height between the circuit board and the mating circuit board. Cooperation between the inner surrounding wall and the mating inner surrounding wall can improve electrical shielding between the plurality of inner contacts and the one or more outer contacts and one or more mating outer contacts. Cooperation between the outer surrounding wall and the mating outer surrounding wall can improve electrical shielding between the one or more outer contacts and the one or more mating outer contacts and the outside of the connector.

[0032] The mating inner surrounding wall has a mating first inner end close to the mating circuit board and a mating second inner end away from the mating circuit board, the mating outer surrounding wall has a mating first outer end close to the mating circuit board and a mating second outer end away from the mating circuit board, the inner surrounding wall has a first inner end close to the circuit board and a second inner end away from the circuit board, the outer surrounding wall has a first outer end close to the circuit board and a second outer end away from the circuit board, the mating connector further has a conductive mating connecting plate facing the mating circuit board and connecting the mating second inner end to the mating second outer end, and the connector further has a conductive connecting plate facing the circuit board and connecting the first inner end to the first outer end, and when the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall are engaged with the mating inner surrounding wall and the mating outer surrounding wall, respectively, the connecting plate and the mating connecting plate may overlap at a position away from the mating circuit board. Using the mating connecting plate as a guide, the mating inner surrounding wall and the mating outer surrounding wall can be smoothly guided between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall.

[0033] The mating connector further includes an insulating mating inner housing that holds a plurality of mating inner contacts within the mating inner surrounding wall, and the height of the mating inner surrounding wall relative to the mating connecting plate may be equal to the height of the mating outer surrounding wall relative to the mating connecting plate, and the height of the inner surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate may be lower than the height of the outer surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate. By reducing the height of the inner surrounding wall, it is possible to easily ensure space for arranging the mating inner housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the present disclosure, a connector that is effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a connector system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a receptacle connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shell of FIG. 3, seen from the opposite direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner housing of FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer housing of FIG. 3. [Figure 11] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating conductive patterns of a circuit board. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a plug connector. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the shell of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the inner housing of FIG. 13. [Figure 20] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the outer housing of FIG. 13. [Figure 21] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating conductive patterns of a circuit board. [Figure 22] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plug connector mated with a receptacle connector. [Figure 23] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plug connector mated with a receptacle connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0037] [Connector System] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a connector system 1. The connector system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is used to connect circuit boards together in a communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The connector system 1 is not limited to communication terminals and can be applied to various electrical devices.

[0038] The connector system 1 includes a receptacle connector 2 and a plug connector 3. The receptacle connector 2 is attached to a circuit board 10 and connected to the plug connector 3 along an axis CL1 perpendicular to the circuit board 10. The plug connector 3 is attached to a circuit board 20 and connected to the receptacle connector 2 along an axis CL2 perpendicular to the circuit board 20. The connection between the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 electrically connects the circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20. Below, examples of the configurations of the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 will be described in detail.

[0039] [Receptacle connector] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the receptacle connector 2. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the receptacle connector 2 includes a shell 100, a plurality of inner contacts 210, one or more outer contacts 220, an inner housing 300, and an outer housing 400.

[0040] The shell 100 has an inner surrounding wall 110 and an outer surrounding wall 120. The shell 100 is formed from a metal sheet material or the like and is electrically conductive. The inner surrounding wall 110 surrounds the axis line CL1. The outer surrounding wall 120 surrounds the axis line CL1 and the inner surrounding wall 110.

[0041] The multiple inner contacts 210 are disposed within the inner surrounding wall 110 and are electrically connected to the circuit board 10. Each of the multiple inner contacts 210 is formed from a metal sheet material or the like and is conductive. For example, the multiple inner contacts 210 are electrically connected to multiple conductive patterns (e.g., multiple inner signal patterns 12 described below) formed on the surface of the circuit board 10 (see FIG. 11). When the receptacle connector 2 is connected to the plug connector 3, the multiple inner contacts 210 come into contact with the multiple inner contacts 610 of the plug connector 3, respectively.

[0042] The one or more outer contacts 220 are disposed between the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 and are electrically connected to the circuit board 10. Each of the one or more outer contacts 220 is formed from a thin metal plate material or the like and is electrically conductive. For example, the one or more outer contacts 220 are electrically connected to one or more conductive patterns (e.g., a first outer signal pattern 13 and a second outer signal pattern 14 described below) formed on the surface of the circuit board 10 (see FIG. 11). When the receptacle connector 2 is connected to the plug connector 3, the one or more outer contacts 220 come into contact with one or more outer contacts 620 of the plug connector 3, respectively.

[0043] As an example, the one or more outer contacts 220 include a first outer contact 220A and a second outer contact 220B, and the inner surrounding wall 110 is located between the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B. The first outer contact 220A is electrically connected to a first outer signal pattern 13 (described below), and the second outer contact 220B is electrically connected to a second outer signal pattern 14 (described below). When the receptacle connector 2 is connected to the plug connector 3, the first outer contact 220A contacts a first outer contact 620A of the plug connector 3, and the second outer contact 220B contacts a second outer contact 620B of the plug connector 3.

[0044] The inner housing 300 holds the multiple inner contacts 210 within the inner surrounding wall 110. The inner housing 300 is formed from a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The inner housing 300 insulates the multiple inner contacts 210 from one another and also insulates each of the multiple inner contacts 210 from the inner surrounding wall 110. The inner housing 300 has an opposing surface 301 facing the circuit board 10 and a surface 302 opposite the opposing surface 301.

[0045] The outer housing 400 holds one or more outer contacts 220 between the outer surrounding wall 120 and the inner surrounding wall 110. The outer housing 400 is formed from a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The outer housing 400 insulates the one or more outer contacts 220 from each other (for example, the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B), insulates each of the one or more outer contacts 220 from the inner surrounding wall 110, and insulates each of the one or more outer contacts 220 from the outer surrounding wall 120.

[0046] The outer housing 400 is configured separately from the inner housing 300. Configuring two objects separately means that the two objects are configured so that they are not directly fixed to each other. The same applies hereinafter. For example, the inner housing 300 and the outer housing 400 are each fixed to the shell 100 while being separated by the inner surrounding wall 110. Without the shell 100, the inner housing 300 and the outer housing 400 would not be fixed to each other.

[0047] The outer housing 400 may include a first outer housing 400A and a second outer housing 400B. The first outer housing 400A is configured separately from the inner housing 300 and holds the first outer contacts 220A. The first outer housing 400A has an opposing surface 401 facing the circuit board 10 and a surface 402 opposite the opposing surface 401.

[0048] The second outer housing 400B is configured separately from both the inner housing 300 and the first outer housing 400A and holds the second outer contact 220B. When viewed from the direction along the axis CL1, the inner housing 300 is located between the first outer housing 400A and the second outer housing 400B. For example, the first outer housing 400A and the inner housing 300 are separated by the inner surrounding wall 110, and the second outer housing 400B and the inner housing 300 are separated by the inner surrounding wall 110, so that the first outer housing 400A and the second outer housing 400B are separated by the inner surrounding wall 110. Like the first outer housing 400A, the second outer housing 400B has an opposing surface 401 facing the circuit board 10 and a surface 402 opposite the opposing surface 401.

[0049] Below, with reference to other drawings, the configurations of the shell 100, the inner contact 210, the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B, the inner housing 300, and the first outer housing 400A and the second outer housing 400B will be described in more detail.

[0050] (shell) Figure 4 is a perspective view of the shell 100 shown in Figure 3, seen from the opposite direction. As shown in Figure 4, each of the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 may be continuous without interruption around the entire periphery.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 5, the inner surrounding wall 110 has a rectangular shape when viewed in a direction along the axis CL1, and includes a first partition wall 111 and a second partition wall 112 that are parallel to each other, and a first inner side wall 113 and a second inner side wall 114 that are parallel to each other. The rectangular shape includes a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The same applies hereinafter. The first partition wall 111 is disposed between the inner housing 300 and the first outer housing 400A, and the second partition wall 112 is disposed between the inner housing 300 and the second outer housing 400B. The first inner side wall 113 and the second inner side wall 114 each connect the first partition wall 111 to the second partition wall 112.

[0052] The inner housing 300 has a first side surface 303 facing the first inner side wall 113 and a second side surface 304 facing the second inner side wall 114. The first side surface 303 and the second side surface 304 are parallel to each other, and each of the first side surface 303 and the second side surface 304 is along a plane that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) both the circuit board 10 and the first compartment wall 111. The first compartment wall 111 and the second compartment wall 112 each extend from the first side surface 303 to the second side surface 304 and connect the first inner side wall 113 to the second inner side wall 114.

[0053] The outer surrounding wall 120 has a rectangular shape when viewed in a direction along the axis CL1, and includes a first outer end wall 121 and a second outer end wall 122 that are parallel to each other, and a first outer side wall 123 and a second outer side wall 124 that are parallel to each other. A first outer contact 220A and a first outer housing 400A are disposed between the first outer end wall 121 and the inner surrounding wall 110, and a second outer contact 220B and a second outer housing 400B are disposed between the second outer end wall 122 and the inner surrounding wall 110. For example, the first outer contact 220A and the first outer housing 400A are disposed between the first outer end wall 121 and the first partition wall 111. The first outer housing 400A further has a first end surface 403 that faces away from the first partition wall 111, and the first outer end wall 121 covers the first end surface 403. For example, the second outer contact 220B and the second outer housing 400B are disposed between the second outer end wall 122 and the second partition wall 112. The second outer housing 400B further has a second end surface 404 facing away from the second partition wall 112, and the second outer end wall 122 covers the second end surface 404.

[0054] The first outer side wall 123 and the second outer side wall 124 each connect the first outer end wall 121 to the second outer end wall 122. A gap is formed between the first outer side wall 123 and the inner surrounding wall 110, and between the second outer side wall 124 and the inner surrounding wall 110. For example, the inner surface of the first outer side wall 123 (the surface facing inward of the outer surrounding wall 120) and the outer surface of the first inner side wall 113 (the surface facing outward of the inner surrounding wall 110) face each other, forming a gap between the first outer side wall 123 and the first inner side wall 113. The inner surface of the second outer side wall 124 and the outer surface of the second inner side wall 114 face each other, forming a gap between the second outer side wall 124 and the second inner side wall 114.

[0055] 4, the inner surrounding wall 110 has a first inner end 140 closer to the circuit board 10 and a second inner end 150 further from the circuit board 10. The first inner end 140 includes a first inner end 141 of the first partition wall 111, a first inner end 142 of the second partition wall 112, a first inner end 143 of the first inner side wall 113, and a first inner end 144 of the second inner side wall 114. The second inner end 150 includes a second inner end 151 of the first partition wall 111, a second inner end 152 of the second partition wall 112, a second inner end 153 of the first inner side wall 113, and a second inner end 154 of the second inner side wall 114.

[0056] Similarly, the outer surrounding wall 120 has a first outer end 160 proximal to the circuit board 10 and a second outer end 170 distal to the circuit board 10. The first outer end 160 includes a first outer end 161 of the first outer end wall 121, a first outer end 162 of the second outer end wall 122, a first outer end 163 of the first outer side wall 123, and a first outer end 164 of the second outer side wall 124. The second outer end 170 includes a second outer end 171 of the first outer end wall 121, a second outer end 172 of the second outer end wall 122, a second outer end 173 of the first outer side wall 123, and a second outer end 174 of the second outer side wall 124.

[0057] The first inner end portion 140 and the first outer end portion 160 contact conductive patterns (for example, an inner ground pattern 16 and an outer ground pattern 15 described below) of the circuit board 10. The first inner end portion 140 and the first outer end portion 160 are electrically connected to the conductive patterns of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0058] The first inner end portion 140 is bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 110 along its entire periphery. For example, each of the first inner end portions 141, 142, 143, and 144 is bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 110. The first inner end portions 141, 142, 143, and 144 are continuous along the entire periphery of the inner surrounding wall 110 to form a first plate 180. The first plate 180 connects the first partition wall 111 to the second partition wall 112 and covers the opposing surface 301 of the inner housing 300. The first plate 180 has openings 181 that expose the multiple inner contacts 210. The first plate 180 contacts a conductive pattern (e.g., an inner ground pattern 16 described below) of the circuit board 10. The first plate 180 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0059] The first outer end portion 160 is bent outward from the outer surrounding wall 120 around the entire circumference. For example, each of the first outer end portions 161, 162, 163, and 164 is bent outward from the outer surrounding wall 120. The first outer end portions 161, 162, 163, and 164 are continuous around the entire circumference of the outer surrounding wall 120 to form a flange.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shell 100 further includes a connecting plate 130 that connects the second inner end portion 150 of the inner surrounding wall 110 to the second outer end portion 170 of the outer surrounding wall 120. The connecting plate 130 includes a first connecting portion 131, a second connecting portion 132, a third connecting portion 133, and a third connecting portion 134. The first connecting portion 131 connects the second outer end portion 171 of the first outer end wall 121 to the second inner end portion 151 of the first partition wall 111 and covers the opposite surface 402 of the first outer housing 400A. The second connecting portion 132 connects the second outer end portion 172 of the second outer end wall 122 to the second inner end portion 152 of the second partition wall 112 and covers the opposite surface 402 of the second outer housing 400B. The third connecting portion 133 connects the second outer end portion 173 of the first outer side wall 123 to the second inner end portion 153 of the first inner side wall 113. The third connecting portion 134 connects the second outer end portion 174 of the second outer side wall 124 to the second inner end portion 154 of the second inner side wall 114.

[0061] At the boundary between the outer surface of the outer surrounding wall 120 and the outer surface of the connecting plate 130 (the surface opposite the surface facing the circuit board 10), an outer curved surface 137 is formed around the entire periphery of the connecting plate 130 (see FIG. 2). At the boundary between the inner surface of the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surface of the connecting plate 130, an inner curved surface 138 is formed around the entire periphery of the inner surrounding wall 110.

[0062] The connecting plate 130 has a first opening 135 and a second opening 136 that expose the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B. For example, the first opening 135 is formed in the first connecting portion 131, and the second opening 136 is formed in the second connecting portion 132 (see FIG. 2).

[0063] The shell 100 illustrated above is integrally formed from a single plate material, for example, by drawing. Drawing makes it easy to form the shell 100 in which both the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are continuous without any breaks around the entire periphery and the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are connected by the connecting plate 130.

[0064] (Inner Contact) As shown in FIG. 3 , the multiple inner contacts 210 are held in the inner housing 300 while being aligned along one or more rows. Each of the one or more rows extends along the direction in which the first outer housing 400A, the inner housing 300, and the second outer housing 400B are aligned. The one or more rows include, for example, row L11 and row L12 that are parallel to each other when viewed from the direction along the axis CL1. Row L11 is located between row L12 and the first inner sidewall 113, and row L12 is located between row L11 and the second inner sidewall 114. The multiple inner contacts 210 include inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C aligned along row L11 and inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F aligned along row L12.

[0065] 6 shows cross sections of the inner contacts 210B and 210E. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner contact 210 is formed to contact the inner contact 610 from two directions along a contact direction D11 perpendicular to the first outer side wall 123 and the second outer side wall 124 (parallel to the circuit board 10 and the first outer end wall 121). For example, the inner contact 210 has a first contact portion 211, a second contact portion 212, a first connecting portion 213, a connecting portion 214, and a second connecting portion 215. The first contact portion 211 contacts the inner contact 610 from one side in the contact direction D11, and the second contact portion 212 contacts the inner contact 610 from the other side in the contact direction D11. The contact surface of the first contact portion 211 with the inner contact 610 and the contact surface of the second contact portion 212 with the inner contact 610 face each other along the contact direction D11. The first connecting portion 213 has elasticity and connects the first contact portion 211 to the second contact portion 212. For example, the first connecting portion 213 extends from the first contact portion 211 toward the circuit board 10, bends back in a U-shape, and is connected to the second contact portion 212.

[0066] The second coupling portion 215 couples the second contact portion 212 to the connecting portion 214. For example, the second coupling portion 215 extends from the second contact portion 212 towards the circuit board 10 and is connected to the connecting portion 214. The connecting portion 214 is bent with respect to the second coupling portion 215 and extends along the circuit board 10 in a direction away from the first coupling portion 213. The connecting portion 214 contacts a conductive pattern (an inner signal pattern 12 described below) of the circuit board 10. The connecting portion 214 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0067] The first contact portion 211 of each of the multiple inner contacts 210 is disposed more inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 110 than the second contact portion 212. The connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C extend within the inner surrounding wall 110 toward the inner surface of the first inner side wall 113 and face the first inner end portion 143 (the inner edge of the opening 181) of the first inner side wall 113. The connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F extend within the inner surrounding wall 110 toward the inner surface of the second inner side wall 114 and face the first inner end portion 144 (the inner edge of the opening 181) of the second inner side wall 114.

[0068] Each of the plurality of inner contacts 210 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material.

[0069] (Outer Contact) 7 shows a cross section of the first outer contact 220A. The first outer contact 220A is formed to contact the outer contact 620 from one direction along the contact direction D11. For example, the first outer contact 220A has a contact portion 221, a connection portion 222, and a linking portion 223.

[0070] The contact portion 221 contacts the outer contact 620 from one side in the contact direction D11. The connection portion 222 contacts a conductive pattern (a first outer signal pattern 13 described below) of the circuit board 10. The connection portion 222 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like. The linking portion 223 is elastic and links the contact portion 221 to the linking portion 222. For example, the linking portion 223 extends from the contact portion 221 toward the circuit board 10 and is connected to the linking portion 222. The linking portion 222 bends with respect to the linking portion 223 and extends along the circuit board 10 in a direction in which the contact surface of the contact portion 221 faces the outer contact 620.

[0071] The second outer contact 220B is substantially the same material as the first outer contact 220A. Each of the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material.

[0072] (inner housing) Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the inner housing 300. As shown in Fig. 8, the inner housing 300 disposed within the inner surrounding wall 110 is in contact with the first inner end portion 140 in the direction along the axis CL1. For example, the inner housing 300 is in contact with the first inner end portion 141, the first inner end portion 142, the first inner end portion 143, and the first inner end portion 144 within the inner surrounding wall 110.

[0073] For example, the inner housing 300 has a base portion 310 and a contact holding portion 320. The base portion 310 contacts the first inner end portion 140 (first plate 180) in the direction along the axis CL1. The base portion 310 has the aforementioned opposing surface 301, which contacts the first inner end portion 140. The outer peripheral surface of the base portion 310 contacts the inner surface of the inner surrounding wall 110. The contact holding portion 320 protrudes from the base portion 310 in a direction away from the circuit board 10 and holds a plurality of inner contacts 210.

[0074] 9, the contact holder 320 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed along the axis CL1, and includes a first side surface 321 and a second side surface 322 that are parallel to each other, and a third side surface 323 and a fourth side surface 324 that are parallel to each other. The first side surface 321 faces the first partition wall 111, the second side surface 322 faces the second partition wall 112, the third side surface 323 faces the first inner side wall 113, and the fourth side surface 324 faces the second inner side wall 114. A gap is formed around the entire periphery between the contact holder 320 and the inner surrounding wall 110 (see FIG. 5). For example, a gap is formed between the first side surface 321 and the first partition wall 111, a gap is formed between the second side surface 322 and the second partition wall 112, a gap is formed between the third side surface 323 and the first inner side wall 113, and a gap is formed between the fourth side surface 324 and the second inner side wall 114.

[0075] The contact holding portion 320 has the opposite surface 302. The contact holding portion 320 is formed with a first groove 325 aligned with the row L11 and a second groove 326 aligned with the row L12. The first groove 325 and the second groove 326 both open to the opposite surface 302. The contact holding portion 320 also has a plurality of contact accommodating holes 327 that respectively accommodate the plurality of inner contacts 210.

[0076] For example, the multiple contact accommodating holes 327 include contact accommodating holes 327A, 327B, and 327C and contact accommodating holes 327D, 327E, and 327F. The contact accommodating holes 327A, 327B, and 327C are aligned along row L11 and accommodate the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C, respectively. For example, the contact accommodating holes 327A, 327B, and 327C open to the inner surface of the first groove portion 325, exposing the first contact portion 211 and the second contact portion 212 of the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C to the inside of the first groove portion 325. The contact accommodating holes 327D, 327E, and 327F are aligned along row L12 and accommodate the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F, respectively. For example, the contact accommodating holes 327D, 327E, and 327F open to the inner surface of the second groove portion 326, exposing the first contact portion 211 and the second contact portion 212 of the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F to the inside of the second groove portion 326.

[0077] The base portion 310 has a first base portion 311 and a second base portion 312. The first base portion 311 protrudes from the first side surface 321 toward the first partition wall 111 and contacts the inner surface of the first partition wall 111 and the inner surface of the first inner end portion 141. The second base portion 312 protrudes from the second side surface 322 toward the second partition wall 112 and contacts the inner surface of the second partition wall 112 and the inner surface of the first inner end portion 142.

[0078] One end of the first base portion 311 and one end of the second base portion 312 protrudes from the third side surface 323 toward the first inner side wall 113 and contacts the inner surface of the first inner side wall 113 and the inner surface of the first inner end portion 143. The first side surface 303 of the inner housing 300 described above is formed by the end surface of the first base portion 311 and the end surface of the second base portion 312, which contact the inner surface of the first inner side wall 113. A region is formed between the end surface of the first inner end portion 143 and the third side surface 323 by one end of the first base portion 311 and one end of the second base portion 312, exposing the connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210A, 210B, 210C.

[0079] The other ends of the first base portion 311 and the second base portion 312 protrude from the third side surface 323 toward the second inner side wall 114 and contact the inner surface of the second inner side wall 114 and the inner surface of the first inner end portion 144. The second side surface 304 of the inner housing 300 described above is formed by the end surfaces of the first base portion 311 and the second base portion 312 that contact the inner surface of the second inner side wall 114. The other ends of the first base portion 311 and the other ends of the second base portion 312 form an area between the end surface of the first inner end portion 144 and the fourth side surface 324, exposing the connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210D, 210E, 210F (see FIG. 5 ).

[0080] The inner housing 300 is formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material.

[0081] (outer housing) Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the first outer housing 400A. As shown in Fig. 10, the first outer housing 400A has a rectangular shape when viewed in a direction along the axis CL1, and has a first side surface 411 and a second side surface 412 that are parallel to each other, and a third side surface 413 and a fourth side surface 414 that are parallel to each other. The first side surface 411 and the second side surface 412 are aligned along the contact direction D11 described above.

[0082] Furthermore, the first outer housing 400A has an accommodating hole 421, a fitting hole 422, and a contact holding portion 430. The accommodating hole 421 and the fitting hole 422 are aligned along the contact direction D11. The accommodating hole 421 penetrates between the opposing surface 401 and the opposite surface 402. The fitting hole 422 opens to the opposite surface 402. The accommodating hole 421 and the fitting hole 422 are separated by a partition wall 423. The accommodating hole 421 is located between the fitting hole 422 and the third side surface 413, and the fitting hole 422 is located between the accommodating hole 421 and the fourth side surface 414. The accommodating hole 421 accommodates the first outer contact 220A. The contact holding portion 430 holds the first outer contact 220A in the accommodating hole 421. For example, the contact holding portion 430 holds the first outer contact 220A so that the contact surface of the contact portion 221 that contacts the contact portion 621 faces away from the partition wall 423. Therefore, the connecting portion 222 that is bent relative to the linking portion 223 extends in a direction away from the partition wall 423.

[0083] The second outer housing 400B is substantially the same member as the first outer housing 400A. In the second outer housing 400B, the second outer contacts 220B are held in the accommodating holes 421 by the contact holding portions 430. The relative arrangement of the second outer contacts 220B with respect to the second outer housing 400B is the same as the relative arrangement of the first outer contacts 220A with respect to the first outer housing 400A. Therefore, a unit formed by combining the second outer housing 400B and the second outer contacts 220B is substantially the same unit as a unit formed by combining the first outer housing 400A and the first outer contacts 220A.

[0084] When viewed in the direction along the axis CL1, the first outer housing 400A and the second outer housing 400B are arranged to be point-symmetrical with each other. Therefore, when viewed in the direction along the axis CL1, the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B are point-symmetrical with each other. The first end surface 403 (see FIG. 5) covered by the first outer end wall 121 is defined by a first side surface 411 of the first outer housing 400A. The second end surface 404 (see FIG. 5) covered by the second outer end wall 122 is defined by a second side surface 412 of the second outer housing 400B.

[0085] (Conductive patterns on circuit boards) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating conductive patterns of a circuit board 10. As shown in FIG. 11, a ground pattern 11, multiple inner signal patterns 12, a first outer signal pattern 13, and a second outer signal pattern 14 are formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board 10. The ground pattern 11 includes an outer ground pattern 15 and an inner ground pattern 16. The outer ground pattern 15 has a rectangular shape corresponding to a first outer end portion 160 of the outer surrounding wall 120. The first outer end portion 160 contacts the outer ground pattern 15 around its entire periphery and is electrically connected to the outer ground pattern 15 by soldering or the like. The inner ground pattern 16 has a first partition pattern 17 and a second partition pattern 18 that partition the interior of the outer ground pattern 15. The first partition pattern 17 corresponds to a first inner end portion 141 of the first partition wall 111, and the second partition pattern 18 corresponds to a first inner end portion 142 of the second partition wall 112. The first inner end 141 contacts the first division pattern 17 and is electrically connected to the first division pattern 17 by soldering or the like. The first inner end 142 contacts the second division pattern 18 and is electrically connected to the second division pattern 18 by soldering or the like.

[0086] The multiple inner signal patterns 12 are arranged between the first division pattern 17 and the second division pattern 18 within the outer ground pattern 15. The multiple inner signal patterns 12 correspond to the multiple inner contacts 210, respectively. The connection portions 214 of the multiple inner contacts 210 are in contact with the multiple inner signal patterns 12, respectively, and are electrically connected to the multiple inner signal patterns 12 by soldering or the like. For example, the multiple inner signal patterns 12 include inner signal patterns 12A, 12B, and 12C corresponding to the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C, respectively, and inner signal patterns 12D, 12E, and 12F corresponding to the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F, respectively.

[0087] The first outer signal pattern 13 corresponds to the first outer contact 220A. The connection portion 222 of the first outer contact 220A contacts the first outer signal pattern 13 and is electrically connected to the first outer signal pattern 13 by soldering or the like. The second outer signal pattern 14 corresponds to the second outer contact 220B. The connection portion 222 of the second outer contact 220B contacts the second outer signal pattern 14 and is electrically connected to the second outer signal pattern 14 by soldering or the like.

[0088] In the circuit board 10, the first outer signal pattern 13 and the second outer signal pattern 14 are used to transmit signals (for example, RF signals) that are higher in frequency than the signals transmitted by each of the multiple inner signal patterns 12.

[0089] [Plug connector] Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the plug connector 3. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector 3. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the plug connector 3 includes a shell 500, a plurality of inner contacts 610, one or more outer contacts 620, an inner housing 700, and an outer housing 800.

[0090] The shell 500 has an inner surrounding wall 510 and an outer surrounding wall 520. The shell 500 is formed from a metal sheet material or the like and is electrically conductive. The inner surrounding wall 510 surrounds the axis line CL2. The outer surrounding wall 520 surrounds the axis line CL2 and the inner surrounding wall 510.

[0091] The plurality of inner contacts 610 are disposed within the inner surrounding wall 510 and are electrically connected to the circuit board 20. Each of the plurality of inner contacts 610 is formed from a thin metal plate material or the like and is conductive. For example, the plurality of inner contacts 610 are electrically connected to a plurality of conductive patterns (e.g., a plurality of inner signal patterns 22 described below) formed on the surface of the circuit board 20 (see FIG. 21). When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the plurality of inner contacts 610 come into contact with the plurality of inner contacts 210 of the receptacle connector 2, respectively.

[0092] The one or more outer contacts 620 are disposed between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 and are electrically connected to the circuit board 20. Each of the one or more outer contacts 620 is formed from a metal sheet material or the like and is conductive. For example, the one or more outer contacts 620 are electrically connected to one or more conductive patterns (e.g., a first outer signal pattern 23 and a second outer signal pattern 24 described below) formed on the surface of the circuit board 20 (see FIG. 21). When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the one or more outer contacts 620 come into contact with one or more outer contacts 220 of the receptacle connector 2, respectively.

[0093] As an example, the one or more outer contacts 620 include a first outer contact 620A and a second outer contact 620B, and the inner surrounding wall 510 is located between the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B. The first outer contact 620A is electrically connected to a first outer signal pattern 23 (described below), and the second outer contact 620B is electrically connected to a second outer signal pattern 24 (described below). When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the first outer contact 620A contacts the first outer contact 220A of the receptacle connector 2, and the second outer contact 620B contacts the second outer contact 220B of the receptacle connector 2.

[0094] The inner housing 700 holds the multiple inner contacts 610 within the inner surrounding wall 510. The inner housing 700 is formed from a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The inner housing 700 insulates the multiple inner contacts 610 from one another and also insulates each of the multiple inner contacts 610 from the inner surrounding wall 510. The inner housing 700 has an opposing surface 701 facing the circuit board 20 and a surface 702 opposite the opposing surface 701.

[0095] The outer housing 800 holds one or more outer contacts 620 between the outer surrounding wall 520 and the inner surrounding wall 510. The outer housing 800 is formed from a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The outer housing 800 insulates the one or more outer contacts 620 from each other (for example, the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B), insulates each of the one or more outer contacts 620 from the inner surrounding wall 510, and insulates each of the one or more outer contacts 620 from the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0096] The outer housing 800 is configured separately from the inner housing 700. For example, the inner housing 700 and the outer housing 800 are each fixed to the shell 500 while being separated by the inner surrounding wall 510. Without the shell 500, the inner housing 700 and the outer housing 800 would not be fixed to each other.

[0097] The outer housing 800 may include a first outer housing 800A and a second outer housing 800B. The first outer housing 800A is configured separately from the inner housing 700 and holds the first outer contacts 620A. The first outer housing 800A has an opposing surface 801 facing the circuit board 20 and a surface 802 opposite the opposing surface 801.

[0098] The second outer housing 800B is configured separately from both the inner housing 700 and the first outer housing 800A, and holds the second outer contact 620B. When viewed from the direction along the axis CL2, the inner housing 700 is located between the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B. For example, the first outer housing 800A and the inner housing 700 are separated by the inner surrounding wall 510, and the second outer housing 800B and the inner housing 700 are separated by the inner surrounding wall 510, so that the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are separated by the inner surrounding wall 510. Like the first outer housing 800A, the second outer housing 800B has an opposing surface 801 facing the circuit board 20 and a surface 802 opposite the opposing surface 801.

[0099] Below, with reference to other drawings, the configuration of the shell 500, the inner contact 610, the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B, the inner housing 700, and the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B will be described in more detail.

[0100] (shell) Figure 14 is a perspective view of the shell 500 shown in Figure 13, seen from the opposite direction. As shown in Figure 14, each of the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 may be continuous without interruption around the entire periphery.

[0101] 15, the inner surrounding wall 510 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the direction along the axis CL2, and includes a first partition wall 511 and a second partition wall 512 that are parallel to each other, and a first inner side wall 513 and a second inner side wall 514 that are parallel to each other. The first partition wall 511 is disposed between the inner housing 700 and the first outer housing 800A, and the second partition wall 512 is disposed between the inner housing 700 and the second outer housing 800B. The first inner side wall 513 and the second inner side wall 514 each connect the first partition wall 511 to the second partition wall 512.

[0102] 15 , the inner housing 700 has a first side surface 703 facing the first inner side wall 513 and a second side surface 704 facing the second inner side wall 514. The first side surface 703 and the second side surface 704 are parallel to each other, and each of the first side surface 703 and the second side surface 704 is along a plane that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) both the circuit board 20 and the first compartment wall 511. The first compartment wall 511 and the second compartment wall 512 each extend from the first side surface 703 to the second side surface 704 and connect the first inner side wall 513 to the second inner side wall 514.

[0103] 15 , the outer surrounding wall 520 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the direction along the axis CL2, and includes a first outer end wall 521 and a second outer end wall 522 that are parallel to each other, and a first outer side wall 523 and a second outer side wall 524 that are parallel to each other. A first outer contact 620A and a first outer housing 800A are disposed between the first outer end wall 521 and the inner surrounding wall 510, and a second outer contact 620B and a second outer housing 800B are disposed between the second outer end wall 522 and the inner surrounding wall 510. For example, the first outer contact 620A and the first outer housing 800A are disposed between the first outer end wall 521 and the first partition wall 511. The first outer housing 800A further has a first end surface 803 that faces away from the first partition wall 511, and the first outer end wall 521 covers the first end surface 803. For example, the second outer contact 620B and the second outer housing 800B are disposed between the second outer end wall 522 and the second partition wall 512. The second outer housing 800B further has a second end surface 804 facing away from the second partition wall 512, and the second outer end wall 522 covers the second end surface 804.

[0104] The first outer side wall 523 and the second outer side wall 524 each connect the first outer end wall 521 to the second outer end wall 522. A gap is formed between the first outer side wall 523 and the inner surrounding wall 510, and between the second outer side wall 524 and the inner surrounding wall 510. For example, the inner surface of the first outer side wall 523 (the surface facing inward of the outer surrounding wall 520) and the outer surface of the first inner side wall 513 (the surface facing outward of the inner surrounding wall 510) face each other, forming a gap between the first outer side wall 523 and the first inner side wall 513. The inner surface of the second outer side wall 524 (the surface facing inward of the outer surrounding wall 520) and the outer surface of the second inner side wall 514 (the surface facing outward of the inner surrounding wall 510) face each other, forming a gap between the second outer side wall 524 and the second inner side wall 514.

[0105] 14 , the inner surrounding wall 510 has a first inner end 540 close to the circuit board 20 and a second inner end 550 away from the circuit board 20. The first inner end 540 includes a first inner end 541 of the first partition wall 511, a first inner end 542 of the second partition wall 512, a first inner end 543 of the first inner side wall 513, and a first inner end 544 of the second inner side wall 514. The second inner end 550 includes a second inner end 551 of the first partition wall 511, a second inner end 552 of the second partition wall 512, a second inner end 553 of the first inner side wall 513, and a second inner end 554 of the second inner side wall 514.

[0106] Similarly, the outer surrounding wall 520 has a first outer end 560 proximal to the circuit board 20 and a second outer end 570 distal to the circuit board 20. The first outer end 560 includes a first outer end 561 of the first outer end wall 521, a first outer end 562 of the second outer end wall 522, a first outer end 563 of the first outer side wall 523, and a first outer end 564 of the second outer side wall 524. The second outer end 570 includes a second outer end 571 of the first outer end wall 521, a second outer end 572 of the second outer end wall 522, a second outer end 573 of the first outer side wall 523, and a second outer end 574 of the second outer side wall 524.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 14 , the second inner end portion 550 is bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 510 around the entire periphery. For example, each of the second inner end portions 551, 552, 553, and 554 is bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 510. The second inner end portions 551, 552, 553, and 554 are continuous around the entire periphery of the inner surrounding wall 510 to form a first plate 580. The first plate 580 connects the first partition wall 511 to the second partition wall 512 and covers the opposite surface 702 of the inner housing 700. The first plate 580 has an opening 581 that exposes the multiple inner contacts 610. An inner curved surface 555 is formed around the entire periphery of the inner surrounding wall 510 at the boundary between the outer surface of the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surface of the first plate 580.

[0108] The second outer end portion 570 is bent outward from the outer surrounding wall 520 around its entire periphery. For example, each of the second outer end portions 571, 572, 573, and 574 is bent outward from the outer surrounding wall 520. The second outer end portions 571, 572, 573, and 574 are continuous around the entire periphery of the outer surrounding wall 520 to form a flange. Hereinafter, of both sides of the flange formed by the second outer end portions 571, 572, 573, and 574, the surface that is continuous with the inner surface of the outer surrounding wall 520 will be referred to as the first surface of the second outer end portion 570. An outer curved surface 575 is formed around the entire periphery of the outer surrounding wall 520 at the boundary between the inner surface of the outer surrounding wall 520 and the first surface of the second outer end portion 570.

[0109] The shell 500 further includes a connecting plate 530 that connects the first inner end portion 540 of the inner surrounding wall 510 to the first outer end portion 560 of the outer surrounding wall 520. The connecting plate 530 includes a first connecting portion 531, a second connecting portion 532, a third connecting portion 533, and a fourth connecting portion 534. The first connecting portion 531 connects the first outer end portion 561 of the first outer end wall 521 to the first inner end portion 541 of the first partition wall 511 and covers the opposing surface 801 of the first outer housing 800A. The second connecting portion 532 connects the first outer end portion 562 of the second outer end wall 522 to the first inner end portion 542 of the second partition wall 512 and covers the opposing surface 801 of the second outer housing 800B. 16 , the third connector 533 connects the first outer end 563 of the first outer side wall 523 to the first inner end 543 of the first inner side wall 513. The fourth connector 534 connects the first outer end 564 of the second outer side wall 524 to the second inner end 554 of the second inner side wall 514.

[0110] The connecting plate 530 has a first opening 535 and a second opening 536 formed therein, which expose the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B. For example, the first opening 535 is formed in the first connecting portion 531, and the second opening 536 is formed in the second connecting portion 532. The connecting plate 530 contacts conductive patterns (e.g., an inner ground pattern 26 and an outer ground pattern 25, which will be described later) of the circuit board 20. For example, the first connecting portion 531 contacts the outer ground pattern 25 and a first division pattern 27, which will be described later, the second connecting portion 532 contacts the outer ground pattern 25 and a second division pattern 28, which will be described later, and the third connecting portion 533 and the fourth connecting portion 534 contact the outer ground pattern 25. The connecting plate 530 is electrically connected to the conductive patterns of the circuit board 20 by soldering or the like.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 14 , the connecting plate 530 is formed with one or more first anchors 591 to be inserted into the first outer housing 800A and one or more second anchors 592 to be inserted into the second outer housing 800B. For example, the first connecting portion 531 is formed with a pair of first anchors 591 to be inserted into the first outer housing 800A. The pair of first anchors 591 are formed at two opposing locations along a direction parallel to the first partition wall 511 on the inner periphery of the first opening 535. Each of the pair of first anchors 591 has a protruding portion 593 and an end portion 594. The protruding portion 593 protrudes from the inner surface of the first connecting portion 531 into the space surrounded by the outer surrounding wall 520. The end portion 594 protrudes further from the end portion of the first connecting portion 531. The width of the end portion 594 is greater than the width of the protruding portion 593. The end portion 594 acts as a retainer for preventing the first anchor 591 from coming out of the first outer housing 800A.

[0112] The second connecting portion 532 is formed with a pair of second anchors 592 to be inserted into the second outer housing 800B. The pair of second anchors 592 are formed on the inner periphery of the second opening 536 at two opposing locations along a direction parallel to the second partition wall 512. Like the first anchor 591, each of the pair of second anchors 592 has a protruding portion 593 and an end portion 594. The protruding portion 593 protrudes from the inner surface of the second connecting portion 532 into the space surrounded by the outer surrounding wall 520. The end portion 594 protrudes further from the end of the protruding portion 593. The width of the end portion 594 is greater than the width of the protruding portion 593. The end portion 594 acts to prevent the first anchor 591 from coming out of the second outer housing 800B.

[0113] The shell 100 illustrated above is integrally formed from a single plate material, for example, by drawing. Drawing makes it easy to form the shell 100 in which both the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are continuous without any breaks around the entire periphery and the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are connected by the connecting plate 130.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 16, the height H1 of the inner surrounding wall 510 relative to the connecting plate 530 may be lower than the height H2 of the outer surrounding wall 520 relative to the connecting plate 530.

[0115] (Inner Contact) As shown in FIG. 13 , the multiple inner contacts 610 are held in the inner housing 700 while being aligned along one or more rows. Each of the one or more rows extends along the direction in which the first outer housing 800A, the inner housing 700, and the second outer housing 800B are aligned. The one or more rows include, for example, rows L21 and L22 that are parallel to each other when viewed from the direction along the axis CL2. Row L21 is located between row L22 and the first inner sidewall 513, and row L22 is located between row L21 and the second inner sidewall 514. The multiple inner contacts 610 include inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C aligned along row L21 and inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F aligned along row L22.

[0116] 16 shows cross sections of the inner contacts 610B and 610E. As shown in FIG. 16, the inner contact 610 is formed to contact the inner contact 210 from two directions along a contact direction D21 (parallel to the circuit board 20 and the first outer end wall 521) perpendicular to the first outer side wall 523 and the second outer side wall 524. For example, the inner contact 610 has a first contact portion 611, a second contact portion 612, a first linking portion 613, and a connecting portion 614. The first contact portion 611 contacts the inner contact 210 from one side in the contact direction D21, and the second contact portion 612 contacts the inner contact 210 from the other side in the contact direction D21. The contact surface of the first contact portion 611 with the inner contact 210 and the contact surface of the second contact portion 612 with the inner contact 210 are oriented in opposite directions along the contact direction D21. The first connecting portion 613 connects the second contact portion 612 to the first contact portion 611. For example, the first connecting portion 613 extends from the second contact portion 612 in a direction away from the circuit board 20, bends back in a U-shape, and connects to the first contact portion 611.

[0117] The first contact portion 611 extends from the first coupling portion 613 toward the circuit board 20 and is coupled to the connecting portion 614. The connecting portion 614 is bent relative to the first contact portion 611 and extends along the circuit board 20 in the direction in which the second contact portion 612 is disposed relative to the first contact portion 611 (the direction in which the contact surface of the second contact portion 612 faces). The connecting portion 614 contacts a conductive pattern (an inner signal pattern 22 described below) of the circuit board 20. The connecting portion 614 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 20 by soldering or the like.

[0118] Each of the multiple inner contacts 610 is arranged such that the first contact portion 611 is located more inward of the inner surrounding wall 510 than the second contact portion 612. The connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C extend within the inner surrounding wall 510 toward the inner surface of the first inner side wall 513 and face a first inner end portion 543 of the first inner side wall 513. The connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F extend within the inner surrounding wall 510 toward the inner surface of the second inner side wall 514 and face a first inner end portion 544 of the second inner side wall 514.

[0119] Each of the plurality of inner contacts 610 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material.

[0120] (Outer Contact) 17 shows a cross section of the first outer contact 620A. The first outer contact 620A is formed to contact the outer contact 220 from one direction along the contact direction D21. For example, the first outer contact 620A has a contact portion 621, a linking portion 622, an insertion portion 623, and a connecting portion 624.

[0121] The contact portion 621 contacts the outer contact 220 from one side in the contact direction D21. The linking portion 622 links the contact portion 621 to the insertion portion 623. The linking portion 622 extends from the contact portion 621 in a direction away from the circuit board 10, bends back in a U-shape, and is connected to the insertion portion 623. The insertion portion 623 extends from the linking portion 622 toward the circuit board 10 and is inserted into the first outer housing 800A. The contact portion 621 extends from the insertion portion 623 toward the circuit board 10 and is connected to the connection portion 624. The contact surface of the contact portion 621 that contacts the outer contact 220 faces in the opposite direction to the direction in which the insertion portion 623 is arranged relative to the contact portion 621.

[0122] The connecting portion 624 is bent relative to the contact portion 621 and extends along the circuit board 20 in the direction in which the insertion portion 623 is disposed relative to the contact portion 621 (the opposite direction to the direction in which the contact surface of the contact portion 621 faces). The connecting portion 624 contacts a conductive pattern (first outer signal pattern 23 described below) of the circuit board 20. The connecting portion 624 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 20 by soldering or the like.

[0123] The second outer contact 620B is substantially the same material as the first outer contact 620A. Each of the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material.

[0124] (inner housing) Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the inner housing 700. As shown in Fig. 18, the inner housing 700 disposed within the inner surrounding wall 510 is in contact with the second inner end portion 550 in the direction along the axis CL2. For example, the inner housing 700 is in contact with the second inner end portion 551, the second inner end portion 552, the second inner end portion 553, and the second inner end portion 554 within the inner surrounding wall 510.

[0125] For example, the inner housing 700 has a first base portion 711, a second base portion 712, and a contact holding portion 720. The first base portion 711 is in contact with the first partition wall 511. The first base portion 711 extends in the height direction of the first partition wall 511 relative to the connecting plate 530 (the direction along the axis CL2) and is in contact with the inner surface of the second inner end portion 551 (see FIG. 18). The second base portion 712 is in contact with the second partition wall 512. The second base portion 712 extends in the height direction of the second partition wall 512 relative to the connecting plate 530 (the direction along the axis CL2) and is in contact with the inner surface of the second inner end portion 552 (see FIG. 18).

[0126] As shown in FIG. 19 , the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 each extend along the contact direction D21. The contact holder 720 connects the first base portion 711 to the second base portion 712. The contact holder 720 has a first wall portion 721, a second wall portion 722, and a connecting base 723. The first wall portion 721 connects the first base portion 711 to the second base portion 712 along the row L21. The second wall portion 722 connects the first base portion 711 to the second base portion 712 along the row L22. The connecting base 723 extends in a thin plate shape along the circuit board 20, connects the first base portion 711 to the second base portion 712, and connects the first wall portion 721 to the second wall portion 722. The first wall portion 721 and the second wall portion 722 protrude from the coupling base 723 in a direction away from the circuit board 20.

[0127] Recesses 724A, 724B, and 724C are formed on the outer surface of the first wall portion 721 and aligned along row L21. The recesses 724A, 724B, and 724C accommodate the inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C, respectively. The outer surface of the second wall portion 722 is formed with recesses 724D, 724E, and 724F that are aligned along row L22. The recesses 724D, 724E, and 724F accommodate the inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F, respectively.

[0128] When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the first wall portion 721 fits into the first groove portion 325 of the contact holding portion 320, and the second wall portion 722 fits into the second groove portion 326 of the contact holding portion 320. The inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C come into contact with the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C, respectively, in the first groove portion 325. The inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F come into contact with the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F, respectively, in the second groove portion 326.

[0129] One end of the first base portion 711 and one end of the second base portion 712 protrudes from the first wall portion 721 toward the first inner side wall 513 and contacts the inner surface of the first inner side wall 513. The first side surface 703 of the inner housing 700 described above is formed by the end faces of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 that contact the inner surface of the first inner side wall 513. One end of the first base portion 711 and one end of the second base portion 712 form an area between the third coupling portion 533 (first inner side wall 513) and the first wall portion 721 that exposes the connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610A, 610B, 610C.

[0130] The other ends of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 protrude from the second wall portion 722 toward the second inner side wall 514 and contact the inner surface of the second inner side wall 514. The second side surface 704 of the inner housing 700 described above is formed by the end faces of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 that contact the inner surface of the second inner side wall 514. The other end of the first base portion 711 and the other end of the second base portion 712 form an area between the fourth coupling portion 534 (second inner side wall 514) and the second wall portion 722 that exposes the connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610D, 610E, 610F (see FIG. 15 ).

[0131] The inner housing 700 is formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material.

[0132] (outer housing) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the first outer housing 800A. As shown in FIG. 20, the first outer housing 800A has a rectangular shape when viewed in a direction along the axis CL1. In addition to the opposing surface 801 and the opposite surface 802 described above, the first outer housing 800A has a first side surface 811 and a second side surface 812 that are parallel to each other, and a third side surface 813 and a fourth side surface 814 that are parallel to each other. The first outer housing 800A also has a groove 821. The groove 821 extends from the first side surface 811 to the second side surface 812 and opens to the opposite surface 802. The groove 821 divides the first outer housing 800A into a first block 822 that constitutes the third side surface 813 and a second block 823 that constitutes the fourth side surface 814. Hereinafter, a portion of the inner surface of the groove 821 that corresponds to the first block 822 will be referred to as the "inner surface of the first block 822," and a portion that corresponds to the second block 823 will be referred to as the "inner surface of the second block 823."

[0133] The first block 822 has an insertion hole 824 and a through hole 825 aligned along the contact direction D21. The insertion hole 824 is located between the through hole 825 and the inner surface of the second block 823, and the through hole 825 is located between the insertion hole 824 and the third side surface 813. The insertion hole 824 opens to the opposing surface 801. The insertion portion 623 of the first outer contact 620A described above is inserted into the insertion hole 824. A recess 826 connected to the insertion hole 824 is formed in the opposing surface 801 and the inner surface of the first block 822, and the contact portion 621 and the connecting portion 622 of the first outer contact 620A are accommodated in the recess 826. As a result, the contact portion 621 is arranged on the inner surface of the first block 822. The through-hole 825 penetrates between the facing surface 801 and the opposite surface 802, and exposes the connecting portion 624 of the first outer contact 620A.

[0134] When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the first block 822 fits into the accommodating hole 421 of the first outer housing 400A, and the second block 823 fits into the fitting hole 422 of the first outer housing 400A. The contact portion 221 of the first outer contact 220A and the contact portion 621 of the first outer contact 620A come into contact between the partition wall 423 and the first block 822. The second block 823 fits into the fitting hole 422, thereby regulating the position of the first block 822 with respect to the partition wall 423. This improves the reliability of contact between the contact portion 221 and the contact portion 621.

[0135] The second outer housing 800B is substantially the same member as the first outer housing 800A. The relative arrangement of the second outer contact 620B with respect to the second outer housing 800B is the same as the relative arrangement of the first outer contact 620A with respect to the first outer housing 800A. Therefore, the unit formed by combining the second outer housing 800B and the second outer contact 620B is substantially the same unit as the unit formed by combining the first outer housing 800A and the first outer contact 620A.

[0136] When viewed in the direction along the axis CL2, the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are arranged to be point-symmetrical with each other. Therefore, when viewed in the direction along the axis CL2, the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B are point-symmetrical with each other. The first end surface 803 (see FIG. 15) covered by the first outer end wall 521 is defined by the first side surface 811 of the first outer housing 800A. The second end surface 804 (see FIG. 15) covered by the second outer end wall 522 is defined by the second first side surface 8121 of the second outer housing 800B.

[0137] The first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are disposed so as to be spaced apart from the outer surrounding wall 520 and the inner surrounding wall 510 over the entire periphery. For example, in the first outer housing 800A, the first side surface 811 is spaced apart from the first outer end wall 521, the second side surface 812 is spaced apart from the first partition wall 511, the third side surface 813 is spaced apart from the first outer side wall 523, and the fourth side surface 814 is spaced apart from the second outer side wall 524. In the second outer housing 800B, the first side surface 811 is spaced apart from the second outer end wall 522, the second side surface 812 is spaced apart from the second partition wall 512, the third side surface 813 is spaced apart from the second outer side wall 524, and the fourth side surface 814 is spaced apart from the first outer side wall 523.

[0138] The first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material. The first outer housing 800A (second outer housing 800B) may be formed integrally with the first outer contact 620A (second outer contact 620B) by insert molding.

[0139] (Conductive patterns on circuit boards) 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the conductive patterns of the circuit board 20. As shown in FIG. 21, a ground pattern 21, a plurality of inner signal patterns 22, a first outer signal pattern 23, and a second outer signal pattern 24 are formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board 20. The ground pattern 21 includes an outer ground pattern 25 and an inner ground pattern 26. The inner ground pattern 26 has a first partition pattern 27 and a second partition pattern 28 that partition the outer ground pattern 25. The first partition pattern 27 corresponds to the second inner end portion 551 of the first partition wall 511, and the second partition pattern 28 corresponds to the second inner end portion 552 of the second partition wall 512.

[0140] A connecting plate 530 is in contact with the entire periphery of the outer ground pattern 25. Furthermore, the connecting plate 530 is also in contact with the inner ground pattern 26. The connecting plate 530 is electrically connected to the outer ground pattern 25 and the inner ground pattern 26 by soldering or the like.

[0141] The multiple inner signal patterns 22 are arranged between the first division pattern 27 and the second division pattern 28 within the outer ground pattern 25. The multiple inner signal patterns 22 correspond to the multiple inner contacts 610, respectively. The connection portions 614 of the multiple inner contacts 610 are in contact with the multiple inner signal patterns 22, respectively, and are electrically connected to the multiple inner signal patterns 22 by soldering or the like. For example, the multiple inner signal patterns 22 include inner signal patterns 22A, 22B, and 22C corresponding to inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C, respectively, and inner signal patterns 22D, 22E, and 22F corresponding to inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F, respectively.

[0142] The first outer signal pattern 23 corresponds to the first outer contact 620A. A connecting portion 624 of the first outer contact 620A contacts the first outer signal pattern 23 and is electrically connected to the first outer signal pattern 23 by soldering or the like. The second outer signal pattern 24 corresponds to the second outer contact 620B. A connecting portion 624 of the second outer contact 620B contacts the second outer signal pattern 24 and is electrically connected to the second outer signal pattern 24 by soldering or the like.

[0143] In the circuit board 20, the first outer signal pattern 23 and the second outer signal pattern 24 are used to transmit signals (for example, RF signals) that are higher in frequency than the signals transmitted by each of the multiple inner signal patterns 22.

[0144] (Assembly state description) 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views illustrating the state in which the plug connector 3 is mated with the receptacle connector 2. Fig. 22 shows a cross section at a location where the inner contacts 210B, 210E contact the inner contacts 610B, 610E. Fig. 23 shows a cross section at a location where the first outer contact 220A contacts the first outer contact 620A. As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, when the plug connector 3 is mated with the receptacle connector 2, the inner surrounding wall 510 mates with the inner surrounding wall 110, the outer surrounding wall 520 mates with the outer surrounding wall 120, the multiple inner contacts 610 contact the multiple inner contacts 210, respectively, and one or more outer contacts 620 contact one or more outer contacts 220, respectively.

[0145] Because the inner surrounding wall 510 and the inner surrounding wall 110 are fitted together, the first partition wall 111 is disposed between the inner housing 700 and the first outer housing 800A, and the second partition wall 112 is disposed between the inner housing 700 and the second outer housing 800B. Similarly, the first partition wall 511 is disposed between the inner housing 300 and the first outer housing 400A, and the second partition wall 512 is disposed between the inner housing 300 and the second outer housing 400B. The first partition wall 111 and the first partition wall 511 are in contact with each other and are disposed between the inner housing 300 and the inner housing 700 and the first outer housing 400A and the first outer housing 800A over the entire height between the circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20. The second partition wall 112 and the second partition wall 512 are in contact with each other and are positioned between the inner housing 300 and the inner housing 700 and the second outer housing 400B and the second outer housing 800B over the entire height between the circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20.

[0146] For example, the inner surrounding wall 510 fits around the inner periphery of the inner surrounding wall 110, and the outer surrounding wall 520 fits around the outer periphery of the outer surrounding wall 120. The inner surrounding wall 510 and the inner surrounding wall 110, which fit together, surround the multiple inner contacts 610 and the multiple inner contacts 210 over the entire height between the circuit boards 10 and 20. The outer surrounding wall 520 and the outer surrounding wall 120, which fit together, surround the inner surrounding wall 510 and the inner surrounding wall 110, and one or more outer contacts 620 and one or more outer contacts 220 over the entire height between the circuit boards 10 and 20. When the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 are fitted to the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120, respectively, the connecting plate 130 and the connecting plate 530 overlap at a position away from the circuit board 10, and the first plate 180 and the first plate 580 overlap at a position away from the circuit board 20. The base portion 310 of the inner housing 300 is disposed between the first plate 180 and the first plate 580 .

[0147] 〔summary〕 As described above, the connectors 2, 3 are attached to the circuit boards 10, 20 and connected to the mating connectors 2, 3 along the axes CL1, CL2 perpendicular to the circuit boards 10, 20. The connectors 2, 3 include conductive inner surrounding walls 110, 510 surrounding the axes CL1, CL2, conductive outer surrounding walls 120, 520 surrounding the axes CL1, CL2 and the inner surrounding walls 110, 510, and conductive outer surrounding walls 120, 520 disposed within the inner surrounding walls 110, 510 and connected to the circuit boards 10, 20. and one or more conductive outer contacts 220, 620 disposed between the inner surrounding wall 110, 510 and the outer surrounding wall 120, 520, electrically connected to the circuit board 10, 20, and contacting one or more mating outer contacts 220, 620 of the mating connectors 2, 3, respectively.

[0148] By electrically isolating the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 from the outside of the connectors 2, 3 using the outer surrounding wall 120, 520, it is possible to suppress noise generated in the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 from sources outside the connectors 2, 3. By shielding the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 from the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 using the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, it is possible to suppress noise generated in the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 from sources including the multiple inner contacts 210, 610. This is therefore effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0149] The outer surrounding wall 120, 520 may be continuous without a break around the entire periphery, which can improve the electrical shielding between one or more outer contacts 220, 620 and the outside of the connector 2, 3.

[0150] The inner surrounding wall 110, 510 may be continuous without a break around the entire periphery, which can improve the electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 and the one or more outer contacts 220, 620.

[0151] The connectors 2, 3 may further include conductive connecting plates 130, 530 that connect the inner surrounding walls 110, 510 to the outer surrounding walls 120, 520. In this case, the inner surrounding walls 110, 510 and the outer surrounding walls 120, 520 can be handled together as a shell integrated by the connecting plates 130, 530. This improves the manufacturing efficiency of the connectors 2, 3.

[0152] The outer surrounding wall 120, 520 has a first outer end wall 121, 521 and a second outer end wall 122, 522 that are parallel to each other, and a first outer side wall 123, 523 and a second outer side wall 124, 524 that are parallel to each other and connect the first outer end wall 121, 521 to the second outer end wall 122, 522, respectively, and the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 may include a first outer contact 220A, 620A that is arranged between the first outer end wall 121, 521 and the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, and a second outer contact 220B, 620B that is arranged between the second outer end wall 122, 522 and the inner surrounding wall 110, 510. By arranging the first outer contacts 220A, 620A and the second outer contacts 220B, 620B at a distance from each other, noise generated at the second outer contacts 220B, 620B from the first outer contacts 220A, 620A as a source, and noise generated at the first outer contacts 220A, 620A from the second outer contacts 220B, 620B as a source, can be further suppressed.

[0153] A gap may be formed between the first outer side wall 123, 523 and the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, and between the second outer side wall 124, 524 and the inner surrounding wall 110, 510. The shell can be easily formed.

[0154] Each of the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B may contact the mating outer contact 220, 620 from one direction along a contact direction parallel to the circuit board 10, 20 and the first outer end wall 121, 521, and each of the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 may contact the mating inner contact 210, 610 from two directions along the contact direction. For example, when a signal having a higher frequency than the signal transmitted by the inner contact 210, 610 is transmitted by the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B, noise generation between each of the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B and the mating outer contact 220, 620 can be further suppressed.

[0155] The connector may further include an insulating inner housing 300, 700 that holds the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 within the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, and an insulating outer housing 400, 800 that holds the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B between the outer surrounding wall 120, 520 and the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, and the inner housing 300, 700 and the outer housing 400, 800 may be divided by the inner surrounding wall 110, 510. In this case, the inner surrounding wall 110, 510 is disposed seamlessly at the boundary between the inner housing 300, 700 and the outer housing 400, 800, thereby improving electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 and the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B.

[0156] The outer housing 400, 800 includes a first outer housing 400A, 800A that holds the first outer contact 220A, 620A and a second outer housing 400B, 800B that holds the second outer contact 220B, 620B, and the first outer housing 400A, 800A and the second outer housing 400B, 800B are separated by an inner surrounding wall 110, 510, thereby further improving the electrical shielding between the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B.

[0157] The inner surrounding wall 110 has a first inner end 140 close to the circuit board 10 and a second inner end 150 remote from the circuit board 10, the outer surrounding wall 120 has a first outer end 160 close to the circuit board 10 and a second outer end 170 remote from the circuit board 10, and the connecting plate 130 may connect the second inner end 150 to the second outer end 170. In this case, the mating connector 3 can be slid along the connecting plate 130 and easily guided to the mating position.

[0158] The connecting plate 130 may be formed with a first opening 135 and a second opening 136 that expose the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B. The connecting plate 130 integrates the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing each of the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B to easily come into contact with the mating outer contact 620.

[0159] The first inner end 140 and the first outer end 160 may contact a conductive pattern on the circuit board 10. This can further improve the shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210 and the first and second outer contacts 220A and 220B, as well as the electrical shielding between the first and second outer contacts 220A and 220B and the outside of the connector 2.

[0160] The first inner end 140 may be bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 110 along the entire circumference, and the first outer end 160 may be bent outwardly of the outer surrounding wall 120 along the entire circumference. This increases the connection allowance to the circuit board 10, thereby improving the ease of attaching the connector 2 to the circuit board 10.

[0161] The inner housing 300 may be in contact with the first inner end portion 140 in the direction along the axis CL1. The first inner end portion 140 bent inward of the inner surrounding wall 110 can be effectively used to position the inner housing 300.

[0162] The inner housing 300 has a base portion 310 that contacts the first inner end portion 140 in the direction along the axis CL1, and a contact holding portion 320 that protrudes from the base portion 310 in a direction away from the circuit board 10 and holds the multiple inner contacts 210, and a gap may be formed around the entire periphery between the contact holding portion 320 and the inner surrounding wall 110. For example, a space for inserting the mating inner surrounding wall 510 of the mating connector 3 can be secured within the inner surrounding wall 110. This allows the inner surrounding wall 110 and the mating inner surrounding wall 510 to be fitted together, further improving the shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210 and the first outer contacts 220A and the second outer contacts 220B.

[0163] The inner surrounding wall 510 may have a first inner end 540 close to the circuit board 20 and a second inner end 550 remote from the circuit board 20, the outer surrounding wall 520 may have a first outer end 560 close to the circuit board 20 and a second outer end 570 remote from the circuit board 20, and the connecting plate 530 may connect the first inner end 540 to the first outer end 560. The connecting plate 530 integrates the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing a mating connector 2 to be received between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0164] The connecting plate 530 may have a first opening 535 and a second opening 536 that expose the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B, respectively. The connecting plate 530 integrates the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while also making it possible to easily connect each of the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B to the circuit board 20.

[0165] The connecting plate 530 may be in contact with the conductive pattern of the circuit board 20. By using the connecting plate 530 as a connecting portion to the conductive pattern, the workability of attaching the connector 3 to the circuit board 20 can be improved.

[0166] The second inner end 550 may be bent inwardly around the inner surrounding wall 510, and the second outer end 570 may be bent outwardly around the outer surrounding wall 520. The mating connector 2 can be smoothly introduced between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0167] Within the inner surrounding wall 510, the inner housing 700 may be in contact with the second inner end portion 550. The second inner end portion 550 bent inward of the inner surrounding wall 510 can be effectively used to position the inner housing 700.

[0168] The height of the inner surrounding wall 510 relative to the connecting plate 530 may be lower than the height of the outer surrounding wall 520 relative to the connecting plate 530. By reducing the height of the inner surrounding wall 510, it is possible to easily ensure space for arranging the mating inner housing 300 of the mating connector 2, etc.

[0169] The first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B may be separated from the outer surrounding wall 520 and the inner surrounding wall 510 over the entire periphery, respectively. A space for inserting, for example, the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 of the mating connector 2 can be secured between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520. This allows the inner surrounding wall 510 to be fitted with the mating inner surrounding wall 110, and the outer surrounding wall 520 to be fitted with the mating outer surrounding wall 120, thereby further improving the electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts 610 and the first outer contacts 620A and the second outer contacts 620B, and between the first outer contacts 620A and the second outer contacts 620B and the outside of the connector 3.

[0170] One or more first anchors 591 to be inserted into the first outer housing 800A and one or more second anchors 592 to be inserted into the second outer housing 800B may be formed on the connecting plate 530. This can improve the fixing strength of the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B to the connecting plate 530.

[0171] The connector system 1 comprises a mating connector 2 mounted on a mating circuit board 10, and a connector 3 mounted on the circuit board 20 and connected to the mating connector 2 along an axis CL2 perpendicular to the mating circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20. The mating connector 2 comprises a mating inner surrounding wall 110 surrounding the axis CL2, a mating outer surrounding wall 120 surrounding the axis CL2 and the mating inner surrounding wall 110, a plurality of mating inner contacts 210 arranged within the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and electrically connected to the mating circuit board 10, and one or more mating contacts 210 arranged between the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 and electrically connected to the mating circuit board 10. The connector 3 comprises an inner surrounding wall 510 surrounding the axis CL2 and mating with the mating inner surrounding wall 110, an outer surrounding wall 520 surrounding the axis CL2 and the inner surrounding wall 510 and mating with the mating outer surrounding wall 120, a plurality of inner contacts 610 arranged within the inner surrounding wall 510, electrically connected to the circuit board 20, and each contacting the plurality of mating inner contacts 210, and one or more outer contacts 620 arranged between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520, electrically connected to the circuit board 20, and each contacting one or more mating outer contacts 220.

[0172] The inner surrounding wall 510 may fit around the inner periphery of the mating inner surrounding wall 110 , and the outer surrounding wall 520 may fit around the outer periphery of the mating outer surrounding wall 120 .

[0173] The mating inner surrounding wall 110 and inner surrounding wall 510, which are fitted together, may surround the plurality of mating inner contacts 210 and the plurality of inner contacts 610 over the entire height between the circuit board 20 and the mating circuit board 10, and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 and outer surrounding wall 520 may surround the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and inner surrounding wall 510 and one or more mating outer contacts 220 and one or more outer contacts 620 over the entire height between the circuit board 20 and the mating circuit board 10. Cooperation between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the mating inner surrounding wall 110 can improve electrical shielding between the plurality of inner contacts 610 and the plurality of mating inner contacts 210 and the one or more outer contacts 620 and one or more mating outer contacts 220. Cooperation between the outer surrounding wall 520 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 can improve the electrical shielding between the one or more outer contacts 620 and the one or more mating outer contacts 220 and the outside of the connector 3.

[0174] The mating inner surrounding wall 110 has a mating first inner end 140 close to the mating circuit board 10 and a mating second inner end 150 away from the mating circuit board 10, the mating outer surrounding wall 120 has a mating first outer end 160 close to the mating circuit board 10 and a mating second outer end 170 away from the mating circuit board 10, the inner surrounding wall 510 has a first inner end 540 close to the circuit board 20 and a second inner end 550 away from the circuit board 20, and the outer surrounding wall 520 has a first outer end 560 close to the circuit board 20 and a second outer end 570 away from the circuit board 20. 70, the mating connector 2 further comprises a conductive mating linking plate 130 facing the mating circuit board 10 and linking the second mating inner end 150 to the second mating outer end 170, and the connector 3 further comprises a conductive linking plate 530 facing the circuit board 20 and linking the first inner end 540 to the first outer end 560, and when the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 are fitted into the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120, respectively, the linking plate 530 and the mating linking plate 130 may overlap at a position separated from the mating circuit board 10. Using the mating linking plate 130 as a guide, the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 can be smoothly guided between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0175] The mating connector 2 further includes an insulating mating inner housing 300 that holds multiple mating inner contacts 210 within the mating inner surrounding wall 110, and the height of the mating inner surrounding wall 110 relative to the mating connecting plate 130 and the height of the mating outer surrounding wall 120 relative to the mating connecting plate 130 may be equal, and the height of the inner surrounding wall 510 relative to the connecting plate 530 may be lower than the height of the outer surrounding wall 520 relative to the connecting plate 530. By reducing the height of the inner surrounding wall 510, it is possible to easily ensure space for arranging the mating inner housing 300.

[0176] The connector 100, 200 is attached to the circuit board 10, 20 and connected to the mating connector 100, 200 along an axis perpendicular to the circuit board 10, 20, and includes a plurality of conductive first contacts 210, 610 electrically connected to the circuit board 10, 20 and contacting the plurality of mating first contacts 210, 610 of the mating connector 100, 200, and a plurality of conductive second contacts 210, 610 electrically connected to the circuit board 10, 20 and contacting the plurality of mating second contacts of the mating connector 100, 200. The housing includes conductive second contacts (220A, 620A) that contact the first contacts (210, 610), an insulating first housing (300, 700) that holds a plurality of first contacts (210, 610), an insulating second housing (400A, 800A) that is configured separately from the first housing (300, 700) and that holds the second contacts (220A, 620A), and a conductive first partition wall (111, 511) that is arranged between the first housing (300, 700) and the second housing (400A, 800A).

[0177] Because the second housing 400A, 800A is configured separately from the first housing 300, 700, the first partition wall 111, 511 can be easily disposed between the first housing 300, 700 and the second housing 400A, 800A. This improves electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts 210, 610 and the second contacts 220A, 620A, and suppresses noise generated in the second contacts 220A, 620A from the multiple first contacts 210, 610. This is therefore effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0178] The connector may further include conductive third contacts 220B, 620B electrically connected to the circuit board 10, 20 and in contact with mating third contacts 220B, 620B of the mating connector 100, 200, an insulating third housing 400B, 800B configured separately from the first housing 300, 700 and holding the third contacts 220B, 620B, and a conductive second partition wall 112, 512 arranged between the first housing 300, 700 and the third housing 400B, 800B, and when viewed along the axis, the first housing 300, 700 may be located between the second housing 400A, 800A and the third housing 400B, 800B. Because the third housing 400B, 800B is configured separately from the first housing 300, 700, the second partition wall 112, 512 can be easily disposed between the first housing 300, 700 and the third housing 400B, 800B. This improves electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts 210, 610 and the third contacts 220B, 620B, and suppresses noise generated in the third contacts 220B, 620B from the multiple first contacts 210, 610. Furthermore, electrical shielding between the second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B can be improved.

[0179] When viewed along the axis, the second housings 400A, 800A and the third housings 400B, 800B may be point-symmetrical to each other, which allows the second housings 400A, 800A and the third housings 400B, 800B to use common components, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the connectors 100, 200.

[0180] The second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B may contact the mating second contacts 220A, 620A and the mating third contacts 220B, 620B, respectively, from one direction along a contact direction parallel to the circuit boards 10, 20, and each of the plurality of first contacts 210, 610 may contact the mating first contacts 210, 610 from two directions along the contact direction. When signals of a higher frequency than those transmitted by the first contacts 210, 610 are transmitted by the second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B, it is possible to further suppress the generation of noise between the second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B, respectively, and the mating contacts.

[0181] The first housing 300, 700 has a first side surface 303, 703 and a second side surface 304, 704 that are parallel to a plane that intersects both the circuit board 10, 20 and the first partition wall 111, 511, and each of the first partition wall 111, 511 and the second partition wall 112, 512 may extend from the first side surface 303, 703 to the second side surface 304, 704. This can improve electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 210, 610 and the second contacts 220A, 620A and between the plurality of first contacts 210, 610 and the third contacts 220B, 620B.

[0182] The second housing 400A, 800A has a first end surface 403, 803 facing in a direction away from the first partition wall 111, 511, and the third housing 400B, 800B has a second end surface 404, 804 facing in a direction away from the second partition wall 112, 512, and the connector 100, 200 may further include a conductive first end wall 121, 521 covering the first end surface 403, 803 and a conductive second end wall 122, 522 covering the second end surface 404, 804. This can improve electrical shielding between the second contacts 220A, 620A and the outside of the connector 100, 200 and between the third contacts 220B, 620B and the outside of the connector 100, 200.

[0183] The connector 100, 200 may further include a first plate 180, 580 connecting the first partition wall 111, 511 to the second partition wall 112, 512, a second plate 131, 531 connecting the first end wall 121, 521 to the first partition wall 111, 511, and a third plate 132, 532 connecting the second end wall 122, 522 to the second partition wall 112, 512. The first end wall 121, 521, the first partition wall 111, 511, the second partition wall 112, 512, and the second end wall 122, 522 can be handled together as an integrated shell by the first plate 180, 580, the second plate 131, 531, and the second connecting portion 132, 532. This improves the manufacturing efficiency of the connector 100, 200.

[0184] Each of the first housing 300, the second housing 400A, and the third housing 400B has an opposing surface facing the circuit board 10 and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, and the first plate 180 may cover the opposing surface of the first housing 300, the second plate 131 may cover the opposite surface of the second housing 400A, and the third plate 132 may cover the opposite surface of the third housing 400B. In this case, the mating connector 200 can be slid along the second plate 131 and the third plate 132, and the mating connector 200 can be easily guided to the mating position.

[0185] First plate 180 may be formed with first openings 181 exposing the plurality of first contacts 210, second plate 131 may be formed with second openings 135 exposing second contacts 220A, and third plate 132 may be formed with third openings 136 exposing third contacts 220B. First plate 180, second plate 131, and third plate 132 integrate first end wall 121, first partition wall 111, second partition wall 112, and second end wall 122 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing second contact 220A and third contact 220B to easily come into contact with mating contacts.

[0186] The first plate 180 may be in contact with the conductive pattern of the circuit board 10. By using the first plate 180 as a connection portion to the conductive pattern, the workability of attaching the connector 100 to the circuit board 10 can be improved.

[0187] The first housing 300 has a base portion 310 that contacts the first plate 180 and a contact holding portion 320 that protrudes from the base portion 310 in a direction away from the circuit board 10 and holds the plurality of first contacts 210, and a gap may be formed between each of the first partition wall 111 and the second partition wall 112 and the contact holding portion 320. An insertion space for a mating first partition wall 511 can be secured between the first partition wall 111 and the contact holding portion 320, and an insertion space for a mating second partition wall 512 can be secured between the second partition wall 112 and the contact holding portion 320. Cooperation between the first partition wall 111 and the mating first partition wall 511 and cooperation between the second partition wall 112 and the mating second partition wall 512 can further improve electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 210 and the second contacts 220A and third contacts 220B.

[0188] Each of the first housing 700, the second housing 800A, and the third housing 800B has an opposing surface facing the circuit board 20 and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, and the first plate 580 may cover the opposite surface of the first housing 700, the second plate 531 may cover the opposing surface of the second housing 800A, and the third plate 532 may cover the opposing surface of the third housing 800B. The first plate 580, the second plate 531, and the third plate 532 integrate the first end wall 521, the first partition wall 511, the second partition wall 512, and the second end wall 522 to improve manufacturing efficiency, and the mating connector 100 can be received between the first end wall 521 and the first partition wall 511 and between the second end wall 522 and the second partition wall 512.

[0189] First plate 580 may have first openings 581 that expose the plurality of first contacts 610, second plate 531 may have second openings 535 that expose second contacts 620A, and third plate 532 may have third openings 536 that expose third contacts 620B. First plate 580, second plate 531, and third plate 532 integrate first end wall 521, first partition wall 511, second partition wall 512, and second end wall 522 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing second contacts 620A and third contacts 620B to be easily connected to circuit board 20.

[0190] The second plate 531 and the third plate 532 may each be in contact with a conductive pattern on the circuit board 20. By using the second plate 531 and the third plate 532 as connecting portions to the conductive patterns, the workability of attaching the connector 200 to the circuit board 20 can be improved.

[0191] A gap may be formed between each of the first end wall 521 and the first partition wall 511 and the second housing 800A, and a gap may be formed between each of the second end wall 522 and the second partition wall 512 and the third housing 800B. An insertion space for the mating first partition wall 111 can be secured between the first partition wall 511 and the second housing 800A, and an insertion space for the mating first end wall 121 can be secured between the first end wall 521 and the second housing 800A. An insertion space for the mating second partition wall 112 can be secured between the second partition wall 512 and the third housing 800B, and an insertion space for the mating second end wall 122 can be secured between the second end wall 522 and the third housing 800B. Cooperation between the first partition wall 511 and the mating first partition wall 111, and cooperation between the second partition wall 512 and the mating second partition wall 112, can further improve the electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 610 and the second and third contacts 620A and 620B. Cooperation between the first end wall 521 and the mating first end wall 121 can further improve the electrical shielding between the second contacts 620A and the outside of the connector 200. Cooperation between the second end wall 522 and the mating second end wall 122 can further improve the electrical shielding between the third contacts 620B and the outside of the connector 200.

[0192] Anchors 582 to be inserted into second housing 800A may be formed on second plate 531, and anchors 582 to be inserted into third housing 800B may be formed on third plate 532. This can improve the fixing strength of second housing 800A to second plate 531 and the fixing strength of third housing 800B to third plate 532.

[0193] The connector system 1 comprises a connector 100 connected to a circuit board 10 and a mating connector 200 connected to a mating circuit board 20, the mating connector 200 having a plurality of conductive mating first contacts 610 electrically connected to the mating circuit board 20, conductive mating second contacts 620A electrically connected to the mating circuit board 20, an insulating mating first housing 700 that holds the plurality of mating first contacts 610, and an insulating mating second housing 800A that is configured separately from the mating first housing 700 and holds the mating second contacts 620A, and the connector 100 has a plurality of conductive first contacts 210 electrically connected to the circuit board 10, conductive second contacts 220A electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and a plurality of first contacts 610 electrically connected to the mating circuit board 20. The connector has an insulating first housing 300 that holds the second contacts 210 and fits into a mating first housing 700, an insulating second housing 400A that is formed separately from the first housing 300, holds the second contacts 220A, and fits into a mating second housing 800A, and a conductive partition wall that is arranged between the first housing 300 and the second housing 400A. When the first housing 300 is fitted into the mating first housing 700 and the second housing 400A is fitted into the mating second housing 800A, the multiple first contacts 210 are in contact with the multiple mating first contacts 610, respectively, the second contacts 220A are in contact with the mating second contacts 620A, and the partition wall is arranged between the mating first housing 700 and the mating second housing 800A.

[0194] The mating connector 200 may further have a mating partition wall disposed between the mating first housing 700 and the mating second housing 800A, and the partition wall and the mating partition wall may be in contact with each other when the first housing 300 is mated with the mating first housing 700 and the second housing 400A is mated with the mating second housing 800A, and may be disposed between the first housing 300 and the mating first housing 700 and the second housing 400A and the mating second housing 800A over the entire height between the circuit board 10 and the mating circuit board 20. The first partition wall 111 and the mating first partition wall 511 may cooperate to further improve electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 210 and the second contacts 220A.

[0195] Each of the mating first housing 700 and the mating second housing 800A has an opposing surface facing the mating circuit board 20 and a surface opposite the opposing surface, the mating connector 200 has a conductive mating first plate 580 covering the opposing surface of the mating first housing 700 and a conductive mating second plate 531 covering the opposing surface of the mating second housing 800A, and the mating partition wall connects the mating first plate 580 to the mating second plate 531, each of the first housing 300 and the second housing 400A has an opposing surface facing the circuit board 10 and a surface opposite the opposing surface, and the connector 100 has The housing has a conductive first plate 180 covering the opposing surface of the first housing 300 and a conductive second plate 131 covering the opposite surface of the second housing 400A, and the partition wall connects the first plate 180 to the second plate 131, so that when the first housing 300 is mated with the mating first housing 700 and the second housing 400A is mated with the mating second housing 800A, the first plate 180 and the mating first plate 580 may overlap each other at a position away from the mating circuit board 20, and the second plate 131 and the mating second plate 531 may overlap each other at a position away from the circuit board 10. Using the mating first plate 580 as a guide, the mating first housing 700 can be smoothly mated with the first housing 300, and using the second plate 131 as a guide, the second housing 400A can be smoothly mated with the mating second housing 800A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 10,20...circuit board, 2,3...connector, CL1,CL2...axis, 110,510...inner surrounding wall, 120,520...outer surrounding wall, 210,610...inner contact, 220,620...outer contact, 300,700...inner housing, 400,800...outer housing, 400A,800A...first outer housing, 400B,800B...second outer housing, 121,521...first outer end wall, 122,522...second outer end Wall, 123,523...first outer side wall, 124,524...second outer side wall, 220A,620A...first outer contact, 220B,620B...second outer contact, 140,540...first inner end, 150,550...second inner end, 160,560...first outer end, 170,570...second outer end, 130,530...connecting plate, 135,535...first opening, 136,536...second opening, 310...base portion, 320...contact holding portion.

Claims

1. A connector that is mounted on a circuit board and connects to a mating connector along an axis perpendicular to the circuit board, an electrically conductive inner surrounding wall surrounding the axis; an electrically conductive outer surrounding wall surrounding the axis and the inner surrounding wall; a plurality of conductive inner contacts disposed within the inner surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board, and adapted to respectively contact a plurality of mating inner contacts of the mating connector; one or more conductive outer contacts disposed between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board, and each of which contacts one or more mating outer contacts of the mating connector; A connector comprising:

2. The outer surrounding wall is continuous without interruption around the entire periphery. The connector according to claim 1.

3. The inner surrounding wall is continuous without interruption around the entire periphery.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a conductive connecting plate connecting the inner surrounding wall to the outer surrounding wall; The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The outer surrounding wall is a first outer end wall and a second outer end wall that are parallel to each other; a first outer side wall and a second outer side wall parallel to each other, each connecting the first outer end wall to the second outer end wall; having The one or more outer contacts include a first outer contact disposed between the first outer end wall and the inner surrounding wall; a second outer contact disposed between the second outer end wall and the inner surrounding wall; Including, The connector according to claim 4.

6. A gap is formed between the first outer side wall and the inner surrounding wall, and between the second outer side wall and the inner surrounding wall. The connector according to claim 5.

7. each of the first outer contact and the second outer contact contacts a mating outer contact from one direction along a contact direction parallel to the circuit board and the first outer end wall; Each of the plurality of inner contacts contacts a mating inner contact from two directions along the contact direction.

7. The connector according to claim 5 or 6.

8. an insulating inner housing that holds the plurality of inner contacts within the inner surrounding wall; an insulating outer housing that holds the first outer contact and the second outer contact between the outer surrounding wall and the inner surrounding wall; Further comprising: The inner housing and the outer housing are divided by the inner surrounding wall. The connector according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The outer housing includes: a first outer housing that holds the first outer contact; a second outer housing that holds the second outer contact; Including, The first outer housing and the second outer housing are divided by the inner surrounding wall. The connector according to claim 8.

10. The inner surrounding wall is a first inner end proximate to the circuit board; a second inner end remote from the circuit board; having The outer surrounding wall is a first outer end proximate to the circuit board; a second outer end remote from the circuit board; having The connecting plate connects the second inner end to the second outer end. The connector according to claim 9.

11. The connecting plate has a first opening and a second opening for exposing the first outer contact and the second outer contact. The connector of claim 10.

12. the first inner end and the first outer end contact a conductive pattern of the circuit board; The connector of claim 11.

13. The first inner end portion is bent toward the inside of the inner surrounding wall over the entire circumference, The first outer end portion is bent outwardly of the outer surrounding wall over the entire circumference. The connector according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The inner housing is in contact with the first inner end portion in a direction along the axis. The connector of claim 13.

15. The inner housing includes: a base portion contacting the first inner end portion in a direction along the axis; a contact holding portion that protrudes from the base portion in a direction away from the circuit board and holds the inner contacts; having A gap is formed around the entire periphery between the contact holding portion and the inner surrounding wall. The connector of claim 14.

16. The inner surrounding wall is a first inner end proximate to the circuit board; a second inner end remote from the circuit board; having The outer surrounding wall is a first outer end proximate to the circuit board; a second outer end remote from the circuit board; having The connecting plate connects the first inner end to the first outer end. The connector according to claim 9.

17. The connecting plate has a first opening and a second opening through which the first outer contact and the second outer contact are exposed, respectively. The connector of claim 16.

18. The connection plate contacts the conductive pattern of the circuit board.

18. The connector according to claim 16 or 17.

19. The second inner end portion is bent toward the inside of the inner surrounding wall over the entire circumference, The second outer end portion is bent outwardly from the outer surrounding wall over the entire circumference. The connector according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

20. Within the inner surrounding wall, the inner housing abuts the second inner end.

20. The connector of claim 19.

21. The height of the inner surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate is lower than the height of the outer surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate. The connector according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

22. The first outer housing and the second outer housing are separated from the outer surrounding wall and the inner surrounding wall over the entire periphery, respectively. The connector according to any one of claims 16 to 21.

23. The connecting plate has: one or more first anchors inserted into the first outer housing; one or more second anchors inserted into the second outer housing; is formed, 23. The connector of claim 22.

24. a mating connector that is attached to a mating circuit board; a connector attached to a circuit board and connected to the mating connector along an axis perpendicular to the mating circuit board and the circuit board; Equipped with The mating connector is A mating inner surrounding wall surrounding the axis; a mating outer surrounding wall surrounding the axis and the mating inner surrounding wall; a plurality of mating inner contacts disposed within the mating inner surrounding wall and electrically connected to the mating circuit board; one or more mating outer contacts disposed between the mating inner surrounding wall and the mating outer surrounding wall and electrically connected to the mating circuit board; Equipped with The connector comprises: an inner surrounding wall that surrounds the axis and engages with the mating inner surrounding wall; an outer surrounding wall that surrounds the axis and the inner surrounding wall and engages with the mating outer surrounding wall; a plurality of inner contacts disposed within the inner surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board, and in contact with the plurality of mating inner contacts, respectively; one or more outer contacts disposed between the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall, electrically connected to the circuit board, and each in contact with the one or more mating outer contacts; Equipped with Connector system.

25. The inner surrounding wall is fitted to the inner periphery of the mating inner surrounding wall, The outer surrounding wall is fitted to the outer periphery of the mating outer surrounding wall.

25. The connector system of claim 24.

26. the mating inner surrounding wall and the inner surrounding wall engaged with each other surround the plurality of mating inner contacts and the plurality of inner contacts over the entire height between the circuit board and the mating circuit board, the mating outer surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall engaged with each other surround the mating inner surrounding wall and the inner surrounding wall, and the one or more mating outer contacts and the one or more outer contacts over the entire height between the circuit board and the mating circuit board; 26. The connector system of claim 25.

27. The mating inner surrounding wall is A mating first inner end portion close to the mating circuit board; a mating second inner end portion spaced from the mating circuit board; having The opposing outer surrounding wall is a mating first outer end portion close to the mating circuit board; a mating second outer end portion spaced apart from the mating circuit board; having The inner surrounding wall is a first inner end proximate to the circuit board; a second inner end remote from the circuit board; having The outer surrounding wall is a first outer end proximate to the circuit board; a second outer end remote from the circuit board; having The mating connector further includes a conductive mating connection plate that faces the mating circuit board and connects the mating second inner end portion to the mating second outer end portion, the connector further includes a conductive connecting plate that faces the circuit board and connects the first inner end to the first outer end, When the inner surrounding wall and the outer surrounding wall are fitted to the mating inner surrounding wall and the mating outer surrounding wall, respectively, the connecting plate and the mating connecting plate overlap at a position away from the mating circuit board.

27. A connector system according to claim 25 or 26.

28. The mating connector further includes an insulating mating inner housing that holds the plurality of mating inner contacts within the mating inner surrounding wall, The height of the mating inner surrounding wall relative to the mating connecting plate is equal to the height of the mating outer surrounding wall relative to the mating connecting plate, The height of the inner surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate is lower than the height of the outer surrounding wall relative to the connecting plate.

28. The connector system of claim 27.

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