Connectors and connector systems

Abstract

To provide a connector which is effective for improving reliability of a signal transmission.SOLUTION: A connector 100 is attached to a circuit board 10, and is connected to a mating connector 200 along a shaft line vertical to the circuit board 10. the connector 100 comprises: a plurality of first contacts 210 that is electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and is contacted to each of a plurality of mating first contacts 610 of the mating connector 200; a second conductive contact 220A that is electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and is contacted to a second mating contact 620A of the mating connector 200; a first insulation housing 300 that holds the plurality of first contacts 210; a second insulation housing 400A that is separately constructed from the first housing 300, and holds the second contact 220A; and a first conductive segment wall 111 that is arranged between the first housing 300 and the second housing 400A.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 connection terminal, a first high-frequency connection terminal having a first mounting portion and transmitting a high-frequency signal, and a first external grounding member surrounding the first high-frequency connection terminal. The second connector has a second connection terminal, a second high-frequency connection terminal having a second mounting portion, and a second external grounding member surrounding the second high-frequency connection terminal. When the first connector and the second connector are fitted together, the second external grounding member is located inside the first external grounding member, the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are located outside the first external grounding member, and the second external grounding member is closed in a circumferential manner so as to surround the outer shape of the first high-frequency connection terminal and the outer shape of the second high-frequency connection terminal when viewed from the insertion / removal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-102462 A 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 attached to a circuit board and connected to a mating connector along an axis perpendicular to the circuit board, and includes a plurality of conductive first contacts that are electrically connected to the circuit board and contact respective mating first contacts of the mating connector, a conductive second contact that is electrically connected to the circuit board and contacts a mating second contact of the mating connector, an insulating first housing that holds the plurality of first contacts, an insulating second housing that is configured separately from the first housing and holds the second contacts, and a conductive first partition wall that is disposed between the first housing and the second housing.

[0006] Since the second housing is configured separately from the first housing, a large first partition wall can be disposed between the first and second housings. This improves electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts and the second contacts, and suppresses noise generated in the second contacts from the multiple first contacts. This is therefore effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0007] The connector may further include a conductive third contact electrically connected to the circuit board and contacting a mating third contact of the mating connector, an insulating third housing configured separately from the first housing and holding the third contact, and a conductive second partition wall disposed between the first housing and the third housing, and the first housing may be located between the second housing and the third housing as viewed along the axis. Since the third housing is configured separately from the first housing, a large second partition wall can be disposed between the first housing and the third housing. This improves electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts and the third contact, and suppresses noise generated in the third contact from the multiple first contacts as a source. Furthermore, electrical shielding between the second contact and the third contact can be improved.

[0008] The second housing and the third housing may be point-symmetrical to each other when viewed along the axis, which allows the second housing and the third housing to use common components, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the connector.

[0009] The second contact and the third contact may each contact the mating second contact and the mating third contact from one direction along a contact direction parallel to the circuit board, and each of the plurality of first contacts may contact the mating first contact from two directions along the contact direction. When a signal having a higher frequency than that transmitted by the first contact is transmitted by the second contact and the third contact, generation of noise between the second contact and the mating contact and each of the third contact can be further suppressed.

[0010] The first housing may have a first side surface and a second side surface parallel to a plane intersecting both the circuit board and the first partition wall, and each of the first partition wall and the second partition wall may extend from the first side surface to the second side surface. This can improve electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts and the second contacts and between the multiple first contacts and the third contact.

[0011] The second housing may have a first end face facing away from the first partition wall, the third housing may have a second end face facing away from the second partition wall, and the connector may further include a conductive first end wall covering the first end face and a conductive second end wall covering the second end face. This can improve electrical shielding between the second contact and the outside of the connector, and electrical shielding between the third contact and the outside of the connector.

[0012] The connector may further include a conductive first plate connecting the first partition wall to the second partition wall, a conductive second plate connecting the first end wall to the first partition wall, and a conductive third plate connecting the second end wall to the second partition wall. The first end wall, the first partition wall, the second partition wall, and the second end wall can be handled together as a shell integrated with the first plate, the second plate, and the second plate. This improves the manufacturing efficiency of the connector.

[0013] Each of the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing has an opposing surface facing the circuit board and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, and the first plate may cover the opposing surface of the first housing, the second plate may cover the opposite surface of the second housing, and the third plate may cover the opposite surface of the third housing. In this case, the mating connector can be easily guided to the mating position by sliding it along the second plate and the third plate.

[0014] The first plate may have a first opening for exposing the plurality of first contacts, the second plate may have a second opening for exposing the second contacts, and the third plate may have a third opening for exposing the third contact. The first, second, and third plates integrate the first end wall, the first partition wall, the second partition wall, and the second end wall to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing each of the second contacts and the third contacts to easily come into contact with the mating contacts.

[0015] The first plate may contact the conductive pattern of the circuit board. By using the first plate as a connection portion to the conductive pattern, the workability of mounting the connector to the circuit board can be improved.

[0016] The first housing may have a base portion in contact with the first plate, and a contact holding portion protruding from the base portion in a direction away from the circuit board and holding the multiple first contacts, and a gap may be formed between each of the first partition wall and the contact holding portion. An insertion space for the mating first partition wall can be secured between the first partition wall and the contact holding portion, and an insertion space for the mating second partition wall can be secured between the second partition wall and the contact holding portion. By cooperating the first partition wall and the mating first partition wall, and by cooperating the second partition wall and the mating second partition wall, electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts and the second and third contacts can be further improved.

[0017] Each of the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing may have an opposing surface facing the circuit board and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, and the first plate may cover the opposite surface of the first housing, the second plate may cover the opposing surface of the second housing, and the third plate may cover the opposing surface of the third housing. The first plate, the second plate, and the third plate may integrate the first end wall, the first partition wall, the second partition wall, and the second end wall to improve manufacturing efficiency, and may form a connector capable of receiving a mating connector between the first end wall and the first partition wall and between the second end wall and the second partition wall.

[0018] The first plate may have a first opening exposing the plurality of first contacts, the second plate may have a second opening exposing the second contacts, and the third plate may have a third opening exposing the third contact. The first, second, and third plates integrate the first end wall, the first partition wall, the second partition wall, and the second end wall to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing each of the second contacts and the third contacts to be easily connected to a circuit board.

[0019] The second plate and the third plate may each be in contact with a conductive pattern on the circuit board. By using the second plate and the third plate as connecting parts to the conductive patterns, the workability of mounting the connector to the circuit board can be improved.

[0020] A gap may be formed between each of the first end wall and the first partition wall and the second housing, and a gap may be formed between each of the second end wall and the second partition wall and the third housing. An insertion space for the mating first partition wall can be secured between the first partition wall and the second housing, and an insertion space for the mating first end wall can be secured between the first end wall and the second housing. An insertion space for the mating second partition wall can be secured between the second partition wall and the third housing, and an insertion space for the mating second end wall can be secured between the second end wall and the third housing. The first partition wall and the mating first partition wall cooperate with each other, and the second partition wall and the mating second partition wall cooperate with each other to further improve the electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts and the second and third contacts. The first end wall and the mating first end wall cooperate with each other, and the electrical shielding between the second contacts and the outside of the connector can be further improved. The second end wall and the mating second end wall cooperate with each other to further improve the electrical shielding between the third contacts and the outside of the connector.

[0021] The second plate may be formed with an anchor to be inserted into the second housing, and the third plate may be formed with an anchor to be inserted into the third housing, thereby improving the fixing strength of the second housing to the second plate and the fixing strength of the third housing to the third plate.

[0022] A connector system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector connected to a circuit board and a mating connector connected to a mating circuit board, the mating connector having a plurality of conductive mating first contacts electrically connected to the mating circuit board, a conductive mating second contact electrically connected to the mating circuit board, an insulating mating first housing that holds the plurality of mating first contacts, and an insulating mating second housing that is configured separately from the mating first housing and holds the mating second contact, and the connector has a plurality of conductive first contacts electrically connected to the circuit board, and a conductive second contact electrically connected to the circuit board. the mating first housing, an insulating first housing that holds a plurality of first contacts and fits into a mating first housing, an insulating second housing that is constructed separately from the first housing, holds second contacts, and fits into a mating second housing, and a conductive partition wall that is arranged between the first housing and the second housing, and when the first housing is mated with the mating first housing and the second housing is mated with the mating second housing, the plurality of first contacts are in contact with the plurality of mating first contacts, respectively, the second contacts are in contact with the mating second contacts, and the partition wall is arranged between the mating first housing and the mating second housing.

[0023] The mating connector may further have a conductive mating partition wall disposed between the mating first housing and the mating second housing, and when the first housing is mated with the mating first housing and the second housing is mated with the mating second housing, the partition wall and the mating partition wall are in contact with each other and may be disposed between the first housing and the mating first housing and between the second housing and the mating second housing over the entire height between the circuit board and the mating circuit board. The first partition wall and the mating first partition wall cooperate to further improve electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts and the second contacts.

[0024] Each of the mating first housing and the mating second housing has an opposing surface facing a mating circuit board and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, the mating connector has a conductive mating first plate covering the opposite surface of the mating first housing and a conductive mating second plate covering the opposite surface of the mating second housing, the mating partition wall connects the mating first plate to the mating second plate, each of the first housing and the second housing has an opposing surface facing the circuit board and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, the connector has a conductive first plate covering the opposing surface of the first housing and a conductive second plate covering the opposite surface of the second housing, the partition wall connects the first plate to the second plate, and when the first housing is mated with the mating first housing and the second housing is mated with the mating second housing, the first plate and the mating first plate overlap each other at a position away from the mating circuit board, and the second plate and the mating second plate overlap each other at a position away from the circuit board. Using the mating first plate as a guide, the mating first housing can be smoothly fitted into the first housing, and using the second plate as a guide, the second housing can be smoothly fitted into the mating second housing. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that is effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a connector system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a receptacle connector. [Diagram 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. [Diagram 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. 3 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 a 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] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 12. [Figure 16] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 12. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 12. [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 PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] 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 duplicated description will be omitted.

[0028] [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.

[0029] 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 circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20 are electrically connected by the connection between the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3. Below, the configurations of the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 will be illustrated in detail.

[0030] [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.

[0031] The shell 100 has an inner surrounding wall 110 and an outer surrounding wall 120. The shell 100 is formed of a metal sheet material or the like and is 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.

[0032] 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 has electrical conductivity. 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, respectively (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.

[0033] 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 of a metal sheet material or the like, and has electrical conductivity. 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.

[0034] 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 the first outer contact 620A of the plug connector 3, and the second outer contact 220B contacts the second outer contact 620B of the plug connector 3.

[0035] 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 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.

[0036] 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 of a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The outer housing 400 insulates the one or more outer contacts 220 (for example, the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B) from each other, 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.

[0037] The outer housing 400 is configured separately from the inner housing 300. Configuring two objects separately means that the two objects are configured so as not to be directly fixed to each other. The same applies below. For example, the inner housing 300 and the outer housing 400 are each fixed to the shell 100 while being divided 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.

[0038] 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 an opposite surface 402 to the opposing surface 401.

[0039] 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 divided by the inner surrounding wall 110, and the second outer housing 400B and the inner housing 300 are divided by the inner surrounding wall 110, so that the first outer housing 400A and the second outer housing 400B are divided by the inner surrounding wall 110. Similar to the first outer housing 400A, the second outer housing 400B has an opposing surface 401 facing the circuit board 10 and an opposite surface 402 of the opposing surface 401.

[0040] 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.

[0041] (shell) Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the shell 100 shown in Fig. 3, seen from the opposite direction. As shown in Fig. 4, each of the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 may be continuous without interruption around the entire periphery.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surrounding wall 110 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the 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 below. 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.

[0043] 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 intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) both the circuit board 10 and the first partition wall 111. Each of the first partition wall 111 and the second partition wall 112 extends from the first side surface 303 to the second side surface 304 to connect the first inner side wall 113 to the second inner side wall 114.

[0044] The outer surrounding wall 120 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the 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 in a direction 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.

[0045] 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, an inner surface of the first outer side wall 123 (a surface facing inward of the outer surrounding wall 120) and an outer surface of the first inner side wall 113 (a surface facing outward of the inner surrounding wall 110) face each other, and a gap is formed between the first outer side wall 123 and the first inner side wall 113. An inner surface of the second outer side wall 124 and an outer surface of the second inner side wall 114 face each other, and a gap is formed between the second outer side wall 124 and the second inner side wall 114.

[0046] 4, the inner surrounding wall 110 has a first inner end 140 close to the circuit board 10 and a second inner end 150 away 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.

[0047] Similarly, the outer surrounding wall 120 has a first outer end 160 proximate the circuit board 10 and a second outer end 170 distal from 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.

[0048] The first inner end 140 and the first outer end 160 contact conductive patterns (e.g., an inner ground pattern 16 and an outer ground pattern 15 described below) of the circuit board 10. The first inner end 140 and the first outer end 160 are electrically connected to the conductive patterns of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0049] The first inner end 140 is bent toward the inside of the inner surrounding wall 110 over the entire circumference. For example, each of the first inner end parts 141, 142, 143, and 144 is bent toward the inside of the inner surrounding wall 110. The first inner end parts 141, 142, 143, and 144 are connected to the entire circumference 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 an opening 181 that exposes a plurality of inner contacts 210. The first plate 180 contacts a conductive pattern (for example, an inner ground pattern 16 described later) 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.

[0050] The first outer end portion 160 is bent outwardly 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 outwardly 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.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the shell 100 further includes a connecting plate 130 that connects the second inner end 150 of the inner surrounding wall 110 to the second outer end 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 171 of the first outer end wall 121 to the second inner end 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 172 of the second outer end wall 122 to the second inner end 152 of the second partition wall 112, and covers the opposite surface 402 of the second outer housing 400B. The third connector 133 connects the second outer end 173 of the first outer sidewall 123 to the second inner end 153 of the first inner sidewall 113. The third connector 134 connects the second outer end 174 of the second outer sidewall 124 to the second inner end 154 of the second inner sidewall 114.

[0052] 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.

[0053] A first opening 135 and a second opening 136 that expose the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B are formed in the connecting plate 130. 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).

[0054] The above-described shell 100 is integrally formed from a single plate material, for example, by drawing. Drawing makes it possible to easily form the shell 100 in which both the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are continuous around the entire periphery without any breaks and the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are connected by the connecting plate 130.

[0055] (Inner Contact) As shown in FIG. 3, the inner contacts 210 are held in the inner housing 300 in a state of being aligned along one or more rows. Each of the one or more rows is aligned 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, rows L11 and L12 that are parallel to each other when viewed from a direction along the axis CL1. The row L11 is located between the row L12 and the first inner side wall 113, and the row L12 is located between the row L11 and the second inner side wall 114. The inner contacts 210 include inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C aligned along the row L11, and inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F aligned along the row L12.

[0056] In Fig. 6, cross sections of the inner contacts 210B and 210E are shown. 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 linking portion 213, a connecting portion 214, and a second linking 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, and is folded back in a U-shape to be connected to the second contact portion 212.

[0057] The second coupling portion 215 couples the second contact portion 212 to the connection portion 214. For example, the second coupling portion 215 extends from the second contact portion 212 toward the circuit board 10 and is connected to the connection portion 214. The connection 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 connection portion 214 contacts a conductive pattern (an inner signal pattern 12 described below) of the circuit board 10. The connection portion 214 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0058] In each of the multiple inner contacts 210, the first contact portion 211 is disposed inward of the second contact portion 212 in the inner surrounding wall 110. The connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210A, 210B, 210C extend toward the inner surface of the first inner sidewall 113 in the inner surrounding wall 110 and face the first inner end portion 143 (the inner edge of the opening 181) of the first inner sidewall 113. The connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210D, 210E, 210F extend toward the inner surface of the second inner sidewall 114 in the inner surrounding wall 110 and face the first inner end portion 144 (the inner edge of the opening 181) of the second inner sidewall 114.

[0059] Each of the multiple inner contacts 210 is formed by stamping, bending, or the like, a thin metal plate material.

[0060] (Outer Contact) 7 shows a cross section of the first outer contact 220A. The first outer contact 220A is formed so as to contact the outer contact 620 from one direction along the contact direction D11 described above. For example, the first outer contact 220A has a contact portion 221, a connection portion 222, and a linking portion 223.

[0061] 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 later) 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 has elasticity 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 is bent 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.

[0062] 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, bending, or the like, a thin metal plate material.

[0063] (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 contacts the first inner end portion 140 in the direction along the axis CL1. For example, the inner housing 300 contacts 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.

[0064] 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 above-mentioned opposing surface 301, which contacts the first inner end portion 140. The outer circumferential 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.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9, the contact holder 320 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction along the axis CL1, and has 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 circumference 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.

[0066] The contact holding portion 320 has the opposite surface 302 described above. The contact holding portion 320 is formed with a first groove portion 325 aligned along the row L11 described above and a second groove portion 326 aligned along the row L12 described above. The first groove portion 325 and the second groove portion 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.

[0067] For example, the contact accommodating holes 327 include contact accommodating holes 327A, 327B, 327C and contact accommodating holes 327D, 327E, 327F. The contact accommodating holes 327A, 327B, 327C are aligned along the row L11 and accommodate the inner contacts 210A, 210B, 210C, respectively. For example, the contact accommodating holes 327A, 327B, 327C open to the inner surface of the first groove portion 325 and expose the first contact portion 211 and the second contact portion 212 of the inner contacts 210A, 210B, 210C to the inside of the first groove portion 325. The contact accommodating holes 327D, 327E, 327F are aligned along the row L12 and accommodate the inner contacts 210D, 210E, 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 portions 211 and second contact portions 212 of the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F to the inside of the second groove portion 326.

[0068] 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.

[0069] One end of the first base portion 311 and 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 an end surface of the first base portion 311 and an end surface of the second base portion 312 that contact the inner surface of the first inner side wall 113. An area that exposes the connection portions 214 of the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C 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.

[0070] 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 surface of the first base portion 311 and the end surface of the second base portion 312 that contact the inner surface of the second inner side wall 114. The other end of the first base portion 311 and the other end 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).

[0071] The inner housing 300 is formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material.

[0072] (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 from the 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.

[0073] 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 facing 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 partitioned 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 such that the contact surface of the contact portion 221 that contacts the contact portion 621 faces in a direction away from the partition wall 423. Therefore, the connecting portion 222 bent relative to the coupling portion 223 extends in a direction away from the partition wall 423.

[0074] 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 contact 220B is held in the receiving hole 421 by the contact holding portion 430. The relative arrangement of the second outer contact 220B with respect to the second outer housing 400B is the same as the relative arrangement of the first outer contact 220A with respect to the first outer housing 400A. Therefore, a unit formed by combining the second outer housing 400B and the second outer contact 220B is substantially the same unit as a unit formed by combining the first outer housing 400A and the first outer contact 220A.

[0075] When viewed from the direction along the axis CL1, the first outer housing 400A and the second outer housing 400B are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical with each other. Therefore, when viewed from the direction along the axis CL1, the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B are point-symmetrical with each other. The above-mentioned first end surface 403 (see FIG. 5) covered by the first outer end wall 121 is formed by the first side surface 411 of the first outer housing 400A. The above-mentioned second end surface 404 (see FIG. 5) covered by the second outer end wall 122 is formed by the second side surface 412 of the second outer housing 400B.

[0076] (Conductive patterns on circuit boards) FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the conductive pattern of the circuit board 10. As shown in FIG. 11, a ground pattern 11, a plurality of 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 the first outer end 160 of the outer surrounding wall 120. The first outer end 160 contacts the outer ground pattern 15 over the entire circumference 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 inside of the outer ground pattern 15. The first partition pattern 17 corresponds to the first inner end 141 of the first partition wall 111, and the second partition pattern 18 corresponds to the first inner end 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.

[0077] The multiple inner signal patterns 12 are arranged between the first division pattern 17 and the second division pattern 18 in 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.

[0078] The first outer signal pattern 13 corresponds to the first outer contact 220A. A 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. A 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.

[0079] In the circuit board 10, the first outer signal pattern 13 and the second outer signal pattern 14 are used to transmit signals having a higher frequency (eg, RF signals) than the signals transmitted by each of the multiple inner signal patterns 12.

[0080] [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.

[0081] The shell 500 has an inner surrounding wall 510 and an outer surrounding wall 520. The shell 500 is formed of a metal thin plate material or the like and is 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.

[0082] The multiple inner contacts 610 are disposed within the inner surrounding wall 510 and are electrically connected to the circuit board 20. Each of the multiple inner contacts 610 is formed from a metal sheet material or the like and has electrical conductivity. For example, the multiple inner contacts 610 are electrically connected to multiple conductive patterns (e.g., multiple inner signal patterns 22 described below) formed on the surface of the circuit board 20, respectively (see FIG. 21). When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the multiple inner contacts 610 come into contact with the multiple inner contacts 210 of the receptacle connector 2, respectively.

[0083] 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 of a metal sheet material or the like, and has electrical conductivity. 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] The inner housing 700 holds the multiple inner contacts 610 within the inner surrounding wall 510. The inner housing 700 is formed of a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The inner housing 700 insulates the multiple inner contacts 610 from one another and insulates each of the multiple inner contacts 610 from the inner surrounding wall 510. The inner housing 700 has an opposing surface 701 that faces the circuit board 20 and a surface 702 opposite the opposing surface 701.

[0086] 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 of a resin material or the like and has insulating properties. The outer housing 800 insulates the one or more outer contacts 620 (for example, the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B) from each other, insulates each of the one or more outer contacts 620 from the inner surrounding wall 510 from each other, and insulates each of the one or more outer contacts 620 from the outer surrounding wall 520 from each other.

[0087] 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 in a state in which they are 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.

[0088] 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 contact 620A. The first outer housing 800A has an opposing surface 801 facing the circuit board 20 and an opposite surface 802 to the opposing surface 801.

[0089] 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 divided by the inner surrounding wall 510, and the second outer housing 800B and the inner housing 700 are divided by the inner surrounding wall 510, so that the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are divided by the inner surrounding wall 510. Similar to the first outer housing 800A, the second outer housing 800B has an opposing surface 801 facing the circuit board 20 and an opposite surface 802 of the opposing surface 801.

[0090] Below, with reference to other drawings, the configurations 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.

[0091] (shell) Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the shell 500 shown in Fig. 13, seen from the opposite direction. As shown in Fig. 14, each of the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 may be continuous without interruption around the entire periphery.

[0092] 15, the inner surrounding wall 510 has a rectangular shape when viewed from 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.

[0093] 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 (for example, perpendicular to) both the circuit board 20 and the first partition wall 511. Each of the first partition wall 511 and the second partition wall 512 extends from the first side surface 703 to the second side surface 704 to connect the first inner side wall 513 to the second inner side wall 514.

[0094] 15, the outer surrounding wall 520 has a rectangular shape when viewed from 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 in a direction 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.

[0095] 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, an inner surface of the first outer side wall 523 (a surface facing inward of the outer surrounding wall 520) and an outer surface of the first inner side wall 513 (a surface facing outward of the inner surrounding wall 510) face each other, and a gap is formed between the first outer side wall 523 and the first inner side wall 513. An inner surface of the second outer side wall 524 (a surface facing inward of the outer surrounding wall 520) and an outer surface of the second inner side wall 514 (a surface facing outward of the inner surrounding wall 510) face each other, and a gap is formed between the second outer side wall 524 and the second inner side wall 514.

[0096] 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.

[0097] Similarly, the outer surrounding wall 520 has a first outer end 560 proximate the circuit board 20 and a second outer end 570 distal from 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.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 14, the second inner end 550 is bent toward the inside of the inner surrounding wall 510 over the entire circumference. For example, each of the second inner end portions 551, 552, 553, and 554 is bent toward the inside of the inner surrounding wall 510. The second inner end portions 551, 552, 553, and 554 are connected to the entire circumference 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. At the boundary between the outer surface of the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surface of the first plate 580, an inner curved surface 555 is formed over the entire circumference of the inner surrounding wall 510.

[0099] The second outer end 570 is bent outward from the outer surrounding wall 520 over the entire circumference. For example, each of the second outer end parts 571, 572, 573, and 574 is bent outward from the outer surrounding wall 520. The second outer end parts 571, 572, 573, and 574 are continuous over the entire circumference of the outer surrounding wall 520 to form a flange. Hereinafter, among both sides of the flange formed by the second outer end parts 571, 572, 573, and 574, the surface that is continuous with the inner surface of the outer surrounding wall 520 is referred to as the first surface of the second outer end part 570. At the boundary between the inner surface of the outer surrounding wall 520 and the first surface of the second outer end part 570, an outer curved surface 575 is formed over the entire circumference of the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0100] The shell 500 further includes a connecting plate 530 that connects the first inner end 540 of the inner surrounding wall 510 to the first outer end 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 561 of the first outer end wall 521 to the first inner end 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 562 of the second outer end wall 522 to the first inner end 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 sidewall 523 to the first inner end 543 of the first inner sidewall 513. The fourth connector 534 connects the first outer end 564 of the second outer sidewall 524 to the second inner end 554 of the second inner sidewall 514.

[0101] The connecting plate 530 has a first opening 535 and a second opening 536 that 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 the conductive patterns of the circuit board 20 (for example, the inner ground pattern 26 and the outer ground pattern 25 described later). For example, the first connecting portion 531 contacts the outer ground pattern 25 and the first division pattern 27 described later, the second connecting portion 532 contacts the outer ground pattern 25 and the second division pattern 28 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.

[0102] 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 locations facing each other along a direction parallel to the first partition wall 511 on the inner circumference 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 larger than the width of the protruding portion 593. The end portion 594 acts as a retainer for preventing the first anchor 591 from slipping out of the first outer housing 800A.

[0103] A pair of second anchors 592 to be inserted into the second outer housing 800B are formed in the second connecting portion 532. The pair of second anchors 592 are formed at two opposing positions along a direction parallel to the second partition wall 512 on the inner circumference of the second opening 536. Each of the pair of second anchors 592 has a protruding portion 593 and an end portion 594, similar to the first anchor 591. 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 portion of the protruding portion 593. The width of the end portion 594 is larger than the width of the protruding portion 593. The end portion 594 acts as a retainer for preventing the first anchor 591 from coming off the second outer housing 800B.

[0104] The above-described shell 100 is integrally formed from a single plate material, for example, by drawing. Drawing makes it possible to easily form the shell 100 in which both the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are continuous around the entire periphery without any breaks and the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120 are connected by the connecting plate 130.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 16, a height H1 of the inner surrounding wall 510 relative to the connecting plate 530 may be less than a height H2 of the outer surrounding wall 520 relative to the connecting plate 530.

[0106] (Inner Contact) As shown in FIG. 13, the multiple inner contacts 610 are held in the inner housing 700 in a state of being aligned along one or more rows. Each of the one or more rows is aligned 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 a direction along the axis CL2. The row L21 is located between the row L22 and the first inner side wall 513, and the row L22 is located between the row L21 and the second inner side wall 514. The multiple inner contacts 610 include inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C aligned along the row L21, and inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F aligned along the row L22.

[0107] In FIG. 16, cross sections of the inner contacts 610B and 610E are shown. As shown in FIG. 16, the inner contact 610 is formed so as 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 opposite to each other 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, and is folded back in a U-shape to connect to the first contact portion 611.

[0108] The first contact portion 611 extends from the first coupling portion 613 toward the circuit board 20 and is coupled to the connection portion 614. The connection portion 614 is bent with respect to the first contact portion 611 and extends along the circuit board 20 in a 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 connection portion 614 contacts a conductive pattern (an inner signal pattern 22 described below) of the circuit board 20. The connection portion 614 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 20 by soldering or the like.

[0109] 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, 610C extend toward the inner surface of the first inner sidewall 513 within the inner surrounding wall 510 and face the first inner end portion 543 of the first inner sidewall 513. The connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610D, 610E, 610F extend toward the inner surface of the second inner sidewall 514 within the inner surrounding wall 510 and face the first inner end portion 544 of the second inner sidewall 514.

[0110] Each of the multiple inner contacts 610 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material.

[0111] (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 above-mentioned contact direction D21. For example, the first outer contact 620A has a contact portion 621, a coupling portion 622, an insertion portion 623, and a connection portion 624.

[0112] The contact portion 621 contacts the outer contact 220 from one side in the contact direction D21. The connecting portion 622 connects the contact portion 621 to the insertion portion 623. The connecting portion 622 extends from the contact portion 621 in a direction away from the circuit board 10, and is folded back in a U-shape to connect to the insertion portion 623. The insertion portion 623 extends from the connecting 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 with the outer contact 220 faces in a direction opposite to the direction in which the insertion portion 623 is arranged with respect to the contact portion 621.

[0113] The connection portion 624 is bent relative to the contact portion 621 and extends along the circuit board 20 in a 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 connection portion 624 contacts a conductive pattern (first outer signal pattern 23 described below) of the circuit board 20. The connection portion 624 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the circuit board 20 by soldering or the like.

[0114] 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.

[0115] (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 contacts the second inner end portion 550 in the direction along the axis CL2. For example, the inner housing 700 contacts 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.

[0116] 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 (direction along the axis CL2) of the first partition wall 511 relative to the connecting plate 530, 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 (direction along the axis CL2) of the second partition wall 512 relative to the connecting plate 530, and is in contact with the inner surface of the second inner end portion 552 (see FIG. 18).

[0117] As shown in FIG. 19, each of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 extends along the contact direction D21. The contact holding portion 720 connects the first base portion 711 to the second base portion 712. The contact holding portion 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.

[0118] The outer surface of the first wall portion 721 is provided with recesses 724A, 724B, and 724C 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 provided with recesses 724D, 724E, and 724F aligned along row L22. The recesses 724D, 724E, and 724F accommodate the inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F, respectively.

[0119] 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 contact the inner contacts 210A, 210B, and 210C, respectively, in the first groove portion 325. The inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F contact the inner contacts 210D, 210E, and 210F, respectively, in the second groove portion 326.

[0120] One end of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 protrudes from the first wall portion 721 toward the first inner sidewall 513 and contacts the inner surface of the first inner sidewall 513. The first side surface 703 of the inner housing 700 described above is formed by end faces of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 that contact the inner surface of the first inner sidewall 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 sidewall 513) and the first wall portion 721, exposing the connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610A, 610B, 610C.

[0121] 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 sidewall 514 and contact the inner surface of the second inner sidewall 514. The second side surface 704 of the inner housing 700 described above is formed by end faces of the first base portion 711 and the second base portion 712 that contact the inner surface of the second inner sidewall 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 sidewall 514) and the second wall portion 722 that exposes the connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F (see FIG. 15).

[0122] The inner housing 700 is formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material.

[0123] (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 from the direction along the axis CL1, and in addition to the above-mentioned opposing surface 801 and opposite surface 802, 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 further has a groove 821. The groove 821 is open to the opposite surface 802 from the first side surface 811 to the second side surface 812. 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, of the inner surface of the groove 821, a portion corresponding to the first block 822 is referred to as the "inner surface of the first block 822", and a portion corresponding to the second block 823 is referred to as the "inner surface of the second block 823".

[0124] 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 is open 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 disposed on the inner surface of the first block 822. The through hole 825 passes between the facing surface 801 and the opposite surface 802, and exposes the connection portion 624 of the first outer contact 620A.

[0125] When the plug connector 3 is connected to the receptacle connector 2, the first block 822 fits into the receiving 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] When viewed from the direction along the axis CL2, the first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical with each other. Therefore, when viewed from the direction along the axis CL2, the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B are point-symmetrical with each other. The above-mentioned first end surface 803 (see FIG. 15) covered by the first outer end wall 521 is formed by the first side surface 811 of the first outer housing 800A. The above-mentioned second end surface 804 (see FIG. 15) covered by the second outer end wall 522 is formed by the second first side surface 8121 of the second outer housing 800B.

[0128] The first outer housing 800A and the second outer housing 800B are disposed so as to be separated from the outer surrounding wall 520 and the inner surrounding wall 510 over the entire circumference. For example, in the first outer housing 800A, the first side surface 811 is separated from the first outer end wall 521, the second side surface 812 is separated from the first partition wall 511, the third side surface 813 is separated from the first outer side wall 523, and the fourth side surface 814 is separated from the second outer side wall 524. In the second outer housing 800B, the first side surface 811 is separated from the second outer end wall 522, the second side surface 812 is separated from the second partition wall 512, the third side surface 813 is separated from the second outer side wall 524, and the fourth side surface 814 is separated from the first outer side wall 523.

[0129] 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 integrally formed with the first outer contact 620A (second outer contact 620B) by insert molding.

[0130] (Conductive patterns on circuit boards) 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the conductive pattern 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 inside of 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] The inner signal patterns 22 are arranged between the first division pattern 27 and the second division pattern 28 in the outer ground pattern 25. The inner signal patterns 22 correspond to the inner contacts 610, respectively. The connection portions 614 of the inner contacts 610 are in contact with the inner signal patterns 22, respectively, and are electrically connected to the inner signal patterns 22 by soldering or the like. For example, the inner signal patterns 22 include inner signal patterns 22A, 22B, and 22C corresponding to the inner contacts 610A, 610B, and 610C, respectively, and inner signal patterns 22D, 22E, and 22F corresponding to the inner contacts 610D, 610E, and 610F, respectively.

[0133] The first outer signal pattern 23 corresponds to the first outer contact 620A. A connection 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 connection 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.

[0134] In the circuit board 20, the first outer signal pattern 23 and the second outer signal pattern 24 are used to transmit signals having a higher frequency (eg, RF signals) than the signals transmitted by each of the multiple inner signal patterns 22.

[0135] (Assembly state description) 22 and 23 are cross-sectional views illustrating a 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 FIG. 22 and 23, when the plug connector 3 is mated with the receptacle connector 2, the inner surrounding wall 510 is mated with the inner surrounding wall 110, the outer surrounding wall 520 is mated with the outer surrounding wall 120, the multiple inner contacts 610 are in contact with the multiple inner contacts 210, and one or more outer contacts 620 are in contact with one or more outer contacts 220, respectively.

[0136] Since 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.

[0137] 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 are fitted together, surround the inner contacts 610 and the inner contacts 210 over the entire height between the circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20. The outer surrounding wall 520 and the outer surrounding wall 120, which are fitted together, surround the inner surrounding wall 510 and the inner surrounding wall 110, one or more outer contacts 620, and one or more outer contacts 220 over the entire height between the circuit board 10 and the circuit board 20. When the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 are engaged with the inner surrounding wall 110 and the outer surrounding wall 120, respectively, the connecting plates 130 and the connecting plates 530 overlap at a position away from the circuit board 10, and the first plates 180 and the first plates 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 .

[0138] 〔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 a conductive inner surrounding wall 110, 510 surrounding the axes CL1, CL2, a conductive outer surrounding wall 120, 520 surrounding the axes CL1, CL2 and the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, and a conductive outer surrounding wall 120, 520 disposed within the inner surrounding wall 110, 510 and surrounding the circuit boards 10, 20. and one or more conductive outer contacts 220, 620 arranged 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 connector 2, 3, respectively.

[0139] By electrically isolating the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 from the outside of the connectors 2, 3 with the outer surrounding wall 120, 520, it is possible to suppress noise generated in the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 from the outside of the connectors 2, 3. By shielding the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 from the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 with the inner surrounding wall 110, 510, it is possible to suppress noise generated in the one or more outer contacts 220, 620 from the multiple inner contacts 210, 610. This is therefore effective in improving the reliability of signal transmission.

[0140] The outer surrounding wall 120, 520 may be continuous without interruption 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.

[0141] The inner surrounding wall 110, 510 may be continuous without interruption 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.

[0142] The connectors 2, 3 may further include a conductive connecting plate 130, 530 that connects the inner surrounding wall 110, 510 to the outer surrounding wall 120, 520. In this case, the inner surrounding wall 110, 510 and the outer surrounding wall 120, 520 can be handled together as a shell integrated by the connecting plate 130, 530. This can improve the manufacturing efficiency of the connectors 2, 3.

[0143] 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 respectively connect the first outer end wall 121,521 to the second outer end wall 122,522, and the one or more outer contacts 220,620 may include a first outer contact 220A,620A arranged between the first outer end wall 121,521 and the inner surrounding wall 110,510, and a second outer contact 220B,620B arranged between the second outer end wall 122,522 and the inner surrounding wall 110,510. By positioning the first outer contacts 220A, 620A and the second outer contacts 220B, 620B apart, 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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 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 that transmitted by the inner contact 210, 610 is transmitted by the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B, the generation of noise 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.

[0146] The inner surrounding wall 110, 510 may further include an insulating inner housing 300, 700 that holds the multiple inner contacts 210, 610, 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, and the electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210, 610 and the first outer contact 220A, 620A and the second outer contact 220B, 620B can be improved.

[0147] 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 divided 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.

[0148] The inner surrounding wall 110 may have a first inner end 140 close to the circuit board 10 and a second inner end 150 away from the circuit board 10, the outer surrounding wall 120 may have a first outer end 160 close to the circuit board 10 and a second outer end 170 away 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.

[0149] 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 the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B to easily come into contact with the mating outer contact 620.

[0150] The first inner end 140 and the first outer end 160 may contact a conductive pattern of the circuit board 10. This can further improve the electrical shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210 and the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B, and between the first outer contact 220A and the second outer contact 220B and the outside of the connector 2.

[0151] The first inner end 140 may be bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 110 over the entire circumference, and the first outer end 160 may be bent outwardly of the outer surrounding wall 120 over the entire circumference. This increases the connection allowance to the circuit board 10, thereby improving the ease of mounting the connector 2 to the circuit board 10.

[0152] 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 inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 110 can be effectively used for positioning the inner housing 300.

[0153] 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 circumference between the contact holding portion 320 and the inner surrounding wall 110. For example, an insertion space for 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, thereby further improving the shielding between the multiple inner contacts 210 and the first outer contacts 220A and the second outer contacts 220B.

[0154] The inner surrounding wall 510 may have a first inner end 540 close to the circuit board 20 and a second inner end 550 away 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 away 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 may integrate the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing the mating connector 2 to be received between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0155] 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 easily connecting each of the first outer contact 620A and the second outer contact 620B to the circuit board 20.

[0156] 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 connection portion to the conductive pattern, the workability of mounting the connector 3 to the circuit board 20 can be improved.

[0157] The second inner end 550 may be bent inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 510 over the entire circumference, and the second outer end 570 may be bent outwardly of the outer surrounding wall 520 over the entire circumference. The mating connector 2 can be smoothly introduced between the inner surrounding wall 510 and the outer surrounding wall 520.

[0158] 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 inwardly of the inner surrounding wall 510 can be effectively used for positioning the inner housing 700.

[0159] 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 the arrangement space for the mating inner housing 300 of the mating connector 2, etc.

[0160] 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 circumference. For example, a space for inserting 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 makes it possible to further improve 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 by fitting the inner surrounding wall 510 and the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and fitting the outer surrounding wall 520 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120.

[0161] 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.

[0162] The connector system 1 includes a mating connector 2 that is attached to a mating circuit board 10, and a connector 3 that is attached to the circuit board 20 and is 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 includes a mating inner surrounding wall 110 that surrounds the axis CL2, a mating outer surrounding wall 120 that surrounds the axis CL2 and the mating inner surrounding wall 110, a plurality of mating inner contacts 210 that are disposed within the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and are electrically connected to the mating circuit board 10, and one or more inter-contacts 210 that are disposed between the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 and are electrically connected to the mating circuit board 10. The connector 3 comprises an inner surrounding wall 510 surrounding the axis CL2 and engaging with the mating inner surrounding wall 110, an outer surrounding wall 520 surrounding the axis CL2 and the inner surrounding wall 510 and engaging 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 in contact with each of 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 in contact with each of the one or more mating outer contacts 220.

[0163] 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 .

[0164] The mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the 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 the outer surrounding wall 520, which are fitted together, may surround the mating inner surrounding wall 110 and the inner surrounding wall 510, 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 the one or more mating outer contacts 220. Cooperation between the outer surrounding wall 520 and the mating outer surrounding wall 120 can improve 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.

[0165] 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 includes a conductive mating linking plate 130 that faces the mating circuit board 10 and links the mating second inner end 150 to the mating second outer end 170, and the connector 3 further includes a conductive linking plate 530 that faces the circuit board 20 and links 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 away 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.

[0166] The mating connector 2 further includes an insulating mating inner housing 300 that holds a plurality of 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 suppressing the height of the inner surrounding wall 510, the arrangement space for the mating inner housing 300 can be easily secured.

[0167] 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. The connector 100, 200 includes a plurality of conductive first contacts 210, 610 electrically connected to the circuit board 10, 20 and in contact with 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 in contact with the plurality of mating second contacts 210, 610 of the mating connector 100, 200. The housing 300, 700 includes a conductive second contact 220A, 620A that contacts the first contact 220A, 620A, 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 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.

[0168] Since the second housing 400A, 800A is configured separately from the first housing 300, 700, the first partition wall 111, 511 can be easily arranged between the first housing 300, 700 and the second housing 400A, 800A. This improves the 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.

[0169] The connector may further include a conductive third contact 220B, 620B electrically connected to the circuit board 10, 20 and in contact with a mating third contact 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 contact 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 from the direction along the axis, the first housing 300, 700 may be located between the second housing 400A, 800A and the third housing 400B, 800B. Since the third housing 400B, 800B is configured separately from the first housing 300, 700, the second partition wall 112, 512 can be easily arranged between the first housing 300, 700 and the third housing 400B, 800B. This improves the 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, the electrical shielding between the second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B can be improved.

[0170] When viewed from the axial direction, the second housings 400A, 800A and the third housings 400B, 800B may be point-symmetrical to each other. In this case, the second housings 400A, 800A and the third housings 400B, 800B can share parts, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the connectors 100, 200.

[0171] 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 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 a signal having a higher frequency than that transmitted by the first contacts 210, 610 is transmitted by the second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B, the generation of noise between the second contacts 220A, 620A and the third contacts 220B, 620B and the mating contacts can be further suppressed.

[0172] The first housing 300, 700 has a first side surface 303, 703 and a second side surface 304, 704 parallel to a plane intersecting 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 multiple first contacts 210, 610 and the second contacts 220A, 620A and electrical shielding between the multiple first contacts 210, 610 and the third contacts 220B, 620B.

[0173] The second housing 400A, 800A has a first end surface 403, 803 facing in a direction away from the first partition wall 111, 511, 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 the electrical shielding between the second contacts 220A, 620A and the outside of the connector 100, 200, and the electrical shielding between the third contacts 220B, 620B and the outside of the connector 100, 200.

[0174] The connector 100 may further include a conductive first plate 180, 580 that connects the first partition wall 111, 511 to the second partition wall 112, 512, a conductive second plate 131, 531 that connects the first end wall 121, 521 to the first partition wall 111, 511, and a conductive third plate 132, 532 that connects 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 a shell integrated 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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] The first plate 180 may be formed with a first opening 181 exposing the multiple first contacts 210, the second plate 131 may be formed with a second opening 135 exposing the second contact 220A, and the third plate 132 may be formed with a third opening 136 exposing the third contact 220B. The first plate 180, the second plate 131, and the third plate 132 may integrate the first end wall 121, the first partition wall 111, the second partition wall 112, and the second end wall 122 to improve manufacturing efficiency, while allowing each of the second contacts 220A and the third contacts 220B to easily come into contact with a mating contact.

[0177] 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 mounting the connector 100 to the circuit board 10 can be improved.

[0178] The first housing 300 has a base portion 310 in contact with 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 a 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 the 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 the mating second partition wall 512 can be secured between the second partition wall 112 and the contact holding portion 320. By cooperating the first partition wall 111 and the mating first partition wall 511 and by cooperating the second partition wall 112 and the mating second partition wall 512, the electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 210 and the second contacts 220A and the third contacts 220B can be further improved.

[0179] 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 can 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, while allowing the mating connector 100 to 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.

[0180] The first plate 580 may be formed with a first opening 581 exposing the plurality of first contacts 610, the second plate 531 may be formed with a second opening 535 exposing the second contact 620A, and the third plate 532 may be formed with a third opening 536 exposing the third contact 620B. The first plate 580, the second plate 531, and the third plate 532 may 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, while easily connecting each of the second contacts 620A and the third contacts 620B to the circuit board 20.

[0181] Each of the second plate 531 and the third plate 532 may be in contact with the conductive pattern of the circuit board 20. By using the second plate 531 and the third plate 532 as connection parts to the conductive pattern, the workability of mounting the connector 200 to the circuit board 20 can be improved.

[0182] 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. The first partition wall 511 and the mating first partition wall 111 cooperate with each other, and the second partition wall 512 and the mating second partition wall 112 cooperate with each other, thereby further improving the electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 610 and the second contacts 620A and the third contacts 620B. The first end wall 521 and the mating first end wall 121 cooperate with each other, thereby further improving the electrical shielding between the second contacts 620A and the outside of the connector 200. The second end wall 522 and the mating second end wall 122 cooperate with each other, thereby further improving the electrical shielding between the third contacts 620B and the outside of the connector 200.

[0183] An anchor 582 to be inserted into the second housing 800A may be formed on the second plate 531, and an anchor 582 to be inserted into the third housing 800B may be formed on the third plate 532. This can improve the fixing strength of the second housing 800A to the second plate 531 and the fixing strength of the third housing 800B to the third plate 532.

[0184] The connector system 1 includes 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 includes a plurality of conductive mating first contacts 610 electrically connected to the mating circuit board 20, a conductive mating second contact 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. The connector 100 includes a plurality of conductive first contacts 210 electrically connected to the circuit board 10, a conductive second contact 220A electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and a plurality of first contacts 230A electrically connected to the circuit board 10. The connector has an insulating first housing 300 that holds the contacts 210 and fits into a mating first housing 700, an insulating second housing 400A that is configured 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.

[0185] The mating connector 200 may further have a conductive mating partition wall disposed between the mating first housing 700 and the mating second housing 800A, and in a state in which the first housing 300 is fitted to the mating first housing 700 and the second housing 400A is fitted to the mating second housing 800A, the partition wall and the mating partition wall are in contact with each other 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 the electrical shielding between the plurality of first contacts 210 and the second contacts 220A.

[0186] Each of the mating first housing 700 and the mating second housing 800A has an opposing surface facing the mating circuit board 20 and an opposite surface to the opposing surface, the mating connector 200 has a conductive mating first plate 580 covering the opposite 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 an opposite surface to 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, and in a state in which 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 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. The mating first plate 580 can be used as a guide to smoothly fit the mating first housing 700 into the first housing 300, and the second plate 131 can be used as a guide to smoothly fit the second housing 400A into the mating second housing 800A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 10, 20...circuit board, 100, 200...connector, 210, 610...first contact, 300, 700...first housing, 400A, 800A...second housing, 403, 803...first end face, 400B, 800B...third housing, 404, 804...second end face, 121, 521...first end wall, 122, 522...second end wall, 220A, 620A...second contact , 220B, 620B...third contact, 111,511...first partition wall, 112,512...second partition wall, 303,703...first side, 304,704...second side, 131,531...second plate, 132,532...third plate, 135,535...second opening, 136,536...third opening, 180,580...first plate, 181,581...first opening.

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, a plurality of conductive first contacts electrically connected to the circuit board and adapted to respectively contact a plurality of mating first contacts of the mating connector; a conductive second contact electrically connected to the circuit board and adapted to contact a mating second contact of the mating connector; an insulating first housing that holds the first contacts; a second housing having insulation properties and configured separately from the first housing and configured to hold the second contact; a conductive first partition wall disposed between the first housing and the second housing; A connector comprising:

2. a conductive third contact electrically connected to the circuit board and adapted to contact a mating third contact of the mating connector; a third housing having insulating properties and configured separately from the first housing and configured to hold the third contact; a conductive second partition wall disposed between the first housing and the third housing; Further comprising: When viewed in a direction along the axis, the first housing is located between the second housing and the third housing. The connector according to claim 1.

3. When viewed from a direction along the axis, The second housing and the third housing are point symmetrical to each other. The connector according to claim 2.

4. the second contact and the third contact are brought into contact with the mating second contact and the mating third contact, respectively, from one direction along a contact direction parallel to the circuit board; Each of the plurality of first contacts contacts a mating first contact from two directions along the contact direction.

4. The connector according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the first housing has a first side surface and a second side surface parallel to a plane intersecting both the circuit board and the first partition wall; Each of the first partition wall and the second partition wall extends from the first side surface to the second side surface. The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. the second housing has a first end surface facing in a direction away from the first partition wall, the third housing has a second end surface facing in a direction away from the second partition wall, The connector comprises: a conductive first end wall covering the first end surface; a conductive second end wall covering the second end surface; Further comprising: The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. a conductive first plate connecting the first partition wall to the second partition wall; a conductive second plate connecting the first end wall to the first compartment wall; a conductive third plate connecting the second end wall to the second compartment wall; Further comprising: The connector according to claim 6.

8. Each of the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing has an opposing surface facing the circuit board; An opposite surface of the opposing surface; having the first plate covers the opposing surface of the first housing, the second plate covers an opposite surface of the second housing; the third plate covers the opposite surface of the third housing; The connector according to claim 7.

9. the first plate is formed with first openings exposing the first contacts; a second opening is formed in the second plate to expose the second contact; A third opening is formed in the third plate to expose the third contact. The connector according to claim 8.

10. the first plate contacts the conductive pattern of the circuit board; 10. The connector according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The first housing includes: a base portion in contact with the first plate; a contact holding portion that protrudes from the base portion in a direction away from the circuit board and holds the first contacts; having A gap is formed between the first partition wall and the contact holding portion, and between the second partition wall and the contact holding portion. The connector according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. Each of the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing has an opposing surface facing the circuit board; An opposite surface of the opposing surface; having the first plate covers an opposite surface of the first housing; the second plate covers the opposing surface of the second housing, the third plate covers the opposing surface of the third housing; The connector according to claim 7.

13. the first plate is formed with first openings exposing the first contacts; a second opening is formed in the second plate to expose the second contact; A third opening is formed in the third plate to expose the third contact. The connector of claim 12.

14. each of the second plate and the third plate contacts a conductive pattern of the circuit board; The connector according to claim 12 or 13.

15. a gap is formed between the first end wall and the second housing, and between the first partition wall and the second housing, A gap is formed between the second end wall and the third housing, and between the second partition wall and the third housing. The connector according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. The second plate is formed with an anchor to be inserted into the second housing, The third plate is formed with an anchor to be inserted into the third housing. The connector of claim 15.

17. A connector connected to the circuit board; a mating connector to be connected to a mating circuit board; Equipped with The mating connector is a plurality of conductive mating first contacts electrically connected to the mating circuit board; a mating second contact electrically connected to the mating circuit board; an insulating mating first housing that holds a plurality of mating first contacts; an insulating mating second housing that is formed separately from the mating first housing and that holds a mating second contact; having The connector comprises: a first plurality of conductive contacts electrically connected to the circuit board; a second conductive contact electrically connected to the circuit board; an insulating first housing that holds the first contacts and that fits into the mating first housing; an insulating second housing that is formed separately from the first housing, holds the second contacts, and fits into the mating second housing; a conductive partition wall disposed between the first housing and the second housing; having In a state in which the first housing is fitted into the mating first housing and the second housing is fitted into the mating second housing, the first contacts are in contact with the mating first contacts, respectively, and the second contact is in contact with the mating second contact; The partition wall is disposed between the mating first housing and the mating second housing. Connector system.

18. The mating connector further includes a conductive mating partition wall disposed between the mating first housing and the mating second housing, In a state in which the first housing is fitted into the mating first housing and the second housing is fitted into the mating second housing, The partition wall and the mating partition wall are in contact with each other, a first housing and a second housing are disposed between the first housing and the second housing, and the second housing and the second housing are disposed between the first housing and the second housing, over the entire height between the circuit board and the mating circuit board; 20. The connector system of claim 17.

19. Each of the mating first housing and the mating second housing is an opposing surface facing the mating circuit board; An opposite surface of the opposing surface; having The mating connector is a conductive mating first plate covering the opposite surface of the mating first housing; a conductive mating second plate covering the opposing surface of the mating second housing; having the mating partition wall connects the mating first plate to the mating second plate, Each of the first housing and the second housing has an opposing surface facing the circuit board; An opposite surface of the opposing surface; having The connector comprises: a conductive first plate covering the opposing surface of the first housing; a conductive second plate covering the opposite surface of the second housing; having the partition wall connects the first plate to the second plate; In a state in which the first housing is fitted into the mating first housing and the second housing is fitted into the mating second housing, the first plate and the mating first plate overlap each other at a position away from the mating circuit board, the second plate and the mating second plate overlap each other at a position away from the circuit board; 20. The connector system of claim 18.

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