High frequency electrical connectors

Abstract

To improve electrical characteristics of a connector at a high frequency corresponding to 5G wireless communication.SOLUTION: Provided is an electric connector to be mated with a partner connector that includes: a mold part; a plurality of shields arranged so as to surround at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of the mold part; a first signal terminal 20-3 arranged at the mold part to transmit and receive an RF signal; and a second signal terminal arranged on the mold part, further inside from a first signal terminal in a length direction of the electric connector. The first signal terminal has a length direction extension part extended in a length direction of the electric connector, and a width direction extension part extended in a width direction of the electric connector. A terminal of the width direction extension part is a mounting part to a substrate, and a terminal of the length direction extension part is a contact part with the first signal terminal of the partner connector. Or alternatively, the terminal of the length direction extension part is a mounting part to the substrate, and the terminal of the width direction extension part is a contact part with the first signal terminal of the partner connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-frequency electrical connector, and more particularly to a high-frequency electrical connector that improves electromagnetic wave shielding performance, reduces interference and noise in the length and width directions between high-frequency signal terminals, reduces the width of the connector, and reduces the possibility of physical damage to the terminals. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, when boards are interconnected, two connectors are used, each connected to a respective board by a method such as soldering, and the two connectors can be connected to each other. Here, one of the two connectors is a plug connector and the other is a socket connector. The socket connector is also called a receptacle connector. Such plug connectors and socket connectors can be formed by arranging terminals in a molded part. The plug connector and socket connector can be fastened to each other to form an electrical connector assembly.

[0003] The coupling portion of the socket terminal is easily deformed by repeated coupling and uncoupling or by being continuously coupled, which adversely affects the strength of the coupling force and the durability of the connector.

[0004] When signals are exchanged through connectors, the structure of the connector may change depending on the frequency of the signal. In particular, if conventional connectors are used for 5th generation (5G) wireless communications, they may not function properly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technical problem that this invention aims to solve is to improve the electrical characteristics of connectors at high frequencies compatible with 5G wireless communications. In particular, the goal is to achieve complete shielding of electromagnetic waves in terms of EMI characteristics. Interference between RF signal terminals can occur between two or more terminals in the length direction or between two or more terminals in the width direction, and both are important considerations.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the size (for example, the width) of the connector while maintaining a strong connection between the terminals.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to prevent physical damage to the terminals.

[0008] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the present invention, an electrical connector that mates with a mating connector includes: Mould section; a plurality of shields disposed around at least a portion of the outer periphery of the mold section; a first signal terminal disposed in the molded portion for transmitting and receiving RF signals; and a second signal terminal disposed in the molded portion and positioned further inward than the first signal terminal in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector; Including, the first signal terminal has a lengthwise extension extending in a lengthwise direction of the electrical connector and a widthwise extension extending in a widthwise direction of the electrical connector; (i) the end of the widthwise extension is a portion to be mounted on a board, and the end of the lengthwise extension is a contact portion with a first signal terminal of the mating connector, or (ii) An electric connector is provided in which the end of the lengthwise extension is a portion for mounting on a board and the end of the widthwise extension is a portion for contacting with a first signal terminal of the mating connector.

[0010] Preferably, the contact portion of the first signal terminal of the electrical connector is a free end, and the contact portion of the first signal terminal of the mating connector is a fixed end.

[0011] Preferably, before the electrical connector is mated with the mating connector to form a combined body, When the electrical connector is viewed from a height direction perpendicular to the length and width directions, the shield surrounds at least two sides of the first signal terminal.

[0012] Preferably, when the electrical connector is mated with the mating connector to form a connector assembly, when the connector assembly is viewed from a height direction perpendicular to the length and width directions, the combination of the shield of the electrical connector and the shield of the mating connector surrounds four sides of the combination of the first signal terminal of the electrical connector and the first signal terminal of the mating connector.

[0013] Preferably, When the electrical connector is viewed from a height direction perpendicular to the length direction and width direction, (i) the electrical connector has a point-symmetric structure with respect to the center point of the electrical connector; or (ii) The electrical connector has an axisymmetric structure with respect to a center line that passes through the center point of the electrical connector and extends in the length direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to each embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention, at least the following effects are obtained.

[0015] The shield plates 10-1a-E and 20-1-E are fitted together efficiently to block signal interference and noise between RF signal terminals adjacent in the width direction.

[0016] Shield plates 10-1a-E and 20-1-E are efficiently fitted together to shield the four sides of RF signal terminals 10-3 and 20-3, thereby blocking signal interference and noise between adjacent RF signal terminals in the lengthwise and widthwise directions, and also blocking signal interference and noise from other sources, such as signal terminals 10-4 and 20-4.

[0017] In the width direction, the mounting portion 20-4-M2 of the signal terminal 20-4 is located between the mounting portion 20-1-M of the shield 20-1 and the mounting portion 20-3-M of the RF signal terminal 20-3, improving the isolation between adjacent RF signal terminals 20-3 in the length direction. This applies not only to the socket connector 20 but also to the plug connector 10.

[0018] Furthermore, the RF signal terminals 10-3, 20-3 have a structure having a longitudinal extension and a widthwise extension (i.e., an L-shaped or inverted L-shaped structure), which allows the connector size (especially the widthwise size) to be reduced compared to a linear structure, while still achieving stable coupling and even higher frequency performance.

[0019] The "shield 10-1 of the plug connector 10" and the "shield 20-1 of the socket connector 20" cooperate to shield electromagnetic waves by surrounding the "RF signal terminal 10-3 of the plug connector 10" and the "RF signal terminal 20-3 of the socket connector 20".

[0020] Generally, the combined structure of the shields 10-1, 20-1 surrounds the RF signal terminals 10-3, 20-3 in the length and width directions of the connectors 10, 20 so as to provide good shielding for the RF signal terminals 10-3, 20-3.

[0021] The combination of shield 10-1 and shield 20-1 functions to shield electromagnetic waves from the combination of RF signal terminal 10-3 and RF signal terminal 20-3, and at the same time, it can be regarded as protecting the combination of RF signal terminal 10-3 and RF signal terminal 20-3 from physical forces.

[0022] The effects according to the present invention are not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1a] It is a diagram showing the plug connector 10 according to the present invention. [Figure 1b] It shows the plug connector 10 according to the present invention and is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the plug connector 10 in FIG. 1a. [Figure 2a] It is a diagram showing the receptacle connector 20 according to the present invention. [Figure 2b] It shows the receptacle connector 20 according to the present invention and is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the receptacle connector 20 in FIG. 2a. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the state where the housing 10-5 is removed from the plug connector 10 in FIG. 1a. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the state where the housing 20-5 is removed from the socket connector 20 in FIG. 2a. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view AA of the combination of the plug connector 10 in FIG. 1a and the socket connector 20 in FIG. 2a. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view BB of the combination of the plug connector 10 in FIG. 1a and the socket connector 20 in FIG. 2a. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view CC of the combination of the plug connector 10 in FIG. 1a and the socket connector 20 in FIG. 2a. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing the virtual removal of the respective housings 10-5 and 20-5 from the combined state of FIGS. 5 to 7. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the structure shown in FIG. 8 in more detail. [Figure 10] 5 is an enlarged view of the RF signal terminal 20-3 shown in FIG. 4 and the like. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure shown in FIG. 4 in more detail. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 shows a plug connector 10' according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 shows a receptacle connector 20' according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and can be embodied in various different forms. However, these embodiments are provided to fully disclose the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0025] FIG. 1a shows a plug connector 10 according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1a shows the shield 10-1, RF signal terminal 10-3, signal terminal 10-4, and housing 10-5 (molded portion) of the plug connector 10. The shield 10-1 can have different shapes, such as the shield 10-1a and the shield 10-1b opposite it, but is not limited thereto. The main difference between the shields 10-1a and 10-1b of the shield 10-1 is the presence or absence of a protruding portion 10-1a-E (also referred to as a "shield plate"). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1a as an example, the shield 10-1a has a protruding portion 10-1a-E (shield plate) formed by bending the main body of the shield by approximately 90 degrees, while the shield 10-1b does not have a protruding portion 10-1a-E. As will be described later, this protruding portion, or shield plate 10-1a-E, is sandwiched between the protruding shield plates 20-1-E of the shield 20-1 of the mating socket connector 20.

[0027] The RF signal terminal 10-3 is a terminal for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals (for example, signals with a frequency of approximately 50 GHz). The signal terminal 10-4 is a terminal for transmitting and receiving signals with a frequency relatively lower than that of the RF signal terminal 10-3. The signal terminal 10-4 may also be referred to as a general signal terminal, if necessary, to distinguish it from the RF signal terminal 10-3. While it is preferable to transmit high-frequency signals to the RF signal terminal 10-3, transmitting high-frequency signals to the general signal terminal 10-4 is not completely excluded. The signal terminal 10-4 may also be a terminal for processing a frequency range that was previously handled by existing connectors prior to the 5G-compatible connector. Use for 5G wireless communication is an example, and is not necessarily limited to this. If necessary, the signal terminal 10-4 may also be capable of passing a current at the same level as a power terminal. For example, the signal terminal 10-4 may be configured with six pins that allow a current of 0.3 A, or may be a terminal that allows a current exceeding 0.3 A, for example, up to 5 A, so as to function as a power terminal. Note that the number of pins is six, but this is merely an example.

[0028] The shield 10-1 (10-1a and / or 10-1b) serves to shield the RF signal terminal 10-3 that exchanges high frequency signals.

[0029] The housing 10-5 has a base portion and a wall portion protruding from the upper surface of the base portion, and an RF signal terminal 10-3, an inner shield 10-2, a signal terminal 10-4, etc. are formed on the wall portion.

[0030] The housing 10-5 (molded portion) of the plug connector 10 is preferably made of a plastic material, such as, but not limited to, LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer). The housing 10-5 may also be made of an insulating material, including, but not limited to, resin and epoxy. The RF signal terminal 10-3 and the signal terminal 10-4 of the plug connector 10 are preferably made of a metal material, such as, but not limited to, copper or a copper alloy plated with gold (nickel underlayer).

[0031] The shield 10-1 may be made of any electromagnetic wave shielding material, such as a metal such as aluminum, a polymer composite material, plastic coated or sprayed with metal, or a carbon material such as graphene, or may be made of the same or similar material as the RF signal terminal 10-3 and the signal terminal 10-4.

[0032] Specifically, the shielding structure is such that the "shield 10-1 of the plug connector 10" and the "shield 20-1 of the socket connector 20" described below cooperate to surround the "RF signal terminal 10-3 of the plug connector 10" and the "RF signal terminal 20-3 of the socket connector 20," thereby providing shielding.

[0033] FIG. 1b shows a plug connector 10 according to the present invention, showing the bottom of the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1a.

[0034] When viewed from the bottom, it can be seen that part of the shield 10-1 is in place. The signal terminal 10-4 is located in the middle of the plug connector 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] A shield 10-1 is arranged outside the signal terminal 10-4 (outside in the length direction (X direction) of the plug connector 10). An RF signal terminal 10-3 is located in the portion of the plug connector 10 that overlaps with the shield 10-1 in the length direction (X direction).

[0036] FIG. 2a shows a receptacle connector 20 according to the present invention.

[0037] The receptacle connector 20 is also called a socket connector 20.

[0038] FIG. 2a shows the shield 20-1, RF signal terminal 20-3, signal terminal 20-4, and housing 20-5 (molded portion) of the socket connector 20.

[0039] The RF signal terminal 20-3 is a terminal for exchanging high frequency signals. The signal terminal 20-4 is a terminal for exchanging signals with a frequency relatively lower than that of the RF signal terminal 20-3. If necessary, a current at the power supply terminal level can be passed through the signal terminal 20-4.

[0040] The shield 20-1 serves to shield the RF signal terminal 20-3 that exchanges high frequency signals.

[0041] The housing 20-5 (molded portion) of the receptacle connector 20 is preferably made of a plastic material, such as LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer). The RF signal terminals 20-3 and 20-4 of the receptacle connector 20 are preferably made of a metal material, such as a copper alloy with gold plating (nickel underlayer). The shield 20-1 is sufficient as long as it is made of an electromagnetic wave shielding material, and may be made of, for example, a metal such as aluminum, a polymer composite material, plastic coated or sprayed with a metal, a carbon material such as graphene, or the like, or may be made of the same or similar material as the RF signal terminals 20-3 and 20-4.

[0042] Specifically, the shielding structure is such that the above-mentioned "shield 10-1 of plug connector 10" and "shield 20-1 of socket connector 20" cooperate to surround "RF signal terminal 10-3 of plug connector 10" and "RF signal terminal 20-3 of socket connector 20," thereby providing shielding.

[0043] FIG. 2b shows a receptacle connector 20 according to the present invention, illustrating the bottom of the receptacle connector 20 of FIG. 2a.

[0044] When viewed from the bottom, part of the shield 20-1 can be seen. The signal terminal 20-4 is located in the middle of the receptacle connector 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] Shield 20-1 is arranged outside signal terminal 20-4 (outside in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of receptacle connector 20). However, unlike plug connector 10, which has a mixture of shields 10-1 with different shapes (i.e., with or without a long extension from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction), such as drawing reference numbers 10-1a and 10-1b, in socket connector 20, shields 20-1 have the same shape (however, they may be line-symmetrical in the longitudinal or width direction).

[0046] In the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the socket connector 20, an RF signal terminal 20-3 exists in the portion overlapping with the shield 20-1.

[0047] For reference, although directions (X, Y, Z) are arbitrarily set in Figures 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b, such directions are not maintained when connectors 10 and 20 are coupled together. Naturally, when attempting to couple plug connector 10 to socket connector 20, one of the connectors must be flipped upside down before coupling.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1a with the housing 10-5 removed.

[0049] Although not limited thereto, the housing 10-5 (not shown) is preferably a single plastic piece rather than a plastic assembly, and the shield 10-1 is preferably a single metal piece rather than a metal assembly. It can be seen that four shields 10-1 (two 10-1a and two 10-1b) are shown in Figures 1a and 3.

[0050] In Figure 3, it can be seen that along the length direction (X direction) of the plug connector 10, shield 10-1 is located at the outermost position, RF signal terminal 10-3 is located slightly inward and overlaps shield 10-1 in the lengthwise direction, and signal terminal 10-4 is located further inward than shield 10-1. When viewed with respect to the center point of the plug connector 10 in the lengthwise and widthwise directions, each component roughly has a point-symmetric structure. For example, as seen in Figure 3, it can be seen that shield 10-1a at the lower left end is point-symmetric with shield 10-1a at the upper right end. Furthermore, it can be seen that shield 10-1b at the upper left end is point-symmetric with shield 10-1b at the lower right end.

[0051] The RF signal terminal 10-3 includes, at both ends thereof, a mounting portion 10-3-M for mounting on the substrate and a contact portion 10-3-C for the mating connector 20. Although not limited to this, the contact portion 10-3-C may be a fixed end.

[0052] In FIG. 3, the RF signal terminal 10-3 is surrounded on roughly three sides by a shield 10-1.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows the socket connector 20 of FIG. 2a with the housing 20-5 removed.

[0054] 4, although not limited thereto, the housing 20-5 (not shown) is preferably a single plastic piece rather than a plastic assembly, and each shield 20-1 is preferably a single metal piece rather than a metal assembly. It can be seen that four shields 20-1 are shown in FIGS. 2a and 4.

[0055] It can be seen that along the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the socket connector 20, the shield 20-1 is arranged at the outermost position, the RF signal terminal 20-3 is arranged at a position overlapping the shield 20-1 in the longitudinal direction, and the signal terminal 20-4 is arranged inside the shield 20-1.

[0056] Shield plate 10-1a-E of shield 10-1a shown as an example in Fig. 1a is sandwiched between shield plates 20-1-E of shield 20-1 shown as an example in Fig. 5. Shield plate 20-1-E has, for example, two electrical contacts C1 and C2, which are in electrical contact with shield plate 10-1a-E. As will be described later, more specifically, this shield plate 10-1a-E is sandwiched between the shield plate 20-1-E of one shield 20-1 (for example, the shield at the bottom left in FIG. 4) and the shield plate 20-1-E of another shield 20-1 (for example, the shield at the top left in FIG. 4), and the shield plate 10-1a-E is sandwiched between the contact point C1 of the shield 20-1 at the bottom left and the contact point C1 of the shield 20-1 at the top left, and between the contact point C2 of the shield 20-1 at the bottom left and the contact point C2 of the shield 20-1 at the top left, so that they come into contact with each other.

[0057] The RF signal terminal 20-3 includes, at both ends thereof, a mounting portion 20-3-M for mounting on the substrate and a contact portion 20-3-C for contacting the mating connector 10. Although not limited thereto, it is preferable that the contact portion 20-3-C is a free end.

[0058] In Fig. 4, the RF signal terminal 20-3 is surrounded by the shield 20-1 on roughly three sides. In Fig. 4, it appears to be surrounded on roughly four sides depending on the viewpoint, but it is clear that it is not completely surrounded.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the mated plug connector 10 of FIG. 1a and socket connector 20 of FIG. 2a.

[0060] Specifically, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the plug connector 10 of Figure 1a, which has been flipped upside down and mated with the socket connector 20 of Figure 2a. That is, in Figure 5, the X, Y, and Z directions are the same as the X, Y, and Z directions of Figure 2a for the socket connector 20, but the Z direction of Figure 1a has changed to the -Z direction for the plug connector 10 (because it has been flipped upside down).

[0061] For reference, when the RF signal terminal 20-3 and the RF signal terminal 10-3 are coupled, the upper portion of the RF signal terminal 20-3 in FIG. 5 may bend slightly inward, but for ease of illustration, FIG. 5 shows such bending omitted.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a BB cross-sectional view of the mating of the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1a and the socket connector 20 of FIG. 2a.

[0063] Specifically, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the plug connector 10 of Figure 1a, which has been flipped upside down and mated with the socket connector 20 of Figure 2a. That is, in Figure 6, the X, Y, and Z directions are the same as the X, Y, and Z directions of Figure 2a for the socket connector 20, but the Z direction of Figure 1a has changed to the -Z direction for the plug connector 10 (because it has been flipped upside down).

[0064] For reference, when the signal terminal 20-4 and the signal terminal 10-4 are coupled, the upper portion of the signal terminal 20-4 in FIG. 6 may bend slightly inward, but for convenience of illustration, FIG. 6 shows such bending omitted.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC line of the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1a coupled to the socket connector 20 of FIG. 2a.

[0066] Specifically, Figure 7 is a CC cross-sectional view of the plug connector 10 of Figure 1a flipped upside down and mated with the socket connector 20 of Figure 2a. That is, in Figure 7, the X, Y, and Z directions are the same as the X, Y, and Z directions of Figure 2a for the socket connector 20, but the Z direction of Figure 1a has changed to the -Z direction for the plug connector 10 (because it is flipped upside down).

[0067] Shield plate 10-1a-E of shield 10-1a is sandwiched between shield plates 20-1-E of shield 20-1. Shield plate 20-1-E has, for example, two electrical contacts C1 and C2, which are in electrical contact with shield plate 10-1a-E. More specifically, shield plate 10-1a-E is sandwiched between shield plate 20-1-E of one shield 20-1 (e.g., the lower left shield in FIG. 4) and shield plate 20-1-E of another shield 20-1 (e.g., the upper left shield in FIG. 4), and shield plate 10-1a-E is sandwiched between contact C1 of the lower left shield 20-1 and contact C1 of the upper left shield 20-1, and between contact C2 of the lower left shield 20-1 and contact C2 of the upper left shield 20-1, so that these shields come into contact with each other. FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a contact point C2 of one shield 20-1 and a contact point C2 of another shield 20-1, with a shield plate 10-1a-E sandwiched between them.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a view showing the combined state of FIGS. 5 to 7 with the housings 10-5 and 20-5 virtually removed.

[0069] This is a view from above with the respective housings 10-5, 20-5 virtually removed from the coupled state in Figures 5 to 7, and can also be considered as the plug connector 10 shown in Figure 3 turned upside down and coupled to the socket connector 20 shown in Figure 4.

[0070] 8, the RF signal terminal 10-3 and the RF signal terminal 20-3 are coupled together, and the shield 20-1 and the shield 10-1 are coupled together to surround and shield the "combined body of the RF signal terminal 10-3 and the RF signal terminal 20-3."

[0071] In particular, in Figure 8, shield plate 10-1a-E and shield plate 20-1-E are present between the "combination of RF signal terminal 10-3 and RF signal terminal 20-3" at the upper left end and the "combination of RF signal terminal 10-3 and RF signal terminal 20-3" at the lower left end, which further enhances the shielding effect between them.

[0072] 8, in which the plug connector 10 and socket connector 20 are coupled, it can be seen that the "combined RF signal terminal 10-3 and RF signal terminal 20-3" is surrounded on roughly four sides by the "combined shield 10-1 and shield 20-1." This structure efficiently shields the RF signal terminals 10-3 and 20-3 from electrical signals.

[0073] This can be compared to Fig. 3, in which the RF signal terminal 10-3 is surrounded on roughly three sides by the shield 10-1, and Fig. 4, in which the RF signal terminal 20-3 is surrounded on roughly three sides (or on four sides, if slightly open) by the shield 20-1. That is, Figs. 3 and 4 show the connectors 10 and 20 before they are coupled, and Fig. 8 shows the connectors 10 and 20 after they are coupled.

[0074] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the structure shown in FIG. 8 in more detail.

[0075] 9, shield plate 10-1a-E of shield 10-1a is sandwiched between shield plates 20-1-E of two shields 20-1. When sandwiched, shield plate 10-1a-E contacts two opposing contacts c1, and another portion of shield plate 10-1a-E contacts two opposing contacts c2. This structure allows the shields to be fastened together easily and securely, and also provides effective shielding between adjacent RF signal terminals.

[0076] Also, as shown on the right side of Figure 9, in the X direction, which is the length direction of the connector, there is an RF signal terminal combination (large square part) between the shield contact part (small square part on the left) and another shield contact part (small square part on the right).

[0077] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the RF signal terminal 20-3 shown in FIG. 4 and the like.

[0078] For example, FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the RF signal terminal 20-3 located at the bottom right end in FIG.

[0079] In FIG. 10, in order to reduce the overall size of the socket connector 20, the contact portion 20-3-C of the RF signal terminal 20-3 is arranged in a direction at 90 degrees to the mounting portion 20-3-M.

[0080] 10, the contact portion 20-3-C of the RF signal terminal 20-3 is formed in the width direction (Y direction), and is coupled to the contact portion of the RF signal terminal 10-3 formed in the width direction, as shown in FIG.

[0081] 10 is an elastic part and a free end. Meanwhile, without being limited thereto, the mating part (i.e., the contact part 10-3-C of the RF signal terminal 10-3 of the plug connector 10) that is coupled with the contact part 20-3-C of the RF signal terminal 20-3 of the socket connector 20 may be formed not to be a free end.

[0082] For reference, in Figure 10, the mounting portion 20-3-M is in the -Y direction and the contact portion 20-3-C is in the -X direction, but if the mounting portion 20-3-M is in the -Y direction and the contact portion 20-3-C is in the +Y direction (i.e., if the RF signal terminals 10-3, 20-3 have a linear structure rather than an L-shaped or inverted L-shaped structure), there is a disadvantage that the overall width of the socket connector 20 becomes larger.

[0083] 10, the structure in which the mounting portion 20-3-M and the contact portion 20-3-C form a 90-degree angle further improves high-frequency performance. That is, compared to a structure in which the mounting portion 20-3-M is in the -Y direction and the contact portion 20-3-C is in the +Y direction (i.e., a straight-line structure), the RF signal terminal 20-3 having the structure in FIG. 10 can also handle higher frequencies.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the structure shown in FIG. 4 in more detail.

[0085] Each of the five small squares in Fig. 11 indicates a mounting portion on a board. Fig. 11 shows the socket connector 20 as viewed from above with the housing 20-5 virtually removed, so the mounting portion can be fixed to the underlying board (not shown) by soldering or the like.

[0086] At this time, the mounting portion 20-4-M2 (also referred to as the "inner mounting portion") of the signal terminal 20-4 is arranged between the mounting portion 20-3-M (also referred to as the "RF mounting portion") of the RF signal terminal 20-3 and the mounting portion 20-1-M (also referred to as the "shield mounting portion") of the shield 20-1 in the width direction. This arrangement improves the isolation between the RF signal terminals 20-3 in the length direction, reducing signal interference and noise between RF terminals. It also reduces resonance between the RF terminals.

[0087] 11, the degree of separation between the RF signal terminal 20-3 at the lower left end and the RF signal terminal 20-3 at the lower right end is improved. Similarly, the degree of separation between the RF signal terminal 20-3 at the upper left end and the RF signal terminal 20-3 at the upper right end is improved.

[0088] The inner mounting portion 20-4-M2 is exposed at the bottom and fixed to a substrate (not shown), as can be seen in FIGS.

[0089] The signal terminal 20-4 also has another mounting portion 20-4-M1 (also referred to as a "tip mounting portion") on the outside. This exposed state can also be seen in FIGS.

[0090] FIG. 12 shows a plug connector according to another embodiment.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12, the plug connector 10' may have a greater number of RF signal terminals 10-3' (e.g., eight) than in FIG. 1a. While not limited to this, the example of FIG. 12 has eight RF signal terminals 10-3' and no general signal terminals (e.g., signal terminal 10-4 in FIG. 1a). However, the distinction between RF signal terminals and general signal terminals is not absolute. The term "RF signal terminal" merely means that the connector is suitable for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals, not that it cannot transmit and receive lower-frequency signals. Therefore, the configuration of FIG. 12 can fully function as the plug connector 10 of FIG. 1a (ignoring the difference in the number of signal terminals 10-4). In FIG. 12, four shields 10-1' are provided, and they are divided into two types: two shields 10-1a' with shield plates 10-1a'-E and two shields 10-1b' without shield plates. This is as described with reference to FIG. 1a.

[0092] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a receptacle connector according to another embodiment.

[0093] The socket connector 20' (receptacle connector) of FIG. 13 is mated with the plug connector 10' of FIG.

[0094] When the connectors 10' and 20' are mated, the shield 10-1', shield 20-1', and metal fittings 20-11 and 20-12 are all coupled together. In the example of FIGS. 12 and 13, this forms eight shielded sections, thereby electrically shielding the eight "combinations of RF signal terminals 10-3' and 20-3'." FIG. 13 illustrates six metal fittings 20-11 and 20-12, which may be part of the shield 20-1' or separate. Whether part of the shield or separate, the total number of shielded sections remains the same when the plug connector 10' and socket connector 20' are mated. For example, it can be seen that the shield 10-1' connects the shield 20-1' to the metal fitting 20-11 and also connects the shield 20-1' to the metal fitting 20-12.

[0095] For example, in the claims of the present application, the first signal terminal may refer to the reference numeral 10-3 in FIG. 1a, and the second signal terminal may refer to the reference numeral 10-4 in FIG. 1a, or the first signal terminal may refer to the two on the left and the two on the right of the eight reference numerals 10-3' in FIG. 12, and the second signal terminal may refer to the four in the middle of the eight reference numerals 10-3' in FIG. 12.

[0096] Of course, in the claims of the present application, the first signal terminal may refer to the reference numeral 20-3 in FIG. 2a, and the second signal terminal may refer to the reference numeral 20-4 in FIG. 2a, or the first signal terminal may refer to the two on the left and the two on the right of the eight reference numerals 20-3' in FIG. 13, and the second signal terminal may refer to the four in the middle of the eight reference numerals 20-3' in FIG. 13.

[0097] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various different forms, and that those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10 Plug Connector 10-1 Shield 10-3 RF signal terminal 10-4 Signal terminal 10-5 Housing (molded part) 20 Receptacle connector (socket connector) 20-1 Shield 20-3 RF signal terminal 20-4 Signal terminal 20-5 Housing (molded part)

Claims

1. As an electrical connector that mates with a mating connector, Mold section; a plurality of shields disposed around at least a portion of the outer periphery of the mold section; a first signal terminal disposed in the molded portion for transmitting and receiving RF signals; and a second signal terminal disposed in the molded portion and positioned further inward than the first signal terminal in a longitudinal direction of the electrical connector; Including, The first signal terminal has a lengthwise extension portion extending in a lengthwise direction of the electrical connector and a widthwise extension portion extending in a widthwise direction of the electrical connector, an end of the widthwise extension portion is a portion for mounting on a board, and an end of the lengthwise extension portion is a contact portion for contacting with a first signal terminal of the mating connector; When the electrical connector is viewed from a height direction perpendicular to the length direction and the width direction, the electrical connector has an axisymmetric structure with respect to a center line extending in the length direction while passing through a center point of the electrical connector, In the first signal terminals, which are line-symmetrical to each other, only the mounting portion faces in the opposite directions from the mounting portion and the contact portion. An electrical connector characterized by:

2. In the first signal terminals which are line-symmetrical to each other, only the mounting portion of the mounting portion and the contact portion faces in opposite directions to each other, (i) the mounting portion of the widthwise extending portion of one of the first signal terminals that are line symmetrical to each other is disposed farther away in the width direction from the other of the first signal terminals that are line symmetrical to each other than the lengthwise extending portion of the one of the first signal terminals; (ii) the mounting portion of the widthwise extending portion of the other is disposed farther from the one in the width direction than the lengthwise extending portion of the other; and (iii) the contact portions of the longitudinal extensions of the one and the other are disposed inward in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector relative to the widthwise extensions of the one and the other; 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, comprising:

3. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion of the first signal terminal of the electrical connector is a free end, and the contact portion of the first signal terminal of the mating connector is a fixed end.

4. Before the electrical connector is mated with the mating connector to form a combined body, 3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein when the electrical connector is viewed from a height direction perpendicular to the length direction and width direction, the shield surrounds at least two sides of the first signal terminal.

5. 3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein when the electrical connector is mated with the mating connector to form a connector assembly, when the connector assembly is viewed from a height direction perpendicular to the length and width directions, the combined body of the shield of the electrical connector and the shield of the mating connector surrounds four sides of the combined body of the first signal terminal of the electrical connector and the first signal terminal of the mating connector.

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