connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can secure a stable electric connection between a metal plate and a shell member by preventing the metal plate from deforming or breaking when the connector is assembled into a state in which a housing retaining a contact and the metal plate is arranged inside the shell member and the shell member and metal plate are brought into contact with each other, and also can suppress a process of manufacturing the connector from getting complex.SOLUTION: A metal plate 13 retained on a housing 11 between two arrays of a plurality of contacts 12 is provided with a projection part 13a which protrudes from the housing 11 in a width direction X2. The shell member 14 is provided with a press part 23 which is provided while being bent toward the housing 11 with the housing 11 arranged inside the shell member 14, and then abuts on the housing 11 to energize and press the housing 11. The press part 23 energizes the housing 11 and then makes the projection part 13a abut on the shell member 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector in which a plurality of contacts are held in a housing arranged in two rows, a metal plate held in the housing is positioned between the two rows of the plurality of contacts, and the housing holding the plurality of contacts and the metal plate is placed inside a cylindrical metal shell member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a connector in which a plurality of contacts are held in a housing in a state where they are arranged in two rows, a metal plate held in the housing is arranged between the two rows of the plurality of contacts, and the housing holding the plurality of contacts and the metal plate is arranged inside a cylindrical metal shell member. For example, the connectors disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known as such connectors.

[0003] In the connectors disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a metal plate is disposed between two rows of contacts held in a housing, thereby shielding the two rows of contacts from mutual influence of signals. Also, the housing holding the contacts and the metal plate is disposed inside a cylindrical metallic shell member, thereby shielding the shell member from the influence of electromagnetic waves from outside.

[0004] The connectors disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are configured to be mounted on a board by being connected to the board, and a plurality of contacts and a shell member in the connector are connected to the board. The contacts are connected to the circuit pattern of the board, and the shell member is connected to the ground of the board. In the connectors disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the metal plate disposed between the two rows of a plurality of contacts needs to be connected to the ground of the board to which the connector is connected, just like the shell member.

[0005] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the shell member is soldered to the board and is connected to the ground of the board. In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the metal plate is provided with a contact portion (contact portion 555) that protrudes from the housing and contacts the shell member, and the shell member is provided with a fixing groove (fixing groove 321) into which the contact portion of the metal plate is inserted and press-fitted. The fixing groove provided in the shell member is configured so that its width narrows along the insertion direction of the contact portion. When the housing holding the contact and the metal plate is inserted into the shell member and the contact portion of the metal plate is inserted into the fixing groove of the shell member, the contact portion is press-fitted into the fixing groove, and the metal plate is electrically connected to the shell member. This electrically connects the metal plate to the board via the shell member and to the ground of the board.

[0006] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, a metal plate is provided with a soldering portion (solder connection leg 33) that protrudes from a main body portion of the metal plate and extends in a bent manner. The soldering portion of the metal plate is directly connected to a board by soldering, thereby electrically connecting the metal plate to the board and to the ground of the board. Patent Document 2 also discloses a structure in which a ground terminal is provided that is connected to the ground of the board, and the ground terminal also contacts the metal plate, thereby connecting the metal plate to the ground of the board. The ground terminal is provided with a side piece (side piece 214) that protrudes from a main body portion of the ground terminal and extends in a bent manner. The side piece of the ground terminal that is connected to the ground of the board contacts the metal plate, so that the metal plate is electrically connected to the board via the ground terminal and is connected to the ground of the board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-3945 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-54809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the fixing grooves provided in the shell member are narrowed in width along the insertion direction of the contact portions of the metal plate. The connector of Patent Document 1 is configured so that the contact portions of the metal plate are press-fitted into the fixing grooves of the shell member, thereby electrically connecting the metal plate to the shell member. Therefore, when the contact portions of the metal plate are press-fitted into the fixing grooves of the shell member, the contact portions may be deformed or damaged by rubbing against the fixing grooves, potentially preventing a stable electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell. Therefore, the connector of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is difficult to prevent deformation and damage of the metal plate when assembling the connector so that the housing holding the contacts and the metal plate is placed inside the shell member and the shell member is in contact with the metal plate, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell member.

[0009] In the connector disclosed in Patent Document 2, a soldering portion that bends and extends from the main body of a metal plate is soldered to the circuit board, thereby connecting the metal plate to the ground of the circuit board. Therefore, in the connector of Patent Document 2, in order to provide the soldering portion on the metal plate, it is necessary to perform a bending process on the metal plate, which complicates the manufacturing process of the connector. In addition, since the portion for soldering requires plating, the soldering portion of the metal plate must be plated. Therefore, the need to plate the metal plate also complicates the manufacturing process of the connector.

[0010] Patent Document 2 also discloses a configuration in which a side piece extending from the main body of the ground terminal is bent and contacts the metal plate, thereby connecting the metal plate to the ground of the circuit board via the ground terminal. However, this configuration requires that the ground terminal and the metal plate be held in the housing while the bent side piece of the ground terminal is kept in contact with the metal plate. In the connector of Patent Document 2, the ground terminal and the metal plate are integrally molded into the housing. Therefore, in the connector of Patent Document 2, the ground terminal and the metal plate must be integrally molded into the housing while the bent side piece of the ground terminal is kept in contact with the metal plate. This complicates the manufacturing process of the connector of Patent Document 2.

[0011] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a connector in which a housing holding contacts and a metal plate is placed inside a shell member, and deformation and damage to the metal plate can be prevented when assembling the connector in a state in which the shell member and the metal plate are in contact with each other, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell member, and also preventing the connector manufacturing process from becoming too complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] (1) A connector according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a housing, a plurality of contacts held in the housing in two rows, a metal plate held in the housing and positioned between the two rows of the plurality of contacts held in the housing, and a cylindrical metal shell member inside which the housing holding the plurality of contacts and the metal plate is placed, wherein the metal plate is provided with a protrusion that protrudes from the housing on at least one side in the width direction, which is the direction in which the plurality of contacts are arranged in two rows in the housing, and the shell member is provided with a pressing portion that is bent toward the housing when the housing is placed inside the shell member and abuts against the housing to press down on it, and the pressing portion biases the housing, causing the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

[0013] According to this configuration, a housing holding two rows of contacts and a metal plate disposed between the rows is placed inside a cylindrical shell member, and the pressing portion of the shell member is bent toward the housing, biasing the housing. The pressing portion biases the housing, causing the protruding portion of the metal plate protruding from the housing to abut against the shell member. The metal plate abuts against the shell member, making the metal plate electrically connected to the shell member through contact therewith. Therefore, when the shell member is connected to a board to which the connector is connected and is connected to the ground of the board, the metal plate is electrically connected to the board via the shell member and is connected to the ground of the board.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, when assembling a connector by incorporating a housing holding contacts and a metal plate into a shell member, first, the housing holding the contacts and the metal plate is inserted into the cylindrical shell member and placed inside the shell member. Then, with the housing placed inside the shell member, the pressing portion of the shell member is bent toward the housing. Then, when the pressing portion is bent toward the housing, the pressing portion comes into contact with the housing and biases it to press down on the housing. When the pressing portion is biased to press down on the housing, the protruding portion of the metal plate protruding from the housing abuts against the shell member, and the metal plate and the shell member are electrically connected. Therefore, when assembling a connector by placing a housing holding contacts and a metal plate inside the shell member, the protruding portion of the metal plate only abuts against the shell member, preventing the protruding portion of the metal plate from being deformed or scraped and damaged by press-fitting. That is, with the above configuration, when assembling the connector, the protruding portion of the metal plate simply abuts against the shell member, and a portion of the metal plate is not press-fit into the groove of the shell member as in the connector of Patent Document 1, thereby preventing deformation and damage to the metal plate. Furthermore, with the above configuration, deformation and damage to the metal plate are prevented when assembling the connector, and therefore a stable electrical connection can be ensured between the metal plate and the shell member.

[0015] Furthermore, with the above configuration, a connector can be easily manufactured in a state in which the metal plate and the shell member are electrically connected by placing the housing holding the contacts and the metal plate inside the shell member and bending the pressing portion of the shell member. Therefore, with the above configuration, steps that complicate the connector manufacturing process, which are required when manufacturing the connector of Patent Document 2, are unnecessary. That is, there is no need for bending to provide soldered portions on the metal plate, and there is no need to plate the soldered portions on the metal plate, so steps that complicate the connector manufacturing process are unnecessary. Furthermore, there is no need for steps that complicate the connector manufacturing process, such as integrally molding the ground terminal and the metal plate into the housing while maintaining the bent and extending side pieces of the ground terminal in contact with the metal plate. Therefore, with the above configuration, the connector manufacturing process can be prevented from becoming too complicated.

[0016] Therefore, with the above configuration, a connector can be provided in which a housing holding the contacts and the metal plate is positioned inside the shell member, and deformation and damage to the metal plate can be prevented when assembling the connector in a state in which the shell member and the metal plate are in contact with each other, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell member and preventing the connector manufacturing process from becoming too complicated.

[0017] (2) The shell member may be provided with a contact portion that protrudes in a protruding shape, and the contact portion may be provided as a part that comes into contact with the protruding portion when the pressing portion biases the housing to cause the protruding portion to abut against the shell member.

[0018] With this configuration, the protruding portion of the metal plate that contacts the shell member due to the biasing force from the pressing portion contacts the protruding contact portion on the shell member, thereby increasing the contact pressure between the protruding contact portion and the protruding portion, thereby further stabilizing the electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell member when the protruding portion of the metal plate contacts the shell member due to the biasing force from the pressing portion.

[0019] (3) The shell member may be provided with an elastic beam portion that elastically deforms to bend due to the biasing force transmitted from the pressing portion to the shell member via the housing and the protrusion when the pressing portion biases the housing and causes the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the protruding portion of the metal plate abuts against the shell member due to the biasing force from the retainer, the elastic beam portion of the shell member elastically deforms to absorb the biasing force from the retainer. This makes it easier for the portion of the shell member that abuts against the protruding portion to deform to follow the protruding portion, resulting in more stable contact between the protruding portion and the shell member. This further stabilizes the electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell member when the protruding portion of the metal plate abuts against the shell member due to the biasing force from the retainer.

[0021] (4) The shell member may be provided with a recess into which the protrusion fits when the pressing portion biases the housing to cause the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

[0022] With this configuration, when the protruding portion of the metal plate abuts against the shell member due to the biasing force from the pressing portion, the protruding portion fits into the recessed portion of the shell member. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the housing holding the contact and the metal plate in a direction that would cause the housing to come out of the shell member, the protruding portion of the metal plate held by the housing engages with the recessed portion of the shell member, making it possible to more reliably prevent the housing from coming out of the shell member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, a connector can be provided in which a housing holding contacts and a metal plate is placed inside a shell member, and deformation and damage to the metal plate can be prevented when assembling the connector in a state in which the shell member and the metal plate are in contact with each other, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate and the shell member, and also preventing the connector manufacturing process from becoming too complicated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the connector is connected to a board. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(A) is a front view of the connector, and FIG. 2(B) is a rear view of the connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(A) is a right side view of the connector, and FIG. 3(B) is a left side view of the connector. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector, showing a state before the housing holding the contacts and the metal plate is inserted into the shell member. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector, showing a state before the housing holding the contacts and the metal plate is inserted into the shell member. [Figure 7] 2(A) is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the line AA in FIG. 2(A). [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of the connector, where FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a metal plate alone in the connector. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 3(A). [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the assembly process of the connector. [Figure 12]12A and 12B are diagrams showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 12A is a side view of the connector according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 12A. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 13A is a side view of the connector according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 13A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is a connector that can be widely used for various purposes, in which a plurality of contacts are held in a housing in a state where they are arranged in two rows, a metal plate held in the housing is arranged between the two rows of the plurality of contacts, and the housing holding the plurality of contacts and the metal plate is placed inside a cylindrical metal shell member.

[0026] [First embodiment] (Outline of connector configuration) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the connector 1 is connected to a board 100. FIG. 2(A) is a front view of the connector 1, and FIG. 2(B) is a rear view of the connector 1. FIG. 3(A) is a right side view of the connector 1, and FIG. 3(B) is a left side view of the connector 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the connector 1.

[0027] 1 to 4, the connector 1 includes a housing 11, a plurality of contacts 12, a metal plate 13, and a metal shell member 14. The housing 11 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material and holds the plurality of contacts 12 and the metal plate 13. The plurality of contacts 12 are formed of a conductive metal material and are each held in the housing 11. The plurality of contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 in two rows with their longitudinal directions extending parallel to each other. The metal plate 13 is provided as a plate-like member made of a conductive metal material. The metal plate 13 is held in the housing 11 in a state where it is disposed between the rows of the plurality of contacts 12 held in the housing 11 in the two rows. The shell member 14 is formed of a conductive metal material. The shell member 14 is tubular and has the housing 11, which holds the plurality of contacts 12 and the metal plate 13, inside it. For this reason, the housing 11 holding the multiple contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is arranged inside a cylindrical shell member 14, and the shell member 14 is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the housing 11 in the circumferential direction.

[0028] The connector 1 is configured to be mounted on the substrate 100 by being mechanically and electrically connected to the substrate 100 by soldering. Furthermore, the connector 1 is configured to be mated and connected to a mating connector (not shown) in a state where it is mounted on the substrate 100. In this embodiment, the connector 1 is configured as a receptacle-type connector into which a mating connector (not shown) configured as a plug-type connector is mated. The connector 1 is provided with an opening 15 into which the mating connector is inserted and mated. The opening 15 of the connector 1 is formed as an opening in a shell member 14 that is provided in a cylindrical shape and covers the outer periphery of the housing 11.

[0029] In FIG. 1 , the board 100 on which the connector 1 is mounted is shown schematically with only a portion cut away, illustrating only the portion on which the connector 1 is mounted and the surrounding area. The board 100 is configured as a board on whose surface a circuit pattern, a ground, and the like are provided. In FIG. 1 , the circuit pattern and the ground on the board 100 are not shown. When the connector 1 is mounted on the board 100, each of the multiple contacts 12 in the connector 1 is soldered to the board 100, and the shell member 14 in the connector 1 is soldered to the board 100. The contacts 12 are connected to the circuit pattern of the board 100 by soldering, and the shell member 14 is connected to the ground of the board 100 by soldering. Note that in FIG. 1 , the solder portions provided when connecting the contacts 12 and the shell member 14 to the board 100 by soldering are not shown.

[0030] The following describes in more detail the configuration of the connector 1. In the following description, the front-rear direction X1, width direction X2, and height direction X3 of the connector 1 are defined as shown by double-ended arrows X1, X2, and X3 in Figures 1 to 4 and the drawings described below.

[0031] The front-rear direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the connector 1 is mated with a mating connector (not shown). That is, the front-rear direction X1 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the mating connector, which is provided as a plug-type connector, is inserted into the connector 1 when mating with the connector 1, which is provided as a receptacle-type connector. The width direction X2 is configured as a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction X1 and as a direction in which the multiple contacts 12 are arranged in two rows in the housing 11. The height direction X3 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction X1 and the width direction X2.

[0032] (contact) 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of the connector 1, showing the state before the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is inserted into the shell member 14. Note that FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of the connector 1 as viewed from different directions. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1, taken along the line AA in FIG. 2(A). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 1, where FIG. 8(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4.

[0033] 1 to 8 , each of the plurality of contacts 12 is formed, for example, in the shape of an elongated plate, has a longitudinal direction, and is held in the housing 11 with the longitudinal direction extending along the front-rear direction X1. The plurality of contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 with the longitudinal direction extending parallel to one another along the front-rear direction X1 and aligned along the width direction X2. The plurality of contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 with the longitudinal direction extending parallel to one another along the front-rear direction X1 and aligned along the width direction X2. More specifically, the plurality of contacts 12 aligned in two rows in the housing 11 are held in the housing 11 with the longitudinal direction X1 extending parallel to one another along the front-rear direction X1 and the width direction X2 aligned along the width direction X2. The first contacts 12a, which are half of the plurality of contacts 12, are arranged in the first row aligned along the width direction X2. The second contacts 12b, which are the remaining half of the contacts 12, are arranged in the width direction X2 along a second row.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 7 , each of the plurality of contacts 12 is provided with a contact portion 16 and a board connection portion 17. The contact portion 16 is provided as a portion on one end side of the contact 12 in the direction in which it extends in an elongated plate shape, and is configured as a portion that is electrically connected to a contact (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown) when the connector 1 is mated and connected to the mating connector. In this embodiment, the contact portion 16 is provided as a contact portion that extends in an elongated plate shape along the front-rear direction X1. The board connection portion 17 is provided as the other end of the contact 12 in the direction in which it extends in an elongated plate shape, and is configured as a portion that is connected to a circuit pattern of a board 100 on which the connector 1 is mounted. The board connection portion 17 is connected to the circuit pattern of the board 100 by soldering.

[0035] (housing) 1 to 8, the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 and disposed inside the shell member 14. While disposed inside the shell member 14, the housing 11 is sandwiched between a locking portion 21 and a pressing portion 23 (described later) of the shell member 14, thereby being fixed to the shell member 14 inside the shell member 14. The housing 11 is configured to hold a plurality of contacts 12 and a metal plate 13. The plurality of contacts 12 are each press-fitted into the housing 11 and are thereby held by the housing 11. The metal plate 13 is integrally molded with the housing 11 and is held by the housing 11.

[0036] The housing 11 is provided with a contact holding portion 18 and a base 19. The contact holding portion 18 is provided as a portion that holds a plurality of contacts 12. The contact holding portion 18 is provided inside the shell member 14 so as to extend in a cantilevered manner from the base 19 (described later) and is formed so as to extend in a plate-like manner along the front-rear direction X1. The contact holding portion 18 is also provided inside the shell member 14 so as to extend in a plate-like manner along the front-rear direction X1 from the base 19 (described later) located on the far side of the opening 15 toward the entrance side of the opening 15. When the connector 1 is mated with a mating connector (not shown), an end of the mating connector is inserted into the opening 15, and inside the opening 15, the contact holding portion 18 of the housing 11 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) that opens at the end of the mating connector.

[0037] 7, the contact holding portion 18 is provided with a plurality of contact holding holes 18a and contact holding grooves 18b. The contact holding holes 18a and the contact holding grooves 18b are aligned in series in the front-rear direction X1 and are provided in communication with each other. The contacts 12 are press-fitted into the contact holding holes 18a that are in communication with the contact holding grooves 18b, thereby holding the contacts 12 in the contact holding portion 18. The plurality of contact holding holes 18a in the contact holding portion 18 are provided in two rows along the width direction X2, and the plurality of contacts 12 are press-fitted into the plurality of contact holding holes 18a, respectively, so that the plurality of contacts 12 are arranged in two rows along the width direction X2 in the contact holding portion 18.

[0038] The contact holding grooves 18b, which communicate with the contact holding holes 18a, are configured to accommodate the contact portions 16 of the contacts 12 press-fitted into the contact holding holes 18a. The contact holding grooves 18b are open in the contact holding portion 18 in the height direction X3. Therefore, the contact portions 16, which are the portions of the contacts 12 held in the contact holding portion 18 that are arranged in the contact holding grooves 18b, are arranged to be exposed inside the shell member 14. When the connector 1 is mated with a mating connector (not shown), an end of the mating connector is inserted into the opening 15, and the contact holding portion 18 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) that opens at the end of the mating connector. In this state, the contacts 12 exposed in the contact holding portion 18 come into contact with and are electrically connected to the contacts of the mating connector (not shown) that are exposed inside the insertion hole that opens at the end of the mating connector.

[0039] 1 to 8, the base 19 of the housing 11 is disposed at the rear side of the opening 15 of the connector 1, and is provided as a portion that is fixed to the shell member 14 inside the shell member 14. While disposed inside the shell member 14, the base 19 is sandwiched between a locking portion 21 and a pressing portion 23 (described later) of the shell member 14, thereby being fixed to the shell member 14. The base 19 is provided integrally with the contact holding portion 18, and the contact holding portion 18 protrudes from the base 19 at one side of the base 19 in the front-rear direction X1, that is, the opening 15 side. Furthermore, at the other end of the base 19 in the front-rear direction X1, the end of the contact 12, on which the board connecting portion 17 is provided, protrudes from the base 19.

[0040] The base 19 is provided with locking recesses 19a at one end in the front-rear direction X1, into which locking portions 21 (described later) of the shell member 14 fit and lock. The locking recesses 19a are provided at four locations in total, on both sides in the height direction X3 and both sides in the width direction X2, at one end of the base 19 in the front-rear direction X1. The base 19 is also provided with side wall portions 19b at the other end in the front-rear direction X1, which come into contact with pressing portions 23 (described later) of the shell member 14. The side wall portions 19b are provided as walls protruding toward the other side in the front-rear direction X1 at the other end of the base 19 in the front-rear direction X1, and are provided on both sides in the width direction X2. That is, a pair of side wall portions 19b are provided, one on each side in the width direction X2, at the other end of the base 19 in the front-rear direction X1.

[0041] (metal plate) FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the metal plate 13 in the connector 1 alone. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 9, the metal plate 13 is formed of a conductive metal material and is provided as a flat, plate-like member. The metal plate 13 is integrally molded with the housing 11 and is held in the housing 11 in a state in which it spreads in the front-rear direction X1 and the width direction X2. That is, the metal plate 13 is held in the housing 11 in a state in which it spreads in a plate shape along a plane in the housing 11 perpendicular to the height direction X3. The metal plate 13 is also arranged in the housing 11 in a state in which it spreads from the contact holding portion 18 to the base portion 19.

[0042] The metal plate 13 is disposed between two rows of the contacts 12 held in the housing 11. That is, the metal plate 13 is disposed between a first row in which first contacts 12a of the contacts 12 are disposed and a second row in which second contacts 12b of the contacts 12 are disposed. The metal plate 13 is disposed to extend across the front-rear direction X1 and the width direction X2 between the first contacts 12a disposed along the first row and the second contacts 12b disposed along the second row, thereby shielding the first contacts 12a and the second contacts 12b from mutual influence of signals.

[0043] 1 to 6, 8, and 9, the metal plate 13 is provided with a protrusion 13a that protrudes from the housing 11 on at least one side in the width direction X2. In this embodiment, a pair of protrusions 13a are provided, and are provided to protrude from the housing 11 along the width direction X2 on both sides in the width direction X2. Each protrusion 13a is provided to protrude along the width direction X2 from each side wall portion 19b on both sides in the width direction X2 of the base 19 of the housing 11. That is, each protrusion 13a is provided to protrude along the width direction X2 from each side wall portion 19b toward the outside of the housing 11 in the width direction X2.

[0044] (shell member) 1 to 8, shell member 14 is made of a conductive metal material and has a cylindrical shape with housing 11, which holds a plurality of contacts 12 and a metal plate 13, disposed inside. Because shell member 14 has a cylindrical shape with housing 11 disposed inside, shell member 14 is configured to surround the outer periphery of housing 11 in the circumferential direction. Shell member 14 has an opening 15 that opens at one end side in the front-rear direction X1. When a mating connector (not shown) is mated with connector 1 to connect, the mating connector is inserted into opening 15 of shell member 14 and mated.

[0045] 5 and 6, the shell member 14 is configured so that, when the housing 11 is placed inside, the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 from an end opposite the side where the opening 15 is provided in the front-rear direction X1. Before the housing 11 is inserted and placed inside, the shell member 14 also has an opening at an end opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1. The housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 from the end opposite the opening 15 and placed inside the shell member 14. When the housing 11 is placed inside the shell member 14, a pressing portion 23, which will be described later, is bent toward the housing 11 to press the housing 11.

[0046] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3(A). Referring to Figs. 1 to 8 and 10, shell member 14 is provided with board connecting portion 20, locking portion 21, side opening 22, pressing portion 23, and contact portion 24.

[0047] 1 to 3 and 5 to 8, the board connection portion 20 is provided as a portion connected to the ground of the board 100 on which the connector 1 is mounted. The board connection portion 20 is connected to the ground of the board 100 by soldering. Four board connection portions 20 are provided in total on one side of the shell member 14 in the height direction X3, on both sides in the front-rear direction X1 and on both sides in the width direction X2. Each of the four board connection portions 20 is provided in a cantilevered manner from the cylindrical main body portion of the shell member 14 toward one side in the height direction X3.

[0048] 1, 2, 4 to 6, and 8, the locking portions 21 are provided as portions that lock with the base portion 19 of the housing 11 when the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 and disposed inside the shell member 14. The locking portions 21 are provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the height direction X3 so as to protrude in a protruding manner toward the inside of the cylindrical main body portion of the shell member 14. The locking portions 21 are provided in pairs side by side in the width direction X2 on each side of the shell member 14 in the height direction X3, for a total of four locking portions 21. The locking portions 21 are configured to fit into locking recesses 19a in the base portion 19 of the housing 11 to lock the base 19 when the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 and disposed inside the shell member 14.

[0049] 1, 3, 5, 6, and 10, the side openings 22 are provided as opening regions in which the protruding portions 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 are disposed when the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 and disposed inside the shell member 14. The side openings 22 are provided at the end of the shell member 14 opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1, and are open toward both sides in the width direction X2. The side openings 22 are formed, for example, by cutting out a portion of the cylindrical main body of the shell member 14. When the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 and disposed inside the shell member 14, the protruding portions 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding outward in the width direction X2 from the side wall portions 19b of the base 19 of the housing 11 are disposed in the side openings 22 while protruding in the width direction X2 at the side openings 22.

[0050] 1 to 8 and 10, pressing portion 23 is provided as a portion that is bent toward housing 11 when housing 11 is disposed inside shell member 14, and thus contacts housing 11 to bias it so as to press down on housing 11. That is, pressing portion 23 is provided as a portion that is bent toward housing 11 when housing 11 is disposed inside shell member 14, and thus contacts housing 11 to bias it so as to press down on housing 11.

[0051] The pressing portion 23 is provided at the end of the shell member 14 opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1, and is provided as a plate-shaped portion bent toward the housing 11 inside the shell member 14. The pressing portion 23 bent toward the housing 11 inside the shell member 14 abuts against the side wall portion 19b of the base 19 of the housing 11 and urges the base 19 to press along the height direction X3. The pressing portion 23 also urges the side wall portion 19b of the base 19 of the housing 11 to press along the height direction X3, thereby abutting and pressing a protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 held by the housing 11, which protrudes from the side wall portion 19b of the base 19, against the shell member 14. The protruding portion 13b of the metal plate 13 protrudes from the side wall portion 19b of the base 19 at the side opening 22 of the shell member 14. The side wall portion 19b of the base 19 is pressed by the pressing portion 23, and the protruding portion 13b protruding from the side wall portion 19b abuts against the contact portion 24 described below, which is provided on the edge portion that defines the side opening 22 in the shell member 14.

[0052] 1, 2, and 4 to 7, the pressing portion 23 is provided with a pair of slits 23a and an elongated hole 23b. The pair of slits 23a and the elongated hole 23b are provided to make it easier to fold the pressing portion 23 when the pressing portion 23 is bent with the housing 11 disposed inside the shell member 14. The pair of slits 23a are provided as groove-like cuts extending in the width direction X2 on both sides in the width direction X2. The elongated hole 23b is provided as an elongated hole extending across the width direction X2.

[0053] 1 to 6, 8, and 10, contact portion 24 is provided as a portion that protrudes in a protruding shape from shell member 14. Contact portion 24 is provided as a portion that comes into contact with protruding portion 13a in a state in which pressing portion 23 urges housing 11 to cause protruding portion 13a of metal plate 13 to abut against shell member 14. In other words, contact portion 24 is provided as a portion that comes into contact with protruding portion 13a in a state in which pressing portion 23 urges base 19 of housing 11 to press down, causing protruding portion 13a of metal plate 13 protruding from base 19 to abut against shell member 14.

[0054] The contact portions 24 are provided on the end of the shell member 14 opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1, and are provided as protruding portions along the height direction X3. The contact portions 24 are provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the width direction X2, i.e., two locations. Each of the contact portions 24 provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the width direction X2 is configured to come into contact with a corresponding one of the protruding portions 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the base 19 of the housing 11 to both sides in the width direction X2. The contact portions 24 are also provided on an edge portion defining the side opening 22 of the shell member 14, and are provided so as to protrude in a protruding manner from the edge portion defining the side opening 22 along the height direction X3.

[0055] Contact between contact portion 24 of shell member 14 and protrusion 13a of metal plate 13 causes metal plate 13 to be in contact with and electrically connected to shell member 14. Therefore, when shell member 14 is connected to board 100 to which connector 1 is connected at board connection portion 20 and connected to the ground of board 100, metal plate 13 is electrically connected to board 100 via shell member 14 and connected to the ground of board 100.

[0056] (Connector assembly) Next, the assembly of the above-mentioned connector 1 will be described. Figure 11 is a diagram for explaining the assembly process of the connector 1. In assembling the connector 1, first, the plurality of contacts 12 are press-fitted into the housing 11, which is integrally molded with a metal plate 13, and the plurality of contacts 12 are held in the housing 11. This results in a state in which the plurality of contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 are held in the housing 11. Then, the housing 11 holding the plurality of contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is incorporated into the shell member 14, and the connector 1 is assembled.

[0057] 5, 6, and 11(A), when assembling the connector 1 by incorporating the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 into the shell member 14, first, the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is inserted into the cylindrical shell member 14 from the end opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1. Then, referring to FIG. 11(B), the housing 11 is inserted into the shell member 14 from the end opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1 toward the opening 15 until the housing 11 is positioned inside the shell member 14. When the housing 11 is positioned inside the shell member 14, the locking portion 21 of the shell member 14 fits into and locks into the locking recess 19a of the base 19 of the housing 11, and the housing 11 is positioned inside the shell member 14 in the front-rear direction X1. 11(B), when housing 11 is disposed inside shell member 14, protrusions 13a of metal plate 13 protruding from side wall portions 19b of base 19 of housing 11 to both sides in width direction X2 are disposed in side openings 22 of shell member 14. In this state, protrusions 13a of metal plate 13 disposed in side openings 22 are disposed opposite contact portions 24 of shell member 14 with a small gap therebetween.

[0058] 11(C), when the housing 11 is placed inside the shell member 14, the pressing portion 23 of the shell member 14 is bent toward the housing 11 by approximately 90 degrees. Then, as the pressing portion 23 is bent toward the housing 11, the pressing portion 23 comes into contact with the housing 11 and presses the housing 11. As the pressing portion 23 presses the housing 11, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 is pressed toward the contact portion 24 along the height direction X3 and comes into contact with the contact portion 24 of the shell member 14. As the housing 11 is pressed by the pressing portion 23, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 comes into contact with and presses the contact portion 24 of the shell member 14, and the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14 are electrically connected.

[0059] Furthermore, when housing 11 is inserted and positioned inside shell member 14 and pressing portion 23 is bent toward housing 11, housing 11 is sandwiched between locking portion 21 and pressing portion 23 of shell member 14. By being sandwiched between locking portion 21 and pressing portion 23, housing 11 is fixed to shell member 14 inside the shell member 14.

[0060] The assembly of the connector 1 is completed when the housing 11 is inserted into the inside of the shell member 14 and the pressing portion 23 is bent toward the housing 11. When the assembly of the connector 1 is completed, the housing 11 inside the shell member 14 is constantly pressed and urged by the pressing portion 23, and the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the base portion 19 of the housing 11 is constantly pressed against and in contact with the contact portion 24 of the shell member 14.

[0061] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) According to this embodiment, housing 11, which holds two rows of contacts 12 and metal plate 13 arranged between the rows, is placed inside cylindrical shell member 14, and pressing portion 23 of shell member 14 is bent toward housing 11, so that pressing portion 23 biases housing 11. Pressing portion 23 biases housing 11, so that protruding portion 13a of metal plate 13 protruding from housing 11 abuts shell member 14. Abutting metal plate 13 against shell member 14 brings metal plate 13 into contact with and electrically connected to shell member 14. Therefore, when shell member 14 is connected to board 100 to which connector 1 is connected and is connected to the ground of board 100, metal plate 13 is electrically connected to board 100 via shell member 14 and is connected to the ground of board 100.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when assembling the connector 1 by incorporating the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 into the shell member 14, first, the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is inserted into the cylindrical shell member 14 and placed inside the shell member 14. Then, with the housing 11 placed inside the shell member 14, the pressing portion 23 of the shell member 14 is bent toward the housing 11. As the pressing portion 23 is bent toward the housing 11, the pressing portion 23 comes into contact with the housing 11 and presses the housing 11. As the pressing portion 23 presses the housing 11, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 comes into contact with the shell member 14, and the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14 are electrically connected. Therefore, when assembling the connector 1 by placing the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 inside the shell member 14, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 simply abuts against the shell member 14, preventing the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 from being deformed or scraped and damaged by press-fitting. That is, according to this embodiment, when assembling the connector 1, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 simply abuts against the shell member 14, and a portion of the metal plate is not press-fit into a groove in the shell member as in the conventional connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, preventing deformation and damage to the metal plate 13. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, deformation and damage to the metal plate 13 are prevented during assembly of the connector 1, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is placed inside the shell member 14, and the retaining portion 23 of the shell member 14 is bent. This allows for easy manufacturing of the connector 1 in a state where the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14 are electrically connected. Therefore, this embodiment eliminates the need for steps that complicate the connector manufacturing process, as required for manufacturing the connector of Patent Document 2. This eliminates the need for bending the metal plate to provide soldered portions, or plating the soldered portions of the metal plate, eliminating the need for steps that complicate the connector manufacturing process. Furthermore, this embodiment also eliminates the need for steps that complicate the connector manufacturing process, such as integrally molding the ground terminal and the metal plate into the housing while maintaining the bent, extending side pieces of the ground terminal in contact with the metal plate. Therefore, this embodiment prevents the connector 1 from becoming too complicated.

[0064] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 is positioned inside the shell member 14, and deformation and damage to the metal plate 13 can be prevented when assembling the connector 1 in a state where the shell member 14 and the metal plate 13 are in contact with each other, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14 and also preventing the manufacturing process of the connector 1 from becoming complicated.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, protruding portion 13a of metal plate 13, which is brought into contact with shell member 14 by the biasing force from pressing portion 23, comes into contact with contact portion 24 that protrudes in a protruding shape from shell member 14, thereby increasing the contact pressure between protruding contact portion 24 and protruding portion 13a. This makes it possible to further stabilize the electrical connection between metal plate 13 and shell member 14 when protruding portion 13a of metal plate 13 is brought into contact with shell member 14 by the biasing force from pressing portion 23.

[0066] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 12 shows a connector 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 12(A) being a side view of the connector 2 of the second embodiment and Fig. 12(B) being an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 12(A). The connector 2 of the second embodiment is configured similarly to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, except for some components. In the following description of the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and configurations similar to or corresponding to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by citing the same reference numerals, thereby avoiding redundant description.

[0067] Similar to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the connector 2 of the second embodiment includes a housing 11, a plurality of contacts 12, a metal plate 13, and a metal shell member 14. The plurality of contacts 12 are arranged in two rows and held in the housing 11. The metal plate 13 is disposed between the rows of the plurality of contacts 12 held in the housing 11 in the two rows and held in the housing 11. The shell member 14 is tubular, with the housing 11, which holds the plurality of contacts 12 and the metal plate 13, disposed inside. The metal plate 13 is provided with protrusions 13a that protrude from sidewalls 19b of a base 19 of the housing 11 on both sides in the width direction X2. The shell member 14 is provided with pressing portions 23 that are bent toward the housing 11 when the housing 11 is disposed inside the shell member 14, thereby contacting and biasing the housing 11 to press the housing 11. The pressing portion 23 biases the housing 11, thereby pressing the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 against the contact portion 24 of the shell member 14. However, the connector 2 differs from the connector 1 of the first embodiment in some configurations of the shell member 14.

[0068] 12, the shell member 14 of the connector 2 is provided with an elastic beam portion 25. The elastic beam portion 25 is provided as a portion that elastically deforms so as to bend due to the biasing force transmitted from the pressing portion 23 to the shell member 14 via the housing 11 and the protruding portion 13a when the pressing portion 23 biases the housing 11, causing the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 to abut against the shell member 14.

[0069] The elastic beam portion 25 is provided on the shell member 14 at an end opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1, and is aligned with the side opening 22 in the height direction X3. The elastic beam portion 25 is provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the width direction X2, i.e., at two locations. Each of the elastic beam portions 25 provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the width direction X2 is integral with a part of the edge portion defining the side opening 22 of the shell member 14, and is provided with an integral contact portion 24. Each elastic beam portion 25 is provided as a beam portion extending in an elongated band shape along the front-rear direction X1. The contact portion 24 is provided integrally with the elastic beam portion 25 at a central portion in the front-rear direction X1 of the elastic beam portion 25 extending in an elongated band shape along the front-rear direction X1, and protrudes in a protruding manner from the elastic beam portion 25 toward the side opening 22 along the height direction X3.

[0070] Furthermore, the shell member 14 is provided with a slot 26 that is adjacent to the elastic beam portion 25 in the height direction X3 and extends elongatedly in the front-rear direction X1. The slot 26 is adjacent to the elastic beam portion 25 on the opposite side of the side opening 22 in the height direction X3. The elastic beam portion 25 is provided in the shell member 14 as a portion between the side opening 22 in the height direction X3 and the slot 26 that is elongated in the front-rear direction X1, and is thereby formed as a beam portion that extends along the front-rear direction X1. In this embodiment, the elastic beam portion 25 is provided in the shell member 14 as a portion between the side opening 22 in the height direction X3 and the slot 26 that is elongated in the front-rear direction X1, and is therefore formed as a doubly supported beam portion whose both ends in the front-rear direction X1 are supported by the shell member 14.

[0071] When the housing 11 is disposed inside the shell member 14 and the pressing portion 23 of the shell member 14 is bent toward the housing 11, the pressing portion 23 applies a force to press the housing 11. The pressing portion 23 presses the housing 11, causing the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 to abut against the contact portion 24 of the shell member 14. In this state, the pressing force from the pressing portion 23 is transmitted via the housing 11 and the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 to the contact portion 24 of the shell member 14 and the elastic beam portion 25 integral with the contact portion 24. The pressing force from the pressing portion 23 acts to press the contact portion 24 and the elastic beam portion 25 along the height direction X3. As a result, the elastic beam portion 25, which extends elongatedly along the front-rear direction X1, elastically deforms so as to bend in the height direction X3.

[0072] The connector 2 of the second embodiment described above has a configuration similar to that of the connector 1 of the first embodiment, and can achieve the same effects as the connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the connector 2 of the second embodiment arranges the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 inside the shell member 14, and prevents deformation and damage to the metal plate 13 when assembling the connector 2 with the shell member 14 and the metal plate 13 in contact with each other, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14, and also prevents the manufacturing process of the connector 2 from becoming complicated.

[0073] Furthermore, in the connector 2 of the second embodiment, when the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 abuts against the shell member 14 due to the biasing force from the retaining portion 23, the elastic beam portion 25 of the shell member 14 elastically deforms to absorb the biasing force from the retaining portion 23. This makes it easier for the portion of the shell member 14 that abuts against the protruding portion 13a to deform to follow the protruding portion 13a, resulting in a more stable contact between the protruding portion 13a and the shell member 14. This makes it possible to further stabilize the electrical connection between the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14 when the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 abuts against the shell member 14 due to the biasing force from the retaining portion 23.

[0074] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 13 shows a connector 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 13(A) being a side view of the connector 3 of the third embodiment and Fig. 13(B) being an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 13(A). The connector 3 of the third embodiment is configured similarly to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, except for some components. In the following description of the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and configurations similar to or corresponding to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by citing the same reference numerals, thereby avoiding redundant description.

[0075] Similar to the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the connector 3 of the third embodiment includes a housing 11, a plurality of contacts 12, a metal plate 13, and a metal shell member 14. The plurality of contacts 12 are arranged in two rows and held in the housing 11. The metal plate 13 is disposed between the rows of the plurality of contacts 12 held in the housing 11 in the two rows and held in the housing 11. The shell member 14 is tubular, with the housing 11, which holds the plurality of contacts 12 and the metal plate 13, disposed inside. The metal plate 13 is provided with protrusions 13a that protrude from sidewalls 19b of a base 19 of the housing 11 on both sides in the width direction X2. The shell member 14 is provided with pressing portions 23 that are bent toward the housing 11 when the housing 11 is disposed inside the shell member 14, thereby contacting and biasing the housing 11 to press the housing 11. The pressing portion 23 biases the housing 11, thereby pressing the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 against the shell member 14. However, the connector 3 differs from the connector 1 of the first embodiment in some configurations of the shell member 14.

[0076] 13, a recess 27 is provided in shell member 14 of connector 3. Recess 27 is provided as a recessed portion in shell member 14 into which protrusion 13a of metal plate 13 fits when pressing portion 23 biases housing 11, causing protrusion 13a to abut against shell member 14.

[0077] The recess 27 is provided on the shell member 14 at an end opposite the opening 15 in the front-rear direction X1, aligned with the side opening 22 in the height direction X3. The recess 27 is provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the width direction X2, i.e., two locations. Each of the recesses 27 provided on both sides of the shell member 14 in the width direction X2 is provided as a recessed cutout portion in a portion of the edge portion defining the side opening 22 of the shell member 14. Each recess 27 is provided in a portion of the edge portion defining the side opening 22 of the shell member 14, recessed in the height direction X3. Each recess 27 is provided adjacent in the height direction X3 to the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 when the housing 11 is disposed inside the shell member 14. The recess 27 is provided as a recessed portion into which the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 fits. The recess depth of the recess 27 in the height direction X3 is set to be smaller than the thickness of the protrusion 13a of the metal plate 13.

[0078] When the housing 11 is disposed inside the shell member 14 and the pressing portion 23 of the shell member 14 is bent toward the housing 11, the pressing portion 23 biases the housing 11 to press the housing 11. The pressing portion 23 biases the housing 11, causing the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 to abut against the shell member 14 at the recess 27. That is, when the pressing portion 23 is bent and biased to press the housing 11, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 protruding from the housing 11 is pressed against the recess 27 of the shell member 14. The protruding portion 13a is fitted into the recess 27 of the shell member 14 and abuts against the shell member 14 at the recess 27. When the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 is pressed against the shell member 14 at the recess 27, the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14 are electrically connected.

[0079] The connector 3 of the third embodiment described above has a configuration similar to that of the connector 1 of the first embodiment, and can achieve the same effects as the connector 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the connector 3 of the third embodiment arranges the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 inside the shell member 14, and prevents deformation and damage to the metal plate 13 when assembling the connector 3 with the shell member 14 and the metal plate 13 in contact with each other, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the metal plate 13 and the shell member 14, and also prevents the manufacturing process of the connector 3 from becoming complicated.

[0080] Furthermore, in the connector 3 of the third embodiment, when the biasing force from the retaining portion 23 causes the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 to abut against the shell member 14, the protruding portion 13a fits into the recessed portion 27 of the shell member 14. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the housing 11 holding the contacts 12 and the metal plate 13 in a direction that causes the housing 11 to come out of the shell member 14, the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 held by the housing 11 and the recessed portion 27 of the shell member 14 are engaged, so that the housing 11 can be more reliably prevented from coming out of the shell member 14.

[0081] [Variations] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0082] (1) In the first to third embodiments described above, the plurality of contacts 12 are press-fitted into the housing 11 and thereby held in the housing 11, but this is not necessarily the case. A configuration in which the plurality of contacts 12 are integrally molded with the housing 11 and thereby held in the housing 11 may also be implemented.

[0083] (2) In the first to third embodiments described above, the protruding portions 13a of the metal plate 13 are provided so as to protrude from the housing 11 on both sides in the width direction X2, but this is not necessarily the case. An embodiment in which the protruding portion 13a of the metal plate 13 is provided so as to protrude from the housing 11 on one side in the width direction X2 may also be implemented.

[0084] (3) In the second embodiment described above, the elastic beam portion 25 is provided in the shell member 14 as a portion between the side opening 22 in the height direction X3 and the elongated hole 26 that is long in the front-rear direction X1. Therefore, the elastic beam portion 25 is formed as a portion of a doubly-supported beam whose both ends in the front-rear direction X1 are supported by the shell member 14. However, this is not necessarily the case. The elastic beam portion 25 may be provided in the shell member 14 as a portion of a cantilever beam. When the elastic beam portion 25 is provided as a portion of a cantilever beam, a slit-shaped groove that extends along the front-rear direction X1 and opens at one end is provided in the shell member 14 instead of the elongated hole 26. By providing this slit-shaped groove in the shell member 14, the elastic beam portion 25 may be formed as a portion of a cantilever beam rather than as a doubly-supported beam. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] The present invention can be widely applied as a connector in which a plurality of contacts are held in a housing in two rows, a metal plate held in the housing is positioned between the two rows of the plurality of contacts, and the housing holding the plurality of contacts and the metal plate is placed inside a cylindrical metal shell member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1, 2, 3 Connector 11. Housing 12 Contact 13 Metal plate 13a Projection 14 Shell member 23 Presser foot 24 Contact area X2 Width direction

Claims

1. Housing and a plurality of contacts held in the housing in two rows; a metal plate held by the housing and disposed between the rows of the contacts held by the housing in two rows; a cylindrical metal shell member in which the housing, which holds the plurality of contacts and the metal plate, is disposed; The metal plate is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes from the housing on at least one side in a width direction, which is a direction in which the plurality of contacts are arranged in two rows in the housing, The shell member is provided with a pressing portion that is bent toward the housing when the housing is disposed inside the shell member, and that abuts against the housing and biases the housing to press it down, The connector, wherein the pressing portion biases the housing, thereby causing the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The shell member is provided with a contact portion that protrudes in a protruding shape, A connector characterized in that the contact portion is provided as a part that comes into contact with the protrusion when the pressing portion biases the housing to cause the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector characterized in that the shell member is provided with an elastic beam portion that elastically deforms so as to bend due to the biasing force transmitted from the pressing portion to the shell member via the housing and the protrusion when the pressing portion biases the housing, causing the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

4. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, A connector characterized in that the shell member is provided with a recess into which the protrusion fits when the pressing portion biases the housing to cause the protrusion to abut against the shell member.

Images