Connectors and Connector Assemblies

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten a distance of a path for releasing electric charges input to a shell body of a connector.CONSTITUTION: A connector C1 includes: a body 100; a terminal 200 held by the body; a shell body 310 which is housed in and held by the body 100; and a ground terminal 400. The ground terminal 400 is disposed at a Z direction side relative to the shell body 310 and includes: a fixed part 410 fixed to the shell body 310; folded parts 420; beams 430; first contact parts 440; and second contact parts 450. The folded part 420 extends from the fixed part 410 in a Y' direction and folded in a Y direction and a Z direction. The first contact part 440 is disposed at a Y direction side relative to the fixed part 410 and contacts with the upper side of the shell body 310. The beam 430 extends from the folded part 420 to the first contact part 440 in an arc shape. The second contact part 450 has an apex 431 of the beam 430.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional connector is described in Patent Document 1. This conventional connector includes a body, a terminal, a shell, and a ground terminal.

[0003] The body includes a first body made of insulating resin and a second body made of insulating resin. The first body has a connection hole, first and second fixed portions, and a communication hole. The connection hole is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped through-hole that penetrates the first body in the first direction. The first and second fixed portions are provided on one surface of the first body in the second direction and are protrusions that extend in the first direction. The first and second fixed portions are arranged opposite each other in the third direction. In other words, the first fixed portion is arranged on one side of the second fixed portion in the third direction, and the second fixed portion is arranged on the other side of the first fixed portion in the third direction. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The first and second fixed portions are provided with first and second slits. The first slit extends in the first direction and is open to the other side of the first direction and the other side of the third direction. The second slit extends in the first direction and is open to the other side in the first direction and to one side in the third direction. The communication hole is a through hole that extends in the second direction from the surface of the first body on one side in the second direction to the inner wall of the connection hole on one side in the second direction and communicates with the connection hole. The second body is disposed on the other side in the first direction with respect to the first body and closes the connection hole from the other side in the first direction.

[0004] The terminal is made of a metal plate. The terminal has a tip portion, a body portion, and a tail portion. The tip portion extends in a first direction and has a first end on one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction. The body portion is a substantially L-shaped plate and has a first part and a second part. The first part of the body portion extends from the second end of the tip portion in the other direction in the first direction. The second part of the body portion extends from the end of the first part of the body portion on the other side in the first direction to the other side in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The body portion is held by a second body, and the tip portion is inserted into a connection hole of the first body from the other side in the first direction. The tail portion extends in the other direction in the first direction from the end of the second part of the body portion on the other side in the second direction and protrudes outside the second body.

[0005] The shell is made of a metal plate. The shell has a shell body that is roughly U-shaped and upside down when viewed in cross section in the second and third directions, a rear plate, and first and second legs. The shell body is inserted and held in the connection hole of the first body. The second body, the tip portion of the terminal, and the main body portion of the terminal are arranged in the space within the shell body. The shell body has a top plate, a first side plate, and a second side plate. The top plate is a plate on one side of the shell body in the second direction. The first side plate is a plate on one side of the shell body in the third direction. The second side plate is a plate on the other side in the third direction. The rear plate is connected to the top plate and closes the space within the shell body from the other side in the first direction. The first leg extends from the first side plate of the shell body in one direction in the third direction, and the second leg extends from the second side plate of the shell body in the other direction in the third direction.

[0006] The ground terminal is composed of a metal plate that is convex on one side in the first direction and has a generally horizontal V-shape. The ground terminal has a first plate, a second plate, a folded portion, a fixed portion, and a contact portion. The first plate extends in the first direction and is inserted and held in first and second slits of the first and second fixed portions of the first body from the other side in the first direction. The first plate has a first end on one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction. The second plate is disposed opposite the first plate on one side in the second direction and has a first end on one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction. The second plate is inclined so that the distance between the first plate and the second plate in the second direction gradually increases from the first end of the second plate to the second end of the second plate. The folded portion has a generally horizontal V-shape that protrudes toward one side in the first direction, extends from a first end of the first plate to one side in the first direction, is folded back toward the other side in the first direction and one side in the second direction, and extends to the first end of the second plate. The fixed portion is a generally V-shaped plate connected to the second end of the first plate, is disposed within the communicating hole, and is in elastic contact with the top plate of the shell body. The contact portion is a generally V-shaped plate that is upside down and connected to the second end of the second plate, and is capable of elastic contact with the grounding member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-140013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] When in use, the conventional connector described above is mounted on a circuit board, and the contact portion of the ground terminal of the connector elastically contacts the grounding member. With the conventional connector mounted on the circuit board, the tail portion of the terminal is connected to the signal conductor of the circuit board, and the first and second legs of the shell are connected to the ground electrode of the circuit board. During use, electric charge is input to the shell body of the conventional connector in at least one of the following ways (1) to (5): (1) When the mating connector and the conventional connector are opposed to each other in a first direction in order to connect the mating connector to the conventional connector (just before connecting the mating connector to the conventional connector), electric charge stored on the outer conductor of the cable connected to the mating connector is discharged from the shell of the mating connector and input to the shell body of the conventional connector. (2) When the mating connector is connected to the conventional connector, electric charge is input from outside to the shell of the mating connector, and the electric charge is input to the shell body of the conventional connector through the shell of the mating connector. (3) When a mating connector is connected to a conventional connector and a high-frequency signal is transmitted between the terminals of the conventional connector and the terminals of the mating connector, the terminals of the conventional connector function as antennas, radiating electric charges that are input to the shell body of the conventional connector. (4) Electric charges radiated from electronic components, etc., arranged around the conventional connector closer to the conventional connector than the grounding member are input to the shell body of the conventional connector. (5) In addition, electric charges are input to the shell body of the conventional connector from one side of the first direction.

[0009] The charge input to the shell body flows to the ground electrode of the circuit board through the shell body and the first and / or second legs, and / or flows to the grounding member through the shell body, the fixed portion of the ground terminal, the first plate of the ground terminal, the folded portion of the ground terminal, the second plate of the ground terminal, and the contact portion of the ground terminal. The latter path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body is long because it consists of the shell body, the fixed portion of the ground terminal, the first plate of the ground terminal, the folded portion of the ground terminal, the second plate of the ground terminal, and the contact portion of the ground terminal. If the path is long, part of the path may function as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the conventional connector. Furthermore, if an open stub is formed along the path, the open stub may function as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the conventional connector. Therefore, the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characteristics of the conventional connector are poor.

[0010] The present invention provides a connector and connector assembly that reduces the distance of the path for dissipating charge input to the shell body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A connector according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insulating body, at least one conductive terminal, a conductive shell, and a conductive external ground terminal. The at least one terminal is partially held by the body. The shell has a shell main body. The shell main body extends in a first direction and is generally annular or generally upside-down U-shaped in cross section along the second and third directions, and has an internal space. The body is at least partially housed and held within the internal space of the shell main body, and the at least one terminal is at least partially housed within the internal space of the shell main body. The first direction is the axial direction of the shell main body. The second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is generally perpendicular to the first and second directions. The external ground terminal is disposed on one side of the shell main body in the second direction. The external ground terminal has at least one fixed portion, at least one first contact portion, at least one beam, and at least one second contact portion. The at least one fixed portion may be fixed to the shell main body, or may be fixed to the body and in contact with the shell main body. The at least one first contact portion is arranged at a distance from the at least one fixed portion on one or the other side in the first direction. The at least one first contact portion is in contact with the shell body, or is arranged facing the shell body with a gap in the second direction, and the at least one second contact portion is adapted to contact the shell body when it receives a load from one side in the second direction. The at least one beam is provided between the at least one fixed portion and the at least one first contact portion, has an apex, and is curved or bent so that the apex is convex toward one side in the second direction. The at least one second contact portion comprises the apex of the at least one beam.

[0012] When at least one first contact portion is arranged on one side in the first direction relative to at least one fixed portion, a first path for dissipating electric charge input to the shell body is composed of the shell body, at least one first contact portion of the external ground terminal, at least one second contact portion of the external ground terminal, and a portion between at least one first contact portion and at least one second contact portion on at least one beam of the external ground terminal, and a second path for dissipating electric charge input to the shell body is composed of the shell body, at least one fixed portion of the external ground terminal, at least one second contact portion of the external ground terminal, and a portion between at least one fixed portion and at least one second contact portion on at least one beam of the external ground terminal, so that the respective distances of the first path and second path are shorter than the paths for dissipating electric charge in conventional connectors.

[0013] When at least one first contact portion is positioned on the other side of the at least one fixed portion in the first direction, the second path for dissipating electric charge input to the shell body is composed of the shell body, at least one fixed portion of the external ground terminal, at least one second contact portion of the external ground terminal, and a portion between at least one fixed portion and at least one second contact portion on at least one beam of the external ground terminal, and the first path for dissipating electric charge input to the shell body is composed of the shell body, at least one first contact portion of the external ground terminal, at least one second contact portion of the external ground terminal, and a portion between at least one first contact portion and at least one second contact portion on at least one beam of the external ground terminal, so the respective distances of the first path and second path are shorter than the paths for dissipating electric charge in conventional connectors.

[0014] Therefore, when the connector of the above aspect of the present invention is used, with at least one second contact portion in contact with the ground portion, the charge input to the shell body can be released to the ground portion via the short first and second paths, thereby reducing the possibility that parts of the first and second paths will function as antennas that radiate charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector.Furthermore, even if an open stub is formed along the first and second paths, the possibility that the open stub will function as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector can be reduced.As a result, the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) characteristics of the connector of the above aspect of the present invention can be improved.

[0015] The shell body may have a top wall on one side in the second direction, a first side wall on one side in the third direction, and a second side wall on the other side in the third direction. The external ground terminal may be disposed on one side in the second direction with respect to the top wall of the shell body. When at least one fixed portion of the external ground terminal is fixed to the shell body, the at least one fixed portion may be fixed to the top wall of the shell body. When at least one fixed portion of the external ground terminal is fixed to the body, the at least one fixed portion may be fixed to the body and in contact with the top wall of the shell body. The at least one first contact portion of the external ground terminal may be in contact with the top wall or may be disposed opposite the top wall with a gap in the second direction.

[0016] The external ground terminal may further include at least one folded portion. When the at least one first contact portion is disposed at a distance from the at least one fixed portion on one side in the first direction, the at least one folded portion may have a horizontally oriented substantially U-shaped or horizontally oriented substantially V-shaped configuration that is convex toward the other side in the first direction, extends from the at least one fixed portion in the other side of the first direction, is folded back toward one side of the first direction and one of the second directions, and extends into at least one beam. When the at least one first contact portion is disposed at a distance from the at least one fixed portion on the other side in the first direction, the at least one folded portion may have a horizontally oriented substantially U-shaped or horizontally oriented substantially V-shaped configuration that is convex toward one side in the first direction, extends from the at least one fixed portion in the one side of the first direction, is folded back toward the other side of the first direction and one of the second directions, and extends into at least one beam. In either case, the at least one beam may extend from the at least one folded portion to the at least one first contact portion.

[0017] The at least one folded portion, the at least one first contact portion, and the at least one beam may be an equal number of folded portions. The folded portions may be spaced apart in the third direction. The first contact portions may be spaced apart in the third direction. The beams may be spaced apart in the third direction. When the first contact portions are spaced apart on one side of the at least one fixed portion in the first direction, the folded portions may extend from the at least one fixed portion in the other direction of the first direction, be folded back in one direction of the first direction and in one direction of the second direction, and extend into the beams, respectively. When the first contact portions are spaced apart on the other side of the first direction of the at least one fixed portion, the folded portions may extend from the at least one fixed portion in the one direction of the first direction, be folded back in the other direction of the first direction and in one direction of the second direction, and extend into the beams, respectively. The plurality of beams may be spaced apart in the third direction and may extend from the plurality of folded portions to the plurality of first contact portions, respectively.

[0018] When the at least one folded portion is omitted, the at least one beam may extend from the at least one fixed portion to the at least one first contact portion. When the at least one first contact portion and the at least one beam are an equal number, the first contact portions are arranged at intervals in the third direction, and the beams are arranged at intervals in the third direction, the beams can be configured to each extend from the at least one fixed portion to the first contact portions.

[0019] The plurality of beams may include at least one pair of two beams adjacent to each other in the third direction.

[0020] The external ground terminal may further include at least one connecting portion, which may connect portions of two adjacent beams other than their apexes, or which may connect at least the apexes of at least two adjacent beams.

[0021] At least one first contact portion, two adjacent beams, and at least one connecting portion may define a first opening that opens to one side and the other side in the second direction.

[0022] At least two adjacent beams and at least one connecting portion may define a second opening that opens to one side and the other side in the second direction.

[0023] When at least one connecting portion connects at least the tops of two adjacent beams, the at least one second contact portion may be one and may have a portion connecting the tops of the two adjacent beams and the tops of the at least one connecting portion.When at least one connecting portion is not provided or when at least one connecting portion connects portions other than the tops of two adjacent beams, the at least one second contact portion may be a plurality of second contact portions, the same number as the number of beams, each of which may have a top of one of the beams.

[0024] When there are multiple second contact portions, the multiple second contact portions may include a first second contact portion that is located closest to one side of the multiple second contact portions in the third direction, and a second second contact portion that is located closest to the other side of the multiple second contact portions in the third direction.

[0025] The distance in the third direction from the end of the first second contact portion on one side in the third direction to the end of the second second contact portion on the other side in the third direction can be the same as or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

[0026] When there is one second contact portion, the dimension of the one second contact portion in the third direction can be the same as or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

[0027] When there are a plurality of at least one first contact portions, the plurality of first contact portions may include a first first contact portion located closest to one side in the third direction among the plurality of first contact portions and a second first contact portion located closest to the other side in the third direction among the plurality of first contact portions. The plurality of first contact portions may include at least one pair of two first contact portions adjacent to each other in the third direction.

[0028] The distance in the third direction from the end of the first first contact portion on one side in the third direction to the end of the second first contact portion on the other side in the third direction can be the same as or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

[0029] When two adjacent first contact portions are in contact with the shell body, the two adjacent first contact portions can be configured to be in contact and slidable on the shell body in the first direction. When two adjacent first contact portions are arranged facing the shell body with a gap in the second direction, at least one second contact portion may receive a load from one side in the second direction, causing the two adjacent first contact portions to come into contact with the shell body, thereby allowing the two adjacent first contact portions to slide on the shell body in the first direction.

[0030] The shell may further include at least one rib provided on the shell body and extending in the first direction and projecting toward one side in the second direction. The at least one rib may be disposed between two adjacent first contact points. The distance in the third direction between two adjacent first contact points may be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimension in the third direction of the at least one rib, but is not limited to this.

[0031] When there is one at least one first contact portion, the dimension of the one first contact portion in the third direction can be the same as or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

[0032] When one first contact portion is in contact with the shell body, the one first contact portion may be configured to be in contact and slidable on the shell body in the first direction. When the one first contact portion is disposed opposite the shell body with a gap in the second direction, at least one second contact portion may receive a load from one side in the second direction, causing the one first contact portion to come into contact with the shell body, thereby allowing the one first contact portion to slide on the shell body in the first direction.

[0033] A mating connector may be insertable into the internal space of the shell body of any of the connectors of the above aspects from one side in the first direction.

[0034] A connection structure (combination) according to one aspect of the present invention can include a connector according to any of the above aspects and a ground portion that is conductive and connected to a reference potential or grounded. The ground portion may be at least partially disposed on one side of the connector in the second direction. At least one second contact portion of an external ground terminal of the connector may be in elastic contact with the ground portion.

[0035] A connector assembly according to one aspect of the present invention may include a connector according to any of the above aspects, a circuit board on which the connector is mounted, and a ground portion that is conductive and connected to a reference potential or grounded. The circuit board may include at least one signal electrode connected to at least one terminal of the connector and a ground electrode electrically connected to a shell of the connector. The ground portion may be a housing that houses the connector and the circuit board, and a portion of the ground portion may be disposed on one side of the connector in the second direction. At least one second contact portion of the external ground terminal of the connector may be in elastic contact with a portion of the ground portion or may be in elastic contact with a relay member. The relay member may be conductive and electrically connected to the ground portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1A] 1 is a front, top, and right side perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a rear, top, right side perspective view of the connector. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a front, bottom, and right side perspective view of the connector. [Figure 1D] FIG. [Figure 1E] FIG. [Figure 2A] 2A is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line 2A-2A in FIG. 1A. [Figure 2B] 2B is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] 2C is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line 2C-2C in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is an exploded front, top, right side perspective view of the connector. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector from the back, bottom, and right side. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a right side view of a design modification of the connector of the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] 2B is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 2A. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2A of a first model including the connector of Example 1, a circuit board on which the connector is mounted, a ground section that houses the connector and the circuit board, a relay member that is housed in the ground section and is interposed between an external ground terminal of the connector and the ground section, and a mating connector connected to the connector. [Figure 6B] 6B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6A of a second model including a connector of Comparative Example 1, a circuit board on which the connector is mounted, a ground section that houses the connector and the circuit board, a relay member that is housed in the ground section and is interposed between an external ground terminal of the connector and the ground section, and a mating connector connected to the connector. [Figure 6C] 6B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6A of a third model including a connector of Comparative Example 2, a circuit board on which the connector is mounted, a ground section that houses the connector and the circuit board, a relay member that is housed in the ground section and is interposed between an external ground terminal of the connector and the ground section, and a mating connector connected to the connector. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of an electric field strength analysis (first simulation results) of the first model. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of electric field intensity analysis (second simulation results) of the second model. [Figure 7C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the electric field strength analysis results (third simulation results) of the third model. [Figure 8A] 10 is a front, top, and right side perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a rear, top, right side perspective view of the connector. [Figure 8C] FIG. 2 is a front, bottom, and right side perspective view of the connector. [Figure 8D] FIG. [Figure 8E] FIG. [Figure 9A] 9A is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line 9A-9A in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9B] 9B is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line 9B-9B in FIG. 9A. [Figure 9C] 9C is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along line 9C-9C in FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is an exploded front, top, right side perspective view of the connector. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector from the back, bottom, and right side. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a right side view of a design modification of the connector of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5A showing a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Various embodiments of the present invention, including Examples 1 and 2 and their respective design variations, will be described below. It should be noted that the components of the embodiments and design variations described below can be combined with each other as long as they are not inconsistent. It should also be noted that the materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, and arrangements of the components in the embodiments and design variations described below are merely examples, and that any design changes are possible as long as the same functions can be achieved. It should also be noted that the communication speed of high-speed signals described below is merely an example, and that any design changes are possible. [Example]

[0038] "Connector C1 according to multiple embodiments including embodiment 1 and its design variations" A connector C1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and several other embodiments including design variations thereof will be described below with reference to Figures 1A to 4. Figures 1A to 3B show the connector C1 of the first embodiment. Figure 4 shows a design variation of the connector C1 of the first embodiment.

[0039] 1A to 2A and 3A to 4 show the Y-Y' direction (first direction). 1A to 1C and 1E to 4 show the Z-Z' direction (second direction). 1A to 1D and 2B to 3B show the X-X' direction (third direction). The Y-Y' direction includes the Y direction (one of the first directions) and the Y' direction (the other of the first directions). The Z-Z' direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the Y-Y' direction, and includes the Z direction (one of the second directions) and the Z' direction (the other of the second directions). The X-X' direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the Y-Y' direction and the Z-Z' direction, and includes the X direction (one of the third directions) and the X' direction (the other of the third directions).

[0040] The connector C1 includes an insulating body 100 and at least one conductive terminal 200.

[0041] The body 100 is made of insulating resin and partially holds at least one terminal 200. The body 100 can have, for example, (A) a configuration having a base 110 (not shown), or (B) a configuration having a base 110 and a protrusion 120 extending from the base 110 in the Y direction (see FIGS. 2A to 3B). The dimension of the protrusion 120 in the Z-Z' direction can be smaller than the dimension of the base 110 in the Z-Z' direction and / or the dimension of the protrusion 120 in the X-X' direction can be smaller than the dimension of the base 110 in the X-X' direction.

[0042] The at least one terminal 200 may be one (see FIGS. 2A to 3B) or multiple (not shown). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the at least one terminal 200 will also be referred to as "one or each terminal 200." Of the "one or each terminal 200," one terminal 200 corresponds to one terminal 200 when there is one terminal 200, and each terminal 200 corresponds to each terminal 200 when there are multiple terminals 200. The one or each terminal 200 is made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, and has a main body portion 210, a tip portion 220, and a tail portion 230.

[0043] The main body portion 210 is a portion between the tip portion 220 and the tail portion 230 of one or each terminal 200. For example, the main body portion 210 is configured as a rod, a flat plate, a substantially cylindrical plate, or the like that is substantially L-shaped when viewed in cross section along the Y-Y' direction and the Z-Z' direction. The main body portion 210 has a first portion extending in the Y-Y' direction and a second portion extending from the Y'-direction end of the first portion in the Z' direction or in an oblique direction including components in the Z' and Y' directions. One or more protrusions 211 may be provided on the first portion of the main body portion 210, but may not be provided thereon.

[0044] The main body portion 210 is at least partially held by the body 100. For example, a part or all of the main body portion 210 may be inserted into a holding hole (not shown) provided in the base portion 110 of the body 100 described above (A) or into a holding hole 111 provided in the base portion 110 and the protrusion 120 of the body 100 described above (B) and held by press-fitting or the like, or a part or all of the main body portion 210 may be embedded and held in the base portion 110 of the body 100 described above (A) or in the base portion 110 and the protrusion 120 of the body 100 described above (B) by insert molding or the like.

[0045] The tip portion 220 is configured as a rod, a flat plate, a tube, a pair of beams, or the like extending in the Y direction from the Y direction end of the main body portion 210. The dimension of the tip portion 220 in the Z-Z' direction is approximately the same as or smaller than the dimension of the first part of the main body portion 210 in the Z-Z' direction. The tip portion 220 and the body 100 can have any of the following configurations.

[0046] The tip portion 220 protrudes in the Y direction from the protrusion 120 of the body 100 in (A) above (see FIG. 2A). Alternatively, the tip portion 220 protrudes in the Y direction from the base portion 110 of the body 100 in (A) above (not shown). Alternatively, the tip portion 220 is housed in a housing hole that opens in the Y direction of the protrusion 120 of the body 100 in (A) above (not shown).

[0047] Tail portion 230 is configured as a rod or a flat plate or the like extending in the Y' direction (see FIG. 2A) or Z' direction (not shown) from the Z'-direction end of main body portion 210. A part of tail portion 230 may be housed in base portion 110 of body 100 and the remaining part may be located outside body 100 (see FIG. 2A), or the entire tail portion may be located outside body 100 (not shown).

[0048] In addition, when there are a plurality of at least one terminal 200 (not shown), the main body portions 210 of the plurality of terminals 200 are held in the body 100 as described above and are spaced apart in the X-X' direction. The tip portions 220 of the plurality of terminals 200 protrude from or are housed within the body 100 as described above and are spaced apart in the X-X' direction. The tail portions 230 of the plurality of terminals 200 are spaced apart in the X-X' direction.

[0049] The connector C1 further includes a conductive shell 300. The shell 300 has a shell body 310. The shell body 310 may be made of cast metal (see FIGS. 1A to 3B), may be made of metal created by a 3D printer (not shown), or may be made of a metal plate created by press molding (not shown). Alternatively, the shell body 310 may be molded from resin and have a metal plated or vapor-deposited on its outer surface. The inner surface of the shell body 310 may also be plated or vapor-deposited with metal, but this is not limitative. The shell body 310 further has the following configuration (1) or (2).

[0050] (1) Shell body 310 is a generally tubular (e.g., cylindrical or polygonal) tube extending in the Y-Y' direction and has a generally annular (e.g., circular or polygonal) shape when viewed in cross section in the Z-Z' and X-X' directions (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). Shell body 310 has a top wall 311, a first side wall 312, a second side wall 313, and a bottom wall 314. Top wall 311 is the wall on the Z-direction side of shell body 310, first side wall 312 is the wall on the X-direction side of shell body 310, second side wall 313 is the wall on the X'-direction side of shell body 310, and bottom wall 314 is the wall on the Z-direction side of shell body 310.

[0051] (2) Shell body 310 is a generally tubular (e.g., cylindrical or polygonal) body extending in the Y-Y' direction with a cutout on the Z' direction side, and has a generally upside-down U-shape in cross section in the Z-Z' and X-X' directions (not shown). Shell body 310 has a top wall 311, a first side wall 312, and a second side wall 313, but does not have a bottom wall 314.

[0052] Shell body 310 has internal space 301. When shell body 310 has the above configuration (1), internal space 301 is defined by top wall 311, first side wall 312, second side wall 313, and bottom wall 314 of shell body 310, and passes through shell body 310 in the Y-Y' direction. When shell body 310 has the above configuration (2), internal space 301 is defined by top wall 311, first side wall 312, and second side wall 313 of shell body 310, and passes through shell body 310 in the Y-Y' direction and is open in the Z' direction.

[0053] The internal space 301 of the shell body 310 at least partially accommodates and holds the body 100, and accommodates the main body portion 210 and tip portion 220 of one or more terminals 200. The internal space 301 of the shell body 310 accommodates a portion of the tail portion 230 of one or more terminals 200, and the remaining portion of the tail portion 230 of one or more terminals 200 may be located outside the shell body 310. Alternatively, the entire tail portion 230 of one or more terminals 200 may be located outside the shell body 310.

[0054] The internal space 301 of the shell main body 310 may have, for example, a central space 301o and a first space 301a and / or a second space 301b. The first space 301a is located on the Y-direction side of the central space 301o, is connected to the central space 301o, and is open in the Y-direction. The second space 301b is located on the Y'-direction side of the central space 301o, is connected to the central space 301o, and is open in the Y'-direction. The second space 301b may be open in the Z'-direction (see FIG. 2A ), but is not limited thereto. The shape and size of the cross section of the second space 301b along the X-X' direction and the Z-Z' direction correspond to the outer shape and size of the cross section of the base 110 of the body 100 along the X-X' direction and the Z-Z' direction.

[0055] When the body 100 has the above configuration (A), the base 110 of the body 100 is housed and held in the second space 301b, and the protrusion 120 of the body 100 is housed in the central space 301o. The tip 220 and the first portion of the main body 210 of one or more terminals 200 are housed in the central space 301o together with the protrusion 120 of the body 100, and the second portion of the main body 210 of one or more terminals 200 is housed in the second space 301b together with the base 110 (see FIG. 2A).

[0056] When the body 100 has the above-described configuration (A), the base 110 of the body 100 is accommodated and held within the second space 301b. The tip portions 220 of one or more terminals 200 are accommodated within the central space 301o, and the main body portions 210 of one or more terminals 200 are accommodated within the second space 301b together with the base portion 110 of the body 100 (not shown).

[0057] The cross-sectional dimensions of the first space 301a along the X-X' and Z-Z' directions are larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the central space 301o along the X-X' and Z-Z' directions. The inner peripheral surface of the first space 301a may be provided with a plurality of key grooves extending in the Y-Y' direction. The inner peripheral surface of the first space 301a may also be provided with a lock hole. The key groove and / or the lock hole may be omitted. The first space 301a of the shell body 310 itself may also be omitted.

[0058] The shell 300 may further have a first leg portion 321 and a second leg portion 322. When the shell body 310 has the configuration (1) above, the first leg portion 321 and the second leg portion 322 are ribs (see FIGS. 1A to 3B), plates (not shown), or protrusions (not shown) extending in the Z' direction from the bottom wall 314 of the shell body 310, and are opposed to each other in the X-X' direction. When the shell body 310 has the configuration (2) above, the first leg portion 321 and the second leg portion 322 are ribs, plates, or protrusions extending in the Z' direction from the first side wall 312 and the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310, and are opposed to each other in the X-X' direction (not shown).

[0059] The first leg 321 is arranged on the X-direction side of at least one of the body 210, tip 220, and tail 230 of one or more terminals 200. The second leg 322 is arranged on the X'-direction side of at least one of the body 210, tip 220, and tail 230 of one or more terminals 200. In other words, one or more terminals 200 are located between the first leg 321 and the second leg 322 in the X-X' direction.

[0060] The shell 300 may further include a third leg 323 spaced apart in the Y' direction from the first leg 321, and a fourth leg 324 spaced apart in the Y' direction from the second leg 322. When the shell body 310 has the configuration (1) above, the third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 are ribs (see FIGS. 1A to 3B), plates (not shown), or protrusions (not shown) extending in the Z' direction from the bottom wall 314 of the shell body 310, and are opposed to each other in the X-X' direction. When the shell body 310 has the configuration (2) above, the third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 are ribs, plates, or protrusions extending in the Z' direction from the first side wall 312 and the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310, and are opposed to each other in the X-X' direction (not shown). The Z-Z' direction dimensions of the portions of the third leg portion 323 and the fourth leg portion 324 on the Z' side of the shell body 310 are smaller than the Z-Z' direction dimensions of the portions of the first leg portion 321 and the second leg portion 322 on the Z' side of the shell body 310.

[0061] The third leg 323 is disposed on the X-direction side of the tail portions 230 of one or more terminals 200. The fourth leg 324 is disposed on the X'-direction side of the tail portions 230 of one or more terminals 200. In other words, the tail portions 230 of one or more terminals 200 are located between the third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 in the X-X' direction. In this case, the first leg 321 is disposed on the X-direction side of at least one of the body portions 210 and tip portions 220 of one or more terminals 200, and the second leg 322 is disposed on the X'-direction side of at least one of the body portions 210 and tip portions 220 of one or more terminals 200. The third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 may be omitted.

[0062] Regardless of whether third leg portion 323 and fourth leg portion 324 are provided, when shell body 310 has the configuration (1) above, shell 300 may further have at least one protrusion 330 (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). At least one protrusion 330 extends in the Z' direction from bottom wall 314 of shell body 310. Note that there may be a plurality of at least one protrusion 330. Furthermore, at least one protrusion 330 can be omitted.

[0063] The shell 300 may further include a shield cover 340. The shield cover 340 has the following configuration (3) or (4).

[0064] (3) The shield cover 340 is separate from the shell body 310 and includes a cover portion 341 and at least two engagement arms 342 (see FIGS. 1B, 2A, 3A, and 3B). The cover portion 341 is a conductive plate (e.g., a metal plate) that abuts against the shell body 310 so as to close the internal space 301 of the shell body 310 of the shell 300 from the Y′-direction side. The at least two engagement arms 342 extend in the Y direction from the X-direction end and the X′-direction end of the cover portion 341. The first side wall 312 and the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310 are provided with engagement portions 317. Either the engagement arm 342 or the engagement portion 317 may be provided with an engagement protrusion, and the other may be provided with an engagement hole into which the engagement protrusion fits.

[0065] (4) The shield cover 340 is a conductive plate (e.g., a metal plate) connected to the top wall 311 of the shell body 310, and abuts against the shell body 310 so as to block the internal space 301 of the shell body 310 of the shell 300 from the Y' direction side (not shown).

[0066] The shield cover 340 can be omitted.

[0067] The shell body 310 of the shell 300 may further have at least one rib 315. The at least one rib 315 can be one (see FIGS. 2A to 4) or multiple (not shown). The one or more ribs 315 are provided on the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311, are convex in the Z direction, and extend in the Y-Y' direction. The dimension of the one or more ribs 315 in the X-X' direction is smaller than the dimension of the top wall 311 in the X-X' direction. A pair of paths 311a extending in the Y-Y' direction are provided on both sides in the X-X' direction of the one or more ribs 315 on the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311. The pair of paths 311a are part of the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311. Note that at least one rib 315 and the path 311a may be omitted.

[0068] The shell body 310 may further have at least one fastening portion 316. The at least one fastening portion 316 may be one (see FIGS. 2A to 3B) or multiple (not shown).

[0069] When one or more ribs 315 are provided, one or more fixing portions 316 have a configuration (5) or (6). (5) One or more fixing portions 316 have a slit 316a provided at the Y'-direction end of one or more ribs 315 (the Y'-direction end of the shell body 310) and open at least in the Y' direction, and an engagement hole 316b provided at the Y'-direction end of one or more ribs 315 and extending from the slit 316a in the Z direction (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). (6) One or more fixing portions 316 have a configuration in which they have a slit 316a but do not have an engagement hole 316b (not shown).

[0070] When one or more protrusions 315 are not provided, one or more fixing portions 316 have any of the configurations (7) to (11). (7) One or more fixing portions 316 have a protrusion provided on the Y'-direction end of the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 (the Y'-direction end of the shell main body 310), a slit provided in the protrusion and opening at least in the Y'-direction, and an engagement hole provided in the protrusion and extending from the slit in the Z-direction (not shown). (8) One or more fixing portions 316 have the protrusion and slit of (7), but do not have the engagement hole of (7) (not shown). (9) One or more fixing portions 316 have a slit provided in the Y'-direction end of the top wall 311 (the Y'-direction end of the shell main body 310) and opening in the Y'-direction, and an engagement hole provided in the top wall 311 and extending from the slit in the Z-direction (not shown). (10) One or more fixing portions 316 have a slit (9) but do not have an engagement hole (9). (11) One or more fixing portions 316 are provided on the Z-direction surface of the Y'-direction end of the top wall 311 (the Y'-direction end of the shell body 310), and have one or more engagement protrusions (not shown) that protrude in the Z direction.

[0071] The slits of one or more of the fixing portions 316 in any of (5) to (10) above may be open in the X direction and / or the X' direction, but do not have to be open in the X direction and the X' direction. One or more of the fixing portions 316 can be omitted. In this case, the body 100 can be configured to further include one or more fixing portions (not shown). The one or more fixing portions of the body 100 include a slit provided at the end of the base 110 of the body 100 on the Y' direction side and open in the Y' direction, and an engagement hole provided at the end of the base 110 on the Y' direction side and extending from the slit to the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310. Both the one or more fixing portions 316 and the one or more fixing portions of the body 100 can be omitted.

[0072] The connector C1 further includes an external ground terminal 400. The external ground terminal 400 is made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, and is disposed on the Z-direction side of the shell main body 310.

[0073] The external ground terminal 400 has at least one fixed portion 410. There may be one or more fixed portions 410. The multiple fixed portions 410 are arranged at intervals in the X-X' direction and include at least one pair of two fixed portions 410 adjacent to each other in the X-X' direction.

[0074] One or more fixed parts 410 are fixed to shell main body 310 or body 100. For example, one or more fixed parts 410 can be configured to be fixed to shell main body 310 as in any of (12) to (14) and (16) below, or can be configured to be fixed to body 100 as in (15) below.

[0075] (12) When one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell body 310 have the configuration described in (5), (7), or (9), one or more fixed portions 410 have a plate 411 and an engaging protrusion 412 that is a raised piece or protrusion that is protruded toward the Z-Z' direction and is provided on this plate 411 (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). The plate 411 of one or more fixed portions 410 is inserted into the slit of one or more fixing portions 316 from the Y' direction side, and the engaging protrusion 412 of one or more fixed portions 410 is hooked into the engaging hole of one or more fixing portions 316.

[0076] (13) When one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell body 310 have the configuration described in (6), (8), or (10) above, one or more fixable portions 410 have a plate, and the plate of one or more fixable portions 410 is press-fitted into the slit of one or more fixing portions 316 from the Y' direction side. When the slit of one or more fixing portions 316 is open in the X direction and / or X' direction, the dimension of the plate of one or more fixable portions 410 in the Z-Z' direction is slightly larger than the dimension of the slit of one or more fixing portions 316 in the Z-Z' direction. When the slits of one or more fixing portions 316 are not open in the X and X' directions, the dimension in the Z-Z' direction of the plate of one or more fixing portions 410 is slightly larger than the dimension in the Z-Z' direction of the slits of one or more fixing portions 316 and / or the dimension in the X-X' direction of the plate of one or more fixing portions 410 is slightly larger than the dimension in the X-X' direction of the slits of one or more fixing portions 316.

[0077] (14) When one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell body 310 have the configuration described in (11) above, one or more fixable portions 410 have a plate and one or more engaging holes provided in the plate. The plate of one fixable portion 410 may be placed on one fixing portion 316, and one or more engaging protrusions of one fixing portion 316 may be fitted into one or more engaging holes of one fixable portion 410 (FIT IN). Alternatively, the plates of multiple fixable portions 410 may be placed on multiple fixing portions 316, respectively, and one or more engaging protrusions of multiple fixing portions 316 may be fitted into one or more engaging holes of the multiple fixable portions 410 (FIT IN).

[0078] (15) In the case where one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell main body 310 are provided on the body 100 (not shown), one or more fixable portions 410 have a plate and a contact portion that is a raised piece or protrusion that is convex on the Z-Z' direction provided on the plate. The plate of one or more fixable portions 410 is inserted or press-fitted into a slit of one or more fixing portions of the body 100 from the Y' direction side, and the contact portion of one or more fixable portions 410 is hooked or inserted into an engaging hole of one or more fixing portions of the body 100 and is in contact with the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310.

[0079] (16) When neither one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell body 310 nor one or more fixing portions of the body 100 are provided (not shown), one or more fixed portions 410 may be lance-engaged in a locking hole or locking groove provided on the Z-direction surface of the Y'-direction end of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310, or may be press-fitted into a press-fit hole or press-fit groove provided on the Z-direction surface of the Y'-direction end of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310, or may be fixed to the Z-direction surface of the Y'-direction end of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 by welding, fusion, adhesive bonding, or other well-known connecting means.

[0080] The plate of any of the above aspects of the one or more fixed portions 410 has a first end 411a and a second end 411b. The first end 411a is the end on the Y-direction side of the second end 411b of the plate of any of the above aspects of the one or more fixed portions 410, and the second end 411b may be the end on the Y'-direction side of the first end 411a of the plate of any of the above aspects of the one or more fixed portions 410.

[0081] The external ground terminal 400 further includes at least one beam 430, at least one first contact portion 440, and at least one second contact portion 450. The external ground terminal 400 may further include at least one folded portion 420.

[0082] The at least one folded portion 420 may be one or more. The multiple folded portions 420 are arranged at intervals in the X-X' direction and include at least one pair of two folded portions 420 adjacent to each other in the X-X' direction. Note that when there are multiple both the at least one fixed portion 410 and the at least one folded portion 420, the two may be the same number.

[0083] The one or more folded portions 420 are generally U-shaped (see FIGS. 1A to 3B) or generally V-shaped (not shown) facing sideways and convex in the Y′ direction, and have a first end 421 on the Z′-direction side and a second end 422 on the Z-direction side. The first end 421 of one folded portion 420 may be connected to the second end 411 b of one or more fixed portions 410, and the second end 422 of one folded portion 420 may be connected to one or more beams 430. Alternatively, the first ends 421 of the multiple folded portions 420 may be connected to the second ends 411 b of one or more fixed portions 410, and the second ends 422 of the multiple folded portions 420 may be connected to one or more beams 430. In the former case, one folded portion 420 extends in the Y' direction from the second end 411b of one or more fixed portions 316, is folded back in the Y and Z directions, and extends to one or more beams 430. In the latter case, multiple folded portions 420 extend in the Y' direction from the second end 411b of one or more fixed portions 316, respectively, are folded back in the Y and Z directions, and extend to one or more beams 430.

[0084] The at least one beam 430 may be one or more. The multiple beams 430 are spaced apart in the X-X' direction and include at least one pair of two beams 430 adjacent to each other in the X-X' direction. When there are multiple of both the at least one folded portion 420 and the at least one beam 430, the two may be the same in number.

[0085] A configuration may be used in which one beam 430 is provided between one or more fixed portions 410 and one or more first contact portions 440, or a configuration may be used in which multiple beams 430 are provided between one or more fixed portions 410 and one or more first contact portions 440. For example, a configuration may be used in which one beam 430 extends from the second end 422 of one or more folded portions 420 to one or more first contact portions 440, has an apex 431, and is curved or bent so as to be convex in the Z direction, or a configuration may be used in which multiple beams 430 extend from the second end 422 of one or more folded portions 420 to one or more first contact portions 440, each has an apex 431, and is curved or bent so as to be convex in the Z direction. The one or more beams 430 may be curved in an arc shape (see FIGS. 1A to 3B) or bent in an upside-down V shape (not shown) so that the apex 431 thereof is convex in the Z direction, but are not limited to this. The one or more beams 430 further have a first portion 432 which is a portion between the apex 431 of the one or more beams 430 and one or more first contact portions 440, and a second portion 433 which is a portion between the apex 431 of the one or more beams 430 and one or more folded portions 420.

[0086] There may be one or more first contact portions 440. One first contact portion 440 extends from one or more beams 430 and is disposed at a distance in the Y direction from one or more fixed portions 410. One first contact portion 440 may (17) be in contact with the surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 on the Z direction side (not shown), or (18) be disposed opposite the surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 on the Z direction side with a gap in the Z-Z' direction (not shown).

[0087] The dimension of one first contact portion 440 in the XX' direction can be the same as or smaller than the dimension W1 in the XX' direction of the shell main body 310 (not shown), but is not limited to this.

[0088] The multiple first contact portions 440 extend from one or more beams 430 and are spaced apart in the Y direction and in the X-X' direction from one or more fixed portions 410. The multiple first contact portions 440 may (19) be in contact with the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 (see FIGS. 1A to 3B), or (20) be arranged opposite to each other on the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 with a gap in the Z-Z' direction (see FIG. 4). The multiple first contact portions 440 include at least one pair of two first contact portions 440 adjacent to each other in the X-X' direction. The multiple first contact portions 440 also include a first first contact portion 440 located closest to the X-direction among the multiple first contact portions 440 and a second first contact portion 440 located closest to the X' direction among the multiple first contact portions 440. When there are a plurality of the at least one beam 430 and at least one first contact portion 440, the numbers of the beams 430 and the first contact portion 440 may be the same.

[0089] Each of the plurality of first contact portions 440 is smaller than the dimension in the X-X' direction of shell main body 310. Distance D1 (straight-line distance) in the X-X' direction from the end of the first first contact portion 440 on the X-direction side to the end of the second first contact portion 440 on the X'-direction side can be the same as or smaller than dimension W1 in the X-X' direction of shell main body 310 (see FIG. 1D), but is not limited to this.

[0090] When a single protrusion 315 is provided on the shell body 310, two adjacent first contact portions 440 may be formed as a pair. The single protrusion 315 is disposed between the two adjacent first contact portions 440, and the two adjacent first contact portions 440 are in contact with a pair of paths 311a on both sides of the single protrusion 315 on the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 (see FIGS. 1A to 3), or are disposed opposite each other with a gap in the Z-Z' direction (see FIG. 4). The distance D2 (linear distance) in the X-X' direction between the two adjacent first contact portions 440 is approximately the same as or slightly greater than the dimension W2 of the single protrusion 315 in the X-X' direction.

[0091] When multiple protrusions 315 are provided on the shell body 310 (not shown), two adjacent first contact portions 440 may be arranged in multiple pairs corresponding to the number of the protrusions 315. One protrusion 315 is disposed between each pair of adjacent first contact portions 440 in each pair. The two adjacent first contact portions 440 in each pair are in contact with a pair of paths 311a on both sides of the protrusion 315 located between them, or are disposed opposite each other with a gap in the Z-Z' direction. The distance D2 in the X-X' direction between the two adjacent first contact portions 440 in each pair is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimension W2 in the X-X' direction of the protrusion 315 located between them.

[0092] One or more first contact portions 440 may be curved in an arc shape (see Figures 1A to 4) or bent into an upside-down V shape so that their tops are convex toward the Z' direction, or may be formed as plates extending in the Y and Z' directions from one or more beams 430, or flat plates extending in the Y direction.

[0093] When one or more first contact portions 440 are in contact with the surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 on the Z direction side (including when the surface of top wall 311 on the Z direction side is groove 311a), at least one second contact portion 450 may receive a load from the Z direction side, causing one or more first contact portions 440 to slide in the Y-Y' direction on the surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 on the Z direction side, but this is not limited to this. For example, one or more first contact portions 440 may be in contact with the surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 on the Z direction side and may be abutted against one or more protrusions (not shown) on the surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 on the Z direction side from the Y direction side, or one or more first contact portions 440 may be fixed to the surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 on the Z direction side.

[0094] When one or more first contact portions 440 are arranged opposite the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 (including when the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 is the path 311a) with a gap in the Z-Z' direction, when at least one second contact portion 450 receives a load from the Z-direction side, one or more first contact portions 440 are displaced in the Z' direction and come into contact with the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 (see dashed line in Figure 4). When at least one second contact portion 450 receives a load from the Z direction side, one or more first contact portions 440 may be displaced in the Z' direction and come into contact with the Z direction side surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 and slide on that surface in the Y-Y' direction, or one or more first contact portions 440 may come into contact with the Z direction side surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 and be abutted against one or more protrusions (not shown) on the Z direction side surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 from the Y direction side.

[0095] When a plurality of beams 430 are provided, the external ground terminal 400 may further include at least one connecting portion 460. The number of at least one connecting portion 460 can be one or more depending on the number of pairs of adjacent two beams 430. One connecting portion 460 connects a pair of adjacent two beams 430 (for example, the top portions 431 of the adjacent two beams 430, the top portions 431 and their vicinity (for example, the portion on the Y'-direction side of the first portion 432 and / or the portion on the Y-direction side of the second portion 433), or portions other than the top portions 431 (for example, the first portion 432 or the second portion 433)). The multiple connecting portions 460 respectively connect multiple pairs of adjacent beams 430 (for example, the tops 431 of the two adjacent beams 430, the tops 431 and their adjacent portions (for example, the Y'-direction side portion of the first portion 432 and / or the Y-direction side portion of the second portion 433), or portions other than the tops 431 (for example, the first portion 432 or the second portion 433)).

[0096] When a pair of adjacent first contact portions 440 is provided, a pair of adjacent two beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, the adjacent two first contact portions 440, the adjacent two beams 430, and the one connecting portion 460 define a first opening 471 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there is one first opening 471.

[0097] When multiple sets of two adjacent first contact portions 440 are provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 are provided, the two adjacent first contact portions 440 of each set, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, and each connecting portion 460 define a first opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple first openings.

[0098] When at least one first contact portion 440 is provided, one pair of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, one first contact portion 440, two adjacent beams 430, and one connecting portion 460 define a first opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there is one first opening.

[0099] When at least one first contact portion 440 is provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 are provided, each connecting portion 460, each set of two adjacent beams 430, and a portion between each set of two adjacent beams 430 in one first contact portion 440 define a first opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there are multiple first openings.

[0100] When at least one fixed portion 410 is provided, one set of two adjacent folded portions 420 is provided, one set of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, one fixed portion 410, two adjacent folded portions 420, two adjacent beams 430, and one connecting portion 460 define a second opening 472 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there is one second opening 472.

[0101] When a set of two adjacent fixed portions 410 is provided, a set of two adjacent folded portions 420 is provided, a set of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, the two adjacent fixed portions 410, the two adjacent folded portions 420, the two adjacent beams 430, and the one connecting portion 460 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there is one second opening.

[0102] When at least one fixed portion 410 is provided, multiple sets of two adjacent folded portions 420 are provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, the two adjacent folded portions 420 of each set, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, each connecting portion 460, and the portion between the two adjacent folded portions 420 of each set of one fixed portion 410 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple second openings.

[0103] When multiple sets of two adjacent fixed portions 410 are provided, multiple sets of two adjacent folded portions 420 are provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, the two adjacent fixed portions 410 of each set, the two adjacent folded portions 420 of each set, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, and each connecting portion 460 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple second openings.

[0104] When at least one folded portion 420 is provided, one pair of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, one folded portion 420, two adjacent folded portions 420, two adjacent beams 430, and one connecting portion 460 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there is one second opening.

[0105] When at least one folded portion 420 is provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, each connecting portion 460, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, and the portion between the two adjacent beams 430 of each set in one folded portion 420 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple second openings.

[0106] When one or more ribs 315 are provided on the surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 facing in the Z direction, and when the above-mentioned one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings are provided, the one or more ribs 315 are exposed in the Z direction from the one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings. When one or more ribs 315 are not provided, and the above-mentioned one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings are provided, the surface of the Z direction of the top wall 311 is exposed in the Z direction from the one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings.

[0107] It should be noted that when there is one at least one beam 430, at least one connecting portion 460 is omitted. Even when there are a plurality of at least one beam 430, at least one connecting portion 460 can be omitted.

[0108] At least one second contact portion 450 may have the top portion 431 of at least one beam 430 .

[0109] For example, when there is one at least one second contact portion 450 and one at least one beam 430, the one second contact portion 450 has the top 431 of the one beam 430 (not shown). When there is one at least one second contact portion 450, two at least one beam 430, and one connecting portion 460 connects at least the tops 431 of the two beams 430, the one second contact portion 450 has a portion of the one connecting portion 460 connecting the tops 431 of the two beams 430 and the tops 431 of the two beams 430 (not shown). When there is one at least one second contact portion 450, three or more beams 430, and the connecting portion 460 connects at least the tops 431 of two adjacent beams 430 among the three or more beams 430, one second contact portion 450 has a portion connecting the tops 431 of the three or more beams 430 and the tops 431 of the adjacent beams 430 in the two or more connecting portions 460 (not shown). The dimension of one second contact portion 450 in the X-X' direction can be the same as or smaller than the dimension W1 in the X-X' direction of the shell body 310 (not shown), but is not limited to this.

[0110] When there are a plurality of at least one second contact portion 450 and a plurality of at least one beam 430, and when at least one connecting portion 460 connects portions other than the apexes 431 of two adjacent beams 430 among the plurality of beams 430, or when at least one connecting portion 460 is not provided, each of the plurality of second contact portions 450 has one apex 431 of the beam 430 (see FIGS. 1A to 3B). The plurality of second contact portions 450 are arranged at intervals in the X-X' direction. The plurality of second contact portions 450 includes at least one pair of two second contact portions 450 adjacent to each other in the X-X' direction. The plurality of second contact portions 450 also includes a first second contact portion 450 located closest to the X-direction among the plurality of second contact portions 450, and a second second contact portion 450 located closest to the X'-direction among the plurality of second contact portions 450. The distance D3 (straight-line distance) in the X-X' direction from the end of the first second contact portion 450 on the X-direction side to the end of the second second contact portion 450 on the X'-direction side can be the same as or smaller than the dimension W1 in the X-X' direction of the shell main body 310, but is not limited to this.

[0111] An electric charge is input to the shell body 310 of the connector C1 described above in at least one of the following ways (A) to (E): (A) When the connector C1 is in use (hereinafter also referred to simply as "in use"), in order to connect the connector C1 to a mating connector CP (see FIG. 6A) described later, the connector C1 and the mating connector CP are opposed to each other in the Y-Y' direction (just before the mating connector CP is connected to the connector C1), and the electric charge stored on the outer conductor 4c of the cable 4 (see FIG. 6A) connected to the mating connector CP is discharged from the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP and input to the shell body of the shell body 310 of the connector C1. (B) When the mating connector CP is connected to the connector C1 during use, when an electric charge is incident from outside on the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP, the electric charge is input to the shell body 310 of the connector C1 through the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP. (C) During use, when a mating connector is connected to connector C1 and a high-speed signal (e.g., a 12 Gbps signal) is transmitted between one or more terminals 200 of connector C1 and one or more terminals 3 of mating connector CP, one or more terminals 200 of connector C1 function as an antenna, radiating electric charge, which is input to the shell body 310 of connector C1. (D) During use (however, during this use, the mating connector CP may or may not be connected to connector C1), if electronic components or the like (not shown) are arranged around connector C1, electric charge radiated from the electronic components or the like (not shown) is input to the shell body 310 of connector C1. (E) During use (however, during this use, the mating connector CP may or may not be connected to connector C1), electric charge is input to the Y-direction surface of shell body 310 of connector C1 from the Y-direction side of connector C1.

[0112] During use, in connector C1, the charge input to shell body 310 according to at least one of the above (A) to (E) is released to ground part FG (described later) via the first and second paths below, and / or released to circuit board B (described later) via the third to sixth paths below, provided that the fifth and sixth paths are provided only when they are provided.

[0113] When one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 are in contact with the shell main body 310, one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 elastically contact the ground portion FG (one or more second contact portions 450 are subjected to a load from the Z direction side), and thus the shell main body 310, one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400, the first portions 432 of one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400, and one or more The plurality of second contact portions 450 form a first path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the ground portion FG, and the shell body 310, the one or more fixed portions 410 of the external ground terminal 400, the one or more folded portions 420 of the external ground terminal 400, the second portions 433 of the one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400, and the one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 form a second path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the ground portion FG.

[0114] When one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 are arranged opposite to the shell main body 310 with a gap in the Z-Z′ direction, one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 elastically contact the ground portion FG (one or more second contact portions 450 receive a load from the Z direction side) and one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 contact the shell main body 310, thereby The contact portion 440, the first portion 432 of one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400, and one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 form the first path, and the shell body 310, the one or more fixed portions 410 of the external ground terminal 400, the one or more folded portions 420 of the external ground terminal 400, the second portion 433 of one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400, and one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 form the second path.

[0115] When the third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 of the shell 300 are provided, the shell body 310 and the first leg 321 form a third path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the circuit board B, the shell body 310 and the second leg 322 form a fourth path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the circuit board B, the shell body 310 and the third leg 323 form a fifth path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the circuit board B, and the shell body 310 and the fourth leg 324 form a sixth path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the circuit board B. When the third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 are not provided, the fifth path and the sixth path are not formed in the connector C1.

[0116] The connector C1 may further include an internal ground terminal 500 (see FIGS. 2A to 3B). The internal ground terminal 500 has a first annular portion 510, a second annular portion 520, and a plurality of contact springs 530. The first annular portion 510 and the second annular portion 520 are C-shaped or annular metal plates and are arranged at intervals in the Y-Y′ direction. The plurality of contact springs 530 are provided between the first annular portion 510 and the second annular portion 520 and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the first annular portion 510. The plurality of contact springs 530 have intermediate portions curved in an arc shape so as to be convex toward an imaginary line CL (see FIG. 3A) that passes through the centers of the first annular portion 510 and the second annular portion 520 and extends in the Y-Y′ direction. The internal ground terminal 500 is housed in the central space 301o of the internal space 301 of the shell body 310, with the first annular portion 510 and the second annular portion 520 of the internal ground terminal 500 contacting the inner surface of the central space 301o of the shell body 310, and multiple contact springs 530 of the internal ground terminal 500 being arranged around the tip portions 220 of one or more terminals 200. During use, when the mating connector CP is inserted into the internal space 301 of the shell body 310 of the connector C1, the multiple contact springs 530 of the internal ground terminal 500 elastically contact the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP, electrically connecting the shell body 310 and the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP via the internal ground terminal 500. Note that the internal ground terminal 500 is optional. In this case, when in use, when the mating connector CP is inserted or fitted (FIT IN) into the internal space 301 of the shell body 310 of the connector C1, the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP comes into contact with the shell body 310, and the two are electrically connected.

[0117] The connector C1 as described above has the following technical features and effects.

[0118] (First technical feature and effect) The distance of the first path of connector C1 is shorter than the path for dissipating charge input to the shell body of a conventional connector. This is because the first path is made up of shell body 310, one or more first contact portions 440 of external ground terminal 400, first portions 432 of one or more beams 430 of external ground terminal 400, and one or more second contact portions 450 of external ground terminal 400. During use, with one or more second contact portions 450 in elastic contact with ground portion FG, charge input to shell body 310 as in at least one of (A) to (E) above is dissipated to ground portion FG via the short first path. Furthermore, one or more first contact portions 440 are positioned at a distance from one or more fixed portions 410 on the Y direction side and in contact with the shell body 310, or are positioned at a distance from one or more fixed portions 410 on the Y direction side and are arranged facing the shell body 310 with a gap in the Z-Z′ direction, one or more second contact portions 450 receive a load from the Z direction, and one or more first contact portions 440 are in contact with the shell body 310. In either case, the one or more first contact portions 440 contact a portion of the shell body 310 on the Y direction side, and therefore the distance from the end of the shell body 310 on the Y direction side to the one or more first contact portions 440 is also short. Therefore, when an electric charge is input to the shell body 310 from the Y direction side due to at least one of the above (A), (B), and (E), the electric charge is easily released to the ground portion FG via the first path, which is a short distance. Therefore, the possibility that a part of the first path functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1 is reduced, and even if an open stub is formed in the middle of the first path, the possibility that the open stub functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1 can be reduced, thereby improving the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) characteristics of the connector C1.

[0119] (Second technical features and effects) In addition to the first path of the connector C1, the second path is provided. Therefore, during use, when one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 are in elastic contact with the ground portion FG, the charge input to the shell body 310 as described in at least one of (A) to (E) above can be released to the ground portion FG not only through the first path but also through the second path. The distance of the second path of the connector C1 is also shorter than the path for releasing the charge input to the shell body of a conventional connector. This is because the second path is composed of the shell body 310, one or more fixed portions 410 of the external ground terminal 400, one or more folded portions 420 of the external ground terminal 400, the second portions 433 of one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400, and one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400. Therefore, the possibility that a part of the second path functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1 is further reduced, and even if an open stub is formed in the middle of the second path, the possibility that the open stub functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1 can be further reduced. As a result, the EMC characteristics of the connector C1 can be improved.

[0120] (Third Technical Features and Effects) When one or more folded portions 420 are provided on the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1, the maximum stress value of the external ground terminal 400 is reduced, thereby increasing the allowable displacement (elastic deformation) of the external ground terminal 400. Furthermore, when one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 are slidable on the shell body 310, when one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 receive a load from the Z direction, the one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 slide on the shell body 310, and the load applied to the external ground terminal 400 is dispersed.

[0121] (Fourth Technical Features and Effects) One or more pairs of adjacent beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 are connected by corresponding connecting portions 460. If one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 receive a load from the Z direction side, the multiple beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 are prevented from being displaced in the X direction or X' direction.

[0122] (5th Technical Features and Effects) When there is only one second contact portion 450 of external ground terminal 400 of connector C1 and the dimension of this one second contact portion 450 in the X-X' direction is the same as or smaller than the dimension of shell body 310 in the X-X' direction, the X-direction end portion of one second contact portion 450 will not be located on the X-direction side of the X-direction end face of first side wall 312 of shell body 310, and the X'-direction end portion of one second contact portion 450 will not be located on the X'-direction side of the X'-direction end face of second side wall 313 of shell body 310. Therefore, because the X-direction end of one second contact portion 450 is located on the X-direction side of the X-direction end face of the first side wall 312 of the shell body 310 and / or the X'-direction end of one second contact portion 450 is located on the X'-direction side of the X'-direction end face of the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310, the X-direction end of one second contact portion 450 and / or the X'-direction end of one second contact portion 450 do not form an open stub that functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge. When at least one second contact portion 450 of external ground terminal 400 of connector C1 is multiple, and the distance in the X-X' direction from the X-direction end of a first second contact portion 450 that is located furthest in the X-direction among the multiple second contact portions 450 to the X'-direction end of a second second contact portion 450 is the same as or smaller than the X-X' direction dimension of shell body 310, the X-direction end portion of first second contact portion 450 will not be located on the X-direction side of the X-direction end face of first side wall 312 of shell body 310, and the X'-direction end portion of second second contact portion 450 will not be located on the X'-direction side of the X'-direction end face of second side wall 313 of shell body 310. Therefore, because the X-direction end of the first second contact portion 450 is located on the X-direction side of the X-direction end face of the first side wall 312 of the shell body 310 and / or the X'-direction end of the second second contact portion 450 is located on the X'-direction side of the X'-direction end face of the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310, the X-direction end of the first second contact portion 450 and / or the X'-direction end of the second second contact portion 450 do not form an open stub that functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge.

[0123] (6th Technical Features and Effects) When there is only one first contact portion 440 of external ground terminal 400 of connector C1 and the dimension of this one first contact portion 440 in the X-X' direction is the same as or smaller than the dimension of shell body 310 in the X-X' direction, the end portion of one first contact portion 440 on the X-direction side will not be located further toward the X-direction than the X-direction end face of first side wall 312 of shell body 310, and the end portion of one first contact portion 440 on the X' direction side will not be located further toward the X' direction than the X'-direction end face of second side wall 313 of shell body 310. Therefore, because the X-direction end of one first contact portion 440 is located on the X-direction side of the X-direction end face of the first side wall 312 of the shell body 310 and / or because the X'-direction end of one first contact portion 440 is located on the X'-direction side of the X'-direction end face of the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310, the X-direction end of one first contact portion 440 and / or the X'-direction end of one first contact portion 440 does not form an open stub that functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge. When at least one first contact portion 440 of external ground terminal 400 of connector C1 is multiple, and the distance in the X-X' direction from the X-direction end of a first first contact portion 440 that is located furthest in the X-direction among the multiple first contact portions 440 to the X'-direction end of a second first contact portion 440 is the same as or smaller than the X-X' direction dimension of shell body 310, the X-direction end portion of first first contact portion 440 will not be located further toward the X-direction than the X-direction end face of first side wall 312 of shell body 310, and the X'-direction end portion of second first contact portion 440 will not be located further toward the X'-direction than the X'-direction end face of second side wall 313 of shell body 310. Therefore, because the X-direction end of the first first contact portion 440 is located on the X-direction side of the X-direction end face of the first side wall 312 of the shell body 310 and / or the X'-direction end of the second first contact portion 440 is located on the X'-direction side of the X'-direction end face of the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310, the X-direction end of the first first contact portion 440 and / or the X'-direction end of the second first contact portion 440 do not form an open stub that functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge.

[0124] (7th Technical Features and Effects) When at least one protrusion 315 is provided on the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 and at least one first opening and at least one second opening are provided in the external ground terminal 400, the at least one protrusion 315 is exposed in the Z direction from the at least one first opening and at least one second opening, so that when the connector C1 is mounted on the circuit board B, a suction nozzle can be inserted into the at least one first opening and / or at least one second opening to be suctioned to the at least one protrusion 315 and transport the connector C1 to a predetermined position. Furthermore, if at least one protrusion 315 is not provided and at least one first opening and at least one second opening are provided in the external ground terminal 400, the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 is exposed in the Z direction from at least one first opening and at least one second opening, so that when the connector C1 is mounted on the circuit board B, a suction nozzle can be inserted into at least one first opening and / or at least one second opening, and can be suctioned to the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310, thereby transporting the connector C1 to a predetermined position.

[0125] "Regarding a connector assembly A1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "assembly A1") according to multiple embodiments including Example 1 and its design variations" An assembly A1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a number of other embodiments including design variations thereof will be described below with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 5A and 5B show the assembly A1 according to the first embodiment.

[0126] Figure 5A shows the Y-Y' direction and the Z-Z' direction. Figure 5B shows the Y-Y' direction, the Z-Z' direction, and the X-X' direction. The Y-Y' direction, the Z-Z' direction, and the X-X' direction in the assembly A1 correspond to the Y-Y' direction, the Z-Z' direction, and the X-X' direction in the description of the connector C1.

[0127] The assembly A1 includes the connector C1 described above and the circuit board B on which the connector C1 is mounted. Hereinafter, the state in which the connector C1 is mounted on the surface of the circuit board B will be simply referred to as the "mounted state."

[0128] The circuit board B includes a substrate body 10. The substrate body 10 is a single-layer substrate or a multi-layer substrate. The substrate body 10 has a surface on the Z-direction side and a back surface on the Z'-direction side.

[0129] The circuit board B may further include at least one ground layer 20 connected to a reference potential or grounded. The at least one ground layer 20 may include at least one of a conductive first ground layer 21, a conductive second ground layer 22, and at least one conductive third ground layer 23. The first ground layer 21 is provided on the front surface of the board body 10. The second ground layer 22 is provided on the back surface of the board body 10. One or more third ground layers 23 are provided inside the board body 10. When the at least one ground layer 20 includes two or more layers selected from the first ground layer 21, the second ground layer 22, and at least one third ground layer 23, two adjacent layers in the Z-Z' direction of the two or more ground layers 20 may be connected by one or more first bypass electrodes (not shown). This may cause the two or more ground layers 20 to be at the same potential. Note that one or more first bypass electrodes may be omitted.

[0130] The circuit board B further includes a first ground electrode GE1 having electrical conductivity and a second ground electrode GE2 having electrical conductivity.

[0131] The first ground electrode GE1 and the second ground electrode GE2 are through-hole electrodes (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) provided in the board main body 10, which penetrate the board main body 10 in the Z-Z' direction and are spaced apart in the X-X' direction. In the above-described mounted state, the first leg portion 321 and the second leg portion 322 of the connector C1 are inserted into and electrically connected to the first ground electrode GE1 and the second ground electrode GE2 of the circuit board B. The first ground electrode GE1 and the second ground electrode GE2 are directly connected to at least one ground layer 20 and have the same potential as at least one ground layer 20.

[0132] The circuit board B may further include a third ground electrode GE3 having conductivity and a fourth ground electrode GE4 having conductivity. The third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 are surface electrodes (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) provided on the surface of the board main body 10 and are arranged with a gap in the X-X' direction. If a first ground layer 21 is provided, the third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 form part of the first ground layer 21. In the above-described mounted state, the third leg 323 and the fourth leg of the connector C1 are placed on and electrically connected to the third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 of the circuit board B. The third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 are directly connected to at least one ground layer 20 and have the same potential as at least one ground layer 20.

[0133] When the third leg portion 323 and the fourth leg portion 324 of the connector C1 are omitted, the third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 of the circuit board B are also omitted.

[0134] The circuit board B further includes at least one conductive signal electrode SE, the number of which may be one or more depending on the number of the one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1.

[0135] When the tail portions 230 of one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1 extend in the Y' direction from the main body 210, the one or more signal electrodes SE of the circuit board B are surface electrodes (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) provided on the surface of the board main body 10 and are arranged according to the positions of the tail portions 230 of the one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1. In the above-mentioned mounted state, the tail portions 230 of the one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1 are placed on and electrically connected to the one or more signal electrodes SE of the circuit board B. When both the one or more signal electrodes SE that are surface electrodes and the first ground layer 21 are provided on the surface of the board main body 10, the first ground layer 21 is not provided in the area on the surface of the board main body 10 where the one or more signal electrodes SE are provided.

[0136] When the tail portions 230 of one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1 extend in the Z' direction from the main body 210, one or more signal electrodes SE of the circuit board B are through-hole electrodes (not shown) that penetrate the board main body 10 in the Z-Z' direction and are arranged according to the positions of the tail portions 230 of the one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1. In the above-mentioned mounted state, the tail portions 230 of one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1 are inserted into and electrically connected to one or more signal electrodes SE. When one or more signal electrodes SE that are through-hole electrodes are provided on the board main body 10, at least one ground layer 20 is not provided in the area of ​​the board main body 10 where the one or more signal electrodes SE are provided.

[0137] The circuit board B may further include at least one signal line SL. The number of the at least one signal line SL may be one or more, corresponding to the number of the at least one signal electrode SE.

[0138] One or more signal lines SL are provided on any one of the front surface, rear surface, and interior of the substrate body 10. When one or more signal electrodes SE are surface electrodes and one or more signal lines SL are provided on the front surface of the substrate body 10, the one or more signal lines SL are directly connected to the one or more signal electrodes SE. When one or more signal electrodes SE are surface electrodes and one or more signal lines SL are provided on the rear surface or interior of the substrate body 10, the one or more signal lines SL are connected to the one or more signal electrodes SE via one or more second bypass electrodes (not shown). When one or more signal electrodes SE are through-hole electrodes, the one or more signal lines SL are directly connected to the one or more signal electrodes SE regardless of whether they are provided on the front surface, rear surface, or interior of the substrate body 10. The one or more signal lines SL may extend in the Y′ direction from the corresponding signal electrodes SE (see FIG. 5B ), but may be routed in any manner.

[0139] When one or more signal lines SL are directly connected to one or more signal electrodes SE, one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1, one or more signal electrodes SE, and one or more signal lines SL form one or more first high-speed signal transmission paths for transmitting high-speed signals (e.g., 12 Gbps signals). When one or more signal lines SL are connected to one or more signal electrodes SE via one or more second bypass electrodes, one or more terminals 200 of the connector C1, one or more signal electrodes SE, one or more signal lines SL, and one or more second bypass electrodes form one or more second high-speed signal transmission paths for transmitting high-speed signals (e.g., 12 Gbps signals).

[0140] When both one or more signal lines SL and the first ground layer 21 are provided on the front surface of the substrate body 10, the first ground layer 21 is not provided in the region on the front surface of the substrate body 10 where the one or more signal lines SL are provided. When one or more signal lines SL and the second ground layer 22 are provided on the back surface of the substrate body 10, the second ground layer 22 is not provided in the region on the back surface of the substrate body 10 where the one or more signal lines SL are provided. When one or more signal lines SL and the third ground layer 23 are provided on the same layer inside the substrate body 10, the third ground layer 23 is not provided in the region on the same layer inside the substrate body 10 where the one or more signal lines SL are provided. The one or more signal lines SL and the at least one ground layer 20 are arranged at a distance from each other so as not to contact each other.

[0141] The assembly A1 further includes a ground section FG that is conductive and connected to a reference potential or grounded. The ground section FG may be configured as a metal housing (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) or may be configured as an insulating resin housing with metal plated or vapor-deposited on at least its inner surface (not shown). The insulating resin housing may be configured with metal plated or vapor-deposited on both the inner and outer surfaces, but is not limited to this.

[0142] The ground section FG may have a two-piece structure that can be assembled and separated in the Z-Z' direction (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), the Y-Y' direction (not shown), or the X-X' direction (not shown). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, one of the two pieces of the ground section FG will be referred to as the first piece FG1, and the other as the second piece FG2. The first piece FG1 may be the portion of the metal or insulating resin housing on the Z-, Y-, or X-direction side, and the second piece FG2 may be the remaining portion of the metal or insulating resin housing on the Z'-, Y'-, or X'-direction side. Alternatively, the first piece FG1 may be the main body of the metal or insulating resin housing having an opening, and the second piece FG2 may be a lid that closes the opening of the main body (not shown).

[0143] With the first piece FG1 and the second piece FG2 separated from each other, the connector C1 is placed in either the first piece FG1 or the second piece FG2, and then the first piece FG1 and the second piece FG2 are combined, whereby the connector C1 is housed in the internal space FG4 of the ground part FG together with the circuit board B. The connector C1 and / or the circuit board B is fixed in position to the ground part FG within the internal space FG4 of the ground part FG via the ground part FG or a position fixing member (not shown). In this state, one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 are in elastic contact with a portion of the ground portion FG located on the Z-direction side relative to the connector C1 (hereinafter referred to as the contact portion), and one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 are elastically deformed (see Figures 5A and 5B), or one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 are in elastic contact with the relay member R, and one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 are elastically deformed (see Figure 6A).

[0144] The relay member R may be any member that is conductive and electrically connected to the ground section FG. For example, the relay member R may be a metal block (see FIG. 6A ) or a metal plate, and is located on the Z-direction side of one or more second contact points 450 of the external ground terminal 400 and in contact with the ground section FG. The contact portion of the ground section FG may be a protrusion or ridge that is protruding in the Z′ direction and is provided integrally with the housing of the ground section FG. For example, the relay member R may be provided integrally with the housing of the ground section FG, and the relay member R may serve as the contact portion of the ground section FG.

[0145] When one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 can slide on the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 of the connector C1, when one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 elastically contacts the contact portion of the ground portion FG and one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 elastically deforms, the one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 slide in the Y direction on the Z-direction surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 of the connector C1.

[0146] The ground portion FG has an exposed opening FG3 that opens in the Y direction. The exposed opening FG3 is provided in either or both of the first piece FG1 and the second piece FG2. The end face of the shell body 310 of the connector C1 on the Y direction side and the internal space 301 are exposed in the Y direction from the exposed opening FG3.

[0147] Here, the first, second, and third simulations were performed as follows: The first, second, and third simulations were performed by analyzing the electric field strength using an EM simulator (ANSYS HFSS manufactured by ANSYS, Inc.) under the following conditions.

[0148] [Conditions for the first simulation] CAD data for the connector C1 of Example 1 shown in FIG. 6A, the circuit board B on which this connector C1 is mounted, the ground section FG in which the connector C1 and the circuit board B are housed, the relay member R housed within the ground section FG and interposed between the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 and the ground section FG, and the mating connector CP connected to the connector C1 from the Y direction side was input into an EM simulator, and a first model was created using the EM simulator based on the CAD data.

[0149] The connector C1 of the first model is as shown in FIGS. 1A to 3B and 5A to 6A, and includes a body 100, one terminal 200, a shell 300, an external ground terminal 400, and an internal ground terminal 500.

[0150] The body 100 has the configuration (A) above. The main body portion 210 of one terminal 200 is a flat plate that is approximately L-shaped when viewed in cross section along the Y-Y' direction and the Z-Z' direction, and is held in a holding hole 111 of the body 100. The tip portion 220 of one terminal 200 is a rod that extends in the Y direction from the Y-direction end of the main body portion 210, and protrudes in the Y direction from the protrusion 120 of the body 100. The tail portion 230 of one terminal 200 is a rod that extends in the Y' direction from the Z'-direction end of the main body portion 210, and the end of the tail portion 230 on the Y' direction protrudes from the body 100 in the Y' direction.

[0151] The shell 300 includes a shell body 310, a first leg 321, a second leg 322, a third leg 323, a fourth leg 324, and a shield cover 340. The shell body 310 is a generally rectangular tube made of cast metal and extending in the Y-Y' direction, and has the configuration described in (1) above. The internal space 301 of the shell body 310 includes a central space 301o, a first space 301a, and a second space 301b. A rib 315 is provided on the top wall 311 of the shell body 310. The surface of the top wall 311 facing the Z direction has a pair of channels 311a on both sides of the rib 315. The rib 315 is provided with a fixing portion 316 having the configuration described in (5) above. The first side wall 312 and the second side wall 313 of the shell body 310 are provided with engaging portions 317, which are engaging protrusions. A protrusion 330 is provided on the bottom wall 314 of the shell body 310 and is located between the first leg 321 and the second leg 322. The first leg 321 and the second leg 322 are protrusions extending in the Z' direction from the bottom wall 314 of the shell body 310 and facing each other in the X-X' direction. The third leg 323 and the fourth leg 324 are protrusions extending in the Z' direction from the bottom wall 314 of the shell body 310 and facing each other in the X-X' direction. The shield cover 340 is formed from a metal plate separate from the shell body 310 and has a cover portion 341 and two engaging arms 342. The cover portion 341 closes the internal space 301 of the shell body 310 from the Y' direction, and engaging holes in the two engaging arms 342 fit into engaging portions 317 of the first side wall 312 and the second side wall 313. The dimension W1 of the shell body 310 of the connector C1 in the XX' direction is approximately 7.2 mm, and the dimension of the connector C1 in the YY' direction is approximately 15.3 mm.

[0152] The external ground terminal 400 is made of a metal plate. The external ground terminal 400 has one fixed portion 410, two folded portions 420, two beams 430, two first contact portions 440, two second contact portions 450, and one connecting portion 460. The one fixed portion 410 has the configuration (12) above. The two folded portions 420 extend in the Y' direction from the second end 411b of one fixed portion 316, are folded back in the Y and Z directions, and extend into two beams 430. The two beams 430 extend from the two folded portions 420 to two first contact portions 440, and each of the apexes 431 is curved in an arc shape so that it is convex in the Z direction. The two first contact portions 440 are curved in an arc shape so that it is convex in the Z direction, and are in contact with a pair of paths 311a on the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310. 1D, the distance D2 in the X-X' direction between the two first contact portions 440 is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimension W2 in the X-X' direction of one protrusion 315. One connecting portion 460 connects the first portions 432 of the two beams 430. Two second contact portions 450 each have one apex 431 of the two beams 430. The two first contact portions 440, the portions of the two beams 430 on the Y-direction side relative to the one connecting portion 460, and the one connecting portion 460 define a first opening 471, and the one fixed portion 410, the two folded portions 420, the portions of the two beams 430 on the Y'-direction side relative to the one connecting portion 460, and the one connecting portion 460 define a second opening 472. 1D , the external ground terminal 400 has an X-X′ dimension of approximately 6.9 mm, which is slightly smaller than the X-X′ dimension W1 (approximately 7.2 mm) of the shell main body 310. That is, the distance D1 in the X-X′ direction from the X-direction end of the first of the two first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 to the X′-direction end of the second of the two first contact portions 440, and the distance D3 in the X-X′ direction from the X-direction end of the first of the two second contact portions 450 to the X′-direction end of the second of the two second contact portions 450, are both slightly smaller than the X-X′ dimension W1 of the shell main body 310. The external ground terminal 400 has a Y-Y′ dimension of approximately 12.3 mm.The mounting height dimension of the connector C1 (i.e., the straight-line distance in the Z-Z' direction from each of the Z-direction surfaces of the two top portions 431 of the external ground terminal 400 to the circuit board B) is approximately 12.2 mm, but when the external ground terminal 400 is in elastic contact with the relay member R (the state shown in Figure 6A), it is approximately 10.1 mm.

[0153] The internal ground terminal 500 has a C-shaped first annular portion 510, a C-shaped second annular portion 520, and three contact springs 530. The first annular portion 510 and the second annular portion 520 are disposed within the central space 301o of the shell body 310 and are in contact with the inner surface of the central space 301o. The three contact springs 530 are provided between the first annular portion 510 and the second annular portion 520, are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the first annular portion 510, and are disposed around the tip portion 220 of one terminal 200 within the central space 301o of the shell body 310.

[0154] The circuit board B in the first model is a multilayer board as shown in FIG. 6A and includes a board body 10, multiple ground layers 20, a first ground electrode GE1, a second ground electrode GE2, a third ground electrode GE3, a fourth ground electrode GE4, one signal electrode SE, and one signal line SL. The multiple ground layers 20 include a first ground layer 21, a second ground layer 22, and two third ground layers 23. The first ground layer 21 is a solid conductor provided over substantially the entire surface of the board body 10 and has a substantially rectangular opening extending in the Y-Y′ direction in the center. The second ground layer 22 is a solid conductor provided over the entire back surface of the board body 10. The two third ground layers 23 are solid conductors provided over the entire surfaces of two inner layers within the board body 10, respectively. The first ground electrode GE1 and the second ground electrode GE2 are through-hole electrodes provided in the board main body 10, spaced apart in the X-X' direction, and located on the Y-direction side of the opening in the first ground layer 21. The first ground electrode GE1 and the second ground electrode GE2 are connected to the first ground layer 21, the second ground layer 22, and two third ground layers 23. The first leg 321 and the second leg 322 of the connector C1 are inserted into and electrically connected to the first ground electrode GE1 and the second ground electrode GE2 of the circuit board B. The third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 are surface electrodes that form part of the first ground layer 21 on both sides of the opening in the first ground layer 21, and are spaced apart in the X-X' direction. The third leg 323 and the fourth leg of the connector C1 are placed on and electrically connected to the third ground electrode GE3 and the fourth ground electrode GE4 of the circuit board B. The first signal electrode SE is a surface electrode provided within the Y-direction end of the opening in the first ground layer 21 on the surface of the substrate body 10. A tail portion 230 of a first terminal 200 of the connector C1 is placed on and electrically connected to the first signal electrode SE of the circuit board B. The first signal line SL is provided within the opening in the first ground layer 21 on the surface of the substrate body 10 and extends in the Y' direction from the first signal electrode SE. A protrusion 330 of the connector C1 abuts against the first ground layer 21 on the surface of the substrate body 10.The dimension of circuit board B in the XX' direction is approximately 30 mm, the dimension of circuit board B in the YY' direction is approximately 30 mm, and the dimension of circuit board B in the ZZ' direction is approximately 1.6 mm.

[0155] The ground section FG in the first model is a metal housing as shown in FIG. 6A , and includes a first piece FG1 and a second piece FG2 that can be assembled and separated in the Z-Z′ direction. The first piece FG1 is the Z-direction portion of the metal housing, and the second piece FG2 is the remaining Z′-direction portion of the metal housing. The first piece FG1 and the second piece FG2 have an exposed opening FG3 that penetrates the first piece FG1 and the second piece FG2 in the Y-Y′ direction. A connector C1 is housed together with a circuit board B in an internal space FG4 of the ground section FG. The Y-direction end face of the shell body 310 of the connector C1 and the internal space 301 are exposed in the Y direction from the exposed opening FG3 of the ground section FG, and the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 can be seen from the Y direction through the exposed opening FG3. A central portion of the Z-direction portion of the Y-direction end face of the circuit board B is also exposed in the Y direction from the exposed opening FG3 of the ground section FG. The dimension of the ground portion FG in the X-X' direction is approximately 34 mm, the dimension of the ground portion FG in the Y-Y' direction is approximately 34.2 mm, and the dimension of the ground portion FG in the Z-Z' direction is approximately 29 mm. The dimension of the internal space FG4 of the ground portion FG in the X-X' direction is approximately 30 mm, the dimension of the internal space FG4 of the ground portion FG in the Y-Y' direction is approximately 29.4 mm, and the dimension of the internal space FG4 of the ground portion FG in the Z-Z' direction is approximately 25 mm. The dimension of the exposed opening FG3 of the ground portion FG in the Z-Z' direction is approximately 13.5 mm. The dimension of the exposed opening FG3 of the ground portion FG in the X-X' direction is approximately 12 mm. The straight-line distance in the Z-Z' direction from the edge of the exposure opening FG3 on the Z direction side to the surface of the ground portion FG on the Z direction side is approximately 7.5 mm, the straight-line distance in the Z-Z' direction from the edge of the exposure opening FG3 on the Z' direction side to the surface of the ground portion FG on the Z direction side is approximately 8 mm, the straight-line distance in the X-X' direction from the edge of the exposure opening FG3 on the X direction side to the surface of the ground portion FG on the X direction side is approximately 11 mm, and the straight-line distance in the X-X' direction from the edge of the X' direction side of the exposure opening FG3 to the surface of the X' direction side of the ground portion FG is approximately 11 mm.

[0156] The relay member R in the first model is a rectangular metal block as shown in FIG. 6A. The dimension of the relay member R in the X-X' direction is approximately 30 mm, the dimension of the relay member R in the Y-Y' direction is approximately 10 mm, and the dimension of the relay member R in the Z-Z' direction is approximately 8 mm. The relay member R is interposed between the tops 431 of the two beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 and the first piece FG1 of the ground section FG. The Z'-side portion of the Y-direction end face of the relay member R is exposed in the Y direction from the exposure opening FG3. The dimension of the Z-Z' direction of the portion of the relay member R exposed from the exposure opening FG3 (the Z'-side portion of the Y-direction end face of the relay member R) is approximately 2.5 mm, and the dimension of the X-X' direction of the portion of the relay member R exposed from the exposure opening FG3 (the Z'-side portion of the Y-direction end face of the relay member R) (the Z'-side portion of the Y-direction end face of the relay member R) is approximately 12 mm. In the first model, the Z-direction portions of the tops 431 of the two beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 are wedged into the relay member R. This is because the above-mentioned CAD data was created in a state in which the Z-direction portions of the tops 431 of the two beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 are wedged into the relay member R, and the first model was modeled based on this CAD data. Although this causes some changes in the distribution of the electric field strength in the internal space FG4 of the ground part FG in the results of the first simulation described below, it does not have a significant impact on the superiority of the results of the first, second, and third simulations described below and the reasons for this. Therefore, the first simulation was performed using the data as is without any modifications.

[0157] The mating connector CP in the first model is a plug connector, and includes a conductive shielding member 1, an inner body 2 made of insulating resin, terminals 3, a cable 4, and a housing 5 made of insulating resin.

[0158] The shielding member 1 is a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the Y-Y' direction. The tip of the shielding member 1 of the mating connector CP is inserted into the central space 301o in the shell body 310 of the connector C1, and the middle portions of the three contact springs 530 of the internal ground terminal 500 are in substantially equal elastic contact with the tip of the shielding member 1.

[0159] The terminal 3 has a tip portion, an intermediate portion, and a rear end portion. The intermediate portion of the terminal 3 is held within the inner body 2, and the terminal 3 is housed and held together with the inner body 2 within the shielding member 1. The tip portion of the terminal 3 has a pair of arms extending from the intermediate portion of the terminal 3 in the Y' direction and is disposed within the inner body 2. The tip portion 220 of one terminal 200 of the connector C1 is inserted between the pair of arms at the tip portion of the terminal 3, and the pair of arms elastically hold the tip portion 220 of the one terminal 200. The rear end portion of the terminal 3 is disposed within the inner body 2.

[0160] The cable 4 has an inner conductor 4a, an inner insulator 4b, an outer conductor 4c, and an outer insulator 4d. The tip of the inner conductor 4a is connected to the rear end of the terminal 3. The inner insulator 4b covers the inner conductor 4a except for its tip. The outer conductor 4c covers the inner insulator 4b, and the tip of the outer conductor 4c is disposed within the shielding member 1 and is fitted over and connected to the shielding member 1. The outer insulator 4d covers the outer conductor 4c except for its tip.

[0161] The housing 5 is provided around the shielding member 1 except for the tip portion. In other words, the tip portion of the shielding member 1 protrudes from the housing 5. The housing 5 fits into the first space 301a.

[0162] In the first model, the Y'-direction end of one signal line SL of circuit board B is set to PORT1, and the Y-direction end of the inner conductor 4a of cable 4 of mating connector CP is set to PORT2. In the first model, one signal line SL and one signal electrode SE of circuit board B, one terminal 200 of connector C1, and terminal 3 and inner conductor 4a of cable 4 of mating connector CP form a third high-speed signal transmission path for transmitting high-speed signals. The third high-speed signal transmission path includes the one first high-speed signal transmission path.

[0163] In the first simulation, the third high-speed signal transmission line was set to a non-communication state in the EM simulator (i.e., a state in which high-speed signals were not transmitted through the third high-speed signal transmission line), and the EM simulator was used to irradiate an electric field with an electric field strength of 600 V / m and a frequency of 3 GHz onto the entire ground part FG of the first model from the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6A. The distribution of the electric field strength outside the ground part FG and in the internal space FG4 was visualized by simulation (electric field strength analysis), and the result of the first simulation shown in FIG. 7A was obtained.

[0164] [Conditions for the second simulation] CAD data for the connector CC1 of Comparative Example 1 shown in FIG. 6B , the circuit board B on which the connector CC1 is mounted, the ground section FG on which the connector CC1 and the circuit board B are housed, the relay member R housed within the ground section FG and interposed between the external ground terminal 400C1 of the connector CC1 and the ground section FG, and the mating connector CP connected to the connector CC1 were input into the EM simulator, and a second model was created using the EM simulator based on the CAD data. The second model has the same configuration as the first model, except that the configuration of the external ground terminal 400C1 of the connector CC1 differs from the configuration of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 of the first model. Note that, like FIG. 6A , the Y-Y′ and Z-Z′ directions are also shown in FIG. 6B .

[0165] The external ground terminal 400C1 of the connector CC1 in the second model has a configuration in which one fixed portion 410, two folded portions 420, and second portions 433 (i.e., second paths) of two beams 430 are deleted from the external ground terminal 400, and has top portions 431 and first portions 432 of the two beams 430, two first contact portions 440, two second contact portions 450, and one connecting portion 460. The two first contact portions 440 are in contact with a pair of paths 311a on the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 but are not fixed. In the second model, the top portions 431 of the two beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400C1 of the connector CC1 have their Z-direction sides wedged into the relay member R. However, for the same reasons as in the first model, the top portions 431 are used as is in the second simulation without modification.

[0166] The body 100, one terminal 200, shell 300, and internal ground terminal 500 of connector CC1 of the second model have the same configuration as the body 100, one terminal 200, shell 300, and internal ground terminal 500 of connector C1 of the first model, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted. The circuit board B, ground section FG, relay member R, and mating connector CP of the second model also have the same configuration as the circuit board B, ground section FG, relay member R, and mating connector CP of the first model, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted.

[0167] In the second simulation, the third high-speed signal transmission line was set to a non-communication state in the EM simulator (i.e., a state in which high-speed signals were not transmitted through the third high-speed signal transmission line), and the EM simulator was used to irradiate an electric field with an electric field strength of 600 V / m and a frequency of 3 GHz onto the entire ground part FG of the first model from the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6B. The distribution of the electric field strength outside the ground part FG and in the internal space FG4 was visualized by simulation (electric field strength analysis), and the results of the second simulation shown in FIG. 7B were obtained.

[0168] [Conditions for the third simulation] CAD data for the connector CC2 of Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 6C , the circuit board B on which the connector CC2 is mounted, the ground section FG on which the connector CC2 and the circuit board B are housed, the relay member R housed within the ground section FG and interposed between the external ground terminal 400C2 of the connector CC2 and the ground section FG, and the mating connector CP connected to the connector CC2 were input into the EM simulator, and a third model was created using the EM simulator based on the CAD data. The third model has the same configuration as the first model, except that the configuration of the external ground terminal 400C2 of the connector CC2 differs from the configuration of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 of the first model. Note that, like FIG. 6A , the Y-Y′ and Z-Z′ directions are also shown in FIG. 6C .

[0169] The external ground terminal 400C2 of the connector CC2 of the third model has a configuration in which the two first contact portions 440, the first portions 432 of the two beams 430, and one connecting portion 460 (i.e., the first path) are deleted from the external ground terminal 400, and has one fixed portion 410, two folded portions 420, second portions 433 and top portions 431 of the two beams 430, and two second contact portions 450. In the third model, the top portions 431 of the two beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400C1 of the connector CC1 also have their Z-direction sides wedged into the relay member R, but for the same reasons as in the first model, the third simulation was performed using the external ground terminal 400C2 as is without modification.

[0170] The body 100, one terminal 200, shell 300, and internal ground terminal 500 of connector CC2 of the third model have the same configuration as the body 100, one terminal 200, shell 300, and internal ground terminal 500 of connector C1 of the first model, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted. The circuit board B, ground section FG, relay member R, and mating connector CP of the third model also have the same configuration as the circuit board B, ground section FG, relay member R, and mating connector CP of the first model, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanations are omitted.

[0171] In the third simulation, the third high-speed signal transmission line was set to a non-communication state in the EM simulator (i.e., a state in which high-speed signals were not transmitted through the third high-speed signal transmission line), and the EM simulator was used to irradiate an electric field with an electric field strength of 600 V / m and a frequency of 3 GHz onto the entire ground part FG of the first model from the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6C. The distribution of the electric field strength outside the ground part FG and in the internal space FG4 was visualized by simulation (electric field strength analysis), and the results of the third simulation shown in FIG. 7C were obtained.

[0172] [Results of the first, second and third simulations] In the results of the first, second, and third simulations shown in Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C, the distribution of electric field strength visualized outside the ground section FG is shown by shades of color, with darker areas indicating stronger electric field strength and lighter areas indicating weaker electric field strength, while the distribution of electric field strength visualized around connector C1 and circuit board B, around connector CC1 and circuit board B, and around connector CC2 and circuit board B within the internal space FG4 of the ground section FG is shown by the size of dots, with larger dots indicating stronger electric field strength and smaller dots indicating weaker electric field strength.

[0173] In the area LE on the Y'-direction side of the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 of the first model in the results of the first simulation shown in Fig. 7A, the area LE on the Y'-direction side of the external ground terminal 400C1 of the connector CC1 of the second model in the results of the second simulation shown in Fig. 7B, and the area LE on the Y'-direction side of the external ground terminal 400C2 of the connector CC2 of the third model in the results of the third simulation shown in Fig. 7C, the electric field strength is stronger than the electric field strength in the area around the area LE within the internal space FG4 of the ground part FG. Thus, leakage of the electric field is observed in the area LE. The reason why electric field leakage is observed in area LE is thought to be that a portion of the charge radiated (input) from the Y direction to shell body 310 of shell 300 of connectors C1, CC1, and CC2 of the first, second, and third models due to the application of the electric field is radiated to each area LE by the edge portion where the Z direction surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 of shell 300 of connectors C1, CC1, and CC2 abuts against the Y' direction surface of top wall 311 functioning as an antenna. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the charge radiated (input) from the Y direction to shell body 310 of shell 300 of connectors C1, CC1, and CC2 of the first, second, and third models due to the application of the electric field is divided into three parts, which are referred to as a first part of charge, a second part of charge, and a third part of charge.

[0174] [Comparison of the results of the first simulation, the second simulation, and the third simulation] Comparing the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the first simulation shown in Fig. 7A, the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the second simulation shown in Fig. 7B, and the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the third simulation shown in Fig. 7C, it can be seen that the electric field leakage in area LE decreases in the order of the results of the second simulation, the results of the third simulation, and the results of the first simulation. The reason for this is as follows.

[0175] In the first simulation, most of the first part of the charge radiated from the Y-direction side to shell body 310 of shell 300 of connector C1 of the first model flows to the Y-direction side portion of top wall 311 of shell body 310 and the Y-direction side portion of one protrusion 315, and is released from the Y-direction side portion of top wall 311 of shell body 310 to ground part FG via relay member R through two first contact parts 440 of external ground terminal 400, first parts 432 of two beams 430, and two second contact parts 450 (through the first path described above). The electric charge flows to the portion on the Y'-direction side of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310, through the one fixed portion 410 of the external ground terminal 400, the second portions 433 of the two beams 430, and the two second contact portions 450 (through the second path) and then escapes to the ground portion FG via the relay member R, and most of the third portion of the electric charge escapes from the shell body 310 through at least one of the first leg portion 321, the second leg portion 322, the shell body 310, and the fourth leg portion 324 (i.e., through at least one of the third to sixth paths) to at least one ground layer 20 of the circuit board B. The remainder of the second portion of the electric charge that cannot escape to the ground portion FG through the second path is radiated from the edge portion of the top wall 311 to the area LE. However, as mentioned above, since most of the second part of the charge can escape to the ground part FG through the first path and the second path, it is considered that the electric field leakage of area LE in the results of the first simulation is smaller than the electric field leakage of area LE in the results of the second simulation and the electric field leakage of area LE in the results of the third simulation.

[0176] In the second simulation, most of the first part of the charge radiated from the Y-direction side to shell body 310 of shell 300 of second model connector CC1 as described above is dissipated from the Y-direction side of top wall 311 of shell body 310 through the first path via relay member R to ground section FG, as in the first simulation. Most of the third part of the charge is dissipated from shell body 310 through at least one of the third to sixth paths to at least one ground layer 20 of circuit board B, as in the first simulation. However, because external ground terminal 400C1 does not have the second path, the second part of the charge flows to the Y'-direction side of top wall 311 of shell body 310 and the Y'-direction side of one rib 315, and a part of the second part of the charge is radiated from the edge of top wall 311 of shell body 310 to area LE without being dissipated to ground section FG and at least one ground layer 20 of circuit board B. For this reason, it is considered that the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the second simulation is larger than the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the first simulation and the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the third simulation.

[0177] In the third simulation, most of the second part of the charge radiated from the Y-direction side to the shell body 310 of the shell 300 of the third model connector CC2 as described above is dissipated from the Y'-direction side of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 through the second path to the relay member R to the ground part FG, as in the first simulation, and most of the third part of the charge is dissipated from the shell body 310 to at least one ground layer 20 of the circuit board B through at least one of the third path to the sixth path, as in the first simulation. However, because external ground terminal 400C2 does not have the first path, part of the first portion of the charge does not escape to ground portion FG through the first path but flows into the portion of top wall 311 of shell body 310 on the Y' direction side and into the portion of one rib 315 on the Y' direction side, increasing the amount of charge that cannot escape to ground portion FG through the second path of external ground terminal 400C2, and this amount is radiated to area LE from the edge portion of top wall 311 of shell body 310. For this reason, it is considered that the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the third simulation is smaller than the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the second simulation, but larger than the electric field leakage in area LE in the results of the first simulation.

[0178] [Comparison between the results of the second and third simulations] On the other hand, when the results of the second and third simulations are compared, it is believed that a configuration in which the first path is not provided but the second path is provided, such as external ground terminal 400C2 of connector CC2 of the third model, is more effective at dissipating charge that flows near the edge portion where the Z-direction surface of top wall 311 of shell body 310 and the Y'-direction surface of top wall 311 butt against each other, than a configuration in which the second path is not provided but the first path is provided, such as external ground terminal 400C1 of connector CC1 of the second model. In other words, it is believed that the presence of a path for dissipating charge near an edge portion that may function as an antenna and radiate charge makes it possible to more effectively dissipate charge from that path and suppress leakage of the electric field.

[0179] What can be inferred from the above simulation results is that in the path for dissipating the charge input to the shell 300 of the connector C1, which is composed of the shell 300 and the external ground terminal 400, to the ground, it is preferable that there are no edge portions or open stub shapes that function as antennas and thereby radiate the charge, and if it is not possible to eliminate such shapes from the design perspective, it is considered preferable to provide the above-mentioned path near the edge portion or open stub shape.

[0180] The above-described assembly A1 has the following technical features and effects. (First technical feature and effect) The distance of the first path of connector C1 of assembly A1 is shorter than the path for dissipating charge input to the shell body of a conventional connector. When one or more second contact portions 450 of the first path are in elastic contact with the ground portion FG, charge input to shell body 310 as described in at least one of (A) to (E) above is dissipated to the ground portion FG through the short first path. Moreover, one or more first contact portions 440 of the first path are in contact with a portion of shell body 310 on the Y-direction side, or at least one second contact portion 450 is in elastic contact with a contact portion of ground portion FG, so that one or more first contact portions 440 of the first path contact a portion of shell body 310 on the Y-direction side, thereby shortening the distance from the end of shell body 310 on the Y-direction side to one or more first contact portions 440. Therefore, when an electric charge is input to the shell main body 310 from the Y direction due to at least one of the above factors (A), (B), and (E), the electric charge is more likely to escape to the ground portion FG via the first path, which is a short distance. This reduces the possibility that a part of the first path will function as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1. Furthermore, even if an open stub is formed along the first path, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the open stub will function as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1. As a result, the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) characteristics of the assembly A1 can be improved.

[0181] (Second technical features and effects) In addition to the first path, the connector C1 of the assembly A1 also includes a second path. When one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 are in elastic contact with the ground portion FG, the charge input to the shell body 310 as described above in (A) through (E) can be released to the ground portion FG not only through the first path but also through the second path. The length of the second path in the connector C1 is also shorter than the path for releasing charge input to the shell body of a conventional connector. This further reduces the possibility that a portion of the second path functions as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1. Even if an open stub is formed along the second path, the possibility that the open stub functions as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C1 is further reduced. This also results in improved EMC characteristics of the assembly A1.

[0182] (Third Technical Features and Effects) When one or more folded portions 420 are provided on the external ground terminal 400 of the connector C1 of the assembly A1, the maximum stress value of the external ground terminal 400 is reduced, thereby increasing the allowable displacement (elastic deformation) of the external ground terminal 400. Furthermore, when one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 are slidable on the shell body 310, one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 elastically contact the ground portion FG, thereby causing the one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400 to slide on the shell body 310, thereby dispersing the load applied to the external ground terminal 400 when the one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 contact the ground portion FG. Therefore, even if there is variation in the dimension in the Z-Z' direction between one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 and the contact portion of the ground portion FG, it becomes easier to make elastic contact between the one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 and the contact portion of the ground portion FG with a predetermined contact pressure. [Example]

[0183] A connector C2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention and several other embodiments, including design variations thereof, will be described below with reference to Figures 8A to 10B. Figures 8A to 10B show the connector C2 of the second embodiment. Figure 11 shows a design variation of the connector C2 of the second embodiment.

[0184] 8A to 9A and 10A to 11 show the Y-Y' direction. 8A to 8C and 8E to 11 show the Z-Z' direction, as with connector C1. 8A to 8D and 9B to 10B show the X-X' direction, as with connector C1. The Y-Y' direction, Z-Z' direction, and X-X' direction in connector C2 correspond to the Y-Y' direction, Z-Z' direction, and X-X' direction in the above description of connector C1.

[0185] Connector C2 has the same configuration as connector C1, except that the configuration of external ground terminal 400' differs from the configuration of external ground terminal 400 of connector C1. The differences will be described in detail below, and any explanation of connector C2 that overlaps with the explanation of connector C1 will be omitted.

[0186] The external ground terminal 400' of the connector C2 does not include at least one folded portion 420. The external ground terminal 400' may have one beam 430 extending from a first end 411a of one or more fixed portions 410 to one or more first contact portions 440, with the apex 431 curved or bent so as to be convex in the Z direction, or may have multiple beams 430 extending from the first end 411a of one or more fixed portions 410 to one or more first contact portions 440, with the apex 431 curved or bent so as to be convex in the Z direction. The one or more beams 430 may be curved in an arc shape (not shown) or bent in an upside-down V shape (see FIGS. 1A to 3B) so that the apex 431 is convex in the Z direction, but this is not limiting. The one or more beams 430 further have a first portion 432 which is the portion between the top 431 of the one or more beams 430 and the one or more first contact portions 440, and a second portion 433' which is the portion between the top 431 of the one or more beams 430 and the one or more fixed portions 410.

[0187] One or more first contact portions 440 may be in contact with the surface of top wall 311 of shell main body 310 on the Z direction side (see FIGS. 8A to 10B). In this case, when at least one second contact portion 450 receives a load from the Z direction side, one or more first contact portions 440 may slide in the Y-Y' direction on the surface of top wall 311 of shell main body 310 on the Z direction side. Alternatively, one or more first contact portions 440 may be arranged opposite the surface of top wall 311 of shell main body 310 on the Z direction side with a gap in the Z-Z' direction, and when at least one second contact portion 450 receives a load from the Z direction side, one or more first contact portions 440 may be displaced in the Z' direction and come into contact with the surface of top wall 311 of shell main body 310 on the Z direction side (see FIG. 11). In this case, when at least one second contact portion 450 receives a load from the Z direction side, one or more first contact portions 440 may be displaced in the Z' direction to contact the Z direction side surface of the top wall 311 of the shell main body 310 and slide on that surface in the Y-Y' direction.

[0188] When a pair of adjacent beams 430 is provided and one connecting portion 460 is provided, the connecting portion 460 connects the pair of adjacent beams 430 (for example, the tops 431 of the two adjacent beams 430, the tops 431 and their adjacent portions (for example, the portion on the Y'-direction side of the first portion 432 and / or the portion on the Y-direction side of the second portion 433'), or portions other than the tops 431 (for example, the first portion 432 or the second portion 433')). When a plurality of adjacent beams 430 are provided and a plurality of connecting portions 460 are provided, the plurality of connecting portions 460 respectively connect between a plurality of sets of adjacent beams 430 (for example, between the tops 431 of the adjacent beams 430, the tops 431 and their adjacent portions (for example, the portion on the Y'-direction side of the first portion 432 and / or the portion on the Y-direction side of the second portion 433'), or portions other than the tops 431 (for example, the first portion 432 or the second portion 433')).

[0189] When a pair of adjacent first contact portions 440 is provided, a pair of adjacent two beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, the two adjacent first contact portions 440, the two adjacent beams 430, and the one connecting portion 460 define a first opening 471 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there is one first opening 471.

[0190] When multiple sets of two adjacent first contact portions 440 are provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 are provided, the two adjacent first contact portions 440 of each set, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, and each connecting portion 460 define a first opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple first openings.

[0191] When at least one first contact portion 440 is provided, one pair of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, one first contact portion 440, two adjacent beams 430, and one connecting portion 460 define a first opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there is one first opening.

[0192] When at least one first contact portion 440 is provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 are provided, each connecting portion 460, each set of two adjacent beams 430, and a portion between each set of two adjacent beams 430 in one first contact portion 440 define a first opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z′ direction. In this case, there are multiple first openings.

[0193] When at least one fixed portion 410 is provided, one pair of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, one fixed portion 410, two adjacent beams 430, and one connecting portion 460 define a second opening 472' (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there is one second opening 472'.

[0194] When a set of two adjacent fixed portions 410 is provided, a set of two adjacent beams 430 is provided, and at least one connecting portion 460 is provided, the two adjacent fixed portions 410, the two adjacent beams 430, and the one connecting portion 460 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there is one second opening.

[0195] When at least one fixed portion 410 is provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 are provided, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, each connecting portion 460, and the portion between the two adjacent beams 430 of each set of one fixed portion 410 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple second openings.

[0196] When multiple sets of two adjacent fixed portions 410 are provided, multiple sets of two adjacent beams 430 are provided, and multiple at least one connecting portion 460 are provided, the two adjacent fixed portions 410 of each set, the two adjacent beams 430 of each set, and each connecting portion 460 define a second opening (not shown) that opens in the Z direction and the Z' direction. In this case, there are multiple second openings.

[0197] When one or more ribs 315 are provided on the surface of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 facing in the Z direction, and when the above-mentioned one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings are provided, the one or more ribs 315 are exposed in the Z direction from the one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings. When one or more ribs 315 are not provided, and the above-mentioned one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings are provided, the surface of the Z direction of the top wall 311 is exposed in the Z direction from the one opening and one second opening or multiple first openings and multiple second openings.

[0198] The first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth paths of connector C2 for dissipating the electric charge input to shell body 310 according to at least one of (A) to (E) above are configured similarly to the first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth paths of connector C1. However, if third leg 323 and fourth leg 324 are not provided, connector C2 does not have the fifth and sixth paths either. The second path of connector C2 for dissipating the electric charge input to shell body 310 according to at least one of (A) to (E) above can be configured as follows.

[0199] When one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400' are in contact with the shell body 310, the shell body 310, one or more fixed portions 410 of the external ground terminal 400', second portions 433' of one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400', and one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400' form a second path for dissipating the charge input to the shell body 310 to the ground portion FG. In this way, the second path of the connector C2 differs from the second path of the connector C1 in that at least one folded portion 420 is omitted.

[0200] Even when one or more first contact portions 440 of the external ground terminal 400' are arranged opposite the shell main body 310 with a gap in the Z-Z' direction, one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400' are in elastic contact with the ground portion FG, thereby forming a second path as described above.

[0201] The connector C2 described above achieves the same technical features and effects as the first and fourth to seventh technical features and effects of the connector C1. Furthermore, since the connector C2 has a second path in addition to the first path, when one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400' are in elastic contact with the ground portion FG, the charge input to the shell body 310 as described in at least one of (A) to (E) above can be released to the ground portion FG not only through the first path but also through the second path. The distance of the second path of the connector C2 is shorter than the path for releasing the charge input to the shell body of a conventional connector. This is because the second path of the connector C2 is composed of the shell body 310, one or more fixed portions 410 of the external ground terminal 400', the second portions 433' of one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400, and one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400'. Therefore, the possibility that a part of the second path functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C2 is further reduced, and even if an open stub is formed in the middle of the second path, the possibility that the open stub functions as an antenna that radiates electric charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C2 can be further reduced, thereby improving the EMC characteristics of the connector C2.

[0202] "Connector assembly A2 (hereinafter simply referred to as 'assembly A2') according to multiple embodiments including Example 2 and its design variations" An assembly A2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention and several other embodiments, including design variations thereof, will be described below with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 shows the assembly A2 of the second embodiment. Fig. 12 also shows the Y-Y' direction and the Z-Z' direction. The Y-Y' direction, Z-Z' direction, and X-X' direction in the assembly A2 correspond to the Y-Y' direction, Z-Z' direction, and X-X' direction in the description of the connector C2.

[0203] Assembly A2 has the same configuration as connector C1 of assembly A1, except that the configuration of external ground terminal 400' of connector C2 of assembly A2 is different from the configuration of external ground terminal 400 of connector C1 of assembly A1. As with connector C1 of assembly A1, mating connector CP can be inserted into and removed from connector C2 of assembly A2 from the Y direction side (connection and disconnection are possible).

[0204] The assembly A2 described above achieves the same technical features and effects as the first technical feature and effect of the assembly A1. In addition to the first path of the connector C2 of the assembly A2, a second path is provided. Therefore, when one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminal 400 are in elastic contact with the ground portion FG, the charge input to the shell body 310 as described in at least one of (A) to (E) above can be released to the ground portion FG not only through the first path but also through the second path. The length of the second path of the connector C2 is also shorter than the path for releasing charge input to the shell body of a conventional connector. This further reduces the possibility that a portion of the second path functions as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C2. Even if an open stub is formed along the second path, the possibility that the open stub functions as an antenna that radiates charge to the outside and / or inside of the connector C2 can be further reduced. This also improves the EMC characteristics of the assembly A2.

[0205] The connector and assembly described above are not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified in any manner within the scope of the claims.

[0206] The first leg 321 and the second leg 322 of the shell 300 of the connectors C1 and C2 may extend in the X direction and the X′ direction from the bottom wall 314 of the shell body 310 or from the first and second side walls 312, 213, and may be configured to be connectable to a first ground electrode GE1 and a second ground electrode GE2, which are surface electrodes provided on the surface of the substrate body 10.

[0207] The external ground terminal 400 of any of the above-described aspects of the connector C1 may be disposed in the reverse direction in the Y-Y' direction. In this case, one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell body 310 have the configuration (7) or (8) above, and the convex portion of one or more fixing portions 316 is provided on the end or middle portion of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 on the Y-direction side, or the configuration (11) above, and one or more engaging convex portions are provided on the end or middle portion of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 on the Y-direction side, and one or more fixed portions 410 of the reversed external ground terminal 400 are fixed to the one or more fixing portions 316, and one or more folded portions 420 of the reversed external ground terminal 400 are substantially U-shaped or V-shaped in the Y-direction. 20 extends in the Y direction from a first end 411 a of one or more fixed portions 410, is folded back in the Y′ direction and the Z direction, and extends into one or more beams 430, or a plurality of folded-back portions 420 extends in the Y direction from a first end 411 a of one or more fixed portions 410, is folded back in the Y′ direction and the Z direction, and extends into one or more beams 430, one or more beams 430 of the inverted external ground terminal 400 extends from one or more folded-back portions 420 to one or more first contact portions 440, and one or more first contact portions 440 of the inverted external ground terminal 400 is in contact with the end portion of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310 on the Y′ direction side.

[0208] The external ground terminal 400' of any of the above-described aspects of the connector C2 may also be arranged in the opposite direction in the YY' direction. In this case, one or more fixing portions 316 of the shell body 310 have the configuration (7) or (8) above, and the convex portion of one or more fixing portions 316 is configured to be provided on the end or middle portion of the Y-direction side of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310, or the one or more fixing portions 316 have the configuration (11) above, and one or more engaging convex portions are configured to be provided on the end or middle portion of the Y-direction side of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310, one or more fixed portions 410 of the inverted external ground terminal 400' are fixed to the one or more fixing portions 316 mentioned above, one or more beams 430 of the inverted external ground terminal 400' extend from the one or more fixed portions 410 to one or more first contact portions 440, and one or more first contact portions 440 of the inverted external ground terminal 400' are configured to be in contact with the end portion of the Y'-direction side of the top wall 311 of the shell body 310.

[0209] Any of the above-described connectors C1 and C2 may be configured to connect a cable instead of the circuit board B. In this case, one or more terminals 200 are entirely or partially housed within the shell main body 310 together with the body 100 and connected to one or more inner conductors protruding from one or more inner insulators of the cable, and the shell main body 310 is connected to an outer conductor covering the one or more inner conductors and the one or more inner insulators covering the inner conductors of the cable. In this case, the body portions 210 of the one or more terminals 200 extend in the Y′ direction from the tip portions 320 of the one or more terminals 200, and the tail portions 230 of the one or more terminals 200 extend in the Y′ direction from the body portions 210 of the one or more terminals 200, and the first leg portion 321, the second leg portion 322, the third leg portion 323, and the fourth leg portion 324 are omitted.

[0210] The ground portion FG in any of the above-described embodiments may be conductive and at least partially disposed on the Z-direction side of the connectors C1, C2 so that one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminals 400, 400' of the connectors C1, C2 can elastically contact the ground portion FG. For example, the ground portion FG may be a metal part (not shown) such as a metal plate or frame, or a resin part (not shown) such as an insulating resin plate or frame, the outer surface of which is plated or vapor-deposited with metal. A part or all of the ground portion FG is disposed on the Z-direction side of the connectors C1, C2. One or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminals 400, 400' of the connectors C1, C2 elastically contact the ground portion FG, and one or more beams 430 of the external ground terminal 400 elastically deform. The relay member R is made of a conductive material and is interposed between one or more second contact portions 450 of the external ground terminals 400, 400' of the connectors C1, C2 and the ground portion FG, so as to be able to electrically connect the two. [Explanation of symbols]

[0211] A1, A2: Connector assembly C1, C2: Connectors 100: Body 110: Base 111: Retaining hole 120: Convex portion 200: Terminal 210: Main body 211: Protrusion 220: Tip 230: Tail 300: Shell 301: Internal space 301a: First space 301b: Second space 301o: Central space 310: Shell body 311: Top wall 311a: Channel 312: First side wall 313: Second side wall 314: Bottom wall 315: Ridge 316: Fixing portion 316: Slit 316b: Engagement hole 317: Engagement portion 321: First leg portion 322: Second leg portion 323: Third leg portion 324: Fourth leg portion 330: Protrusion 340: Shield cover 341: Cover portion 342: Engagement arm 400, 400': external ground terminal 410: fixed portion 411: plate 412: engaging protrusion 420: folded portion 430: beam 431: top portion 432: first portion 433, 433': second portion 440: first contact portion 450: second contact portion 460: connecting portion 471: first opening 472: second opening 500: Internal ground terminal 510: First annular portion 520: Second annular portion 530: Contact spring B: Circuit board 10: Board body 20: Ground layer 21: First ground layer 22: Second ground layer 23: Third ground layer GE1: First ground electrode GE2: Second ground electrode GE3: Third ground electrode GE4: Fourth ground electrode SE: Signal electrode SL: Signal line FG: Ground FG1: 1st piece FG2: 2nd piece FG3: Exposure hole FG4: Internal space R: Relay component CP: Mating connector 1: Shielding material 2: Inner body 3: Terminal 4: Cable 4a: Inner conductor 4b: Inner insulator 4c: Outer conductor 4d: Outer insulator 5: Housing

Claims

1. The device includes an insulating body, at least one conductive terminal, a conductive shell, and a conductive external ground terminal, the at least one terminal is partially held by the body; the shell has a shell body, which extends in a first direction and is generally annular or generally upside-down U-shaped in cross section along the second and third directions, has an internal space into which a mating connector can be inserted from one side in the first direction, the body is at least partially housed and held in the internal space of the shell body, and the at least one terminal is at least partially housed in the internal space of the shell body, the shell body has a top wall on one side in the second direction, a first side wall on one side in the third direction, and a second side wall on the other side in the third direction, the first direction is an axial direction of the shell body, the second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the external ground terminal is separate from the shell body and is disposed on one side of the shell body in the second direction, the external ground terminal having at least one fixed portion, at least one first contact portion, at least one beam, and at least one second contact portion; the at least one fixed portion is fixed to an end portion of the top wall of the shell main body on the other side in the first direction, the at least one first contact portion is disposed on one side in the first direction with a gap from the at least one fixed portion, the at least one first contact portion is in contact with the top wall of the shell body, or is disposed opposite the top wall of the shell body with a gap in the second direction, and the at least one second contact portion is brought into contact with the top wall of the shell body by receiving a load from the one side in the second direction, the at least one beam is provided between the at least one fixed portion and the at least one first contact portion, has an apex, and is curved or bent so as to be convex on one side in the second direction; The at least one second contact portion comprises the apex of the at least one beam.

2. A device comprising an insulating body, at least one conductive terminal, a conductive shell, and a conductive external ground terminal, the at least one terminal is partially held by the body; the shell has a shell body, which extends in a first direction and is generally annular or generally upside-down U-shaped in cross section along the second and third directions, has an internal space into which a mating connector can be inserted from one side in the first direction, the body is at least partially housed and held in the internal space of the shell body, and the at least one terminal is at least partially housed in the internal space of the shell body, the shell body has a top wall on one side in the second direction, a first side wall on one side in the third direction, and a second side wall on the other side in the third direction, the first direction is an axial direction of the shell body, the second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the external ground terminal is separate from the shell body and is disposed on one side of the shell body in the second direction, the external ground terminal having at least one fixed portion, at least one first contact portion, at least one beam, and at least one second contact portion; the at least one fixed portion is fixed to an end portion of the body on the other side in the first direction and is in contact with the top wall of the shell main body, the at least one first contact portion is disposed on one side in the first direction with a gap from the at least one fixed portion, the at least one first contact portion is in contact with the top wall of the shell body, or is disposed opposite the top wall of the shell body with a gap in the second direction, and the at least one second contact portion is brought into contact with the top wall of the shell body by receiving a load from the one side in the second direction, the at least one beam is provided between the at least one fixed portion and the at least one first contact portion, has an apex, and is curved or bent so as to be convex on one side in the second direction; The at least one second contact portion comprises the apex of the at least one beam.

3. A device comprising an insulating body, at least one conductive terminal, a conductive shell, and a conductive external ground terminal, the at least one terminal is partially held by the body; the shell has a shell body, which extends in a first direction and has a generally annular or upside-down U-shape in cross section along the second and third directions, and has an internal space, the body is at least partially housed and held in the internal space of the shell body, and the at least one terminal is at least partially housed in the internal space, the first direction is an axial direction of the shell body, the second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is generally perpendicular to the first and second directions, the external ground terminal is disposed on one side of the shell body in the second direction, and the external ground terminal has at least one fixed portion, at least one first contact portion, at least one beam, at least one second contact portion, and at least one folded portion; the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the shell main body, or is fixed to the body and in contact with the shell main body; the at least one first contact portion is disposed on one side in the first direction with a gap from the at least one fixed portion, the at least one first contact portion is in contact with the shell body, or is disposed opposite the shell body with a gap in the second direction, and the at least one second contact portion is brought into contact with the shell body by receiving a load from one side in the second direction, the at least one beam is provided between the at least one fixed portion and the at least one first contact portion, has an apex, and is curved or bent so as to be convex on one side in the second direction; the at least one second contact portion comprises the apex of the at least one beam; the at least one folded portion has a generally horizontal U-shape or a generally horizontal V-shape that is convex toward the other side in the first direction, extends from the at least one fixed portion in the other side in the first direction, is folded back toward one side in the first direction and one side in the second direction, and extends to the at least one beam, The at least one beam extends from the at least one folded portion to the at least one first contact portion.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 3, the at least one folded portion, the at least one first contact portion, and the at least one beam are an equal number of pluralities, the plurality of folded portions are arranged at intervals in the third direction, extend from the at least one fixed portion in the other of the first directions, are folded back in one of the first directions and one of the second directions, and extend to the plurality of beams, respectively; The plurality of first contact portions are arranged at intervals in the third direction, The plurality of beams are spaced apart in the third direction and extend from the plurality of folded portions to the plurality of first contact portions, respectively.

5. 3. The connector according to claim 1, The at least one beam extends from the at least one fixed portion to the at least one first contact portion.

6. 6. The connector according to claim 5, the at least one first contact portion and the at least one beam are an equal number of pluralities; The plurality of first contact portions are arranged at intervals in the third direction, The plurality of beams are spaced apart in the third direction and each extend from the at least one fixed portion to the plurality of first contact portions.

7. 7. The connector according to claim 4 or 6, the external ground terminal further includes at least one connecting portion; the plurality of beams includes at least one pair of two beams adjacent to each other in the third direction; the at least one connecting portion connects portions of the two adjacent beams other than the top portions, the at least one first contact portion, the two adjacent beams, and the at least one connecting portion define a first opening that opens to one side and the other side in the second direction, A connector in which at least the two adjacent beams and the at least one connecting portion define a second opening that opens to one side and the other side in the second direction.

8. 7. The connector according to claim 4 or 6, A connector in which the at least one second contact portion is a plurality of second contact portions, the number of which is equal to the number of beams, and each second contact portion has the apex of one of the beams.

9. 9. The connector according to claim 8, the plurality of second contact portions include a first second contact portion located closest to one side in the third direction among the plurality of second contact portions, and a second second contact portion located closest to the other side in the third direction among the plurality of second contact portions, A connector in which the distance in the third direction from the end of the first second contact portion on one side in the third direction to the end of the second second contact portion on the other side in the third direction is the same as or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

10. 7. The connector according to claim 4 or 6, the external ground terminal further includes at least one connecting portion; the plurality of beams includes at least one pair of two beams adjacent to each other in the third direction; the at least one connecting portion connects the top portions of at least two adjacent beams, the at least one second contact portion is one and has a portion connecting the apexes of the two adjacent beams and the apexes of the two adjacent beams of the at least one connecting portion, the at least one first contact portion, the two adjacent beams, and the at least one connecting portion define a first opening that is open at least in one and the other of the second direction, A connector in which at least the two adjacent beams and the at least one connecting portion define a second opening that opens to one side and the other side in the second direction.

11. 11. The connector of claim 10, A connector in which the dimension of one of the second contact portions in the third direction is equal to or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

12. 7. The connector according to claim 4 or 6, the plurality of first contact portions include a first first contact portion located closest to one side in the third direction among the plurality of first contact portions, and a second first contact portion located closest to the other side in the third direction among the plurality of first contact portions, A connector in which the distance in the third direction from the end of the first first contact portion on one side in the third direction to the end of the second first contact portion on the other side in the third direction is the same as or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

13. 5. The connector according to claim 4, the plurality of first contact portions include at least one pair of two first contact portions adjacent to each other in the third direction, and the two adjacent first contact portions are slidable on the shell main body in the first direction; The shell further includes at least one protrusion provided on the shell body, protruding toward one side in the second direction and extending in the first direction; the at least one rib is disposed between the two adjacent first contact portions, A connector in which the distance in the third direction between two adjacent first contact portions is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimension in the third direction of the at least one protrusion.

14. 3. The connector according to claim 1, the at least one first contact portion is one; A connector in which the dimension of one of the first contact portions in the third direction is equal to or smaller than the dimension of the shell body in the third direction.

15. A device comprising an insulating body, at least one conductive terminal, a conductive shell, and a conductive external ground terminal, the at least one terminal is partially held by the body; the shell has a shell body, which extends in a first direction and has a generally annular or upside-down U-shape in cross section along the second and third directions, and has an internal space, the body is at least partially housed and held in the internal space of the shell body, and the at least one terminal is at least partially housed in the internal space, the first direction is an axial direction of the shell body, the second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is generally perpendicular to the first and second directions, the external ground terminal is disposed on one side of the shell body in the second direction, and the external ground terminal has at least one fixed portion, at least one first contact portion, at least one beam, and at least one second contact portion; the at least one fixed portion is fixed to the shell main body, or is fixed to the body and in contact with the shell main body; the at least one first contact portion is disposed at a distance from the at least one fixed portion on one side or the other side in the first direction, the at least one first contact portion is in contact with the shell body, or is disposed opposite the shell body with a gap in the second direction, and the at least one second contact portion is brought into contact with the shell body by receiving a load from one side in the second direction, the at least one beam is provided between the at least one fixed portion and the at least one first contact portion, extends from the at least one fixed portion to the at least one first contact portion, has an apex, and is curved or bent so as to be convex toward one side in the second direction; the at least one second contact portion comprises the apex of the at least one beam; the at least one first contact portion and the at least one beam are an equal number of pluralities; the plurality of first contact portions are arranged at intervals in the third direction, the plurality of first contact portions include at least one pair of two first contact portions adjacent to each other in the third direction, and the two adjacent first contact portions are slidable in the first direction on the shell main body; the plurality of beams are spaced apart in the third direction and each extend from the at least one fixed portion to the plurality of first contact portions; The shell further includes at least one protrusion provided on the shell body, protruding toward one side in the second direction and extending in the first direction; the at least one rib is disposed between the two adjacent first contact portions, A connector in which the distance in the third direction between two adjacent first contact portions is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimension in the third direction of the at least one protrusion.

16. A connector according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 15, a circuit board on which the connector is mounted; a ground portion that is conductive and connected to a reference potential or grounded; the circuit board has at least one signal electrode connected to at least one terminal of the connector; a ground electrode electrically connected to the shell of the connector; the ground portion is a housing that houses the connector and the circuit board, and a part of the housing is at least partially disposed on one side of the connector in the second direction, the at least one second contact portion of the external ground terminal of the connector is in elastic contact with the part of the ground portion or is in elastic contact with a relay member; The relay member is electrically conductive and electrically connected to the ground portion.

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