Connectors and Connector Systems

Abstract

To provide a connector effective for both improved signal transmission characteristics and low profile.SOLUTION: A first connector 2 includes: an insulating housing 100 that has a facing surface 101 facing a circuit board 10; a conductive first signal contact 200A and a conductive second signal contact 200B which are held by the housing 100 so as to be disposed side by side in an arranging direction D11 parallel to the facing surface 101, and each of which is electrically connected to the circuit board 10; a first shell 300A held by the housing 100 so as to surround the first signal contact 200A about an axis in a fitting direction D12 parallel to the facing surface 101 and perpendicular to the arranging direction D11 and electrically connected to the circuit board 10; and a second shell 300B held by the housing 100 so as to surround the second signal contact 200B about the axis in the fitting direction D12 and electrically connected to the circuit board 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a connector that includes a signal contact mold-in component having signal contacts and an insulator member that holds the signal contacts, and a ground contact made of a single metal plate that surrounds the signal contact mold-in component and is held in a housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-119035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a connector that is effective in achieving both improved signal transmission characteristics and a low profile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an insulating housing having an opposing surface that faces a circuit board, conductive first and second signal contacts that are held in the housing so that they are aligned along an arrangement direction parallel to the opposing surface and that are electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surfaces face the circuit board, a first shell that is held in the housing so that it surrounds the first signal contact around an axis along a mating direction that is parallel to the opposing surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction and that is electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board, and a second shell that is held in the housing so that it surrounds the second signal contact around an axis along the mating direction and that is electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board.

[0006] According to this connector, the first signal contacts are surrounded by a first shell, and the second signal contacts are surrounded by a second shell separate from the first shell. By providing separate shells for the first and second signal contacts, the relative positions of the signal contacts and shells can be individually optimized. The first shell surrounds the first signal contacts around an axis parallel to the mating direction and parallel to the opposing surfaces, and the second shell surrounds the second signal contacts around an axis parallel to the same mating direction. This restricts the mating direction of the mating connector to a direction parallel to the circuit board. This allows the height of the connection formed by the connector and the mating connector to be reduced. This effectively achieves both improved signal transmission characteristics and a reduced height.

[0007] The first signal contact may have a first connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board and a first contact portion protruding from the first connection portion along the mating direction, and the second signal contact may have a second connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board and a second contact portion protruding from the second connection portion in the same direction as the first contact portion protrudes relative to the first connection portion, with the first shell surrounding the first contact portion and the second shell surrounding the second contact portion, which is effective in further improving signal transmission characteristics.

[0008] The first shell may have a pair of first side walls facing each other along the arrangement direction and a first connecting wall connecting the pair of first side walls, and the second shell may have a pair of second side walls facing each other along the arrangement direction and a second connecting wall connecting the pair of second side walls. In this case, simplifying the shapes of the first shell and the second shell improves the productivity of the connector.

[0009] The first shell may further have a pair of first overhanging portions respectively overhanging from the pair of first sidewall portions in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the first contact portion, and the second shell may further have a pair of second overhanging portions respectively overhanging from the pair of second sidewall portions in the opposite direction, the first connection portion being located between the pair of first overhanging portions and the second connection portion being located between the pair of second overhanging portions. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by shielding the first connection portion and the second connection portion with the double overhanging portions.

[0010] The first shell may further have a pair of first shell connecting portions formed on the pair of first protrusions, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surfaces thereof are facing the circuit board, and the second shell may further have a pair of second shell connecting portions formed on the pair of second protrusions, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surfaces thereof are facing the circuit board. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by stabilizing the potential of the first shell and the second shell.

[0011] When the facing surface faces the circuit board, the first connecting wall is located between the first contact portion and the circuit board, the second connecting wall is located between the second contact portion and the circuit board, the first shell further has a first intermediate connecting portion formed on the first connecting wall to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the facing surface faces the circuit board, and the second shell further has a second intermediate connecting portion formed on the second connecting wall to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the facing surface faces the circuit board. In this case, the potential of the first shell and the second shell can be further stabilized, thereby further improving the signal transmission characteristics.

[0012] The housing may have, with the opposing surface facing the circuit board, a recessed surface facing the circuit board at a position separated from the circuit board, a first protrusion protruding from the recessed surface and positioned between a pair of first protrusions to hold the first signal contact, and a second protrusion protruding from the recessed surface and positioned between a pair of second protrusions to hold the second signal contact. In this case, the first signal contact can be accurately positioned within the first shell, and the first signal contact can be accurately positioned within the second shell. This can improve the stability of signal transmission characteristics.

[0013] The first shell may further include a first anchor portion extending in the opposite direction from the first connecting wall portion and held by the first convex portion, and a first intermediate connecting portion formed at an end of the first anchor portion so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board. The second shell may further include a second anchor portion extending in the opposite direction from the second connecting wall portion and held by the second convex portion, and a second intermediate connecting portion formed at an end of the second anchor portion so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board. The first anchor portion improves the fixing strength of the first shell to the first convex portion, and the second anchor portion improves the fixing strength of the second shell to the second convex portion. Protruding portions such as the first anchor portion and the second anchor portion function like wireless antennas and can cause degradation of signal transmission characteristics. In response, the first anchor portion is provided with the first intermediate connecting portion and the second anchor portion is provided with the second intermediate connecting portion, thereby suppressing degradation of signal transmission characteristics caused by the formation of the first anchor portion and the second anchor portion. This is therefore effective in achieving both improved fixing strength between the first shell and the second shell and improved signal transmission characteristics.

[0014] The first intermediate connecting portion may protrude from an end of the first anchor portion in a direction away from the receding surface, the second intermediate connecting portion may protrude from an end of the second anchor portion in a direction away from the receding surface, the first convex portion may have a first slit formed therein to allow displacement of the first intermediate connecting portion along the mating direction, and the second convex portion may have a second slit formed therein to allow displacement of the second intermediate connecting portion along the mating direction. In this case, the workability of assembling the first shell to the first convex portion and the workability of assembling the second shell to the second convex portion are improved.

[0015] The housing may further have a first support portion extending from the first convex portion in the protruding direction of the first contact portion and positioned between the first contact portion and the first connecting wall portion, and a second support portion extending from the second convex portion in the protruding direction of the first contact portion and positioned between the second contact portion and the second connecting wall portion.

[0016] The first shell may further have a first opposing wall portion opposing the first connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface, and the second shell may further have a second opposing wall portion opposing the second connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by surrounding the first signal contact with the pair of first side walls, the first connecting wall portion, and the first opposing wall portion, and surrounding the second signal contact with the pair of second side walls, the second connecting wall portion, and the second opposing wall portion.

[0017] The first shell may further have a first opposing wall portion that faces the first connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface and is located between the first contact portion and the receding surface, and a first receiving space may be formed between the first contact portion and the first opposing wall portion, and the second shell may further have a second opposing wall portion that faces the second connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface and is located between the second contact portion and the receding surface, and a second receiving space may be formed between the second contact portion and the second opposing wall portion.

[0018] The first shell may further have first shell slits that divide the first opposing wall portion to correspond to each of the pair of first side wall portions, and the second shell may further have second shell slits that divide the second opposing wall portion to correspond to each of the pair of second side wall portions, which improves the workability when mating the mating connector to the connector.

[0019] The first shell may enclose a pair of first signal contacts including a first signal contact, the pair of first signal contacts transmitting a first differential signal, and the second shell may enclose a pair of second signal contacts including a second signal contact, the pair of second signal contacts transmitting a second differential signal. In this case, by arranging the pair of signal contacts transmitting the differential signal within the same shell, signal transmission characteristics can be further improved.

[0020] The housing may have a rear surface opposite the opposing surface, and the connector may further include a conductive outer shell covering the rear surface. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by strengthening the shielding properties.

[0021] The outer shell may have a main plate portion covering the back surface and a pair of outer side walls provided at both ends of the main plate portion in the arrangement direction, and the first shell and the second shell may be located between the pair of outer side walls as viewed from the protruding direction of the first contact portion. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by strengthening the shielding properties.

[0022] The outer shell may further include a pair of outer connection portions formed on the pair of outer side walls, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surfaces of the outer shell face the circuit board. In this case, the potential of the outer shell is stabilized, thereby further improving the signal transmission characteristics.

[0023] A connector system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-described connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector along a mating direction, the mating connector including an insulating mating first housing inserted into the first shell along the mating direction, an insulating mating second housing inserted into the second shell along the mating direction, a mating first signal contact held in the mating first housing so as to abut the first signal contact within the first shell and connected to the first signal conductor of the first cable, a mating second signal contact held in the mating second housing so as to abut the second signal contact within the second shell and connected to the second signal conductor of the second cable, a conductive mating first shell that surrounds the mating first housing around an axis along the mating direction, and a conductive mating second shell that surrounds the mating second housing around an axis along the mating direction, wherein the first shell complements the mating first housing's surrounding of the mating first housing, and the second shell complements the mating second shell's surrounding of the mating second housing. According to this connector system, the connector and the mating connector work together to further improve the signal transmission characteristics and achieve a low profile.

[0024] The mating connector may further include a base plate that electrically connects the first mating shell and the second mating shell, thereby suppressing the potential difference between the first mating shell and the second mating shell at a position away from the circuit board, thereby further improving signal transmission characteristics. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that is effective in achieving both improved signal transmission characteristics and a low profile. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a connector system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector system of FIG. 1 as seen from below. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second connector in FIG. 3 is fitted into the first connector. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of the first connector in FIG. 1 as seen from below. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the shell of the first connector as viewed from above. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the shell of the first connector as viewed from below. [Figure 10] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the shell of the second connector as viewed from above. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the shell of the second connector as viewed from below. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an assembly procedure for the second connector. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an assembly procedure for the second connector. [Figure 16] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an assembly procedure for the second connector. [Figure 17] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an assembly procedure for the second connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0028] [Connector System] The connector system 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is used to connect a circuit board 10 (shown in Figure 3) to multiple cables 20 in applications requiring low-profile and low-frequency signal transmission. One example of such an application is an information processing system in which signals are transmitted on the circuit board 10 using multiple cables 20 instead of printed wiring on the circuit board 10. By using shielded cables for each of the multiple cables 20, signals can be transmitted with higher signal transmission characteristics than printed wiring. Signal transmission characteristics refer to less signal degradation during signal transmission, and high signal transmission characteristics refer to less signal degradation during signal transmission. Specific examples of signal degradation include noise contamination due to crosstalk and signal attenuation.

[0029] In order to further improve the signal transmission characteristics of the multiple cables 20, it is necessary to position the connection points between the circuit board 10 and the multiple cables 20 close to the circuit elements (e.g., processors) on the circuit board 10. To position the connection points between the circuit board 10 and the multiple cables 20 close to the circuit elements, it is necessary to avoid interference with heat sinks and the like provided on the circuit elements. For this reason, it is necessary to reduce the height of the connector system 1.

[0030] The connector system 1 includes a first connector 2 and a second connector 3. The first connector 2 is, for example, a receptacle connector and is connected to a circuit board 10. The second connector 3 is, for example, a plug connector and is connected to a plurality of cables 20. The second connector 3 is connectable to the first connector 2. By connecting the second connector 3 to the first connector 2, the plurality of cables 20 are electrically connected to the circuit board 10. The first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are mated with each other along a mating direction D12 parallel to the circuit board 10.

[0031] The first connector 2 includes a plurality of signal contacts 200, a plurality of shells 300, and a housing 100. The plurality of signal contacts 200 are arranged along an arrangement direction D11 that is parallel to the circuit board 10 and perpendicular to the mating direction D12. Each of the plurality of signal contacts 200 is electrically connected to the circuit board 10 and contacts a signal contact of the mating connector (second connector 3). Each of the plurality of shells 300 surrounds at least one signal contact 200 around an axis along the mating direction D12.

[0032] The multiple signal contacts 200 transmit multiple types of signals. Multiple shells 300 may be provided for each of the multiple types of signals. In this case, only one type of signal is transmitted in the area surrounded by each of the multiple shells 300, and other signals are not transmitted. As an example, each of the multiple signal contacts 200 may transmit one type of signal referenced to ground potential. In this case, multiple shells 300 are provided for each of the multiple signal contacts 200. Each of the multiple shells 300 surrounds only one signal contact 200 and does not surround the other signal contacts 200. The multiple signal contacts 200 may include multiple pairs of signal contacts 200, each transmitting multiple types of differential signals. In this case, multiple shells 300 are provided for each of the multiple pairs of signal contacts 200. Each of the multiple shells 300 surrounds only one pair of signal contacts 200 and does not surround the other signal contacts 200.

[0033] The housing 100 integrally holds a plurality of signal contacts 200 and a plurality of shells 300 .

[0034] 1 and 10, the second connector 3 includes a base unit 500 and a plurality of shells 600. The base unit 500 includes a connector base 510, a plurality of insulating housings 520, and a plurality of conductive signal contacts 530. The connector base 510 extends along an arrangement direction D11 (D21). The plurality of housings 520 are aligned along the arrangement direction D11 and protrude in the same direction from the connector base 510 along a mating direction D12 (D22).

[0035] The signal contacts 530 are held in the housings 520 so as to be aligned along the arrangement direction D11. Each of the signal contacts 530 is electrically connected to one of the cables 20 and comes into contact with a signal contact 200 of the mating connector (first connector 2). Each of the housings 520 holds at least one signal contact 530.

[0036] The multiple signal contacts 530 may transmit the multiple types of signals described above, and multiple housings 520 may be provided for each of the multiple types of signals. In this case, only one type of signal is transmitted through the multiple housings 520, and no other signals are transmitted. As an example, each of the multiple signal contacts 530 may transmit one type of signal referenced to ground potential. In this case, multiple housings 520 are provided for each of the multiple signal contacts 530. Each of the multiple housings 520 holds only one signal contact 530 and does not hold any other signal contacts 530. The multiple signal contacts 530 may include multiple pairs of signal contacts 530, each transmitting multiple types of differential signals. In this case, multiple housings 520 are provided for each of the multiple pairs of signal contacts 530. Each of the multiple housings 520 holds only one pair of signal contacts 530 and does not hold any other signal contacts 530.

[0037] The multiple shells 600 correspond to the multiple housings 520, respectively. Each of the multiple shells 600 surrounds the corresponding housing 520 around an axis along the fitting direction D12 (D22).

[0038] The multiple housings 520 correspond to the multiple shells 300, respectively. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the multiple housings 520 is inserted into the corresponding shell 300 along the mating direction D12. Each of the multiple shells 600 is mated with the corresponding shell 300 along the mating direction D12. Each of the multiple signal contacts 530 contacts a corresponding signal contact 200 in the corresponding shell 300. In this way, the multiple cables 20 are electrically connected to the circuit board 10.

[0039] According to this connector system 1, by providing individual shells 300 for the multiple signal contacts 200, it is possible to individually optimize the relationship between the signal contacts 200 and the shells 300. Furthermore, the shells 300 surround the signal contacts 200 around an axis along the mating direction D12 parallel to the circuit board 10. This restricts the mating direction of the second connector 3 into the first connector 2 to a direction parallel to the circuit board 10. This makes it possible to reduce the height of the connection formed by the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 (reducing the height relative to the surface of the circuit board 10). This is therefore effective in achieving both improved signal transmission characteristics and a reduced height.

[0040] The reduced height makes it possible to avoid interference with the heat sink 12 and place the first connector 2 near the circuit element 11, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for example, thereby further improving signal transmission characteristics.

[0041] Each of the multiple shells 300 may complement the surrounding of the housing 520 by the corresponding shell 600. For example, the shell 300 may surround a portion of the periphery of the housing 520 that is not surrounded by the shell 600. This reduces the overlap between the shell 600 and the shell 300, thereby enabling a further reduction in height.

[0042] The configurations of the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 will be described in more detail below.

[0043] [First connector] In describing the first connector 2, for convenience, the direction toward the surface of the circuit board will be referred to as "downward," and the direction away from the surface of the circuit board will be referred to as "upward." Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first connector 2 as seen from below, and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector 2 in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the first connector 2 has an insulating housing 100, a plurality of conductive signal contacts 200, and a plurality of conductive shells 300.

[0044] 6 and 7, the housing 100 has an opposing surface 101, a receding surface 102, and a plurality of protrusions 110. The opposing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10. With the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10, the receding surface 102 faces the circuit board 10 at a position separated from the circuit board 10. The plurality of protrusions 110 are aligned along an arrangement direction D11 parallel to the opposing surface 101, and each protrudes from the receding surface 102.

[0045] The multiple protrusions 110 correspond to the multiple shells 300, respectively. Each of the multiple shells 300 is held by a corresponding protrusion 110. At least one signal contact 200 surrounded by each of the multiple shells 300 is also held by the protrusion 110. For example, a pair of signal contacts 200 surrounded by each of the multiple shells 300 are held by the protrusion 110 so as to be aligned along the arrangement direction D11. The housing 100 is formed by molding a resin material or the like.

[0046] One protrusion 110, the corresponding shell 300, and a pair of signal contacts 200 constitute one set of signal transmission parts TP1. The first connector 2 includes multiple sets of signal transmission parts TP1 corresponding to the multiple protrusions 110, respectively. The multiple sets of signal transmission parts TP1 are arranged along the arrangement direction D11 and transmit the multiple types of signals described above, respectively. Below, the configuration of the first and second sets of signal transmission parts TP1 from the left side of the figure will be illustrated in more detail as representative of the multiple sets of signal transmission parts TP1.

[0047] Although the configuration of the multiple sets of signal transmission parts TP1 is common, for ease of explanation, the convex part 110, signal contact 200 and shell 300 belonging to the first signal transmission part TP1 from the left in the figure will be referred to as the first convex part 110A, first signal contact 200A and first shell 300A, and the convex part 110, signal contact 200 and shell 300 belonging to the second signal transmission part TP1 from the left in the figure will be referred to as the second convex part 110B, second signal contact 200B and second shell 300B, to distinguish them from one another.

[0048] 7 in particular, the first signal contacts 200A and the second signal contacts 200B are held in the housing 100 so as to be aligned along the arrangement direction D11. For example, the pair of first signal contacts 200A is held by the first convex portion 110A so as to be aligned along the arrangement direction D11, and the pair of second signal contacts 200B is held by the second convex portion 110B so as to be aligned along the arrangement direction D11, and the pair of first signal contacts 200A and the pair of second signal contacts 200B are aligned along the arrangement direction D11 in accordance with the arrangement of the first convex portion 110A and the second convex portion 110B.

[0049] The pair of first signal contacts 200A transmits a first differential signal, and the pair of second signal contacts 200B transmits a second differential signal that is different from the first differential signal.

[0050] Each of the pair of first signal contacts 200A has a connecting portion 201 (first connecting portion) and a contact portion 202 (first contact portion). The connecting portion 201 is electrically connected to the circuit board 10. For example, the connecting portion 201 is connected to a conductive signal terminal formed on the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like. The contact portion 202 protrudes from the connecting portion 201 along a mating direction D12 that is parallel to the opposing surface 101 and perpendicular to the arrangement direction D11. For convenience of explanation, the protruding direction of the contact portion 202 relative to the connecting portion 201 will be referred to as the "forward" direction, and the opposite direction will be referred to as the "rearward" direction. The first signal contact 200A is bent in a crank shape between the connecting portion 201 and the contact portion 202 so that the contact portion 202 is positioned away from the circuit board 10. The first signal contact 200A is formed, for example, by punching and bending a thin metal plate.

[0051] Each of the pair of second signal contacts 200B is configured similarly to the first signal contact 200A, and has a connection portion 201 (second connection portion) and a contact portion 202 (second connection portion). The connection portion 201 of the second signal contact 200B is connected by soldering or the like to a conductive signal terminal formed on the circuit board 10, separate from the signal terminal to which the connection portion 201 of the first signal contact 200A is connected.

[0052] The first shell 300A is held in the housing 100 so as to surround the pair of first signal contacts 200A around an axis along the mating direction D12, and is electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10. The term "surrounding" does not necessarily mean surrounding the entire circumference of the target object, but also includes partially surrounding the target object. For example, "surrounding" can be defined as facing more than half of the circumference of the target object. The same applies hereinafter.

[0053] In the mating direction D12, the first shell 300A may partially surround the pair of first signal contacts 200A. For example, the first shell 300A surrounds at least the contact portions 202 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A.

[0054] Within the first shell 300A, no signals other than the one type of signal transmitted by at least one first signal contact 200A are transmitted. This one type of signal is the only signal transmitted within the first shell 300A. For example, within the first shell 300A, only the first differential signal is transmitted, and no other signals are transmitted. The first shell 300A surrounds only the pair of first signal contacts 200A, and does not surround the other signal contacts 200A.

[0055] There are no particular limitations on the shape surrounding the pair of first signal contacts 200A. The first shell 300A may surround the pair of first signal contacts 200A in a circular shape, or may surround the pair of first signal contacts 200A in a polygonal shape. As an example, the first shell 300A may surround the first signal contacts 200A in a rectangular shape. For example, the first shell 300A has a pair of side walls 310 (first side walls) and a connecting wall 320 (first connecting wall).

[0056] The pair of side wall portions 310 face each other along the arrangement direction D11. The contact portions 202 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A are located between the pair of side wall portions 310. The connecting wall portion 320 extends parallel to the opposing surface 101 and connects the pair of side wall portions 310. With the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10, the connecting wall portion 320 may be located between the contact portions 202 and the circuit board 10.

[0057] The first shell 300A may further include an opposing wall portion 330 (first opposing wall portion). The opposing wall portion 330 faces the connecting wall portion 320 in a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface 101. The contact portions 202 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A are located between the connecting wall portion 320 and the opposing wall portion 330. As described above, when the connecting wall portion 320 is located between the contact portions 202 and the circuit board 10, the opposing wall portion 330 is located between the contact portions 202 and the receding surface 102.

[0058] The first shell 300A may further have shell slits 333 (first shell slits) that divide the opposing wall portion 330 to correspond to each of the pair of side wall portions 310 (see FIG. 8). For example, the shell slit 333 is formed along the fitting direction D12 over the entire length of the opposing wall portion 330, and divides the opposing wall portion 330 into a portion 331 that corresponds to one side wall portion 310 and a portion 332 that corresponds to the other side wall portion 310.

[0059] A receiving space IS (first receiving space) is formed between the contact portion 202 and the opposing wall portion 330. A mating first housing (one of the multiple housings 520) of the mating connector (second connector 3) is inserted into the receiving space IS along the mating direction D12, the shell 600 surrounding the mating first housing is fitted into the first shell 300A, and the mating signal contacts (signal contacts 530) held in the mating first housing come into contact with the contact portions 202 of the first signal contacts 200A (see FIG. 4). For example, a pair of signal contacts 530 come into contact with the contact portions 202 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A, respectively.

[0060] The first shell 300A may further have a pair of protruding portions 340 (first protruding portions) protruding rearward from each of the pair of side wall portions 310. The connecting portions 201 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A are located between the pair of protruding portions 340.

[0061] The first shell 300A may further have a pair of shell connecting portions 341 (first shell connecting portions) formed on the pair of overhanging portions 340, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10. For example, each of the pair of shell connecting portions 341 is formed on the lower edge of the corresponding overhanging portion 340, and is connected by soldering or the like to a conductive ground terminal formed on the circuit board 10 separately from the above-mentioned signal terminal. In the circuit board 10, a ground potential is applied to the ground terminal. The same applies to the ground terminals to which other portions of the shell connecting portions 341 are connected.

[0062] The first shell 300A may further include an anchor portion 350 (first anchor portion) and an intermediate connection portion 360 (first intermediate connection portion) (see FIG. 9). The anchor portion 350 protrudes rearward from the connecting wall portion 320 and is held by the first protrusion 110A. The intermediate connection portion 360 is formed on the connecting wall portion 320 so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10. For example, the intermediate connection portion 360 is formed at the rear end of the anchor portion 350 and protrudes from the rear end of the anchor portion 350 in a direction away from the receding surface 102. As an example, the intermediate connection portion 360 protrudes rearward and downward from the rear end of the anchor portion 350 and is connected to a ground terminal formed on the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0063] The first shell 300A is formed by, for example, stamping and forming a thin metal plate.

[0064] The second shell 300B is held in the housing 100 so as to surround the pair of second signal contacts 200B around an axis along the mating direction D12, and is electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10. For example, the second shell 300B surrounds the contact portions 202 of at least one pair of second signal contacts 200B. No signals are transmitted within the second shell 300B other than the one type of signal transmitted by at least one second signal contact 200B. This one type of signal is the only signal transmitted within the second shell 300B. For example, only the second differential signal is transmitted within the second shell 300B, and no other signals are transmitted within the second shell 300B. The second shell 300B surrounds only the pair of second signal contacts 200B, and does not surround the other signal contacts 200B.

[0065] The second shell 300B is configured similarly to the first shell 300A, and has a pair of side walls 310 (second side walls) and a connecting wall 320 (second connecting wall). The contact portions 202 of the pair of second signal contacts 200B are located between the pair of side walls 310.

[0066] Similar to the first shell 300A, the second shell 300B may further include an opposing wall portion 330 (second opposing wall portion) and a shell slit 333 (second shell slit). The contact portions 202 of the pair of second signal contacts 200B are located between the connecting wall portion 320 and the opposing wall portion 330. When the connecting wall portion 320 is located between the contact portions 202 and the circuit board 10, the opposing wall portion 330 is located between the contact portions 202 and the receding surface 102.

[0067] A receiving space IS (second receiving space) is formed between the contact portion 202 and the opposing wall portion 330. A mating second housing (one of the multiple housings 520) of the mating connector (second connector 3) is inserted into the receiving space IS along the mating direction D12, the shell 600 surrounding the mating second housing is fitted into the second shell 300B, and the mating signal contacts (signal contacts 530) held in the mating second housing come into contact with the contact portions 202 of the second signal contacts 200B (see FIG. 4). For example, a pair of signal contacts 530 come into contact with the contact portions 202 of a pair of second signal contacts 200B, respectively.

[0068] Similar to the first shell 300A, the second shell 300B may further include a pair of protruding portions 340 (second protruding portions) and a pair of shell connecting portions 341. The connecting portions 201 of the pair of second signal contacts 200B are located between the pair of protruding portions 340. Similar to the pair of shell connecting portions 341 of the first shell 300A, the pair of shell connecting portions 341 of the second shell 300B are connected to ground terminals formed on the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0069] Like the first shell 300A, the second shell 300B may further include an anchor portion 350 and an intermediate connection portion 360. The anchor portion 350 protrudes rearward from the connecting wall portion 320 and is held by the second protrusion 110B. The intermediate connection portion 360 is connected to a ground terminal formed on the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7, the first protrusion 110A protrudes from the recessed surface 102 and is positioned between a pair of overhanging portions 340 of the first shell 300A to hold the pair of first signal contacts 200A and the first shell 300A. For example, the first protrusion 110A has a pair of contact holding holes 111 (positioned above the first protrusion 110A) and an anchor hole 112. The pair of contact holding holes 111 are aligned along the arrangement direction D11 and each penetrate the first protrusion 110A along the mating direction D12. The contact portions 202 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A are inserted into the pair of contact holding holes 111 from the rear. Ends of the contact portions 202 of the pair of first signal contacts 200A protrude forward from the first protrusion 110A and are surrounded by the first shell 300A. The anchor holes 112 are positioned below the pair of contact holding holes 111 and penetrate the first protrusion 110A along the fitting direction D12. The anchor portions 350 of the first shell 300A are inserted into the anchor holes 112 from the front.

[0071] A slit 113 (first slit) may be formed in the first protrusion 110A. The slit 113 allows displacement of the intermediate connector 360 along the fitting direction D12. For example, the slit 113 is formed along the fitting direction D12 over the entire length of the lower part of the anchor hole 112, and the intermediate connector 360 is disposed within the slit 113. Because the slit 113 extends along the fitting direction D12, displacement of the intermediate connector 360 along the fitting direction D12 is allowed.

[0072] The housing 100 may further include a first support portion 114A. The first support portion 114A protrudes forward from the first protrusion 110A and is located between the contact portion 202 and the connecting wall portion 320. For example, the first support portion 114A protrudes forward from the first protrusion 110A between the pair of contact holding holes 111 and the anchor hole 112.

[0073] The second protrusion 110B protrudes from the recessed surface 102 and is positioned between a pair of overhanging portions 340 of the second shell 300B to hold the pair of second signal contacts 200B and the second shell 300B. For example, like the first protrusion 110A, the second protrusion 110B has a pair of contact holding holes 111 (positioned above the second protrusion 110B) and an anchor hole 112. The contact portions 202 of the pair of second signal contacts 200B are inserted into the pair of contact holding holes 111 from the rear, respectively. Ends of the contact portions 202 of the pair of second signal contacts 200B protrude forward from the second protrusion 110B and are surrounded by the second shell 300B. The anchor portion 350 of the second shell 300B is inserted into the anchor hole 112 from the front. Like the first protrusion 110A, the second protrusion 110B may have a slit 113 (second slit). In the slit 113, the intermediate connector 360 of the second shell 300B is disposed.

[0074] The housing 100 may further include a second support portion 114B similar to the first support portion 114A. The second support portion 114B protrudes forward from the second protrusion 110B and is located between the contact portion 202 and the connecting wall portion 320. For example, the second support portion 114B protrudes forward from the second protrusion 110B between the pair of contact holding holes 111 and the anchor hole 112.

[0075] 5 and 6, the first connector 2 may further include a conductive outer shell 400. The housing 100 has a rear surface 103 of the opposing surface 101, and the outer shell 400 covers the rear surface 103.

[0076] For example, the outer shell 400 has a main plate portion 410, a pair of outer side walls 420, and a pair of anchor portions 430, and is formed by punching and bending a thin metal plate material. The main plate portion 410 extends so as to cover at least a portion of the rear surface 103. The pair of outer side walls 420 are provided at both ends of the main plate portion 410 in the arrangement direction D11. For example, the pair of outer side walls 420 are bent downward with respect to the main plate portion 410 at both ends of the main plate portion 410 and face each other along the arrangement direction D11. The pair of anchor portions 430 are also provided at both ends of the main plate portion 410 in the arrangement direction D11 and are located rearward of the pair of outer side walls 420. For example, the pair of anchor portions 430 are bent downward with respect to the main plate portion 410 at both ends of the main plate portion 410 and face each other along the arrangement direction D11. When viewed from the front, the multiple shells 300 are positioned between the pair of outer side wall portions 420 and also between the pair of anchor portions 430 .

[0077] The pair of anchor portions 430 are held by the housing 100. For example, the housing 100 further has a pair of outer retaining holes 121 that respectively correspond to the pair of anchor portions 430. Each of the pair of outer retaining holes 121 passes through the housing 100 from above. The pair of anchor portions 430 are inserted into the pair of outer retaining holes 121 from above.

[0078] The pair of outer side walls 420 may protrude forward beyond the front surface of the housing 100. This allows the second connector 3 to be smoothly guided along the fitting direction D12.

[0079] A pair of protruding portions 412 that protrude forward beyond the front surface of the housing 100 are formed on both ends of the main plate portion 410, and a pair of locking openings 411 are formed in each of the pair of protruding portions 412. When viewed from below, each of the pair of locking openings 411 is located between the multiple shells 300 and the pair of outer side walls 420. A pair of locking claws 814 of the second connector 3, which will be described later, engages with the pair of locking openings 411, respectively.

[0080] The outer shell 400 may further include a pair of outer connection portions 421. The pair of outer connection portions 421 are formed on the pair of outer side wall portions 420, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surfaces 101 facing the circuit board 10. For example, each of the pair of outer connection portions 421 is formed on the lower edge of the corresponding outer side wall portion 420, and is connected to a ground terminal formed on the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like.

[0081] [Second connector] As described above, the second connector 3 is connected to a plurality of cables 20. As shown in FIG. 11 in particular, each of the plurality of cables 20 has at least one signal conductor 24. One cable 20 transmits one type of signal. For example, the cable 20 transmits one type of differential signal. For example, one cable 20 has a pair of electric wires 21, an outer conductor 22, and an insulating outer sheath 23. Each of the pair of electric wires 21 has one signal conductor 24 and an insulating inner sheath 25 that covers the signal conductor 24. Hereinafter, the signal conductors 24 of the pair of electric wires 21 will be referred to as the pair of signal conductors 24. The above-mentioned differential signal is transmitted by the pair of signal conductors 24. The outer conductor 22 surrounds the pair of electric wires 21, and the outer sheath 23 covers the outer conductor 22.

[0082] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector 3, and Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the second connector 3 has a base unit 500 and a plurality of shells 600. As shown in Fig. 11, the base unit 500 has a connector base 510, a plurality of insulative housings 520, and a plurality of conductive signal contacts 530.

[0083] The connector base 510 has an opposing surface 511. The opposing surface 511 faces the outer peripheries of the ends of the multiple cables 20 arranged along the arrangement direction D21. The multiple housings 520 correspond to the multiple cables 20, respectively. The multiple housings 520 are aligned along the arrangement direction D21 and each protrudes in a direction away from the end of the corresponding cable 20 along a mating direction D22 that is parallel to the opposing surface 511 and perpendicular to the arrangement direction D21.

[0084] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the opposing surface 511 faces will be referred to as "upward," and the opposite direction will be referred to as "downward." Furthermore, the direction in which the multiple housings 520 protrude from the connector base 510 will be referred to as "forward," and the opposite direction will be referred to as "rearward." According to this definition, the multiple cables 20 extend rearward from the connector base 510. When the second connector 3 is mated with the first connector 2, the up and down in the description of the first connector 2 will coincide with the up and down in the description of the second connector 3. Furthermore, the front in the description of the second connector 3 corresponds to the rear in the description of the first connector 2, and the rear in the description of the second connector 3 corresponds to the front in the description of the first connector 2.

[0085] The plurality of signal contacts 530 includes a plurality of pairs of signal contacts 530 corresponding to the plurality of housings 520, respectively. Each of the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 530 is held in the corresponding housing 520. Each of the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 530 is connected to a pair of the signal conductors 24 described above.

[0086] The plurality of shells 600 respectively correspond to the plurality of housings 520. Each of the plurality of shells 600 surrounds the corresponding housing 520.

[0087] The second connector 3 includes multiple sets of signal transmission units TP2 corresponding to the multiple housings 520, respectively. The multiple sets of signal transmission units TP2 are arranged along the arrangement direction D21 and transmit the multiple types of signals described above, respectively. Below, the configuration of two sets of signal transmission units TP2, the first and second from the right side of the drawing, will be illustrated in more detail. The first signal transmission unit TP2 from the right side of the drawing corresponds to the first signal transmission unit TP1 from the left side in FIG. 7. The second signal transmission unit TP2 from the right side of the drawing corresponds to the second signal transmission unit TP2 from the left side in FIG. 7.

[0088] 11, the housing 520, signal contacts 530, and shell 600 belonging to the first signal transmission portion TP2 from the right are distinguished from one another as the first housing 520A, first signal contacts 530A, and first shell 600A, and the housing 520, signal contacts 530, and shell 600 belonging to the second signal transmission portion TP2 from the right are distinguished from one another as the second housing 520B, second signal contacts 530B, and second shell 600B. In addition, the cable 20 corresponding to the first signal transmission portion TP2 from the right is distinguished from one another as the first cable 20A, and the cable 20 belonging to the second signal transmission portion TP2 from the right is distinguished from one another as the second cable 20B.

[0089] The first housing 520A and the second housing 520B are aligned along the arrangement direction D21 and protrude forward from the connector base 510 along the fitting direction D22.

[0090] 11, the pair of first signal contacts 530A are held in the first housing 520A and are respectively connected to the pair of signal conductors 24 of the first cable 20A. Each of the pair of first signal contacts 530A has a connecting portion 531 (first connecting portion) and a contact portion 532 (first contact portion) arranged in order toward the front.

[0091] The first housing 520A holds a pair of first signal contacts 530A such that the connecting portions 531 are exposed upward and the contacting portions 532 are exposed downward (see FIG. 3). This allows the signal conductors 24 to be connected to the connecting portions 531 from above, and the contacting portions 532 can come into contact with the first signal contacts 200A of the mating connector (first connector 2) from above (see FIG. 4).

[0092] At the tip of the first cable 20A, the outer sheath 23, the outer conductor 22, and the inner sheath 25 are removed from the portion corresponding to the connecting portion 531, and a pair of exposed signal conductors 24 are connected to the connecting portion 531, respectively.

[0093] The first signal contact 530A is formed by, for example, stamping and forming a thin metal plate material.

[0094] The pair of second signal contacts 530B are held in the second housing 520B and are respectively connected to the pair of signal conductors 24 of the second cable 20B. Similar to the first housing 520A, each of the pair of second signal contacts 530B has a connecting portion 531 (second connecting portion) and a contact portion 532 (second contact portion).

[0095] The second housing 520B holds a pair of second signal contacts 530B such that the connecting portions 531 are exposed upward and the contacting portions 532 are exposed downward (see FIG. 3). This allows the signal conductors 24 to be connected to the connecting portions 531 from above, and the contacting portions 532 can come into contact with the second signal contacts 200B of the mating connector (first connector 2) from above (see FIG. 4).

[0096] At the tip of the second cable 20B, the outer sheath 23, the outer conductor 22, and the inner sheath 25 are removed from the portion corresponding to the connecting portion 531, and a pair of exposed signal conductors 24 are connected to the connecting portion 531, respectively.

[0097] The first shell 600A is fixed to the connector base 510 so as to surround the first housing 520A around an axis along the fitting direction D22. For example, the first shell 600A has a base portion 610 (first base portion) and an end portion 620 (first end portion).

[0098] The base portion 610 surrounds the first cable 20A and is fixed to the connector base 510. The outer sheath 23 is removed from the tip of the first cable 20A at a portion corresponding to the base portion 610. The base portion 610 surrounds the outer conductor 22 exposed by removing the outer sheath 23. There are no particular limitations on the shape surrounding the outer conductor 22. The base portion 610 may surround the outer conductor 22 in a circular shape or a polygonal shape. As an example, the base portion 610 may surround the outer conductor 22 in a rectangular shape. For example, the base portion 610 has a pair of base side walls 611 (first base side walls) and a base connecting wall 612 (first base connecting wall). The pair of base side walls 611 face each other along the arrangement direction D21. The outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A is located between the pair of base side walls 611 of the first shell 600A. The base connecting wall 612 extends parallel to the opposing surface 511 and connects the pair of base side walls 611 together.

[0099] The end portion 620 extends forward from the base portion 610 along the fitting direction D22 to surround the first housing 520A. There are no particular limitations on the shape surrounding the first housing 520A. The end portion 620 may surround the first housing 520A in a circular shape or a polygonal shape. As an example, the end portion 620 may surround the first housing 520A in a rectangular shape. For example, the end portion 620 has a pair of end side walls 621 (first end side walls) and an end connecting wall 622 (first end connecting wall). The pair of end side walls 621 are continuous with the pair of base side walls 611. The end connecting wall 622 is continuous with the base connecting wall 612 and connects the pair of end side walls 621.

[0100] A gap 623 between a pair of end coupling walls 622 is smaller than a gap 614 between a pair of base side walls 611 (see FIG. 12 ). The outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A is present in the base portion 610, whereas the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A is not present in the end portion 620. By making the gap 623 at the position where the outer conductor 22 is not present smaller than the gap 614 at the position where the outer conductor 22 is present, the uniformity of the positional relationship between the pair of signal conductors 24 and the metal body at ground potential that surrounds the pair of signal conductors 24 can be improved, and the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved.

[0101] Returning to FIG. 11 , the end portion 620A fits into the upper portion of the first shell 300A. For example, the pair of end side walls 621 overlap the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 310 of the first shell 300A, respectively, and the end connecting wall 622 overlaps the inner surface of the opposing wall 330. When the end portion 620A fits into the first shell 300A in this manner, the enclosure of the first housing 520A by the end portion 620A is complemented by the first shell 300A. For example, the lower portion of the first housing 520A that is not enclosed by the end portion 620A is enclosed by the first shell 300A.

[0102] Additionally, the surrounding of the pair of first signal contacts 200A by the first shell 300A is complemented by the end portion 620A. For example, the break in the surrounding caused by the shell slit 333 is complemented by the end connecting wall portion 622 of the end portion 620A (see FIG. 4).

[0103] Each of the pair of end sidewall portions 621 may have a resilient contact portion 624 (first resilient contact portion) (see FIGS. 12 and 13). The resilient contact portion 624 approaches the first housing 520A when an external force is applied, and moves away from the first housing 520A when the external force is removed. The resilient contact portions 624 of the pair of end sidewall portions 621 respectively contact the inner surfaces of the pair of sidewall portions 310 of the first shell 300A. This allows the first shell 300A to further firmly complement the enclosing of the first housing 520A by the end portion 620A.

[0104] The end connection wall portion 622 may have a contact portion 625. The contact portion 625 extends along the fitting direction D12 at an intermediate position between the pair of end side wall portions 621 and bulges upward. The width of the end connection wall portion 622 is greater than the width of the shell slit 333 of the first shell 300A. Therefore, the end connection wall portion 622 spans the shell slit 333 and contacts both the portion 331 and the portion 332 of the opposing wall portion 330. This further strengthens the enclosing of the pair of first signal contacts 200A by the first shell 300A by the end portion 620A.

[0105] The second shell 600B is fixed to the connector base 510 so as to surround the second housing 520B around an axis along the fitting direction D22. For example, the second shell 600B has a base portion 610 (second base portion) and an end portion 620 (second end portion), similar to the first shell 600A.

[0106] The base portion 610 surrounds the second cable 20B and is fixed to the connector base 510. Similar to the base portion 610 of the first shell 600A, the base portion 610 of the second shell 600B has a pair of base side walls 611 (second base side walls) and a base connecting wall 612 (second base connecting wall). At the tip of the second cable 20B, the outer sheath 23 is removed from a portion corresponding to the base portion 610. The base portion 610 surrounds the outer conductor 22 exposed by removing the outer sheath 23.

[0107] The end portion 620 extends forward from the base portion 610 along the fitting direction D22 to surround the second housing 520B. Similar to the base portion 610 of the first shell 600A, the end portion 620 of the second shell 600B has a pair of end side walls 621 (second end side walls) and an end connecting wall 622 (second end connecting wall).

[0108] The end portion 620B fits into an upper portion of the second shell 300B. For example, the pair of end side walls 621 overlap the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 310 of the second shell 300B, respectively, and the end connecting wall 622 overlaps the inner surface of the opposing wall 330. In this way, when the end portion 620B fits into the second shell 300B, the enclosure of the second housing 520B by the end portion 620B is complemented by the second shell 300B. For example, the lower portion of the second housing 520B that is not enclosed by the end portion 620B is enclosed by the second shell 300B.

[0109] Additionally, the surrounding of the pair of second signal contacts 200B by the second shell 300B is complemented by the end portion 620B. For example, the break in the surrounding caused by the shell slit 333 is complemented by the end connecting wall portion 622 of the end portion 620B.

[0110] Similar to the pair of end side walls 621 of the first shell 600A, each of the pair of end side walls 621 of the second shell 600B may have a resilient contact portion 624 (second resilient contact portion). Similar to the end connecting wall portion 622 of the first shell 600A, the end connecting wall portion 622 of the second shell 600B may have a contact portion 625.

[0111] The connector base 510 may have a conductive base plate 512 and an insulating base housing 513. The base plate 512 extends along the opposing surface and supports the multiple cables 20 from below. The base housing 513 holds the base plate 512, a first housing 520A, and a second housing 520B. The base unit 500 is formed by molding the base housing 513 and the multiple housings 520 with a resin material by insert molding, with the base plate 512 and the multiple signal contacts 530 in place.

[0112] The base portion 610 of the first shell 600A surrounds the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A with a pair of base side walls 611, a base connecting wall 612, and a base plate 512, and is fixed to the base plate 512. The base portion 610 of the second shell 600B surrounds the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B with a pair of base side walls 611, a base connecting wall 612, and a base plate 512, and is fixed to the base plate 512. The base plate 512 electrically connects the base portion 610 of the first shell 600A to the base portion 610 of the second shell 600B.

[0113] In the base portion 610 of the first shell 600A, the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A is electrically connected to the base plate 512. For example, the outer conductor 22 is fixed to the base plate 512 by soldering or the like. In the base portion 610 of the second shell 600B, the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B is electrically connected to the base plate 512. For example, the outer conductor 22 is fixed to the base plate 512 by soldering or the like.

[0114] The base plate 512 may have a plurality of fixing holes 514 corresponding to the plurality of cables 20, respectively. The plurality of fixing holes 514 are aligned along the arrangement direction D11 and penetrate the base plate 512 in the up-down direction perpendicular to the facing surface 511. Each of the plurality of fixing holes 514 exposes the outer conductor 22 of the corresponding cable 20 downward.

[0115] The multiple fixing holes 514 include a first fixing hole 514A corresponding to the first cable 20A and a second fixing hole 514B corresponding to the second cable 20B. The first fixing hole 514A exposes the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A downward, and the second fixing hole 514B exposes the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B downward.

[0116] As described above for the first shell 600A and the second shell 600B, each of the multiple shells 600 has a pair of base sidewall portions 611, so the second connector 3 has multiple pairs of base sidewall portions 611 aligned along the arrangement direction D21. In contrast, the base plate 512 may have multiple pairs of shell fixing holes 515 corresponding to the multiple pairs of base sidewall portions 611, respectively.

[0117] The multiple fixing holes 514 and the multiple pairs of shell fixing holes 515 are aligned in a row along the arrangement direction D21. In this arrangement, one fixing hole 514 is disposed between each pair of shell fixing holes 515. Each pair of shell fixing holes 515 penetrates the base plate 512 in the up-down direction, exposing a corresponding pair of base side wall portions 611 downward. As a result, the multiple pairs of base side wall portions 611 and the outer conductors 22 of the multiple cables 20 are exposed downward while aligned in a row. Therefore, the multiple pairs of base side wall portions 611 and the outer conductors 22 of the multiple cables 20 can be fixed to the base plate 512 from below together by soldering or the like.

[0118] The multiple pairs of shell fixing holes 515 include a pair of first shell fixing holes 515A corresponding to the pair of base side wall portions 611 of the first shell 600A, and a pair of second shell fixing holes 515B corresponding to the pair of base side wall portions 611 of the second shell 600B. The first fixing hole 514A is located between the pair of first shell fixing holes 515A, and the second fixing hole 514B is located between the pair of second shell fixing holes 515B.

[0119] Each of the pairs of base sidewalls 611 may have a fixing piece 613 inserted into the corresponding shell fixing hole 515. For example, each of the pair of base sidewalls 611 of the first shell 600A may have a fixing piece 613 (first fixing piece) inserted into the corresponding first shell fixing hole 515A. Each of the pair of base sidewalls 611 of the second shell 600B may have a fixing piece 613 (second fixing piece) inserted into the corresponding second shell fixing hole 515B. This allows the multiple shells 600 to be positioned and temporarily fixed to the base plate 512 before fixing by soldering or the like, thereby improving the workability when fixing the multiple pairs of base sidewalls 611 and the outer conductors 22 of the multiple cables 20 to the base plate 512. The fixing pieces 613 are fixed to the base plate 512 by soldering or the like while inserted into the corresponding shell fixing holes 515.

[0120] Returning to FIG. 10 , the second connector 3 may further include an insulating outer housing 700. The outer housing 700 accommodates a connector base 510 to which multiple shells 600, including a first shell 600A and a second shell 600B, are fixed. The outer housing 700 may have a front wall 710 perpendicular to the mating direction D22. The front wall 710 may have multiple openings 711 corresponding to the multiple housings 520, respectively. Each of the multiple housings 520 protrudes forward from the outer housing 700 through the corresponding opening 711 while being surrounded by the shell 600.

[0121] The multiple openings 711 include a first opening 711A corresponding to the first housing 520A and a second opening 711B corresponding to the second housing 520B. The first housing 520A, surrounded by the first shell 600A, protrudes forward from the outer housing 700 through the first opening 711A. The second housing 520B, surrounded by the second shell 600B, protrudes forward from the outer housing 700 through the second opening 711B.

[0122] The second connector 3 may further include an insulating separator 730 fixed to the outer housing 700 and regulating spacing between the multiple cables 20, including the spacing between the first cable 20A and the second cable 20B. The separator 730 is located behind the connector base 510 and holds the multiple cables 20 from outside the outer sheath 23. The connector base 510 is disposed between the front wall 710 and the separator 730. The separator 730 has multiple openings 731 corresponding to the multiple cables 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The multiple openings 731 are aligned along the arrangement direction D21. Each of the multiple openings 731 penetrates the separator 730 along the mating direction D22. Each of the multiple cables 20 is held in its corresponding opening 731. The separator 730 appropriately maintains the distance between the cables 20, further improving signal transmission characteristics. Furthermore, the separator 730 can also increase the strength with which the multiple cables 20 are fixed to the second connector 3.

[0123] The separator 730 is formed by two-color resin molding with the base unit 500, the shells 600, and the outer housing 700 attached to the ends of the cables 20. The separator 730 may be formed by resin sealing using potting. The base unit 500, the shells 600, and the outer housing 700 may be attached to the ends of the cables 20 with a pre-molded separator 730 attached to the cables 20. In this case, the separator 730 may be molded into upper and lower members, each with the openings 731 at the center, and the upper and lower members may be combined to sandwich the cables 20. The separator 730 may be attached to the base unit 500 or may be molded integrally with the base unit 500. This further increases the fixing strength of the cables 20 to the second connector 3.

[0124] The second connector 3 may further include a locking member 800. The locking member 800 prevents the second connector 3 from being disengaged from the first connector 2. The locking member 800 has a pair of locking portions 810 and a locking knob 820. The pair of locking portions 810 are held by the outer housing 700 so as to correspond to the plurality of locking openings 411 (see FIG. 5 ) of the first connector 2, respectively. The outer housing 700 further has, at both ends in the arrangement direction D11, a pair of lock accommodating portions 720 that open upward and backward, and a pair of hold bars 721 that correspond to the pair of lock accommodating portions 720, respectively. The pair of locking portions 810 are respectively accommodated in the pair of lock accommodating portions 720. Each of the pair of hold bars 721 is positioned above the rear end of the corresponding lock accommodating portion 720, and holds the locking portion 810 in the lock accommodating portion 720.

[0125] Each of the pair of locking sections 810 has a lock base 811, a lock plate 812, and an elastic connecting portion 813. The lock base 811 extends along the fitting direction D22 and contacts the bottom surface of the lock accommodating portion 720. The lock plate 812 extends along the fitting direction D22 at a position away from the bottom surface of the lock accommodating portion 720 and faces the lock base 811 in the up-down direction. A lock claw 814 that engages with the lock opening 411 of the first connector 2 is formed on the upper surface of the lock plate 812. The elastic connecting portion 813 connects the front end of the lock base 811 to the front end of the lock plate 812 so as to enable elastic displacement of the lock claw 814 in the up-down direction.

[0126] The locking section 810 can be switched between a locked state in which the locking claws 814 engage with the locking openings 411 and a released state in which the locking claws 814 do not engage with the locking openings 411. For example, when an external force is applied from above to the locking plate 812 to bring the locking plate 812 closer to the locking base 811, the locking claws 814 descend below the main plate 410, entering the released state. In this state, the second connector 3 is mated with the first connector 2, the locking claws 814 are positioned below the locking openings 411, the external force on the locking plate 812 is removed, and the locking plate 812 is elastically restored in a direction away from the locking base 811, whereby the locking claws 814 are positioned in the locking openings 411. As a result, the locking claws 814 engage with the inner periphery of the locking openings 411, and the released state is switched to the locked state. An external force is again applied from above to the lock plate 812, causing the lock plate 812 to approach the lock base 811 and lowering the lock claw 814, thereby switching the locked state back to the released state.

[0127] The lock knob 820 is an operating part for applying an external force to the lock plates 812 of the pair of locking parts 810 simultaneously to switch the locked state to the unlocked state. The lock knob 820 extends along the arrangement direction D21 to connect the lock plates 812 of the pair of locking parts 810, and protrudes rearward so as to hang over the multiple cables 20. By pressing the lock knob 820 down toward the multiple cables 20, an external force from above is applied to the lock plates 812 of the pair of locking parts 810 simultaneously, switching the locked state to the unlocked state. The locking member 800 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material, for example.

[0128] The pair of lock accommodating portions 720 are provided at both ends of the outer housing 700 in the arrangement direction D21, so that when viewed from the front, the multiple housings 520 are disposed between the pair of locking portions 810. By arranging the pair of locking portions 810 in positions that do not overlap with the multiple housings 520, it is possible to achieve both a reliable connection of the second connector 3 to the first connector 2 and a low profile for the connector system 1.

[0129] [Second connector assembly procedure] Next, as an example of a method for assembling a connector, the procedure for assembling the second connector 3 will be illustrated. This procedure includes: aligning the outer periphery of the first cable 20A against the opposing surface 511 and connecting the signal conductor 24 of the first cable 20A to the first signal contact 530A; aligning the outer periphery of the second cable 20B against the opposing surface 511 and connecting the signal conductor 24 of the second cable 20B to the second signal contact 530B; positioning the first shell 600A to surround the first housing 520A around an axis along the mating direction D22 with the signal conductor 24 of the first cable 20A connected to the first signal contact 530A; fixing the first shell 600A to the connector base 510; positioning the second shell 600B to surround the second housing 520B around an axis along the mating direction D22 with the signal conductor 24 of the second cable 20B connected to the second signal contact 530B; and fixing the second shell 600B to the connector base 510.

[0130] The connection of the signal conductors 24 of the first cable 20A to the first signal contact 530A and the connection of the signal conductors 24 of the second cable 20B to the second signal contact 530B may be performed simultaneously. The fixing of the first shell 600A to the connector base 510 and the fixing of the second shell 600B to the connector base 510 may be performed simultaneously.

[0131] The assembly procedure for the second connector 3 may further include housing the connector base 510, to which the first shell 600A and the second shell 600B are fixed, in an insulating outer housing 700.

[0132] Fixing the first shell 600A to the connector base 510 may include soldering the first shell 600A to the base plate 512 through the first shell fixing hole 515A and soldering the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A to the base plate 512 through the first fixing hole 514A, and fixing the second shell 600B to the connector base 510 may include soldering the second shell 600B to the base plate 512 through the second shell fixing hole 515B and soldering the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B to the base plate 512 through the second shell fixing hole 515B.

[0133] The soldering of the first shell 600A to the base plate 512, the soldering of the outer conductor 22 of the first cable 20A to the base plate 512, the soldering of the second shell 600B to the base plate 512, and the soldering of the outer conductor 22 of the second cable 20B to the base plate 512 may be performed simultaneously.

[0134] 14 to 17, an example of an assembly procedure will be described below. As shown in Fig. 14, first, a plurality of cables 20, each processed so that the exposed portions of the signal conductors 24 of a pair of electric wires 21 and the exposed portions of the outer conductors 22 are aligned in order from the tip, are arranged on the base unit 500 so as to be aligned along the arrangement direction D21. At this time, the signal conductors 24 of each of the plurality of cables 20 are brought into contact with the corresponding first signal contacts 530A, and the outer conductors 22 of each of the plurality of cables 20 are exposed downward from the corresponding fixing holes 514. In this state, each signal conductor 24 is connected to the first signal contact 530A by a solid-state joining method such as soldering or ultrasonic bonding.

[0135] 15, each of the multiple shells 600 is arranged to surround the corresponding first housing 520A. In this state, soldering is performed from below the base plate 512 through the multiple shell fixing holes 515 and the multiple fixing holes 514 to fix the first cable 20A of the multiple cables 20 and the multiple shells 600 to the base plate 512.

[0136] Next, the base unit 500 to which the multiple shells 600 are fixed is inserted into the outer housing 700 from the rear, causing the multiple housings 520 to protrude forward from the multiple openings 711. Next, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the separator 730 is formed by two-color resin molding. Finally, the locking member 800 is attached to the outer housing 700. This completes the assembly of the second connector 3.

[0137] [Effects of the embodiment] As explained above, The connector (first connector 2) comprises an insulating housing 100 having an opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10, conductive first signal contacts 200A and second signal contacts 200B held in the housing 100 so as to be aligned along an arrangement direction D11 parallel to the opposing surface 101, and electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10, a first shell 300A held in the housing 100 so as to surround the first signal contact 200A around an axis along a mating direction D12 parallel to the opposing surface 101 and perpendicular to the arrangement direction D11, and electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10, and a second shell 300B held in the housing 100 so as to surround the second signal contact 200B around an axis along the mating direction D12, and electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10.

[0138] According to this connector, the first signal contacts 200A are surrounded by the first shell 300A, and the second signal contacts 200B are surrounded by the second shell 300B, which is separate from the first shell 300A. By providing separate shells for the first signal contacts 200A and the second signal contacts 200B, the relative positions of the signal contacts and the shells can be individually optimized. The first shell 300A surrounds the first signal contacts 200A around an axis along the mating direction D12 parallel to the opposing surface 101, and the second shell 300B surrounds the second signal contacts 200B around an axis along the same mating direction D12. This restricts the mating direction D12 of the mating connector to a direction parallel to the circuit board 10. This allows the height of the connecting portion 201 formed by the connector and the mating connector to be reduced. This effectively achieves both improved signal transmission characteristics and a reduced height.

[0139] The first signal contact 200A has a first connection portion 201 electrically connected to the circuit board 10 and a first contact portion 202 protruding from the first connection portion 201 along the mating direction D12, and the second signal contact 200B has a second connection portion 201 electrically connected to the circuit board 10 and a second contact portion 202 protruding from the second connection portion 201 in the same direction as the protruding direction D13 of the first contact portion 202 relative to the first connection portion 201, and the first shell 300A may surround the first contact portion 202, and the second shell 300B may surround the second contact portion 202. This is effective in achieving both improved signal transmission characteristics and a low profile, while also achieving both improved signal transmission characteristics and ease of attachment to the circuit board 10.

[0140] The first shell 300A may have a pair of first side walls 310 facing each other along the arrangement direction D11 and a first connecting wall 320 connecting the pair of first side walls 310, and the second shell 300B may have a pair of second side walls 310 facing each other along the arrangement direction D11 and a second connecting wall 320 connecting the pair of second side walls 310. In this case, simplifying the shapes of the first shell 300A and the second shell 300B improves the productivity of the connector.

[0141] The first shell 300A may further have a pair of first overhanging portions 340 respectively overhanging from the pair of first side wall portions 310 in a direction D14 opposite to the protruding direction D13 of the first contact portion 202, and the second shell 300B may further have a pair of second overhanging portions 340 respectively overhanging from the pair of second side wall portions 310 in the opposite direction D14, with the first connecting portion 201 being located between the pair of first overhanging portions 340 and the second connecting portion 201 being located between the pair of second overhanging portions 340. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by shielding the first connecting portion 201 and the second connecting portion 201 with the double overhanging portions 340.

[0142] The first shell 300A may further have a pair of first shell connecting portions 341 formed on the pair of first protruding portions 340, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the opposing surface 101 is facing the circuit board 10, and the second shell 300B may further have a pair of second shell connecting portions 341 formed on the pair of second protruding portions 340, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the opposing surface 101 is facing the circuit board 10. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by stabilizing the potential of the first shell 300A and the second shell 300B.

[0143] When the facing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10, the first connecting wall 320 is located between the first contact portion 202 and the circuit board 10, and the second connecting wall 320 is located between the second contact portion 202 and the circuit board 10. The first shell 300A may further have a first intermediate connecting portion 360 formed on the first connecting wall 320 so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the facing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10, and the second shell 300B may further have a second intermediate connecting portion 360 formed on the second connecting wall 320 so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the facing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10. In this case, the potential of the first shell 300A and the second shell 300B can be further stabilized, thereby further improving the signal transmission characteristics.

[0144] With the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10, the housing 100 may have a receding surface 102 facing the circuit board 10 at a position separated from the circuit board 10, a first protrusion protruding from the receding surface 102 and positioned between a pair of first protrusions 340 to hold the first signal contact 200A, and a second protrusion 110B protruding from the receding surface 102 and positioned between the pair of second protrusions 340 to hold the second signal contact 200B. In this case, the first signal contact 200A can be accurately positioned within the first shell 300A, and the first signal contact 200A can be accurately positioned within the second shell 300B. This can improve the stability of signal transmission characteristics.

[0145] The first shell 300A may further include a first anchor portion 350 that protrudes from the first connecting wall portion 320 in the opposite direction D14 and is held by the first convex portion, and a first intermediate connecting portion 360 that is formed at an end of the first anchor portion 350 so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10. The second shell 300B may further include a second anchor portion 350 that protrudes from the second connecting wall portion 320 in the opposite direction D14 and is held by the second convex portion 110B, and a second intermediate connecting portion 360 that is formed at an end of the second anchor portion 350 so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 when the opposing surface 101 faces the circuit board 10. The first anchor portion 350 improves the fixing strength of the first shell 300A to the first convex portion, and the second anchor portion 350 improves the fixing strength of the second shell 300B to the second convex portion 110B. The protruding portions 340, such as the first anchor portion 350 and the second anchor portion 350, function like radio antennas and can be a factor in degrading signal transmission characteristics. In contrast, the first anchor portion 350 is provided with the first intermediate connecting portion 360, and the second anchor portion 350 is provided with the second intermediate connecting portion 360, thereby suppressing degradation of signal transmission characteristics caused by the formation of the first anchor portion 350 and the second anchor portion 350. This is therefore effective in achieving both improved fixing strength between the first shell 300A and the second shell 300B and improved signal transmission characteristics.

[0146] The first intermediate connecting portion 360 may protrude from an end of the first anchor portion 350 in a direction away from the receding surface 102, and the second intermediate connecting portion 360 may protrude from an end of the second anchor portion 350 in a direction away from the receding surface 102. A first slit 113 that allows displacement of the first intermediate connecting portion 360 along the fitting direction D12 may be formed in the first convex portion, and a second slit 113 that allows displacement of the second intermediate connecting portion 360 along the fitting direction D12 may be formed in the second convex portion 110B. In this case, the workability of assembling the first shell 300A to the first convex portion and the workability of assembling the second shell 300B to the second convex portion 110B are improved.

[0147] The housing 100 may further include a first support portion 114A that protrudes from the first protrusion in the protruding direction D13 of the first contact portion 202 and is located between the first contact portion 202 and the first connecting wall portion 320, and a second support portion that protrudes from the second protrusion 110B in the protruding direction D13 of the first contact portion 202 and is located between the second contact portion 202 and the second connecting wall portion 320. In this case, it is possible to improve the reliability of contact of the first contact portion 202 with the mating first signal contact of the mating connector and the reliability of contact of the second contact portion 202 with the mating second signal contact of the mating connector.

[0148] First shell 300A may further have a first opposing wall portion 330 opposing first connecting wall portion 320 along a direction perpendicular to opposing surface 101, and second shell 300B may further have a second opposing wall portion 330 opposing second connecting wall portion 320 along a direction perpendicular to opposing surface 101. In this case, by surrounding first signal contact 200A with the pair of first side wall portions 310, first connecting wall portion 320, and first opposing wall portion 330, and surrounding second signal contact 200B with the pair of second side wall portions 310, second connecting wall portion 320, and second opposing wall portion 330, it is possible to further improve signal transmission characteristics.

[0149] The first shell 300A may further have a first opposing wall portion 330 that faces the first connecting wall portion 320 along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface 101 and is located between the first contact portion 202 and the receding surface 102, and a first receiving space IS may be formed between the first contact portion 202 and the first opposing wall portion 330, and the second shell 300B may further have a second opposing wall portion 330 that faces the second connecting wall portion 320 along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface 101 and is located between the second contact portion 202 and the receding surface 102, and a second receiving space IS may be formed between the second contact portion 202 and the second opposing wall portion 330. In this case, by sandwiching the mating first signal contact of the mating connector between the first opposing wall portion 330 and the first support portion 114A, and sandwiching the mating second signal contact of the mating connector between the second opposing wall portion 330 and the second support portion, the reliability of the contact of the first contact portion 202 with the mating first signal contact of the mating connector and the contact of the second contact portion 202 with the mating second signal contact of the mating connector can be improved.

[0150] The first shell 300A may further have first shell slits 333 that divide the first opposing wall 330 so as to correspond to each of the pair of first side walls 310, and the second shell 300B may further have second shell slits 333 that divide the second opposing wall 330 so as to correspond to each of the pair of second side walls 310. In this case, the workability when fitting a mating connector to the connector is improved.

[0151] The first shell 300A may enclose a pair of first signal contacts 200A including a first signal contact 200A, where the pair of first signal contacts 200A transmits a first differential signal, and the second shell 300B may enclose a pair of second signal contacts 200B including a second signal contact 200B, where the pair of second signal contacts 200B transmits a second actuation signal. In this case, by arranging the pair of signal contacts that transmit the actuation signal within the same shell, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved.

[0152] The housing 100 has a rear surface 103 of the opposing surface 101, and the connector may further include a conductive outer shell 400 that covers the rear surface 103. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by strengthening the shielding properties.

[0153] The outer shell 400 has a main plate portion 410 covering the rear surface 103, and a pair of outer side walls 420 provided at both ends of the main plate portion 410 in the arrangement direction D11, and the first shell 300A and the second shell 300B may be located between the pair of outer side walls 420 when viewed from the protruding direction D13 of the first contact portion 202. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by strengthening the shielding properties.

[0154] The outer shell 400 may further have a pair of outer connection portions 421 formed on the pair of outer side wall portions 420, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board 10 with the opposing surface 101 facing the circuit board 10. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by stabilizing the potential of the outer shell 400.

[0155] The connector system 1 includes the above connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector along a mating direction D12. The mating connector includes an insulating mating first housing that is inserted into the first shell 300A along the mating direction D12, an insulating mating second housing that is inserted into the second shell 300B along the mating direction D12, a mating first signal contact that is held in the mating first housing so as to contact the first signal contact 200A in the first shell 300A and is connected to a first signal conductor of a first cable, and a mating second housing that is inserted into the second shell 300B along the mating direction D12. The connector system 1 includes a mating second signal contact held in the mating second housing so as to contact the second signal contact (200B) and connected to the second signal conductor of the second cable, a conductive mating first shell surrounding the mating first housing about an axis along the mating direction (D12), and a conductive mating second shell surrounding the mating second housing about an axis along the mating direction (D12), wherein the first shell (300A) complements the surrounding of the mating first housing by the mating first shell, and the second shell (300B) complements the surrounding of the mating second housing by the mating second shell. According to this connector system 1, cooperation between the connector and the mating connector can further achieve both improved signal transmission characteristics and a reduced height.

[0156] The mating connector may further include a base plate that electrically connects the mating first shell and the mating second shell. In this case, the signal transmission characteristics can be further improved by suppressing the potential difference between the mating first shell and the mating second shell at a position away from the circuit board 10.

[0157] Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the exemplified embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 1...connector system, 2...first connector, 100...housing, 101...opposing surface, 102...receding surface, D11...arrangement direction, D12...mating direction, 200A...first signal contact, 201...connecting portion, 202...contact portion, 200B...second signal contact, 300A...first shell, 310...side wall portion, 320...connecting wall portion, 330...opposing wall portion, 333...shell slit, IS...receiving space, 340...extending portion, 341...shell connecting portion, 350...anchor portion, 360...intermediate connecting portion, 300B...second shell, 113...slit, 114A...first support portion, 110B...second convex portion, 103...back surface, 400...outer shell, 410...main board portion, 420...outer side wall portion, 421...outer connecting portion, 10...circuit board.

Claims

1. an insulating housing having a surface facing the circuit board; a first signal contact and a second signal contact, which are held by the housing so as to be aligned along an arrangement direction parallel to the opposing surface, and which are electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board; a first shell held by the housing so as to surround the first signal contacts around an axis along a mating direction that is parallel to the opposing surface and perpendicular to the arrangement direction, and the first shell is electrically connected to the circuit board with the opposing surface facing the circuit board; a second shell that is held by the housing so as to surround the second signal contact about an axis along the mating direction, and that is electrically connected to the circuit board with the opposing surface facing the circuit board, The first signal contact comprises: a first connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board; a first contact portion protruding from the first connection portion along the fitting direction, The second signal contact is a second connection portion electrically connected to the circuit board; a second contact portion protruding from the second connection portion in the same direction as the protruding direction of the first contact portion relative to the first connection portion, the first shell surrounds the first contact portion; the second shell surrounds the second contact portion; The first shell is a pair of first side wall portions facing each other along the arrangement direction; a first connecting wall portion connecting the pair of first side wall portions, The second shell is a pair of second side wall portions facing each other along the arrangement direction; a second connecting wall portion connecting the pair of second side wall portions, The housing includes: a recessed surface that faces the circuit board at a position away from the circuit board when the facing surface faces the circuit board; a first protrusion that protrudes from the recessed surface toward the circuit board and holds the first signal contact; a second protrusion protruding from the recessed surface toward the circuit board and holding the second signal contact; a first support portion that projects from the first protrusion in the protruding direction and is positioned between the first contact portion and the first connecting wall portion; a second support portion that projects from the second protrusion in the protruding direction and is positioned between the second contact portion and the second connecting wall portion.

2. the first shell further includes a pair of first shell connection portions electrically connected to the circuit board with the opposing surface facing the circuit board, the second shell further includes a pair of second shell connecting portions electrically connected to the circuit board with the opposing surface facing the circuit board, the first connection portion is located between the pair of first shell connection portions, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein said second connecting portion is located between said pair of second shell connecting portions.

3. When the opposing surface faces the circuit board, the first connecting wall portion is located between the first contact portion and the circuit board, and the second connecting wall portion is located between the second contact portion and the circuit board, the first shell further includes a first intermediate connection portion formed on the first coupling wall portion so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board, 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the second shell further includes a second intermediate connection portion formed on the second connecting wall portion so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface faces the circuit board.

4. The first shell is a first anchor portion that protrudes from the first connecting wall portion in a direction opposite to the protruding direction and is held by the first protrusion; a first intermediate connection portion formed at an end of the first anchor portion so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board with the opposing surface facing the circuit board, The second shell is a second anchor portion that protrudes from the second connecting wall portion in the opposite direction and is held by the second protrusion; A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a second intermediate connection portion formed at an end of the second anchor portion so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surface is facing the circuit board.

5. the first intermediate connecting portion protrudes from an end of the first anchor portion in a direction away from the receding surface; the second intermediate connecting portion protrudes from an end of the second anchor portion in a direction away from the receding surface; a first slit that allows displacement of the first intermediate connection portion along the fitting direction is formed in the first protrusion; The connector according to claim 4 , wherein the second protrusion has a second slit formed therein to allow displacement of the second intermediate connecting portion along the fitting direction.

6. the first shell further includes a first opposing wall portion that faces the first connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface, 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second shell further includes a second opposing wall portion that faces the second connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface.

7. the first shell further includes a first opposing wall portion that faces the first connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface and is located between the first contact portion and the receding surface, a first receiving space is formed between the first contact portion and the first opposing wall portion; the second shell further includes a second opposing wall portion that faces the second connecting wall portion along a direction perpendicular to the opposing surface and is located between the second contact portion and the receding surface, 7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a second receiving space is formed between the second contact portion and the second opposing wall portion.

8. the first shell further includes first shell slits that divide the first opposing wall portion so as to correspond to the pair of first side wall portions, 8. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the second shell further includes second shell slits that divide the second opposing wall portion into portions corresponding to the pair of second side wall portions, respectively.

9. the first shell encloses a pair of first signal contacts including the first signal contact, the pair of first signal contacts transmitting a first differential signal; The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second shell surrounds a pair of second signal contacts including the second signal contact, and the pair of second signal contacts transmit a second differential signal.

10. The housing has a back surface of the opposing surface, The connector comprises: The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a conductive outer shell covering the rear surface.

11. The outer shell is a main plate portion covering the back surface; a pair of outer side wall portions provided at both ends of the main plate portion in the arrangement direction, The connector according to claim 10 , wherein the first shell and the second shell are located between the pair of outer side wall portions when viewed from the protruding direction.

12. 12. The connector according to claim 11, wherein the outer shell further includes a pair of outer connection portions formed on the pair of outer side wall portions, respectively, so as to be electrically connected to the circuit board when the opposing surfaces are facing the circuit board.

13. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a mating connector that mates with the connector along the mating direction, The mating connector is an insulating mating first housing inserted into the first shell along the fitting direction; an insulating mating second housing inserted into the second shell along the fitting direction; a mating first signal contact held by the mating first housing so as to contact the first signal contact within the first shell and connected to a first signal conductor of a first cable; a mating second signal contact held by the mating second housing so as to contact the second signal contact within the second shell and connected to a second signal conductor of a second cable; a conductive mating first shell surrounding the mating first housing around an axis along the fitting direction; a conductive mating second shell surrounding the mating second housing around an axis along the fitting direction, A connector system wherein the first shell complements the surrounding of the mating first housing by the mating first shell, and the second shell complements the surrounding of the mating second housing by the mating second shell.

14. The connector system according to claim 13 , wherein the mating connector further comprises a base plate that electrically connects the mating first shell and the mating second shell.

Images