connector

Abstract

To realize additional low height of a connector.SOLUTION: A plug connector 10 is a connector that holds a plurality of cables, and can be fitted to a substrate against a mating connector installed to the substrate in a vertical direction, including a plurality of contacts 13 that is individually connected to an inner conductor 91 as a signal conductor of the plurality of cables, a housing 12 that includes a fitting part fitted to the mating connector, and a shell 11 covering one part of the housing 12. The contact 13 is formed by: a connection part 13a connected to the inner conductor 91; a contact part 13c contacted to the contact of the mating connector so as to be provided to the fitting part; and a coupling part 13b connecting the connection part 13a and the contact part 13c. The contact 13 is bent so that the contact part 13c and the connection part 13a are positioned so as to be near to the substrate from the coupling part 13b at the time of being fitted to the mating connector. The shell 11 includes an exposure part in which one part of the coupling part 13b or the housing 12 covering the coupling part 13b is exposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a cable-side connector and a board-side connector are fitted together as a connector for connecting a plurality of electric cables to wiring on a board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, with the trend towards thinner and smaller electronic devices, it has been desired to reduce the height of connectors as well.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that enables further reduction in the height of a connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a connector that holds a plurality of cables and is matable perpendicular to a mating connector installed on a substrate, and comprises a plurality of conductive contacts that are individually connected to the signal conductors of the plurality of cables, a housing having a mating portion that mates with the mating connector, and a conductive shell that covers a part of the housing, wherein the contacts consist of a connecting portion that is connected to the signal conductors, a contact portion provided on the mating portion that contacts the contacts of the mating connector, and a connecting portion that connects the connecting portion and the contact portion, and the contacts are bent such that when mated with the mating connector the contacts and the contact portions are located closer to the substrate than the connecting portion, and the shell has an exposed portion in which the connecting portion or a part of the housing that covers the connecting portion is exposed.

[0007] With the above connector, the contact portion and connection portion of the contacts are bent so that they are positioned closer to the substrate than the connecting portion when mated with the mating connector, thereby allowing the contact portion and connection portion to be positioned closer to the substrate. In particular, the signal conductor connected to the connecting portion is held in a position closer to the substrate. Furthermore, by configuring the connector so that the connecting portion or a part of the housing covering the connecting portion is exposed from the exposed portion of the shell, it is possible to prevent the shell from being laminated on the connecting portion or a part of the housing covering the connecting portion at the exposed portion, thereby enabling a lower profile connector.

[0008] The contact may be provided integrally with the housing.

[0009] As described above, by integrating the contact and the housing, the housing's ability to retain the contact can be improved.

[0010] The fitting portion has a pair of opposing wall surfaces along the direction in which the contact extends, and the plurality of contacts consists of a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts, the contact portion of the first contact is provided on one of the wall surfaces, the contact portion of the second contact is provided on the other wall surface, and the first contacts and the second contacts may be provided alternately along the direction in which the plurality of contacts are aligned.

[0011] As described above, by arranging the first and second contacts alternately, it is possible to ensure sufficient spacing between the first contacts and between the second contacts.

[0012] The exposed portion may be formed by an opening provided in the shell, and the housing may have a protrusion that is inserted into the opening.

[0013] By configuring the exposed area to be an opening and the housing to be inserted into the opening, a low profile can be achieved.

[0014] The movement of the housing relative to the shell may be restricted by the fixation of the protrusion and the inner surface of the opening.

[0015] As described above, by fixing the protrusion to the inner surface of the opening and restricting the movement of the housing relative to the shell, the overall integration of the connector is further promoted.

[0016] The connecting portion includes a straight portion provided along the main surface of the substrate when mated with the mating connector, and the straight portion or the housing covering the straight portion may be exposed through the opening.

[0017] The connecting portion is provided at a position farther from the substrate than the contact portion and the connection portion. By configuring such a connecting portion such that a straight portion or a housing covering the straight portion is exposed from the opening, it becomes possible to configure the straight portion and the shell to be closer to each other, and it is possible to achieve a lower profile of the entire connector.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, a technique for further reducing the profile of the connector is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plug connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a top view of the plug connector, and FIG. 3(b) is a bottom view of the plug connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plug connector excluding the first shell and the cable. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first shell of the plug connector. [Figure 6] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are views taken along the arrows VIa-VIa and VIb-VIb of FIG. 3(a), respectively. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a top view of the receptacle connector, and FIG. 8(b) is a bottom view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 9] FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are views taken along the arrows IXa-IXa and IXb-IXb of FIG. 8(a), respectively. [Figure 10] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams for explaining the mating state in the connector device, and are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The embodiments relating to this disclosure described below will be explained, but this disclosure should not be limited to the following. In the following description, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0021] [Overview of Connector Device] Referring to Figure 1, the overview of the connector device will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the connector device 1, which is a type of electrical connector, comprises a plug connector 10 and a receptacle connector 30 (mating connector).

[0022] The plug connector 10 is attached to the electrical cable 90 and electrically connected to the electrical cable 90. The receptacle connector 30 is attached to the circuit board 70 and electrically connected to the circuit board 70.

[0023] The plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 are configured to be able to be mated and unmated with each other along a third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 (e.g., the XY plane). When the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated, the conductive path (e.g., wiring, not shown) formed on the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 and the electrical cable 90 are electrically connected. Thus, the connector device 1 is a device for electrically and physically connecting the conductive path and the electrical cable.

[0024] The circuit board 70 is a type of substrate on which electronic circuits and electronic components are mounted, such as a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board. The circuit board 70 has a receptacle connector 30 mounted on its main surface 70s by soldering or the like.

[0025] The electrical cable 90 is wiring used to transmit signals and the like between various circuit boards built into small electronic devices such as mobile phones, and is, for example, a coaxial cable. The electrical cable 90 extends along a first direction (for example, the X-axis direction) when the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated. The plug connector 10 may be a connector for a coaxial cable that extends along the first direction. The electrical cable 90 includes an internal conductor 91 (signal conductor) made of a linear metal wire (for example, copper wire), an insulator 92 covering the circumferential surface of the internal conductor 91, an external conductor 93 made of a cylindrical metal braided wire that covers the circumferential surface of the insulator 92, and a protective coating 94 on the circumferential surface of the external conductor 93 (see Figure 6).

[0026] In the following embodiments, the first direction is described as being along the X-axis direction, the second direction as being along the Y-axis direction, and the third direction as being along the Z-axis direction.

[0027] [Plug connector] Next, the plug connector 10 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2, 3(a),(b), 4, 5, and 6(a),(b). The plug connector 10 is a long connector whose main body extends along a second direction (Y-axis direction), and is configured to mate with the mating connector, the receptacle connector 30, and to which the electrical cable 90 is connected. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a),(b), the plug connector 10 includes a shell 11 (plug shell), a housing 12 (plug housing), and a plurality of contacts 13 (plug contacts). The plurality of contacts 13 consists of a plurality of first contacts 13A and a plurality of second contacts 13B.

[0028] The housing 12 is made of an insulating material containing resin and holds a plurality of contacts 13, while also insulating the shell 11 from the contacts 13. As shown in Figures 4 and 6(a) and 6(b), the housing 12 includes, for example, a main body 12a and a tip 12b. The main body 12a extends along the Y-axis. Also, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the main body 12a holds the contacts 13 and has a notch 12c at one end along the X-axis (the end connected to the electrical cable 90) in which the tip of the contact 13 is exposed and the contact 13 is positioned in a connected state to the tip of the electrical cable 90.

[0029] The tip portion 12b protrudes in the X-axis direction from one end of the main body portion 12a (the end with the notch portion 12c is the opposite end). The tip portion 12b holds the contact 13 which extends in the X-axis direction. The tip portion 12b, together with the contact 13, constitutes the protrusion W of the plug connector 10. The protrusion W functions as a mating portion for the receptacle connector 30. Therefore, the thickness of the tip portion 12b (length in the Z-axis direction) corresponds to the height of the groove portion 32c of the receptacle connector 30 (length in the Z-axis direction). The tip portion 12b has a pair of sides extending in the Y-axis direction, one side 12f which is far from the electrical cable 90 and the other side 12g which is close to the electrical cable 90.

[0030] As shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), when the plug connector 10 is mated with the receptacle connector 30, the contact 13 attached to the tip portion 12b and the contact 33 exposed from the groove portion 32c come into contact, forming, for example, part of a signal circuit.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, protrusions 12d are formed on the upper surfaces of the main body portion 12a and the tip portion 12b. These protrusions 12d are shaped to correspond to the opening 11d of the shell 11, which will be described later, and when assembled, the protrusions 12d fit into the opening 11d. This point will be explained later.

[0032] The shell 11 is made of, for example, a pressed metal plate member and is elastic and conductive. The shell 11 also includes a first shell 11A that covers the upper part of the housing 12 and a second shell 11B that is connected to the first shell 11A and covers the lower part of the housing 12.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, for example, the first shell 11A includes an upper wall portion 11a, a side wall portion 11b, and a front wall portion 11c.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3(a), the upper wall portion 11a covers the tip of the electrical cable 90 and also covers the upper surface of the housing 12. The upper wall portion 11a extends in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 5. The upper wall portion 11a is provided with two openings 11d that extend in the Y-axis direction. The openings 11d are positioned to overlap with the electrical cable 90 in the Y-axis direction. As described above, the protrusions 12d of the housing 12 fit into the openings 11d. The openings 11d and the protrusions 12d of the housing 12 are fixed together. As a result, the housing 12 and the first shell 11A are integrated and the movement of the housing 12 relative to the first shell 11A is restricted.

[0035] As described above, the protrusion 12d of the housing 12 fits into the opening 11d, resulting in the formation of an exposed portion 15 on the upper surface of the shell 11 where the housing 12 is exposed from the opening 11d, as shown in Figure 2, etc. In other words, the inside of the opening 11d corresponds to the exposed portion 15.

[0036] Returning to Figure 5, the side wall portions 11b are provided so as to extend downward (in the direction in which the protrusion W protrudes) from both ends of the upper wall portion 11a in the Y-axis direction. The pair of side wall portions 11b are provided so as to face each other.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the front wall portion 11c is provided so as to extend downward (in the direction in which the protrusion W protrudes) from one end of the upper wall portion 11a in the X-axis direction (the end opposite to the end to which the electrical cable 90 is connected). When the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated together, the front wall portion 11c is provided so as to overlap the side wall portion 31b of the shell 31 of the receptacle connector 30.

[0038] The second shell 11B is located below the housing 12. As shown in Figures 3(b), 4, and 6(a),(b), the second shell 11B has a bottom wall 11e and side walls 11f.

[0039] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the bottom wall portion 11e is provided so as to be continuous with the end of the main body portion 12a of the housing 12 where the notch portion 12c is provided, and is located below the tip of the electrical cable 90. The bottom wall portion 11e extends in the Y-axis direction.

[0040] The side wall portion 11f is provided so as to extend upward (in the direction in which the housing 12 is stacked) from both ends of the bottom wall portion 11e in the Y-axis direction. The pair of side wall portions 11f are provided so as to face each other and are configured to sandwich the housing 12 in the Y-axis direction. When the plug connector 10 is assembled, the side wall portion 11f of the second shell 11B and the side wall portion 11b of the first shell 11A come into contact. As a result, the entire shell 11 is at the same potential.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the shell 11 is provided with a cable support portion 11g that is continuous with the bottom wall portion 11e and the top wall portion 11a, supporting the area around the outer conductor 93 at the tip of the electrical cable 90 and electrically connected to the outer conductor 93.

[0042] The multiple contacts 13 are made of, for example, pressed metal plate members and are conductive. The multiple contacts 13 are arranged along the Y-axis. As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), each contact 13 extends along the X-axis and includes a connecting portion 13a, a linking portion 13b, and a contact portion 13c. The first contact 13A and the second contact 13B differ in some shape and have different mounting positions in the plug connector 10, so they will be described individually below, including their mounting positions.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6(b), the connection portion 13a of the first contact 13A extends inside the housing 12 along the internal conductor 91 at the end of the electrical cable 90, and the exposed internal conductor 91 is connected by solder M. The connecting portion 13b of the first contact 13A connects the connection portion 13a and the contact portion 13c. The contact portion 13c of the first contact 13A extends along the end portion 12b of the housing 12, and its upper part is exposed on the side surface 12g, which is the side of the end portion 12b facing the electrical cable 90. In the mated state of the receptacle connector 30 and the plug connector 10, the contact portion 13c contacts the first contact 33A of the receptacle connector 30. The contact portion 13c may have a recess 13d formed therein to ensure reliable contact with the first contact 33A.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6(b), the connecting portion 13b has a straight portion 13e in the central part that extends horizontally (XY direction), and a downward portion 13f at the end that is bent downward (in the direction in which the convex portion W protrudes). As a result, the contact portion 13c and the connecting portion 13a are bent so that when mated with the receptacle connector 30, which is the mating connector, they are located below the central part of the connecting portion 13b, that is, closer to the circuit board 70. In addition, the upper surface of the straight portion 13e (the surface closer to the upper wall portion 11a of the shell 11) is at approximately the same height as the lower surface of the upper wall portion 11a (the surface facing the electrical cable 90).

[0045] As shown in Figure 6(a), the connection portion 13a of the second contact 13B extends inside the housing 12 along the internal conductor 91 at the end of the electrical cable 90, and the exposed internal conductor 91 is connected by solder M. The connecting portion 13b of the second contact 13B connects the connection portion 13a and the contact portion 13c. The contact portion 13c of the second contact 13B extends along the end portion 12b of the housing 12, and its upper part is exposed on the side surface 12f, which is the side of the end portion 12b opposite to the side facing the electrical cable 90. When the receptacle connector 30 and the plug connector 10 are mated, the contact portion 13c contacts the second contact 33B of the receptacle connector 30. The contact portion 13c may have a recess 13d to ensure reliable contact with the second contact 33B.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6(a), the connecting portion 13b has a straight portion 13e in the central part that extends horizontally (XY direction), and a downward portion 13f at the end that is bent downward (in the direction in which the convex portion W protrudes). As a result, the contact portion 13c and the connecting portion 13a are bent so that when mated with the receptacle connector 30, which is the mating connector, they are located below the central part of the connecting portion 13b, that is, closer to the circuit board 70. In addition, the upper surface of the straight portion 13e (the surface closer to the upper wall portion 11a of the shell 11) is at approximately the same height as the lower surface of the upper wall portion 11a (the surface facing the electrical cable 90).

[0047] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B are arranged alternately along the Y-axis. Furthermore, the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B are each arranged in a single line along the Y-axis.

[0048] In the plug connector 10 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 6(a), (b), etc., the housing 12 that surrounds the contact 13 is exposed in the exposed portion 15 formed by the opening 11d of the shell 11. Furthermore, the connection between the shell 11 and the housing 12 is made strong by fixing the protrusion 12d of the housing 12 to the inner surface of the opening 11d. However, the shape of the protrusion 12d can be changed as appropriate. In addition, not only the housing 12 but also a part of the contact 13 may be exposed from the exposed portion 15. For example, the inside of the annular protrusion 12d may be recessed until the straight portion 13e of the contact 13 can be seen. In this case, both the protrusion 12d of the housing 12 and the contact 13 will be exposed from the exposed portion 15. Furthermore, the housing 12 may be configured without forming the protrusion 12d, and the housing 12 may be provided to the extent that at least the contact 13 and the shell 11 are insulated. Furthermore, in the plug connector 10 described above, the protrusion 12d has a flat top surface and a rectangular shape, corresponding to the shape of the opening 11d. Alternatively, the protrusion 12d may be an annular shape corresponding to the inner surface of the opening 11d. In this case as well, the inner surface of the opening 11d and the protrusion 12d of the housing 12 can be fixed together, thus ensuring a strong connection between the shell 11 and the housing 12. In this way, the shape of the housing 12 around the exposed portion 15 can be modified as appropriate.

[0049] [Receptacle Connector] The receptacle connector 30 will be described with reference to Figures 7, 8(a),(b), and 9(a),(b). The receptacle connector 30 is an elongated connector whose main body extends along the second direction (Y-axis direction), and is attached to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 (see Figure 7).

[0050] As shown in Figures 7, 8(a), (b), etc., the receptacle connector 30 includes a shell 31, a housing 32 facing the circuit board 70, and a plurality of contacts 33. The plurality of contacts 33 are composed of a plurality of first contacts 33A and a plurality of second contacts 33B.

[0051] The housing 32 is made of an insulating material containing resin and holds a plurality of contacts 33 arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction. The housing 32 is also interposed between the shell 31 and the contacts 33, insulating them from each other. As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the housing 32 holds the contacts 33 while covered by the shell 31.

[0052] For example, the housing 32 includes side walls 32a and 32b. The side walls 32a and 32b are sides that extend in the Y-axis direction along the long side of the housing 32. As shown in Figure 9(b), one end of the first contact 33A among the multiple contacts 33 protrudes from the side wall 32a in the X-axis direction. Also, as shown in Figure 9(a), one end of the second contact 33B protrudes from the side wall 32b in the X-axis direction.

[0053] As shown in Figures 7 and 9(a) and 9(b), the housing 32 has a concave groove 32c extending in the Y-axis direction, with an opening on its upper surface. The groove 32c is a space for housing the plug connector 10. The protrusion W of the plug connector 10 (see Figure 3(b), etc.) is housed inside the groove 32c. The other ends of the first contact 33A and the second contact 33B are exposed inside the groove 32c.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9(a), (b), etc., the housing 32 is provided with a through hole 32d for supporting the first contact 33A and a through hole 32e for supporting the second contact 33B. The through holes 32d and 32e are formed to correspond to the mounting positions of the contacts 33.

[0055] Although a portion of the upper surface 32f of the housing 32 is covered by the shell 31, the remaining portion of the upper surface 32f and the bottom surface 32g are exposed and not covered by the shell 31, as shown in Figures 8(a), (b), etc. A pair of side walls extending in the X-axis direction, separate from the side walls 32a and 32b, are covered by the shell 31.

[0056] The shell 31 is made of, for example, a pressed metal plate member and is elastic and conductive. For example, as shown in Figures 7, 8(a), and (b), the shell 31 includes a top surface 31a, a pair of sidewalls 31b and 31c extending along the X-axis, and a pair of sidewalls 31d extending along the Y-axis, so as to cover the housing 32.

[0057] The upper surface portion 31a extends along the XY plane so as to cover the upper surface 32f of the housing 32. Furthermore, near the center along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 31a, the upper surface portion 31a is formed to cover the upper surface of the housing 32 near one end of the first contact 33A and the upper surface of the second contact 33B near one end of the upper surface 32f of the housing 32, with the groove 32c in between.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8(a), etc., the side wall portions 31b and 31c face each other in the X-axis direction and extend along the Y-axis direction. As shown in Figure 7, the side wall portion 31b extends upward from the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 at both ends in the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 9(a), (b), etc., in the central part in the Y-axis direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 31b (the end closer to the circuit board 70) is located away from the circuit board 70. The first contact 33A protrudes from the space below the side wall portion 31b (closer to the circuit board 70) in the central part. Also, the side wall portion 31b and the upper surface portion 31a are continuous at one end of the side wall portion 31b in the Z-axis direction.

[0059] The side wall portion 31c is located outward in the X-axis direction compared to the side wall portion 32b of the housing 32. As shown in Figure 7, at both ends of the side wall portion 31c, it extends upward from the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 9(a), (b), etc., at the center in the Y-axis direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 31c (the end closer to the circuit board 70) is located away from the circuit board 70. The second contact 33B protrudes from the space below the side wall portion 31c (closer to the circuit board 70) in the center. The upper end of the side wall portion 31c is bent along the upper surface 32f of the housing 32. At both ends of the side wall portion 31c in the Y-axis direction, the side wall portion 31c and the upper surface portion 31a are continuous.

[0060] Furthermore, the side walls 31b and 31c are provided with multiple projections 31y that protrude outward (away from the housing 32) along the horizontal direction (XY direction). These projections 31y can be used to fix the shell 31 to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70. That is, the projections 31y can be fixed to the main surface 70s by solder or the like.

[0061] As shown in Figures 8(a), (b), etc., the pair of side wall portions 31d face each other in the Y-axis direction and extend along the X-axis direction. Each pair of side wall portions 31d is provided to cover the sides of both ends of the housing 32 along the Y-axis direction. Each pair of side wall portions 31d is connected to the upper surface portion 31a.

[0062] The contacts 33 (first contact 33A and second contact 33B) are made of, for example, a pressed metal plate member and are elastic and conductive. As shown in Figures 9(a), (b), etc., each contact 33 extends along the X-axis direction and includes a connecting portion 33a, a linking portion 33b, and a contact portion 33c. Furthermore, the contact 33 includes a branching portion 33d that branches off from the linking portion 33b and extends along the X-axis direction. The first contact 33A and the second contact 33B have the same shape, but their mounting positions in the receptacle connector 30 are different, so they will be described individually below, including their mounting positions.

[0063] First, let's describe the parts of the first contact 33A. As shown in Figure 9(b), the connection portion 33a of the first contact 33A is located on the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 and is connected to the conductive path of the circuit board 70 by, for example, solder. The connection portion 33a protrudes from the side wall portion 32a of the housing 32 below the side wall portion 31b of the shell 31.

[0064] The connecting portion 33b of the first contact 33A connects the connecting portion 33a and the contact portion 33c. The connecting portion 33b extends from the side wall portion 32a of the housing 32 into the groove portion 32c.

[0065] The branch portion 33d, which branches off from the connecting portion 33b, extends upward and is inserted into the through hole 32d of the housing 32. The diameter of the through hole 32d corresponds to the outer diameter of the branch portion 33d, and within the through hole 32d, the branch portion 33d is supported by the housing 32. As a result, the first contact 33A is fixed to the housing 32.

[0066] The contact portion 33c of the first contact 33A is a portion that protrudes into the groove portion 32c. As shown in Figure 9(b), the contact portion 33c contacts the contact 13 of the plug connector 10 when the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated. The tip of the contact portion 33c is curved. Furthermore, the contact portion 33c is configured to be elastically deformable.

[0067] The parts of the second contact 33B will now be described. As shown in Figure 9(a), the connection portion 33a of the second contact 33B is located on the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 and is connected to the conductive path of the circuit board 70 by, for example, solder. The connection portion 33a protrudes from the side wall portion 32b of the housing 32 below the side wall portion 31c of the shell 31.

[0068] The connecting portion 33b of the second contact 33B connects the connecting portion 33a and the contact portion 33c. The connecting portion 33b extends from the side wall portion 32b of the housing 32 into the groove portion 32c.

[0069] The branch portion 33d, which branches off from the connecting portion 33b, extends upward and is inserted into the through-hole 32e of the housing 32. The diameter of the through-hole 32e corresponds to the outer diameter of the branch portion 33d, and within the through-hole 32e, the branch portion 33d is supported by the housing 32. As a result, the second contact 33B is fixed to the housing 32.

[0070] The contact portion 33c of the second contact 33B is a portion that protrudes into the groove portion 32c. As shown in Figure 9(a), the contact portion 33c contacts the contact 13 of the plug connector 10 when the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 are mated. The tip portion of the contact portion 33c is curved. Furthermore, the contact portion 33c is configured to be elastically deformable.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8(b), the first contact 33A and the second contact 33B are arranged alternately along the Y-axis. Furthermore, the first contact 33A and the second contact 33B are each arranged in a single line along the Y-axis.

[0072] [Fitting state] Referring to Figures 10(a) and (b), the mating state of the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 30 will be described. When the plug connector 10 is mated with the receptacle connector 30, the protrusion W of the plug connector 10 is accommodated in the groove 32c of the receptacle connector 30, as shown in Figures 10(a) and (b).

[0073] In the mating state, as shown in Figure 10(b), the contact portion 13c of the first contact 13A of the plug connector 10 and the contact portion 33c of the first contact 33A of the receptacle connector 30 come into contact, thereby electrically connecting the first contacts 13A and 33A to each other. Also, as shown in Figure 10(a), the contact portion 13c of the second contact 13B of the plug connector 10 and the contact portion 33c of the second contact 33B of the receptacle connector 30 come into contact, thereby electrically connecting the second contacts 13B and 33B to each other.

[0074] [Effect] In the plug connector 10 included in the connector device 1 described above, the contact 13 is bent so that when mated with the receptacle connector 30, the contact portion 13c and the connecting portion 13a of the contact 13 are located closer to the circuit board 70 than the connecting portion 13b. As a result, the electrical cable 90 connected to the connecting portion 13a is held in a position closer to the circuit board 70. Furthermore, by configuring the connecting portion 13b or the housing 12 covering the connecting portion 13b to be exposed from the exposed portion 15 of the shell 11, it is possible to prevent the shell 11 from being stacked on the connecting portion 13b or the housing 12 covering the connecting portion 13b at the exposed portion 15, thereby enabling a lower profile connector.

[0075] Furthermore, when the plug connector 10 is made low-profile as described above, the connector device 1 is also made low-profile. As described above, in the connector device 1, the plug connector 10 is mated to the receptacle connector 30 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 70. In this case, making the plug connector 10 low-profile also makes the connector device 1 low-profile. Therefore, this connector device 1 is useful in situations where a low-profile connector device 1 is required, such as in thin electronic devices.

[0076] As with the plug connector 10, the contact 13 may be integrally provided with the housing 12. This configuration improves the holding force of the contact 13 by the housing 12 and prevents misalignment of the contact 13.

[0077] The protruding portion W of the plug connector 10, which functions as a mating portion, has a pair of opposing wall surfaces 12f and 12g of the housing, which are the sides of the housing, along the direction in which the contacts 13 extend. The contact portion 13c of the first contact 13A is provided on one side surface 12f, and the contact portion 13c of the second contact 13B is provided on the other side surface 12g. Furthermore, the first contacts 13A and the second contacts 13B are arranged alternately along the direction in which the multiple contacts 13 are aligned. This configuration ensures that the spacing between the first contacts 13A and the spacing between the second contacts 13B can be secured. Therefore, proper insulation can be achieved between the contacts.

[0078] The exposed portion 15 may be formed by an opening 11d provided in the shell 11, and the housing 12 may have a protrusion 12d that is inserted into the opening 11d. By configuring the exposed portion 15 to be formed by an opening 11d and the protrusion 12d of the housing 12 to be inserted into the opening, it is possible to achieve a low profile while appropriately positioning the housing 12 around the contact 13.

[0079] In this configuration, the movement of the housing relative to the shell may be restricted by the fixation of the protrusion 12d and the inner surface of the opening 11d. This configuration further promotes the integration of the plug connector 10 as a whole.

[0080] The connecting portion 13b of the contact 13 may include a straight portion 13e that is provided to follow the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 when mated with the mating connector. In this case, the straight portion 13e or the housing 12 covering the straight portion 13e may be exposed from the opening 11d. As described above, the connecting portion 13b is provided at a position further away from the circuit board 70 than the contact portion 13c and the connecting portion 13a. By configuring the connecting portion 13b such that the straight portion 13e or the housing 12 covering the straight portion 13e is exposed from the opening 11d, it becomes possible to bring the straight portion 13e and the shell 11 closer together, thereby achieving a lower profile for the plug connector 10 as a whole.

[0081] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments illustrated, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0082] For example, the shape of each part of either the plug connector 10 or the receptacle connector 30 is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. The positional relationship between contact 13 and contact 33 may also be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the low-profile structure of the plug connector 10 described in the above embodiment can also be applied to plug connectors that do not distinguish between the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...Connector device, 10...Plug connector, 11...Shell, 11A...First shell, 11B...Second shell, 11d...Opening, 12...Housing, 12a...Main body, 12b...Tip, 12c...Notch, 12d...Protrusion, 13...Contact, 13A...First contact, 13B...Second contact, 13a...Connection part, 13b...Connecting part, 13c...Contact part, 13e...Straight part, 15...Exposed part, 30...Receptacle connector, 31...Shell, 32...Housing, 33...Contact, 33A...First contact, 33B...Second contact, 70...Circuit board, 70s...Main surface, 90...Electrical cable.

Claims

1. A connector that holds multiple cables and can be mated perpendicularly to a mating connector mounted on a circuit board, Multiple conductive contacts, each individually connected to the signal conductors of the aforementioned multiple cables, An insulating housing having a mating portion that fits into the mating connector, A conductive shell covering a portion of the insulating housing, It has, The contact comprises a connecting portion connected to the signal conductor, a contact portion provided in the mating portion that contacts the contact of the mating connector, and a connecting portion that connects the connecting portion and the contact portion. The contact is bent such that, when mated with the mating connector, the contact portion and the connecting portion are positioned closer to the substrate than the connecting portion. The shell is a connector in which the connecting portion, or a part of the insulating housing that covers the connecting portion when viewed from the vertical direction, has an exposed portion that is exposed when viewed from the vertical direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact is integrally provided with the housing.

3. The fitting portion has a pair of opposing wall surfaces along the direction in which the contact extends, The aforementioned plurality of contacts consist of a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of second contacts. The contact portion of the first contact is provided on one of the wall surfaces, The contact portion of the second contact is provided on the other side of the wall surface, The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first contact and the second contact are alternately provided along the direction in which the plurality of contacts are arranged.

4. The exposed portion is formed by an opening provided in the shell, The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing has a protrusion that is inserted into the opening.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the movement of the housing relative to the shell is restricted by the fixation of the protrusion and the inner surface of the opening.

6. The connecting portion includes a straight portion that is provided so as to follow the main surface of the substrate when mated with the mating connector. The connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the straight portion or the housing covering the straight portion is exposed from the opening.

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