Connectors and connector pairs

Abstract

To realize high strength, high shielding effect and high reliability in spite of its small size and low profile.SOLUTION: Terminals are arranged side by side to form rows extending in a longitudinal direction of a connector. A shielding member includes a fixing part, a shielding plate, and a joint part. The fixing part integrally connects and fixes the shielding member to a connector main body with no gap in between, in the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the connector main body. The shielding plate is disposed on a widthwise outer side of the connector main body, in a range at least corresponding to the rows of the terminals in the longitudinal direction of the connector, with a side space provided in between. The joint part connects the shielding plate to the connector main body across the side space in the range corresponding to the rows of the terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a pair of connectors.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to electrically connect a pair of circuit boards, connectors such as board-to-board connectors have been used. Such connectors are attached to each of the mutually facing surfaces of a pair of circuit boards and are configured to fit together and conduct electricity. In addition, a technique of providing a shielding member has been proposed in order to make it less susceptible to external noise and radio waves and to suppress the emission of external noise and radio waves (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 62 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, 811 is a housing of a connector mounted on the surface of a circuit board not shown, and has a receiving recess 812 for receiving a mating connector not shown. The housing 811 includes a central wall portion 813 that is located at the center in the width direction of the receiving recess 812 and extends in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of side wall portions 814 that are located on both the left and right sides of the central wall portion 813 and extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0005] A plurality of terminals 861 are mounted side by side in the longitudinal direction on each side wall portion 814. Each terminal 861 has a pair of contact portions that protrude from the inner wall surfaces of the side wall portions 814 and the central wall portion 813 that face each other, and a connection portion 864 that protrudes outward from the lower end of the side wall portion 814. The connection portion 864 is soldered to a connection pad formed on the surface of the circuit board. Further, when the mating connector is received in the receiving recess 812, the contact portions come into contact with the terminals of the mating connector to conduct electricity.

[0006] Furthermore, a conductive shielding plate 850 is attached to the housing 811 so as to cover the entire outer surface of the side wall portion 814. The shielding plate 850 has a plurality of substrate connection portions 850a, and these substrate connection portions 850a are soldered to connection pads formed on the surface of the circuit board. In this way, since the outer surface of the housing 811 is covered with the conductive shielding plate 850, electromagnetic shielding is provided by the shielding plate 850 to both the connector and the mating connector that is received in the receiving recess 812. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-119119 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the conventional connectors described above cannot adequately cope with the miniaturization of components and the increase in signal speed in recent electronic devices. Electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, music players, game consoles, and navigation devices require smaller and lower profile housings and consequently smaller and lower profile components, as well as higher signal speeds and multi-pole designs to cope with the increase in the amount of communication data and the increase in communication speed and data processing speed. However, in the conventional connectors described above, pursuing miniaturization, lower profile, and multi-pole designs causes the housing 811 to become elongated and warp, reducing the flatness of the substrate connection portion 850a of the shield plate 850, and also making the shield plate 850 itself more prone to deformation, thus reducing the reliability of the connection between the substrate connection portion 850a of the shield plate 850 and the connection pads of the circuit board. Therefore, with the conventional connectors described above, miniaturization, lower profile, and multi-pole designs do not provide a sufficiently high electromagnetic shielding effect, resulting in reduced reliability.

[0009] The objective here is to solve the problems of the conventional connectors described above and to provide a highly reliable connector and connector pair that is small and low-profile, yet exhibits high strength and high shielding effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To that end, the connector comprises a connector body, a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body, and a shielding member surrounding the connector body, and is a connector that mates with a mating connector, wherein the terminals are arranged in a row that extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector, the shielding member includes a fixing part, a shielding plate, and a joint part, the fixing part integrally connects and fixes the shielding member and the connector body near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body so as not to create a gap between them, the shielding plate is disposed on the outside in the width direction of the connector body with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connector, at least in a range corresponding to the row of terminals, via a lateral space, and the joint part is The portion extending from the upper end of the shield plate toward the mounting surface of the connector, and further extending toward the connector body, with its tip embedded and fixed in the connector body, and a portion of the portion extending toward the connector body being integrated with the bottom plate of the connector body and exposed on the lower surface, making it electrically connectable to the substrate on which the connector is mounted. Within the range corresponding to the row of terminals, the shield plate is connected to the connector body across the lateral space.

[0013] Furthermore, in other connectors, the shield plate also has a board connection portion parallel to the surface of the board on which the connector is mounted. Formed around the entire circumference of the shield plate ru.

[0014] In other connectors, the shielding member may further include a second shielding member that surrounds both longitudinal ends of the connector body.

[0015] Furthermore, in other connectors, the second shielding member may be integrated with the shielding member.

[0016] In still other connectors, further, the shielding member surrounds the periphery of a housing portion into which the mating connector is inserted and housed, the shielding plate includes at least two contact portions that contact the shielding plate of the mating connector, and the joint portion is formed between the adjacent contact portions.

[0017] In still other connectors, further, the shielding plate may include a contact portion formed to protrude outward from the outer surface.

[0023] In a connector pair, it has the connector of the present disclosure and a mating connector that fits with the connector. In other connector pairs, a connector pair having a connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector, the connector and the mating connector each comprising a connector body, a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body, and a shielding member surrounding the connector body, the terminals being arranged in a row that extends in the longitudinal direction of the respective connector and mating connector, the shielding member including a fixing portion, an outer wall, and a joint portion, the fixing portion integrally connecting and fixing the shielding member and the connector body near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body so as not to create a gap between them, and the outer wall extending outward in the width direction of the connector body in a range corresponding to at least the row of terminals with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connector The connector is arranged with a lateral space between them, and the shield member of the connector further includes an inner wall and a connecting portion that connects the outer wall and the inner wall, the inner wall is divided by a slit portion, a joint portion is formed between the two slit portions, each joint portion of the connector and the mating connector extends from the upper end of the outer wall toward the respective mounting surfaces of the connector and the mating connector, and further extends toward the connector body, with its tip embedded and fixed in the connector body, a portion of the portion extending toward the connector body being electrically connectable to the substrate on which the connector and the mating connector are mounted, and when the connector and the mating connector are mated, each joint portion of the connector and the mating connector faces each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present disclosure, the connector and the connector pair can exhibit high strength while being small and low-profile, obtain a high shielding effect, and improve reliability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a view seen from obliquely above and (b) is a view seen from obliquely below. [Figure 2] It is a top view of the first connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a three-view drawing of the first connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a side cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A arrow in FIG. 2. [Figure 6]Cross-sectional views of the first connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 2, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] A first perspective partial cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is a perspective partial cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] A second perspective partial cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is a perspective partial cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] A third perspective partial cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is a perspective partial cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 2. [Figure 10] A fourth perspective partial cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is a perspective partial cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 2. [Figure 11] Perspective views of the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a view seen from obliquely below and (b) is a view seen from obliquely above. [Figure 12] Top view of the second connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] Three-view drawings of the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 14] Exploded perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] Side cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 12. [Figure 16] Cross-sectional views of the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 12, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G in FIG. 12, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line H-H in FIG. 12. [Figure 17] A first perspective partial cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, which is a perspective partial cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 12. [Figure 18]This is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the FF in Figure 12. [Figure 19] This is a third perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of GG in Figure 12. [Figure 20] This is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of HH in Figure 12. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view of the first embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, where (a) is a view of the first connector from diagonally above, and (b) is a view of the first connector from diagonally below. [Figure 22] This is a plan view of the first connector as seen from above, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment is completed. [Figure 23] This is a three-view drawing of the first embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view seen from above the second connector, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 24] This is a side cross-sectional view of the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment is completed, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ in Figure 22. [Figure 25] This is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow KK in Figure 22, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow LL in Figure 22, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow MM in Figure 22. [Figure 26] This is a first perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the JJ connector in Figure 22, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment is completed. [Figure 27] This is a second perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the KK connector in Figure 22, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment is completed. [Figure 28]This is a third perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the first embodiment, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed, and is the LL perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 22. [Figure 29] This is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the MM (Min-Min) connector in the first embodiment, showing the state after mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed. [Figure 30] A perspective view of the first connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a view from diagonally above and (b) is a view from diagonally below. [Figure 31] This is a top view of the first connector in the second embodiment. [Figure 32] A three-view drawing of the first connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 33] This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in the second embodiment. [Figure 34] A side cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 31, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow NN in Figure 31. [Figure 35] This is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB arrow in Figure 31, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow in Figure 31, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD arrow in Figure 31. [Figure 36] This is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, and is the AA perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 31. [Figure 37] This is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 31. [Figure 38] A third perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, which is a CC perspective cross-sectional view of one side in Figure 31. [Figure 39] This is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, and is a DD perspective cross-sectional view of one side in Figure 31. [Figure 40]This is a fifth perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the NN side in Figure 31. [Figure 41] A perspective view of the second connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a view from diagonally below and (b) is a view from diagonally above. [Figure 42] This is a top view of the second connector in the second embodiment. [Figure 43] A three-view drawing of the second connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 44] This is an exploded perspective view of the second connector in the second embodiment. [Figure 45] A side cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the EE arrow in Figure 42, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the PP arrow in Figure 42. [Figure 46] This is a cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the FF arrow in Figure 42, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the GG arrow in Figure 42, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the HH arrow in Figure 42. [Figure 47] This is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and is an EE perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 42. [Figure 48] This is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the FF in Figure 42. [Figure 49] This is a third perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of GG in Figure 42. [Figure 50] This is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of HH in Figure 42. [Figure 51] This is a fifth perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the PP in Figure 42. [Figure 52]This is a perspective view of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, where (a) is a view of the first connector from diagonally above, and (b) is a view of the first connector from diagonally below. [Figure 53] This is a plan view of the first connector as seen from above, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment is completed. [Figure 54] This is a three-view drawing of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view seen from above the second connector, and (c) is a front view. [Figure 55] The second embodiment shows a side cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in a state where mating is completed, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the JJ arrow in Figure 53, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the RR arrow in Figure 53. [Figure 56] This is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow KK in Figure 53, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow LL in Figure 53, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow MM in Figure 53. [Figure 57] This is a first perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the JJ connector in Figure 53, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment is completed. [Figure 58] This is a second perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the KK connector in Figure 53, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment is completed. [Figure 59] This is a third perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the second embodiment, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed, and is the LL perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 53. [Figure 60] This is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the MM (Min-Min) in the second embodiment, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed. [Figure 61]A fifth perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the second embodiment, showing the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed, and is an RR perspective cross-sectional view of one side of Figure 43. [Figure 62] This is a perspective view showing a conventional connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a top view of the first connector in the first embodiment, Figure 3 is a three-view drawing of the first connector in the first embodiment, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment, Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is the cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 2, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, Figure 7 is a first perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is the perspective cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 2, Figure 8 is a second perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is the perspective cross-sectional view taken along arrow BB in Figure 2, Figure 9 is a third perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is the perspective cross-sectional view taken along arrow CC in Figure 2, and Figure 10 is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of one side of the first connector in the first embodiment, which is the perspective cross-sectional view taken along arrow DD in Figure 2. In Figure 1, (a) is a view from diagonally above, and (b) is a view from diagonally below. In Figure 3, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view. In Figure 6, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB arrow in Figure 2, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow in Figure 2, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD arrow in Figure 2.

[0028] In the figure, 10 is a connector in this embodiment, and is a first connector as one of a pair of board-to-board connectors that form a connector pair. The first connector 10 is a surface-mount type receptacle connector mounted on the surface of a first substrate, which is a substrate not shown as a mounting member, and is mated with the second connector 101, which will be described later. The second connector 101 is the other connector in the pair of board-to-board connectors, and is a surface-mount type plug connector mounted on the surface of a second substrate, which is a substrate not shown as a mounting member. The first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are the mating connectors in the pair of board-to-board connectors.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 of the connector pair are preferably used to electrically connect the first substrate and the second substrate as substrates, but they can also be used to electrically connect other components. The first substrate and the second substrate are, for example, printed circuit boards used in electronic devices, flexible flat cables (FFCs), flexible printed circuits (FPCs), etc., but any type of substrate may be used.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back, used to describe the configuration and operation of each part of the connector pair, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101, are relative rather than absolute. They are appropriate when each part of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is in the position shown in the figure, but should be modified and interpreted accordingly if the position changes.

[0031] The first connector 10 comprises a first shield 50, which serves as a shielding member formed by punching, drawing, or other processes on a conductive metal plate, and a first housing 11, which serves as a connector body integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The first housing 11 comprises a flat bottom plate 18, three elongated protrusions 13 extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate 18, and corner portions 17 projecting upward from the four corners of the bottom plate 18.

[0032] The corner portion 17 is the main part to which the first shield 50 is connected when the first shield 50 is integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding. That is, the first housing 11 is molded by filling an insulating material such as synthetic resin into the cavity of a mold in which the first shield 50 has been set beforehand, and is integrally connected with the first shield 50 at the corner portion 17 and other parts. Therefore, the first housing 11 and the first shield 50 do not exist separately, but in Figure 4, for the sake of explanation, the first housing 11 and the first shield 50 are shown as existing separately.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, each corner 17 has a shape like one of the four divisions of the cylindrical wall of a cylinder with an oval cross-section. In plan view, it includes an upper wall portion 17a consisting of an arc-shaped portion with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees and a straight portion extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10, an outer wall portion 17b extending downward (negative Z-axis direction) from the outer edge of the upper wall portion 17a, and an inner wall portion 17c extending downward from the inner edge of the upper wall portion 17a. The interior of the corner 17 is a cavity portion 17d, which is a space defined by the upper wall portion 17a, the outer wall portion 17b, and the inner wall portion 17c, with its lower end open. Furthermore, the inner wall portion 17c has a shield housing portion 17e recessed to accommodate the inner wall 51 near the corner portion of the first shield 50. Furthermore, the lower end of the inner wall portion 17c is connected to the tip of a connecting portion 18a that extends outward at each of the four corners of the bottom plate 18.

[0034] Furthermore, the corner portion 17 includes a separation projection 17f that extends continuously across the outer circumferential surfaces of the upper wall portion 17a, the outer wall portion 17b, and the inner wall portion 17c. The separation projection 17f is a projection formed at a position corresponding to the cutout portion 50c that separates the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b of the first shield 50. At each corner portion 17, the short side portion 50b is integrally connected to the portion of the first connector 10 that is longitudinally outward from the separation projection 17f, and the long side portion 50a is integrally connected to the portion of the first connector 10 that is longitudinally inward from the separation projection 17f.

[0035] The first protrusion 13 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped member extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the first connector 10, and includes a pair of outer protrusions 13a extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 on both sides in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10, an inner protrusion 13b extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 at the center in the width direction, and outer end protrusions 13c connected to each of the longitudinal ends of the outer protrusions 13a. Between the outer protrusions 13a on both the left and right sides of the inner protrusion 13b, a pair of inner recessed grooves 12a are formed as part of the first recess 12, which are recesses extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10.

[0036] Here, a first signal terminal housing cavity 15 is formed from the left and right sides of the inner protrusion 13b, through the bottom surface of the inner groove 12a, to the side surface of the outer protrusion 13a. In the example shown in the figure, the first signal terminal housing cavity 15 is formed so as to penetrate the bottom plate 18 in the plate thickness direction (Z axis direction). Of the first signal terminal housing cavity 15, the groove-shaped portions formed on the left and right sides of the inner protrusion 13b are referred to as the first signal terminal housing inner cavity 15a, and the groove-shaped portion formed on the side of the outer protrusion 13a facing the inner protrusion 13b is referred to as the first signal terminal housing outer cavity 15b.

[0037] The first signal terminal housing cavities 15 are arranged in a row at a predetermined pitch (for example, 0.35 mm) to form a row extending in the longitudinal direction. The pitch and number of the first signal terminal housing cavities 15 can be changed as appropriate. The first terminals 61, which are housed in each of the first signal terminal housing cavities 15 and attached to the first housing 11, are also arranged in a row at a similar pitch on both sides of the inner protrusion 13b. That is, the first terminals 61 are arranged in a row along each inner recess 12a, forming a row extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. In the example shown in the figure, there are 20 first terminals 61 on each side, and the number of poles in the first connector 10 is 40, but the number of first terminals 61 can be increased further, for example, so that the number of poles in the first connector 10 is 70 or more.

[0038] A side recess 18b is formed in the base plate 18 on the widthwise outer side of the first connector 10 at the first protrusion 13, so that the base plate 18 has a smaller width dimension of the first connector 10, i.e., it is formed to be narrow. In addition, end recesses 18c are formed at both ends of the base plate 18 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10, so that the base plate 18 has a smaller length dimension of the first connector 10, i.e., it is formed to be short.

[0039] Furthermore, mounting portions 16 are connected to both longitudinal ends of the inner protrusion 13b, to which the first fitting 71, which serves as a power fitting, is attached. A fitting housing groove 16a for accommodating the first fitting 71 is formed on the side surface of the mounting portion 16. In addition, a first fitting connection opening 16b is formed on the outside of the mounting portion 16 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10, as an opening that penetrates the bottom plate 18 in the thickness direction, and a first fitting connection slit 16c is formed on the left and right outer sides of the mounting portion 16 in the width direction of the first connector 10, as openings that penetrate the bottom plate 18 in the thickness direction. The tail portion 72 of the first fitting 71 is accommodated in the first fitting connection opening 16b, and the lower end of the side plate portion 74 of the first fitting 71 is accommodated in the first fitting connection slit 16c.

[0040] The first shield 50 is a component formed by punching, drawing, or other processes on a conductive metal plate, and as shown in Figure 2, when viewed from above, that is, in a plan view, it is a roughly rectangular frame-shaped component that surrounds, or encloses, the first housing 11. It should be noted that in this embodiment, "surround" or "enclose" means not only continuously and seamlessly surrounding the entire circumference of an object such as the first housing 11, but also intermittently surrounding the entire circumference of the object with several cuts, and furthermore, it means continuously and seamlessly or intermittently with several cuts surrounding more than half of the object's circumference.

[0041] The first shield 50 includes multiple (in the example shown, pairs) long side portions 50a as lateral shields, which are first shield members that extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10, and multiple (in the example shown, pairs) short side portions 50b as end shields, which are second shield members. The short side portions 50b that surround both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 include a first portion 50b1 which extends linearly in the width direction of the first connector 10, a second portion 50b2 which is connected to both ends of the first portion 50b1 and has a circular arc shape with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees in a plan view, and a third portion 50b3 which is connected to the second portion 50b2 and extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10.

[0042] The long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b are separated from each other by a narrow space called a cutout portion 50c, which exists between the long side portion 50a and the third portion 50b3 of the short side portion 50b. However, if necessary, the cutout portion 50c can be omitted and the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b can be integrated. When describing the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b together, they will be described as the first shield 50. The space surrounded by the first shield 50 is a housing portion 50d into which the second connector 101, which is a plug connector, is inserted and housed.

[0043] Furthermore, the first shield 50 includes an outer wall 52 as a shield plate, an inner wall 51 that is substantially parallel to the outer wall 52 on the inside of the outer wall 52, and a connecting portion 53 that connects the upper end of the outer wall 52 and the upper end of the inner wall 51. Except for the cut-out portion 50c, the outer wall 52 is a continuous wall extending over the entire circumference of both the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b, whereas the inner wall 51 is divided into multiple parts not only by the cut-out portion 50c but also by slit portions 53b formed in the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b.

[0044] In each short side portion 50b, a pair of slit portions 53b are formed in the first portion 50b1, and the portion whose ends are defined by this pair of slit portions 53b is referred to as the fitting spring portion 51a. The remaining portion of each short side portion 50b is referred to as the fitting positioning portion 51b. In addition, in each long side portion 50a, slit portions 53b are formed near both ends in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of slit portions 53b that are close to each other are formed at a location between the slit portions 53b near both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the two portions whose ends are defined by these two slit portions 53b are each referred to as the fitting spring portion 51a.

[0045] The mating spring portion 51a is a linearly extending portion included within the range of each long side portion 50a and each short side portion 50b, and functions as a contact portion that elastically contacts the outer wall 152 of the second shield 150 (described later) of the second connector 101 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, thereby maintaining the electrical connection between the first shield 50 and the second shield 150. The mating positioning portion 51b is a portion in which a linear third portion 50b3 and a part of the first portion 50b1 are connected to both sides of a curved corner portion, the second portion 50b2, and guides the second connector 101, which is inserted into the housing portion 50d when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated. Specifically, the second connector 101 is inserted into the housing portion 50d with the outer wall 152 of its second shield 150 in contact with the mating positioning portion 51b, thereby positioning the second connector 101 relative to the first connector 10.

[0046] The fitting spring portion 51a has its upper end connected to the upper end 53a of the connecting portion 53, which is the upper end of the first shield 50, and includes an inclined surface portion 51d that extends diagonally downward and inward of the housing portion 50d, a lower inner wall portion 51e that extends substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the inclined surface portion 51d, and an engaging corner portion 51c that forms the boundary between the inclined surface portion 51d and the lower inner wall portion 51e. The engaging corner portion 51c is the portion that engages with the engaging projection portion 152c, which will be described later, formed on the outer wall 152 of the second shield 150 of the second connector 101 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, and extends linearly in the longitudinal or widthwise direction of the first connector 10. Each fitting spring portion 51a is not connected to the first housing 11, and both ends are separated from the other parts by the slit portions 53b, so it is relatively flexible and can be elastically deformed in the direction of moving closer to or away from the outer wall 52.

[0047] The mating positioning portion 51b is integrated with the corner portion 17 of the first housing 11. The area near the upper end of the mating positioning portion 51b is a gently sloping surface that gently inclines from the upper end portion 53a of the connecting portion 53 toward the inward and downward direction of the housing portion 50d. Therefore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, when viewed in the longitudinal and width directions of the first connector 10, the inclination angle of the gently sloping surface, i.e., the taper angle, is gentler than the taper angle of the inclined surface portion 51d of the mating spring portion 51a. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, the gently sloping surface of the mating positioning portion 51b comes into contact with the second connector 101, which is inserted into the housing portion 50d, and then the inclined surface portion 51d of the mating spring portion 51a comes into contact. This reduces the damage that the mating spring portion 51a receives when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated.

[0048] Furthermore, the second portion 50b2 and the third portion 50b3 of the short side portion 50b function as fixing portions that secure the first shield 50 to the first housing 11, integrally connecting and fixing the short side portion 50b to the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 without creating any gaps between them. Specifically, the second portion 50b2 and the third portion 50b3 of the short side portion 50b are the portions that connect to the first housing 11 when the first shield 50 is integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding, and are the portions that are integrated with the corner portion 17. The inner walls 51 of the second portion 50b2 and the third portion 50b3 are housed in the shield housing portion 17e formed in the inner wall portion 17c of the corner portion 17. As a result, the short side portion 50b and the first housing 11 are reliably integrated and cannot be separated. Furthermore, it is desirable that the surfaces of the inner walls 51 in the second portion 50b2 and the third portion 50b3 be flush with the surface of the inner wall 17c of the corner portion 17. This allows the second connector 101 to be stably guided and mated into the first connector 10.

[0049] In each long side portion 50a, an end joint portion 55 is formed between the longitudinal ends and the slit portions 53b formed near those ends, which fixatively connect the long side portion 50a to the first housing 11. The end joint portion 55 functions as a fixing part for fixing the first shield 50 to the first housing 11, integrally connecting and fixing the longitudinal ends of the long side portion 50a to the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the first housing 11 without creating any gaps between them. Specifically, the end joint portion 55 is a bent, elongated strip of metal whose base end is connected to the long side portion 50a and whose tip is embedded in the outer end projection 13c. Specifically, the end joint portion 55 has a base end portion 55a whose upper end is connected to the upper end portion 53a of the connecting portion 53, which is the upper end of the first shield 50; a first vertical portion 55b extending substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the base end portion 55a; a first horizontal portion 55c extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the first vertical portion 55b toward the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10; a second vertical portion 55d extending substantially vertically upward from the tip of the first horizontal portion 55c; and a second horizontal portion 55e extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the second vertical portion 55d toward the center in the width direction of the first connector 10.

[0050] Then, when the first shield 50 is integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding, the base portion 55a and approximately the upper half of the first vertical portion 55b are integrated with the portion of the first connector 10 that is longitudinally inward from the separating projection 17f at the corner portion 17 and are exposed on the surface of the upper wall portion 17a and the inner wall portion 17c, most of the first horizontal portion 55c is integrated with the connection portion 18a of the bottom plate 18 and is exposed on the lower surface of the connection portion 18a, most of the second vertical portion 55d is integrated with the outer end projection 13c connected to the connection portion 18a and is exposed on the side surface of the outer end projection 13c, and the second horizontal portion 55e is integrated with the outer end projection 13c and is exposed on the upper surface of the outer end projection 13c. As a result, the long side portion 50a and the first housing 11 are reliably integrated and cannot be separated.

[0051] Furthermore, in each long side portion 50a, an intermediate joint portion 56 is formed between a pair of closely spaced slit portions 53b at any point between the end joint portions 55 at both ends, with respect to the longitudinal direction, to connect the long side portion 50a and the first housing 11. In the example shown in the figure, one intermediate joint portion 56 is formed at the center of the longitudinal direction of each long side portion 50a, but it is not necessary for it to be formed at the center of the longitudinal direction of the long side portion 50a, and it may be formed at any position in the longitudinal direction of the long side portion 50a, and two or more may be formed. For the sake of explanation, only the case in which one intermediate joint portion 56 is formed at the center of the longitudinal direction of each long side portion 50a will be described here.

[0052] The intermediate joint portion 56 is a member formed by bending an elongated strip of metal, with its base end connected to the long side portion 50a and its tip embedded in the intermediate joint holding portion 13d of the inner protrusion 13b. Note that the first signal terminal housing cavity 15 is not formed in the area of ​​the first housing 11 corresponding to the intermediate joint portion 56. The intermediate joint portion 56 extends from the upper end of the outer wall 52 toward the mounting surface 10b of the first connector 10, and then extends toward the first housing 11, with its tip fixed to the first housing 11 between adjacent first terminals 61 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. Specifically, the intermediate joint portion 56 has a base end portion 56a whose upper end is connected to the upper end portion 53a of the connecting portion 53, which is the upper end of the first shield 50; a first vertical portion 56b extending substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the base end portion 56a; a first horizontal portion 56c extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the first vertical portion 56b toward the center in the width direction of the first connector 10; and a second vertical portion 56d extending substantially vertically upward from the tip of the first horizontal portion 56c.

[0053] When the first shield 50 is integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding, about half of the first horizontal portion 56c is integrated with the bottom plate 18 and exposed on the lower surface of the inner protrusion 13b, and most of the second vertical portion 56d is integrated with the intermediate joint holding portion 13d and exposed on the side surface of the intermediate joint holding portion 13d. As a result, the long side portion 50a and the first housing 11 are integrated with each other even at points along the longitudinal direction, so that the posture and shape are stably maintained. A part of the intermediate joint portion 56 can be electrically connected to the first substrate. Specifically, it is desirable that the first horizontal portion 56c be electrically connected to a connection pad on the surface of the first substrate.

[0054] A flange portion 54, which is a flat portion extending outward, is connected to the lower end of the outer wall 52 via a curved portion 52a that is curved at approximately 90 degrees. The curved portion 52a and the flange portion 54 are continuously connected to the lower end of the outer wall 52 around its entire circumference, except for the cut-out portion 50c. In the example shown in the figure, several small notches 54a are formed in the flange portion 54, but these notches 54a can be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] The flange portion 54 functions as a substrate connection portion, with its lower surface parallel to the surface of the first substrate, and is connected to a connection pad on the surface by soldering or the like. The connection pad is typically connected to the ground line. Furthermore, the outer wall 52 is a continuous wall in itself, and its upper end is a continuous portion at the connecting portion 53, connected to a portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall 52 in the cross-section shown in Figures 5 and 6, and its lower end is a continuous member like the flange portion 54, connected to a member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall 52 in the cross-section shown in Figures 5 and 6, thus having relatively high rigidity and being resistant to deformation.

[0056] When the first housing 11 is connected to the first shield 50 within the housing portion 50d, a first recess 12 is formed within the housing portion 50d, which is a recess surrounded by an inner wall 51 and defined below by a bottom plate 18, and which engages with the second connector 101. Furthermore, as described above, an elongated recess, an inner groove portion 12a, is formed between the outer protrusions 13a on both the left and right sides of the inner protrusion 13b, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10, as part of the first recess 12. In addition, fitting recesses 12b are formed as part of the first recess 12 on the outer ends of the first protrusion 13 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10.

[0057] Furthermore, a lateral space 12c is formed between each outer protrusion 13a and the outer wall 52 on the long side portion 50a, which is an elongated space extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. The lateral space 12c is formed in a range corresponding to at least the row of first terminals 61 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10.

[0058] The first terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processes on a conductive metal plate, and comprises a retained portion 63, a tail portion 62 as a substrate connection portion connected to the lower end of the retained portion 63, an outer connection portion 65 connected to the upper end of the retained portion 63, and a lower connection portion 64 having a substantially U-shaped side profile connected to the lower end of the outer connection portion 65, wherein a contact portion 65a is formed near the lower end of the outer connection portion 65 that bulges inward in the width direction of the first connector 10, and further comprises an inner connection portion 66 connected to the tip of the lower connection portion 64. The inner connection portion 66 is bent and connected to the lower connection portion 64, extends upward (in the positive Z-axis direction), and near its upper end, a contact portion 66a is formed that bulges outward in the width direction of the first connector 10. The contact portion 66a, like the contact portion 65a of the outer connection portion 65, is a portion that contacts the second terminal 161 of the second connector 101, which will be described later. In other words, the first terminal 61 in this embodiment is configured to have contact portions 65a of the outer connection portion 65 and contact portions 66a of the inner connection portion 66 that face each other, and to make two-point contact with the second terminal 161. When the first terminal 61 is attached to the first housing 11, the contact portions 65a of the outer connection portion 65 and the contact portions 66a of the inner connection portion 66 protrude into the inner recessed groove portion 12a and face each other.

[0059] The first terminal 61 is then press-fitted into the first signal terminal housing cavity 15 from the mounting surface 10b side, which is the lower surface (negative Z-axis direction surface) of the first connector 10, and the retained portion 63 is held in place from both sides by the inner sides of the first signal terminal housing outer cavity 15b, thereby fixing it to the first housing 11. Note that the first terminal 61 is not necessarily attached to the first housing 11 by press-fitting, but may be integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding. However, for the sake of explanation, the case in which the retained portion 63 is press-fitted into and held in the first signal terminal housing outer cavity 15b will be described here.

[0060] Furthermore, the tail portion 62 is bent and connected to the retained portion 63, extending outward in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), that is, in the width direction of the first connector 10, and is connected to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line.

[0061] The first metal fitting 71 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processing on a conductive metal plate, and comprises a top plate portion 75, a pair of side plate portions 74 extending downward (in the negative Z-axis direction) from both left and right ends of the top plate portion 75, a connecting piece 73 extending downward from the longitudinal outer end of the first connector 10 on the top plate portion 75, and a tail portion 72 as a substrate connection portion connected to the lower end of the connecting piece 73.

[0062] Then, the first fitting 71 is attached to the fitting mounting portion 16 by press-fitting the connecting piece 73 and the side plate portion 74 into the fitting housing groove 16a from the mating surface 10a side, which is the upper surface (positive Z-axis direction surface) of the first connector 10. Note that the first fitting 71 is not necessarily attached to the first housing 11 by press-fitting, but may be integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding. However, for the sake of explanation, the case in which the connecting piece 73 and the side plate portion 74 are press-fitted and held in the fitting housing groove 16a will be described here.

[0063] Furthermore, the tail portion 72 is bent and connected to the connecting piece 73, extends outward in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10, is housed in the first metal fitting connection opening 16b, and is connected to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate by soldering or the like. Also, the lower end of the side plate portion 74 is housed in the first metal fitting connection slit 16c and is connected to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the first substrate by soldering or the like. Note that the conductive trace is a power line, i.e., a power line that transmits power. Furthermore, the outer surface of the side plate portion 74 functions as a contact portion and is the part that contacts the second metal fitting 171 of the second connector 101, which will be described later.

[0064] Furthermore, the first fitting 71 not only functions as a power fitting for transmitting electricity, but also as a protective fitting for protecting both longitudinal ends of the inner protrusion 13b.

[0065] The first connector 10 is then mounted on the surface of the first substrate by applying solder to the mounting surface 10b side of the first shield 50, first terminal 61, first metal fitting 71, etc., and by heating and melting the solder in a heating furnace or the like, fixing and mounting it on the surface of the first substrate. Solder is applied by applying solder sheets, applying solder paste, transferring solder paste, dipping, jet soldering, etc. Note that the means for connecting the first shield 50, first terminal 61, first metal fitting 71, etc. to the connection pads of the first substrate are not necessarily limited to soldering, and may also be done by conductive adhesive, for example, but here we will describe the case in which soldering is performed.

[0066] Specifically, solder is applied to the lower surface of the flange portion 54 corresponding to the long side portion 50a and short side portion 50b of the first shield 50, as well as to the lower surface of the tail portion 62 of each first terminal 61, and to the lower surface of the tail portion 72 and side plate portion 74 of each first fitting 71. It is also desirable that solder be applied to the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 55c of the end joint portion 55, and to the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 56c of the intermediate joint portion 56.

[0067] When the solder applied in this manner is heated and melted, the first connector 10 is mounted on the surface of the first substrate. At this point, the curved portion 52a and flange portion 54, which are continuously connected to the lower end of the outer wall 52 that is continuous in the long side portion 50a and short side portion 50b of the first shield 50, are connected to the connection pads on the surface of the first substrate without any gaps. Therefore, the strength of the long side portion 50a and short side portion 50b of the first shield 50 connected to the connection pads on the surface of the first substrate becomes high, and consequently, the overall strength of the first connector 10, whose outer periphery is surrounded by the long side portion 50a and short side portion 50b, becomes high. Furthermore, the electromagnetic shielding effect exhibited by the long side portion 50a and short side portion 50b, which are connected to the connection pads on the surface of the first substrate without any gaps, becomes very high, and the first connector 10, whose outer periphery is surrounded by the long side portion 50a and short side portion 50b, is electromagnetically shielded very effectively.

[0068] In particular, because the lower surface of the flange portion 54 is highly smooth, the strength of the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b connected to the connection pad on the surface of the first substrate can be made extremely high, and since no gap is created between them and the connection pad on the surface of the first substrate, the electromagnetic shielding effect can also be made extremely high.

[0069] Furthermore, the long side portion 50a of the first connector 10, which extends in the longitudinal direction, is integrated with the portion of the first connector 10 that is longitudinally inward of the separation protrusion 17f at the corner portion 17 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and each of the end joint portions 55 is integrated with the connection portion 18a of the first housing 11, the corner portion 17 connected to the connection portion 18a, and the outer end protrusion 13c, and the portion including the tip of the intermediate joint portion 56 formed in the middle of the longitudinal direction is integrated with the bottom plate 18 and the inner protrusion 13b in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11. Therefore, a decrease in the flatness of the flange portion 54 on the long side portion 50a caused by warping of the elongated member of the first housing 11, which is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, is reliably prevented, and the connection between the flange portion 54 and the curved portion 52a of the long side portion 50a and the connection pad on the surface of the first substrate is reliably maintained. Furthermore, if the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 56c of the intermediate joint portion 56 is also soldered to the connection pad on the surface of the first substrate, a decrease in the flatness of the flange portion 54 of the long side portion 50a can be prevented more reliably.

[0070] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 will be described.

[0071] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 12 is a top view of the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 13 is a three-view drawing of the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the EE arrow in Figure 12, Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, and Figure 17 is a second Figure 18 is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, which is the EE perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 12; Figure 19 is a third perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, which is the GG perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 12; and Figure 20 is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the first embodiment, which is the HH perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 12. In Figure 11, (a) is a view from diagonally below, and (b) is a view from diagonally above; in Figure 13, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view; in Figure 16, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the FF arrow in Figure 12, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the GG arrow in Figure 12, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the HH arrow in Figure 12.

[0072] The second connector 101 in this embodiment has a second shield 150 as a shielding member, which is a plug shield formed by punching, drawing, or other processing on a conductive metal plate, and a second housing 111 as a connector body integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The second housing 111 has a flat bottom plate 118, a second protrusion 112 as a convex portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate 118 at the center of the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101, and protruding ends 117 that protrude upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate 118 at both longitudinal ends of the second connector 101.

[0073] The protruding end 117 is the main part that connects to the second shield 150 when the second shield 150 is integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding. That is, the second housing 111 is molded by filling an insulating material such as synthetic resin into the cavity of a mold in which the second shield 150 has been pre-set, and is integrally connected to the second shield 150 at the protruding end 117 and other parts. Therefore, the second housing 111 and the second shield 150 do not exist separately, but in Figure 14, for the sake of explanation, they are shown as existing separately.

[0074] As shown in Figure 14, each protruding end 117 has a shape like a rectangular tube with a rectangular cross-section, divided into two sections, and has a U-shape in plan view. Each protruding end 117 includes a straight end wall portion 117a extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the second connector 101, and a straight side wall portion 117c that is connected to both ends of the end wall portion 117a via a curved wall portion 117b and extends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101. The curved wall portion 117b is an arc-shaped portion with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees in plan view. The lower end of the protruding end 117 is connected to the tip of a connecting portion 118a that extends outward at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 118. In the example shown in the figure, the connecting portion 118a is formed to be thicker than other parts of the base plate 118.

[0075] Furthermore, the inside of each protruding end 117 is a protruding end recess 117d, which is a space defined by the connecting portion 118a at the bottom, the end wall portion 117a at the longitudinal outer end, and the side wall portions 117c at both the left and right ends. The fitting mounting portions 116 connected to both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 112 are housed within the protruding end recess 117d. The fitting mounting portions 116 are the parts to which the second fitting 171, which serves as a power fitting, is attached.

[0076] Furthermore, the protruding end 117 includes a separation projection 117f that extends from the upper surface to the outer surface of the side wall portion 117c. The separation projection 117f is a projection formed at a position corresponding to the cutout portion 150c that separates the long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b of the second shield 150. At each protruding end 117, the short side portion 150b is integrally connected to the portion of the second connector 101 that is longitudinally outward from the separation projection 117f, and the long side portion 150a is integrally connected to the portion of the second connector 101 that is longitudinally inward from the separation projection 117f.

[0077] The second protrusion 112 includes a pair of terminal support walls 112a extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101 on both sides in the width direction of the second connector 101, and a central groove 112b which is a space defined at the bottom by the bottom plate 118 and at both left and right ends by the terminal support walls 112a. The central groove 112b is an elongated groove-shaped space defined at both ends in the longitudinal direction by the fitting mounting portions 116, and when the second connector 101 is fitted with the first connector 10, it accommodates the inner protrusion 13b of the first connector 10.

[0078] Furthermore, a lateral space 112c is formed between each terminal support wall 112a and the outer wall 152 on the long side portion 150a, which is an elongated space extending in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. This lateral space 112c is formed in a range corresponding to at least the row of second terminals 161 in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101.

[0079] Furthermore, a second terminal 161, which is to be attached to the second housing 111, is attached to the terminal support wall 112a. The second terminals 161 are arranged in a number corresponding to the pitch of the first terminals 61, so that at least a portion of them is exposed on the surface of the terminal support wall 112a. That is, multiple second terminals 161 are arranged along each terminal support wall 112a, and they are arranged in a row that extends in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. Note that the second terminals 161 may be attached to the terminal support wall 112a by press-fitting, like the first terminals 61, but for the sake of explanation, the case in which they are integrated with the terminal support wall 112a by overmolding or insert molding will be described here.

[0080] A side recess 118b is formed on the bottom plate 118 on the widthwise outer side of the second connector 101 at the second protrusion 112. As a result, the bottom plate 118 is formed to be narrow, meaning that the widthwise dimension of the second connector 101 is small.

[0081] Furthermore, mounting portions 116 to which a second fitting 171, which serves as a power fitting, is attached are connected to both longitudinal ends of the terminal support wall 112a. Each mounting portion 116 has a U-shape in plan view and includes a straight end wall portion 116a extending in the width direction of the second connector 101, and straight side wall portions 116b connected to both ends of the end wall portion 116a and extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second connector 101. The outside of the mounting portion 116 is surrounded by the protruding end portion 117 via a protruding end recess 117d, and the end wall portion 116a and the side wall portion 116b face the end wall portion 117a and the side wall portion 117c of the protruding end portion 117, respectively.

[0082] Furthermore, a central recess 116c is formed on the inner surface of the end wall portion 116a, which accommodates the central piece 178 of the second fitting 171, and a lateral recess 116d is formed on the outer surface of the side wall portion 116b, which accommodates the side plate 175 of the second fitting 171. The lateral recess 116d extends from the outer surface of the side wall portion 116b through the connection portion 118a of the bottom plate 118 and opens to the mounting surface 101b side of the bottom plate 118, so that the lower end of the side plate 175 of the second fitting 171 is exposed to the mounting surface 101b.

[0083] The second shield 150 is a member formed by punching, drawing, or other processing of a conductive metal plate, and as shown in Figure 12, when viewed from above, that is, in a plan view, it is a roughly rectangular frame-shaped member that surrounds the second housing 111. The second shield 150 includes multiple (in the example shown, pairs) first shield members, which are long side portions 150a as lateral shields, and multiple (in the example shown, pairs) second shield members, which are short side portions 150b as end shields. The short side portion 150b surrounding both longitudinal ends of the second housing 111 includes a first portion 150b1 which extends linearly in the width direction of the second connector 101, a second portion 150b2 which is connected to both ends of the first portion 150b1 and has a circular arc shape with a central angle of approximately 90 degrees in a plan view, and a third portion 150b3 which is connected to the second portion 150b2 and extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101.

[0084] The long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b are separated from each other by a narrow space called a cutout portion 150c, which exists between the long side portion 150a and the third portion 150b3 of the short side portion 150b. However, if necessary, the cutout portion 150c can be omitted and the long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b can be integrated. When describing the long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b together, they will be described as the second shield 150.

[0085] Furthermore, the second shield 150 includes an outer wall 152 as a shield plate and a connecting portion 153 whose base end is connected to the upper end of the outer wall 152 and whose tip extends inward, but it does not include a member that is substantially parallel to the outer wall 52 on the inside of the outer wall 52, which corresponds to the inner wall 51 in the first shield 50. The outer wall 152 and the connecting portion 153 are continuous walls over the entire circumference of the long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b, except for the cut-out portion 150c. The upper end of the second shield 150 is the upper end portion 153a of the curved connecting portion 153, but in the short side portion 150b, the upper end portion 153a is a flat upper wall portion 153c.

[0086] Furthermore, multiple engagement projections 152c are formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 152, with a shape that bulges outward, serving as contact points. These engagement projections 152c engage with the engagement corner portion 51c of the fitting spring portion 51a of the first shield 50 of the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, and extend linearly in the longitudinal or widthwise direction of the second connector 101.

[0087] Furthermore, the short side portion 150b functions as a fixing portion for fixing the second shield 150 to the first housing 11, integrally connecting and fixing the short side portion 50b and the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 so as not to create any gaps between them. Specifically, it is the portion that is integrated with the protruding end portion 117 when the second shield 150 is integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding, and the first portion 150b1, the second portion 150b2, and the third portion 150b3 are integrated with the end wall portion 117a, the curved wall portion 117b, and the side wall portion 117c, respectively. As a result, the short side portion 150b and the second housing 111 are securely integrated and cannot be separated.

[0088] On the other hand, when the second shield 150 is integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding, the longitudinal fixing portion of the long side portion 150a is integrated with the portion of the second connector 101 that is longitudinally inward from the separating projection 117f on the side wall portion 117c of the protruding end portion 117. At each long side portion 150a, end joint portions 155 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction to fix the long side portion 150a and the second housing 111. These end joint portions 155 function as fixing portions that fix the second shield 150 to the second housing 111, and integrally connect and fix both ends in the longitudinal direction of the long side portion 150a and the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 111 so as not to create any gaps between them. The end joint portion 155 is a member formed by bending a strip plate, the base end of which is connected to the long side portion 150a, and the tip of which is embedded in the portion of the second connector 101 that is longitudinally inward from the separation projection 117f in the side wall portion 117c. Specifically, the end joint portion 155 has a base end portion 155a whose upper end is connected to the upper end portion 153a of the connecting portion 153, which is the upper end of the second shield 150, and a vertical portion 155b that extends substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the base end portion 155a.

[0089] Then, when the second shield 150 is integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding, the end joint portion 155 integrates with the portion of the second connector 101 that is longitudinally inward from the separation projection 117f on the side wall portion 117c, the base end portion 155a is exposed on the surface of the side wall portion 117c, and the vertical portion 155b is embedded within the side wall portion 117c. As a result, the long side portion 150a and the second housing 111 are securely integrated and cannot be separated.

[0090] Furthermore, in each long side portion 150a, an intermediate joint portion 156 is formed at one of the points between the end joint portions 155 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, serving as a joint portion that connects the long side portion 150a to the second housing 111. In the example shown in the figure, one intermediate joint portion 156 is formed at the center of the longitudinal direction of each long side portion 150a, but it is not necessarily required to be formed at the center of the longitudinal direction of the long side portion 150a. It may be formed at any position in the longitudinal direction of the long side portion 150a, and two or more may be formed. For the sake of explanation, only the case in which one intermediate joint portion 156 is formed at the center of the longitudinal direction of each long side portion 150a will be described here.

[0091] The intermediate joint portion 156 is a member formed by bending an elongated strip of metal, with its base end connected to the long side portion 150a and its tip embedded in the intermediate joint holding portion 112d of the terminal support wall 112a. Note that the second terminal 161 is not attached to the location of the intermediate joint portion 156 in the second housing 111. The intermediate joint portion 156 extends from the upper end of the outer wall 152 toward the mounting surface 101b of the second connector 101, and then extends toward the second housing 111, with its tip fixed to the second housing 111 between adjacent second terminals 161 in the longitudinal direction of the second connector 101. Specifically, the intermediate joint portion 156 has a base end portion 156a whose upper end is connected to the upper end portion 153a of the connecting portion 153, which is the upper end of the second shield 150; a first vertical portion 156b extending substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the base end portion 156a; a first horizontal portion 156c extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the first vertical portion 156b toward the center in the width direction of the second connector 101; and a second vertical portion 156d extending substantially vertically upward from the tip of the first horizontal portion 156c.

[0092] When the second shield 150 is integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding, about half of the first horizontal portion 156c is integrated with the bottom plate 118 and exposed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 118, and most of the second vertical portion 156d is integrated with the intermediate joint holding portion 112d and exposed on the inner surface of the intermediate joint holding portion 112d. As a result, the long side portion 150a and the second housing 111 are integrated with each other even at points along the longitudinal direction, so that the posture and shape are stably maintained. A part of the intermediate joint portion 156 can be electrically connected to the second substrate. Specifically, it is desirable that the first horizontal portion 156c be electrically connected to a connection pad on the surface of the second substrate.

[0093] A flange portion 154, which is a flat portion extending outward, is connected to the lower end of the outer wall 152 via a curved portion 152a that is curved at approximately 90 degrees. The curved portion 152a and the flange portion 154 are continuously connected to the lower end of the outer wall 152 around its entire circumference, except for the cut-out portion 150c. In the example shown in the figure, several small notches 154a are formed in the flange portion 154, but these notches 154a can be omitted as appropriate.

[0094] The flange portion 154 functions as a substrate connection portion, with its lower surface parallel to the surface of the second substrate, and is connected to a connection pad on the surface by soldering or the like. The connection pad is typically connected to the ground line. Furthermore, the outer wall 152 is a continuous wall in itself, and its upper end is a continuous portion at the connecting portion 153, connected to a portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall 152 in the cross-section shown in Figures 15 and 16, and its lower end is a continuous member like the flange portion 154, connected to a member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall 152 in the cross-section shown in Figures 15 and 16, thus having relatively high rigidity and being resistant to deformation.

[0095] The second terminal 161 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processes on a conductive metal plate, and comprises an inner connecting portion 165 extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), a tail portion 162 connected to the lower end of the inner connecting portion 165 and extending outward in the width direction of the second housing 111 as a substrate connecting portion, an upper connecting portion 164 connected to the upper end of the inner connecting portion 165, and an outer connecting portion 166 connected to the lower end of the upper connecting portion 164 and facing the inner connecting portion 165. The tail portion 162 extends horizontally (Y-axis direction) passing below the outer connecting portion 166, and its tip is located outward from the outer connecting portion 166. The second terminal 161 is then integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding. That is, the second housing 111 is molded by filling an insulating material such as synthetic resin into the cavity of a mold in which the second terminal 161 has been pre-set.

[0096] As a result, the second terminal 161 is integrally attached to the terminal support wall 112a such that at least a portion of it is embedded within the terminal support wall 112a of the second protrusion 112 in the second housing 111, and substantially the entire surfaces of the inner connection portion 165 and the upper connection portion 164, as well as at least a portion of the surface of the outer connection portion 166, are exposed on the inner, upper, and outer surfaces of the terminal support wall 112a. The surfaces of the inner connection portion 165 and the outer connection portion 166 function as contact portions and make contact with the first terminal 61 provided on the first connector 10.

[0097] Furthermore, the tail portion 162 extends outward in the width direction from the terminal support wall 112a of the second housing 111 and is connected to a connection pad linked to a conductive trace on the second substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is typically a signal line.

[0098] Furthermore, the second terminal 161 does not necessarily have to be integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding; it may also be attached to the second housing 111 by press-fitting or the like. However, for the sake of explanation, the case in which it is integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding will be described here.

[0099] The second fitting 171 is a component integrally formed by punching, bending, and other processing on a conductive metal plate, and has a top plate portion 172 that covers at least a part of the upper surface of the end wall portion 116a of the fitting mounting portion 116, and a pair of side plates 175 that cover at least a part of the outer surface of the side wall portion 116b of the fitting mounting portion 116. The top plate portion 172 includes a front connecting portion 172a and a lateral connecting portion 172b, with the side plate 175 connected to the tip of the lateral connecting portion 172b and the central piece 178 connected to the tip of the front connecting portion 172a. Furthermore, a contact piece 175a that extends diagonally downward toward the bottom surface of the central groove portion 112b is connected to the upper end of the side plate 175.

[0100] Then, the second fitting 171 is attached to the fitting mounting portion 116 by press-fitting the side plate 175 into the lateral recess 116d from the mating surface 101a side, which is the upper surface (negative Z-axis direction surface) of the second connector 101. Note that the second fitting 171 is not necessarily attached to the second housing 111 by press-fitting, but may be integrated with the second housing 111 by overmolding or insert molding. However, for the sake of explanation, the case in which the side plate 175 is press-fitted into the lateral recess 116d and held in place will be described here.

[0101] Furthermore, the lower end of the side plate 175, which is housed in the lateral recess 116d that opens to the mounting surface 101b side of the bottom plate 118, is exposed to the mounting surface 101b and is connected to a connection pad linked to a conductive trace on the second substrate by soldering or the like. The conductive trace is described as a power line, that is, a power line that transmits electricity.

[0102] Furthermore, when the second fitting 171 is attached to the fitting mounting portion 116, the contact piece 175a does not come into contact with the side wall portion 116b, etc., and acts as a cantilever-shaped member, allowing it to be elastically displaced outward in the width direction of the second connector 101. The contact piece 175a functions as a contact portion, and when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, it comes into contact with the outer surface of the side plate portion 74 of the first fitting 71, enabling electrical conductivity. The central piece 178 also functions as a contact portion, and when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are fitted together, it comes into contact with the outer surface of the connecting piece 73 of the first fitting 71, enabling electrical conductivity.

[0103] Furthermore, the second fitting 171 not only functions as a power fitting for transmitting electricity, but also as a protective fitting for protecting both longitudinal ends of the second protrusion 112.

[0104] The second connector 101 is then mounted on the surface of the second substrate by applying solder to the mounting surface 101b side of the second shield 150, second terminal 161, second metal fitting 171, etc., and placing it on the surface of the second substrate. The solder is heated and melted in a heating furnace or the like, fixing it to the surface of the second substrate and mounting it. Solder is applied by applying a solder sheet, applying a solder paste, transferring solder paste, dipping, jet soldering, etc. Note that the means for connecting the second shield 150, second terminal 161, second metal fitting 171, etc. to the connection pads of the second substrate are not necessarily limited to soldering, and may also be done by conductive adhesive, for example, but here we will describe the case in which soldering is performed.

[0105] Specifically, solder is applied to the lower surface of the flange portion 154 corresponding to the long side portion 150a and short side portion 150b of the second shield 150, as well as to the lower surface of the tail portion 162 of each second terminal 161 and the lower surface of the side plate 175 of each second fitting 171. It is also desirable to apply solder to the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 156c of the intermediate joint portion 156.

[0106] When the solder applied in this manner is heated and melted, the second connector 101 is mounted on the surface of the second substrate. At this point, the curved portion 152a and flange portion 154, which are continuously connected to the lower end of the outer wall 152 that is continuous along the long side portion 150a and short side portion 150b of the second shield 150, are connected to the connection pads on the surface of the second substrate without any gaps. Therefore, the strength of the long side portion 150a and short side portion 150b of the second shield 150 connected to the connection pads on the surface of the second substrate becomes high, and consequently, the overall strength of the second connector 101, whose outer periphery is surrounded by the long side portion 150a and short side portion 150b becomes high. Furthermore, the electromagnetic shielding effect exhibited by the long side portion 150a and short side portion 150b, which are connected to the connection pads on the surface of the second substrate without any gaps, becomes very high, and the second connector 101, whose outer periphery is surrounded by the long side portion 150a and short side portion 150b, is electromagnetically shielded very effectively.

[0107] In particular, because the lower surface of the flange portion 154 is highly smooth, the strength of the long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b connected to the connection pad on the surface of the second substrate can be made extremely high, and since no gap is created between them and the connection pad on the surface of the second substrate, the electromagnetic shielding effect can also be made extremely high.

[0108] Furthermore, the long side portion 150a of the second connector 101, which extends in the longitudinal direction, is integrated with the portion of the second connector 101 that is longitudinally inward of the separation projection 117f at the protruding end 117, at both longitudinal ends including the end joint portion 155, and the portion including the tip of the intermediate joint portion 156 formed in the middle of the longitudinal direction is integrated with the bottom plate 118 and the terminal support wall 112a in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the second housing 111. Therefore, a decrease in the flatness of the flange portion 154 on the long side portion 150a caused by warping of the elongated member of the second housing 111, which is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, is reliably prevented, and the connection between the flange portion 154 and the curved portion 152a of the long side portion 150a and the connection pad on the surface of the second substrate is reliably maintained. Furthermore, if the lower surface of the first horizontal portion 156c of the intermediate joint portion 156 is also soldered to the connection pad on the surface of the second substrate, a decrease in the flatness of the flange portion 154 of the long side portion 150a can be prevented more reliably.

[0109] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 of the above configuration will be described.

[0110] Figure 21 is a perspective view of the first and second connectors in the first embodiment after mating is complete, Figure 22 is a plan view of the first connector viewed from above after mating is complete, Figure 23 is a three-view drawing of the first and second connectors in the first embodiment after mating is complete, Figure 24 is a side cross-sectional view of the first and second connectors in the first embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the JJ arrow in Figure 22, Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second connectors in the first embodiment after mating is complete, and Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second connectors in the first embodiment Figure 27 is a first perspective cross-sectional view of the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed, which is the JJ perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 22; Figure 28 is a third perspective cross-sectional view of the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed, which is the LL perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 22; and Figure 29 is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is completed, which is the MM perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 22. In Figure 21, (a) is a view of the first connector from diagonally above, and (b) is a view of the first connector from diagonally below. In Figure 23, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view of the second connector from above, and (c) is a front view. In Figure 25, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the KK arrow in Figure 22, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the LL arrow in Figure 22, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the MM arrow in Figure 22.

[0111] Here, the first connector 10 is surface-mounted on the first substrate by soldering the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61, the tail portion 72 and side plate portion 74 of the first fitting 71, the curved portion 52a and flange portion 54 that are continuously connected to the lower end of the outer wall 52, the first horizontal portion 55c of the end joint portion 55, and the first horizontal portion 56c of the intermediate joint portion 56 to a connecting pad connected to a conductive trace of the first substrate (not shown). Furthermore, the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 72 and side plate portion 74 of the first fitting 71 are connected is a power line that transmits power, the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the curved portion 52a, flange portion 54, first horizontal portion 55c of the end joint portion 55, and first horizontal portion 56c of the intermediate joint portion 56 of the first shield 50 are connected is a ground line, and the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 62 of the first terminal 61 is connected is a signal line that transmits signals.

[0112] Similarly, the second connector 101 is surface-mounted on the second substrate by soldering the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161, the side plate 175 of the second fitting 171, the curved portion 152a and flange portion 154 that are continuously connected to the lower end of the outer wall 152, and the first horizontal portion 156c of the intermediate joint portion 156 to a connection pad connected to a conductive trace on the second substrate (not shown). Furthermore, the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the side plate 175 of the second fitting 171 is connected is a power line that transmits power, the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the curved portion 152a, flange portion 154 and the first horizontal portion 156c of the intermediate joint portion 156 of the second shield 150 are connected is a ground line, and the conductive trace connected to the connection pad to which the tail portion 162 of the second terminal 161 is connected is a signal line that transmits signals.

[0113] First, the operator positions the mating surface 10a of the first connector 10 and the mating surface 101a of the second connector 101 facing each other. When the position of the inner protrusion 13b of the first connector 10 aligns with the position of the central groove 112b of the second connector 101, and the position of the protruding end 117 of the second connector 101 aligns with the position of the corresponding mating recess 12b of the first connector 10, the alignment of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is completed.

[0114] In this state, when the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 are moved toward the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, the second shield 150 of the second connector 101 is inserted into the housing portion 50d of the first shield 50 of the first connector 10, the inner protrusion 13b of the first connector 10 is inserted into the central groove portion 112b of the second connector 101, and the protruding end portion 117 of the second connector 101 is inserted into the mating recess 12b of the first connector 10.

[0115] Furthermore, since the mating surface 10a of the first connector 10 has a connecting portion 53 of the first shield 50 surrounding it, and the mating surface 101a of the second connector 101 has a connecting portion 153 of the second shield 150, even if the mating surface 10a of the first connector 10 and the mating surface 101a of the second connector 101 come into contact during mating, they will not be damaged or broken.

[0116] Furthermore, in the initial mating state, that is, when the portion of the second connector 101 near the mating surface 101a is slightly inserted into the housing portion 50d of the first shield 50 of the first connector 10, the portion of the outer wall 152 on the short side portion 150b of the second shield 150 near the mating surface 101a comes into contact with the gently sloping surface near the upper end of the mating positioning portion 51b on the short side portion 50b of the first shield 50 (near the mating surface 10a), and is inserted into the housing portion 50d while being guided by contact with the gently sloping surface. This positions the second connector 101 relative to the first connector 10. The mating positioning portion 51b is integrated with the corner portion 17 of the first housing 11 and is therefore robust. Consequently, the mating positioning portion 51b is highly robust and will not deform or break even when the portion of the second connector 101 near the mating surface 101a of the second shield 150 comes into contact with it.

[0117] Furthermore, the portion of the second shield 150 near the fitting surface 101a of the outer wall 152 on the short side portion 150b comes into contact with the gently sloping surface, and then comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 51d of the fitting spring portion 51a of the first shield 50. This reduces the damage that the fitting spring portion 51a receives.

[0118] Next, as shown in Figures 21-29, once the mating of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is complete, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 become electrically connected, and the first metal fitting 71 and the second metal fitting 171 become electrically connected.

[0119] Specifically, the pair of terminal support walls 112a of the second protrusion 112 of the second housing 111 are inserted into the pair of internal recessed grooves 12a of the first housing 11, and the contact portion 65a of the outer connection portion 65 and the contact portion 66a of the inner connection portion 66 of the first terminal 61, which protrude into the internal recessed grooves 12a and face each other, come into contact with the outer connection portion 166 and the inner connection portion 165 of the second terminal 161, which are exposed on the outer and inner surfaces of the terminal support wall 112a.

[0120] In this case, the lower connection portion 64 of the first terminal 61 and its vicinity have a roughly U-shaped form and are elastically deformable, so the distance between the contact portion 65a of the outer connection portion 65 and the contact portion 66a of the inner connection portion 66, which face each other, can be elastically expanded. As a result, the distance between the contact portion 65a of the outer connection portion 65 and the contact portion 66a of the inner connection portion 66 is elastically widened by the second terminal 161 inserted between them, and in reaction, the second terminal 161 is elastically sandwiched from both sides by the contact portion 65a of the outer connection portion 65 and the contact portion 66a of the inner connection portion 66. As a result, the contact portion 65a of the outer connection portion 65 of the first terminal 61 and the outer connection portion 166 of the second terminal 161, as well as the contact portion 66a of the inner connection portion 66 of the first terminal 61 and the inner connection portion 165 of the second terminal 161, maintain contact and do not separate even when subjected to shock or vibration, thus maintaining a stable conductive state. Furthermore, the corresponding first terminal 61 and second terminal 161 are in a so-called two-point contact state, and even if contact at one point is lost, contact at the other point is maintained, thus stably maintaining the contact state.

[0121] In this way, the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161, which are in contact with each other, are continuously surrounded all around by the inner wall 51 and outer wall 52 of the first shield 50 and the outer wall 152 of the second shield 150, thus providing extremely effective shielding. Therefore, good electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) can be obtained.

[0122] Furthermore, the fitting mounting portions 16 connected to both longitudinal ends of the inner protrusion 13b are inserted near both ends of the central groove 112b, causing the connecting piece 73 and side plate portion 74 of the first fitting 71 to come into contact with the central piece 178 and contact piece 175a of the second fitting 171. Since the contact piece 175a is elastically deformable, it can be elastically displaced in the width direction of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101. As a result, the corresponding side plate portion 74 of the first fitting 71 and the contact piece 175a of the second fitting 171 maintain contact and do not separate even when subjected to shock or vibration, thus maintaining a stable conductive state. Therefore, power can be transmitted stably.

[0123] Furthermore, when the second shield 150 of the second connector 101 is inserted into the housing portion 50d of the first shield 50 of the first connector 10, the outer surface of the outer wall 152 of the second shield 150 comes into contact with or close to the inner surface of the inner wall 51 of the first shield 50, and as shown in Figures 25(b) and 28, the engaging projection 152c formed on the outer wall 152 of the second shield 150 engages with the engaging corner portion 51c formed on the inner wall 51 of the first shield 50. The fitting spring portion 51a of the inner wall 51 on which the engaging corner portion 51c is formed has both ends separated from the other parts by the slit portion 53b and is relatively flexible, so the engagement state with the engaging projection 152c of the outer wall 152 of the second shield 150 can be reliably maintained. As a result, the first shield 50 and the second shield 150 are locked together, preventing the mating state between the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 from being released. Furthermore, since the first shield 50 and the second shield 150 are in contact with each other and conduct electricity, resulting in equipotential, the electromagnetic shielding performance is improved.

[0124] Furthermore, the long side portion 50a of the first shield 50 has an intermediate joint portion 56 that connects a point in the middle of its longitudinal direction to a point in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11, and the long side portion 150a of the second shield 150 has an intermediate joint portion 156 that connects a point in the middle of its longitudinal direction to a point in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the second housing 111. As a result, even if the number of poles increases and the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 become elongated in shape, a decrease in the flatness of the lower surfaces (mounting surfaces 10b and 101b) of the flange portions 54 and 154 of the long side portion 50a of the first shield 50 and the long side portion 150a of the second shield 150, caused by the warping of the elongated members of the first housing 11 and the second housing 111, which are made of insulating material such as synthetic resin, is reliably prevented, and the connection between the flange portions 54 and 154 and the curved portions 52a and 152a and the connection pads on the surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate is reliably maintained. Therefore, good electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) can be maintained.

[0125] Furthermore, since the lower surfaces of the first horizontal portions 56c and 156c of the intermediate joint portions 56 and 156 are connected to connection pads linked to the ground lines on the surfaces of the first and second substrates, equipotential can be maintained over the entire longitudinal range even if the lengths of the long sides 50a and 150a are long. Therefore, better electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) can be maintained.

[0126] Thus, in this embodiment, the first connector 10 comprises a first housing 11, a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first housing 11, and a first shield 50 surrounding the first housing 11, and mates with the second connector 101. The second connector 101 comprises a second housing 111, a plurality of second terminals 161 attached to the second housing 111, and a second shield 150 surrounding the second housing 111, and mates with the first connector 10. The first terminal 61 and the second terminal 161 are arranged side by side to form a row extending in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101, and the first shield 50 and the second shield 150 include end joint portions 55 and 155, outer walls 52 and 152, and intermediate joint portions 56 and 156, and the end joint portions 55 and 155 connect the first shield 50 and the second shield 150 to the first housing 11 and the second housing 111 near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 11 and the second housing 111, so that there is no gap between them. The outer walls 52 and 152 are arranged on the widthwise outer side of the first housing 11 and the second housing 111 via lateral spaces 12c and 112c, in a range corresponding to at least the rows of the first terminals 61 and the second terminals 161 in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101, and the intermediate joint portions 56 and 156 connect the outer walls 52 and 152 to the first housing 11 and the second housing 111 across the lateral spaces 12c and 112c in a range corresponding to the rows of the first terminals 61 and the second terminals 161.

[0127] As a result, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are small and low-profile, yet they exhibit high strength and a high shielding effect, thereby improving reliability.

[0128] Furthermore, the intermediate joint portions 56 and 156 extend from the upper ends of the outer walls 52 and 152 toward the mounting surfaces 10b and 101b of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101, and further extend toward the first housing 11 and the second housing 111, with their tips fixed to the first housing 11 and the second housing 111 between the first terminals 61 and the second terminals 161 that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101. In addition, a portion of the intermediate joint portions 56 and 156 can be electrically connected to the first and second substrates on which the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mounted. Furthermore, flange portions 54 and 154 parallel to the surfaces of the first and second substrates on which the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mounted can be formed on the outer walls 52 and 152. Furthermore, the first shield 50 and the second shield 150 may include short sides 50b and 150b that surround both longitudinal ends of the first housing 11 and the second housing 111. Furthermore, the short sides 50b and 150b may be integrated with the first shield 50 and the second shield 150. Furthermore, the first shield 50 surrounds the periphery of a housing portion 50d into which the second connector 101 is inserted and housed, and the outer wall 52 includes at least two fitting spring portions 51a that contact the outer wall 152 of the second connector 101, and an intermediate joint portion 56 is formed between adjacent fitting spring portions 51a. Furthermore, the outer wall 152 may include engaging projections 152c formed to project outward from the outer surface.

[0129] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted. Similarly, the same operation and effects as those in the first embodiment will also be omitted from the description.

[0130] Figure 30 is a perspective view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 31 is a top view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 32 is a three-view drawing of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 33 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 34 is a side cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, and Figure 36 is a first perspective one-sided cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, which is the AA perspective one-sided cross-sectional view in Figure 31. Figure 37 is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, which is the BB perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 31; Figure 38 is a third perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, which is the CC perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 31; Figure 39 is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, which is the DD perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 31; and Figure 40 is a fifth perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector in the second embodiment, which is the NN perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 31. In Figure 30, (a) is a view from diagonally above, and (b) is a view from diagonally below; in Figure 32, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view; in Figure 34, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 31, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow NN in Figure 31; in Figure 35, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow BB in Figure 31, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow CC in Figure 31, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow DD in Figure 31.

[0131] In this embodiment, the first shield 50 is substantially rectangular in plan view, and its four sides are in contact with the second shield 150 of the second connector 101. The first connector 10 includes contact pieces 55f that are elastically displaceable in the mating direction and are disposed near the four corners of the first shield 50, and these contact pieces 55f are in contact with the second shield 150 of the second connector 101.

[0132] Specifically, the end joint portion 55 of the first shield 50 in this embodiment has a base portion 55a whose upper end is connected to the upper end portion 53a of the connecting portion 53, which is the upper end of the first shield 50; a first vertical portion 55b extending substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the base portion 55a; a first horizontal portion 55c extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the first vertical portion 55b toward the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the first connector 10; and a cantilever-shaped contact piece 55f extending longitudinally outward from the longitudinal outer edge of the first connector 10 in the first horizontal portion 55c. The contact piece 55f is inclined to rise as it moves away from the first horizontal portion 55c in a side view, that is, in the Y-axis direction, and the apex 55g formed near its free end functions as a contact point that contacts the second shield 150 of the second connector 101. In this embodiment, the end joint portion 55 omits the second vertical portion 55d and the second horizontal portion 55e that are present in the end joint portion 55 of the first embodiment.

[0133] Furthermore, in the first housing 11 of this embodiment, the outer end protrusion 13c is omitted, and a side recess extension 18d is formed. The side recess extension 18d is formed to extend from the longitudinal outer end of the first connector 10 in each side recess 18b toward the longitudinal outward direction of the first connector 10, and as a result, the narrow portion of the bottom plate 18 is present over a wider area than in the first embodiment.

[0134] When the first shield 50 is integrated with the first housing 11 by overmolding or insert molding, the base end portion 55a and approximately the upper half of the first vertical portion 55b are integrated with the portion of the first connector 10 that is longitudinally inward from the separating protrusion 17f at the corner portion 17, and are exposed on the surface of the upper wall portion 17a and the inner wall portion 17c, while only the portion of the first horizontal portion 55c near its tip is integrated with the bottom plate 18 and is exposed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 18. As a result, the long side portion 50a and the first housing 11 are reliably integrated and cannot be separated. In addition, the portion of the first horizontal portion 55c other than the portion near its tip, and the entire portion of the contact piece 55f are separated from the bottom plate 18 and located within the side recess extension portion 18d. As a result, the contact piece 55f can be freely deformed in the fitting direction, and its apex 55g can be freely displaced in the fitting direction.

[0135] As clearly shown in Figure 31, in a plan view, the contact pieces 55f are arranged near the four corners of the roughly rectangular first shield 50. The vertices 55g of the contact pieces 55f are located outside the region where the mating spring portion 51a, which contacts the second shield 150, is located on the four sides of the roughly rectangular first shield 50. Specifically, they are located further outward in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10 than the mating spring portion 51a on the long side portion 50a, and further outward in the width direction of the first connector 10 than the mating spring portion 51a on the short side portion 50b.

[0136] Furthermore, in a side view, the contact piece 55f extends over the entire extent of the cut-out portion 50c that separates the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b of the first shield 50 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. This improves the leakage of electromagnetic shielding in the cut-out portion 50c.

[0137] The other configurations of the first connector 10 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0138] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 in this embodiment will be described.

[0139] Figure 41 is a perspective view of the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 42 is a top view of the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 43 is a three-view drawing of the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 44 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 45 is a side cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and Figure 47 is a first perspective one-sided cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, which is the EE perspective one-sided cross-sectional view in Figure 42. Figure 48 is a second perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, which is the FF perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 42; Figure 49 is a third perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, which is the GG perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 42; Figure 50 is a fourth perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, which is the HH perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 42; and Figure 51 is a fifth perspective cross-sectional view of the second connector in the second embodiment, which is the PP perspective cross-sectional view in Figure 42. In Figure 41, (a) is a view from diagonally below, and (b) is a view from diagonally above; in Figure 43, (a) is a side view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a front view; in Figure 45, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the EE arrow in Figure 42, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the PP arrow in Figure 42; in Figure 46, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the FF arrow in Figure 42, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the GG arrow in Figure 42, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the HH arrow in Figure 42.

[0140] In this embodiment, the second shield 150 includes a shield upper surface portion disposed on the upper surface 111a of the second housing 111, and the contact piece 55f of the first connector 10 contacts the shield upper surface portion.

[0141] Specifically, as shown in Figure 44, in this embodiment, the side wall portion 117c of the protruding end 117 of the second housing 111 is formed to have a larger width dimension and a wider flat portion on the upper surface than the side wall portion 117c in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the protruding end 117 is referred to as the upper surface 111a of the second housing 111.

[0142] Furthermore, the upper wall portion 153c of the short side portion 150b of the second shield 150 is formed such that the width dimension of the portion corresponding to the side wall portion 117c is larger than that of the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, the upper wall portion 153c is referred to as the shield upper surface portion.

[0143] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, the protruding end 117 is inserted into the mating recess 12b of the first connector 10, and the contact piece 55f located within the mating recess 12b contacts the upper wall portion 153c, which is located on the upper surface 111a in a portion corresponding to the side wall portion 117c. As a result, when the mating of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is completed, the vertex 55g of the contact piece 55f contacts the upper shield surface of the second shield 150 near each corner, thereby making the electromagnetic shielding effect extremely high even near each corner.

[0144] The other configurations of the second connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0145] Next, the operation of mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment will be described.

[0146] Figure 52 is a perspective view of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, Figure 53 is a plan view of the first connector viewed from above showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, Figure 54 is a three-view drawing of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, Figure 55 is a side cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, Figure 56 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector, and Figure 57 is a first perspective one-sided cross-sectional view of the second embodiment showing the mating of the first connector and the second connector. Figure 58 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, showing the state in which mating between the first and second connectors is completed, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in Figure 53. Figure 59 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, showing the state in which mating between the first and second connectors is completed, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in Figure 53. Figure 60 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, showing the state in which mating between the first and second connectors is completed, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in Figure 43. Figure 61 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in the second embodiment, showing the state in which mating between the first and second connectors is completed, and is a perspective cross-sectional view of the first connector and the second connector in Figure 43. In Figure 52, (a) is a view of the first connector from diagonally above, and (b) is a view of the first connector from diagonally below. In Figure 54, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view of the second connector from above, and (c) is a front view. In Figure 55, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the JJ arrow in Figure 53, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the RR arrow in Figure 53. In Figure 56, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the KK arrow in Figure 53, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the LL arrow in Figure 53, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the MM arrow in Figure 53.

[0147] In this embodiment, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, the protruding end 117 of the second housing 111 is inserted into the mating recess 12b of the first connector 10, and the upper wall portion 153c of the second shield 150, which is disposed on the upper surface 111a of the second housing 111 corresponding to the side wall portion 117c, comes into contact with the apex 55g of the contact piece 55f located in the mating recess 12b, displacing the apex 55g downward (negative Z-axis direction). As a result, the cantilever-shaped contact piece 55f is elastically deformed, and the reaction force presses the apex 55g against the upper wall portion 153c.

[0148] As a result, contact between the apex 55g of the contact piece 55f and the upper wall portion 153c is reliably maintained, and the connection between the long side portion 50a of the first shield 50 to which the contact piece 55f is connected and the short side portion 150b of the second shield 150, which includes the upper wall portion 153c, is reliably maintained. The long side portion 50a of the first shield 50 and the long side portion 150a of the second shield 150 are in contact with each other, and the short side portion 50b of the first shield 50 and the short side portion 150b of the second shield 150 are in contact with each other. Therefore, the long side portion 50a and the short side portion 50b of the first shield 50, and the long side portion 150a and the short side portion 150b of the second shield 150 are connected to each other and can maintain equipotential, thereby maintaining better electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

[0149] Furthermore, other aspects of the operation for mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0150] Thus, in this embodiment, the first connector 10 comprises a first housing 11, a plurality of first terminals 61 attached to the first housing 11, and a first shield 50 surrounding the first housing 11, and mates with the second connector 101. The first terminals 61 are arranged in a row that extends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10, the first shield 50 is substantially rectangular in plan view, and its four sides are in contact with the second shield 150 of the second connector 101, and the first connector 10 includes contact pieces 55f that are elastically displaceable in the mating direction and are disposed near the four corners of the first shield 50, and the contact pieces 55f are in contact with the second shield 150 of the second connector 101.

[0151] As a result, the first connector 10 is small and low-profile, yet it exhibits high strength and a high shielding effect, thereby improving reliability.

[0152] Furthermore, the vertex 55g of the contact piece 55f contacts the second shield 150 outside the area where the four sides of the first shield 50 contact the second shield 150 in a plan view. In addition, the contact piece 55f is connected to the first shield 50. Furthermore, the contact piece 55f has a cantilever shape that extends in the longitudinal direction of the first connector 10. Furthermore, the second shield 150 includes an upper wall portion 153c disposed on the upper surface 111a of the second housing 111, and the contact piece 55f contacts the upper wall portion 153c.

[0153] Furthermore, the other basic configurations and effects when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated are the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0154] Furthermore, the disclosure herein describes features relating to preferred and exemplary embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the claims herein would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reviewing the disclosure herein. [Industrial applicability]

[0155] This disclosure can be applied to connectors and connector pairs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 10. First connector 10a, 101a mating surface 10b, 101b Implementation side 11 Housing 1 12 First recess 12a Inner groove 12b Fitting recess 12c, 112c lateral space 13. First protrusion 13a Outside convex part 13b Inner protrusion 13c Outer end protrusion 13d, 112d Intermediate joint retaining part 15. Cavity housing the first signal terminal 15a Inner cavity housing the first signal terminal 15b Outer cavity housing the first signal terminal 16, 116 Mounting parts for metal fittings 16a Fitting housing groove 16b First fitting connection opening 16c First fitting connection slit 17 Corner 17a, 153c Upper wall section 17b Exterior wall 17c Inner wall 17d Cavity 17e Shield housing 17f, 117f Separation protrusions 18, 118 bottom plate 18a, 118a, 864 connection section 18b, 118b side recess 18c End recess 18d side concave extension 50 Shield 1 50a, 150a Long side 50b, 150b Short side 50b1, 150b1 1st part 50b2, 150b2 2nd part 50b3, 150b3 3rd part 50c, 150c resection area 50d Storage area 51 Inner wall 51a Fitting spring section 51b Mating positioning section 51c Engagement corner 51d Slope section 51e Lower inner wall 52, 152 Exterior wall 52a, 152a Curved section 53, 153 connection part 53a, 153a Upper end 53b Slit section 54, 154 Flange section 54a, 154a Notch 55, 155 End joint section 55a, 56a, 155a, 156a proximal end 55b, 56b, 156b First vertical section 55c, 56c, 156c 1st horizontal section 55d, 56d, 156d Second vertical section 55e 2nd horizontal section 55f, 175a contact piece 55g peak 56, 156 Intermediate joint section 61 1st terminal 62, 72, 162 Tail section 63 Holding part 64 Lower connection part 65, 166 Outer connection 65a, 66a contact part 66, 165 Inner connection part 71 First fitting 73 Connecting piece 74 Side plate part 75, 172 Top plate section 101 Second connector 111 Second Housing 111a Top side 112 Second protrusion 112a Terminal support wall 112b Central groove 116a, 117a End wall 116b, 117c, 814 side wall section 116c Central recess 116d Lateral recess 117 Protruding end 117b Curved wall section 117d Protruding end recess 150 2nd Shield 152c Engagement protrusion 155b Vertical section 161 2nd terminal 164 Upper connection part 171 Second fitting 172a Front connection section 172b Lateral connection 175 Side panel 178 Central piece 811 Housing 812 Receiving recess 813 Central wall section 850 Shielding plate 850a Board connection section 861 terminal

Claims

1. (a) A connector comprising a connector body, a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body, and a shielding member surrounding the connector body, which mates with a mating connector, (b) The terminals are arranged in a row that extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector, (c) The shield member includes a fixing portion, a shield plate, and a joint portion, (d) The fixing portion integrally connects and fixes the shield member and the connector body near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body so as not to create any gap between them. (e) The shield plate is disposed on the outside in the width direction of the connector body, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connector, in a range corresponding to at least the rows of terminals, with respect to the width direction of the connector body, via a lateral space. (f) The joint portion extends from the upper end of the shield plate toward the mounting surface of the connector, and further extends toward the connector body, with its tip embedded and fixed in the connector body, and a portion of the portion extending toward the connector body being integrated with the bottom plate of the connector body and exposed on the lower surface so as to be electrically connectable to the substrate on which the connector is mounted, and the shield plate is connected to the connector body across the lateral space in the range corresponding to the rows of terminals.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the shield plate has a substrate connection portion formed around its entire circumference, parallel to the surface of the substrate on which the connector is mounted.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member may include a second shielding member that surrounds both longitudinal ends of the connector body.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the second shielding member can be integrated with the shielding member.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member surrounds the periphery of a housing portion into which a mating connector is inserted and housed, the shielding plate includes at least two contact portions that contact the shielding plate of the mating connector, and the joint portion is formed between adjacent contact portions.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the shield plate may include contact portions formed to protrude outward from its outer surface.

7. A pair of connectors comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

8. (a) A pair of connectors having a connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector, (b) The connector and the mating connector each comprise a connector body, a plurality of terminals attached to the connector body, and a shielding member surrounding the connector body. (c) The terminals are arranged in a row so as to form a row extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the connector and the mating connector, (d) The shield member includes a fixing portion, an outer wall, and a joint portion, (e) The fixing portion integrally connects and fixes the shield member and the connector body near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector body so as not to create any gap between them. (f) The outer wall is disposed on the outside of the connector body in the width direction, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connector, in a range corresponding to at least the row of terminals, with respect to the width direction of the connector body, via a lateral space. (g) The shield member of the connector further includes an inner wall and a connecting portion that connects the outer wall and the inner wall, the inner wall being divided by a slit portion and a joint portion being formed between the two slit portions, (h) Each joint portion of the connector and the mating connector extends from the upper end of the outer wall toward the respective mounting surfaces of the connector and the mating connector, and further extends toward the connector body, with its tip embedded and fixed in the connector body, and a portion of the portion extending toward the connector body being electrically connectable to the substrate on which each of the connector and the mating connector is mounted. (i) A connector pair characterized in that, when the connector and the mating connector are mated, the joint portions of the connector and the mating connector face each other.

Images