Connector modules and electronic equipment

Abstract

A connector module 1 of the present disclosure has: a first connector 10 comprising a first insulator 20, a plurality of first contacts 30, and a first shielding member 40; and a second connector 50 comprising a second insulator 60, a plurality of second contacts 70, and a second shielding member 80. The first shielding member 40 has a pair of first side walls 41, a pair of second side walls 42, and first end surface portions 44 stretching along the first side walls 41. The second shielding member 80 has a pair of third side walls 81, a pair of forth side walls 82, and second end surface portions 84 stretching along the third side walls 81. The first end surface portions 44 is positioned on the second connector 50 side from the first end portions of the second side walls 42 on the second connector 50 side, and the second end surface portions 84 is positioned on the first connector 10 side from the second end portions of forth side walls 82 on the first connector 10 side.

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-151876 filed in Japan on September 22, 2022, and incorporates the entire disclosure of this application herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a connector module and an electronic device.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, countermeasures against electromagnetic wave noise in electronic devices have become important. Along with this, structures that can achieve a sufficient noise shielding effect are also required in connectors and connector modules incorporated in electronic devices. In order to obtain a shielding effect against electromagnetic wave noise in a connector, it has been conventionally known to provide a shielding member such as a shield.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector and a connector pair that are small and low-profile, exhibit high strength, can obtain a high shielding effect, and have high reliability.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] A connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a connector module including a first connector and a second connector that face each other when being fitted. The first connector is a first insulator that fits with the second connector, and a plurality of first contacts attached to the first insulator. The first shielding member attached to the first insulator, It is equipped with. The 2nd connector is, A second insulator that mates with the first connector, Multiple second contacts attached to the second insulator, The second shielding member attached to the second insulator, It is equipped with. The first shielding member is, A pair of first side walls extending along a first direction, A pair of second side walls extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, A first end face portion that extends along the first side wall and has a surface that faces the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated facing each other, It has. The second shielding member is A pair of third side walls extending along the first direction, A pair of fourth side walls extending along the second direction, A second end face portion that extends along the third side wall and has a surface that faces the first connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated facing each other, It has. When mating, with the first connector and the second connector facing each other, The first end face portion is located closer to the second connector than the first end portion on the second connector side of the second side wall. The second end face portion is located closer to the first connector than the second end portion on the first connector side of the fourth side wall.

[0007] An electronic device according to one embodiment of this disclosure is It is equipped with the above-mentioned connector module. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]It is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, a connector module according to an embodiment in a state where a first connector and a second connector are connected to each other. [Figure 2] It is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, a connector module according to an embodiment in a state where a first connector and a second connector are separated from each other. <9000067> [Figure 3] It is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, the first connector alone in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, the first connector in FIG. 3 disassembled. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the V-V arrow line in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a front view of the first connector in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] It is a development view showing the state of the first shielding member in FIG. 4 before being bent in the plate thickness direction. [Figure 8] It is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, the second connector alone in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, the second connector in FIG. 8 disassembled. [Figure 10] It is a front view of the second connector in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XI-XI arrow line in FIG. 1. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XII-XII arrow line in FIG. 1.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] For example, like the connector described in Patent Document 1, when the upper surface of the shielding member is arranged flush along the outer periphery of the connector, there is a problem that it is difficult to align the fitting positions of the connectors when fitting the connectors to each other. When the connectors are made smaller, such alignment becomes more difficult. If forced fitting is attempted in such a case, there is also a possibility of causing damage to the connectors.

[0010] According to the connector module and the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a shielding structure that facilitates the fitting operation between connectors.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are based on the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the respective arrows are mutually aligned between different drawings in FIGS. 1 to 6, FIGS. 11, and FIGS. 12. The directions of the respective arrows are mutually aligned between different drawings in FIGS. 8 to 10. Depending on the drawings, for the purpose of simplicity of illustration, the illustrations of the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 described later are omitted

[0012] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, a connector module 1 according to an embodiment in a state where a first connector 10 and a second connector 50 are connected to each other. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing, in a top view, a connector module 1 according to an embodiment in a state where the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are separated from each other

[0013] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector module 1 has a first connector 10 and a second connector 50 that can be fitted to each other. The first connector 10 has the second connector 50 as a connection target and is connected to the connection target. The first connector 10 has a first insulator 20 that fits with the second connector 50. The first connector 10 has a plurality of first contacts 30 attached to the first insulator 20. The first connector 10 has a first shielding member 40 attached to the first insulator 20. The first shielding member 40 contacts a second shielding member 80 described later in a fitting state where the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are fitted to each other. At this time, the first shielding member 40 elastically deform

[0014] The second connector 50 mates with the first connector 10. The second connector 50 has a second insulator 60 that mates with the first insulator 20 in the mated state. The second connector 50 has a plurality of second contacts 70 attached to the second insulator 60. The second contacts 70 contact the first contact 30 in the mated state when the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are mated with each other. The second connector 50 has a second shielding member 80 attached to the second insulator 60.

[0015] For example, the first connector 10 according to one embodiment is a receptacle connector. For example, the second connector 50 according to one embodiment is a plug connector. The first connector 10 is described as a receptacle connector if the first contact 30 elastically deforms when the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are mated together. The second connector 50 is described as a plug connector if the second contact 70 does not elastically deform when mated together. The types of the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are not limited to these. For example, the first connector 10 may function as a plug connector and the second connector 50 may function as a receptacle connector.

[0016] The first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mounted on circuit boards CB1 and CB2, respectively. With the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 connected to each other, they electrically connect circuit boards CB1 and CB2. Circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be rigid boards or any other type of circuit board. For example, at least one of circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC).

[0017] The first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are connected to each other perpendicularly with respect to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. For example, the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are connected to each other along the vertical direction. The connection method is not limited to this. The first connector 10 and the second connector 50 may be connected to each other parallel to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The first connector 10 and the second connector 50 may be connected to each other such that one is perpendicular to the mounted circuit board and the other is parallel to the mounted circuit board.

[0018] In this disclosure, "mating direction" corresponds, for example, to the up-and-down direction. "Longitudinal direction" corresponds, for example, to the left-and-right direction. "Alignment direction" corresponds, for example, to the left-and-right direction. "Short direction" corresponds, for example, to the front-and-back direction. "Mating side" corresponds, for example, to the bottom side. "Removal side" corresponds, for example, to the top side.

[0019] "First direction" is, for example, the short-side direction of connector module 1. "Second direction" is, for example, the long-side direction of connector module 1. "Third direction" corresponds to the up and down direction, for example.

[0020] In this disclosure, "the side of the first connector 10" corresponds to the direction approaching the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are facing each other. For example, in Figure 8, which will be described later and uses the second connector 50 as a reference, the side of the first connector 10 corresponds to the upper side as one example. "The side opposite to the first connector 10" is the opposite of the side of the first connector 10.

[0021] In this disclosure, "the side of the second connector 50" corresponds to the direction approaching the second connector 50 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are facing each other. For example, in Figure 3, which will be described later and is based on the first connector 10, the side of the second connector 50 corresponds to the upper side as one example. "The side opposite to the second connector 50" is the opposite of the side of the second connector 50.

[0022] "Inside" corresponds to the direction toward the center of the first connector 10 or the second connector 50. For example, "inside" in the front-to-back direction corresponds to the direction toward the center of the first connector 10 or the second connector 50 in the front-to-back direction. However, it is not limited to this, and "inside" does not have to be a direction toward the center in the front-to-back direction, but may correspond to a direction toward the center along a slight angle. The same applies to other directions. "Outside" is the opposite of "inside".

[0023] Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the first connector 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from above. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the first connector 10 shown in Figure 3, disassembled and viewed from above. The first connector 10 is obtained, for example, by press-fitting the first contact 30 into the first insulator 20 from below and the first shielding member 40 into the first insulator 20 from above.

[0024] The first insulator 20 constituting the first connector 10 is made of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The first insulator 20 extends in a plate shape in the left-right direction. The first insulator 20 has a first portion 20a to which the first contact 30 is attached. The first insulator 20 has a second portion 20b located outward in the second direction from the first portion 20a, to which the first shielding member 40 is attached. The first insulator 20 extends along the first direction and has a connecting portion 20c that connects the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b. The connecting portion 20c protrudes slightly above the second bottom wall 25, which will be described later. The connecting portion 20c extends outward on both sides in the first direction from the end of the first portion 20a in the second direction. The second portion 20b protrudes symmetrically on both sides in the first direction relative to the first portion 20a and is wider in the first direction than the first portion 20a.

[0025] The first portion 20a of the first insulator 20 has a first bottom wall 21 that constitutes the lower part. The first portion 20a of the first insulator 20 has a fitting projection 22 that protrudes upward from the central part of the front, rear, left, and right sides of the first bottom wall 21. The first portion 20a of the first insulator 20 has longitudinal walls 23 that extend along the left-right direction on both the front and rear sides of the fitting projection 22. The longitudinal walls 23 are located on the outer circumference of the first portion 20a of the first insulator 20. The longitudinal walls 23 surround the fitting projection 22 from both the front and rear sides.

[0026] The first portion 20a of the first insulator 20 has a first contact mounting groove 24 that is located inside the longitudinal wall 23, the first bottom wall 21, and on the front-rear inner surface of the fitting projection 22. The first contact 30 is mounted in the first contact mounting groove 24. Multiple first contact mounting grooves 24 are arranged in a manner corresponding to the number of first contacts 30. The multiple first contact mounting grooves 24 are arranged along the direction of arrangement of the multiple first contacts 30.

[0027] The second portion 20b of the first insulator 20 has a second bottom wall 25 that constitutes the lower part. The second portion 20b of the first insulator 20 has an outer peripheral wall 26 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the second bottom wall 25. The outer peripheral wall 26 has a short side wall 26a that extends along a first direction and an outer side wall 26b that extends along a second direction and is connected to the long side wall 23 by a connecting portion 20c. The outer peripheral wall 26 is located on the outer periphery of the second portion 20b of the first insulator 20.

[0028] The second portion 20b of the first insulator 20 has a first groove 27 recessed from the surface of the second bottom wall 25 toward the opposite side from the second connector 50, i.e., toward the downward side. The second portion 20b of the first insulator 20 has a recess 28 that is continuously arranged from the first groove 27 on the left-right inner surface of the short wall 26a. The recess 28 is arranged over the entire vertical surface of the inner surface and has the same front-to-back width as the first groove 27. The second portion 20b of the first insulator 20 has mounting grooves 29 recessed on both the front and rear sides of the short wall 26a.

[0029] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV arrow in Figure 3. The configuration of the first contact 30 will be mainly described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0030] The first contact 30 is formed from a thin sheet of a copper alloy containing, for example, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson-type copper alloy, which has spring elasticity, using a progressive die (stamping) to form the shape shown in Figures 4 and 5. The surface of the first contact 30 is plated with nickel first, followed by plating with gold or tin.

[0031] The first contact 30 has a mounting portion 31 that extends linearly outward in the front-rear direction. The first contact 30 has a locking portion 32 that extends linearly upward from the inner end of the mounting portion 31 in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 32 is wide in the front-rear direction. The first contact 30 has an elastic contact piece 33 that protrudes inward in the front-rear direction in a J-shape from the connection portion between the mounting portion 31 and the locking portion 32. The first contact 30 has a contact portion 34 located at the tip of the elastic contact piece 33 that protrudes outward in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Figure 6 is a front view of the first connector 10 shown in Figure 3. The configuration of the first shielding member 40 will be mainly described with reference to Figures 4 and 6.

[0033] The first shielding member 40 is formed from a thin sheet of any metal material using a progressive die (stamping) into the shape shown in Figures 4 and 6. The processing method for the first shielding member 40 includes a step of bending the sheet in the thickness direction after punching. However, it is not limited to this, and the first shielding member 40 may be processed by a process including drawing. The first shielding member 40 is made from a single metal sheet.

[0034] The first shielding member 40 has a pair of first side walls 41 extending along a first direction. The first shielding member 40 has a pair of second side walls 42 extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first shielding member 40 has a folded portion 43 that is folded back from the second side walls 42 toward the first side walls 41. The fracture surface of the folded portion 43 and the fracture surface of the first side walls 41 face each other without the first insulator 20 intervening. The first side walls 41, the folded portion 43, and the second side walls 42 are located on the outer circumference of the first shielding member 40 and the first connector 10. On this outer circumference, there is only a small gap between the fracture surface of the folded portion 43 and the fracture surface of the first side walls 41, and the rest is covered by the first shielding member 40.

[0035] The first shielding member 40 extends along the first side wall 41 and has a first end face portion 44 that faces the second connector 50 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other. The first end face portion 44 includes the upper surface of the first shielding member 40.

[0036] The first side wall 41 is arranged in continuous with the first end face portion 44. More specifically, the first side wall 41 extends outward from the first end face portion 44 in a third direction that intersects the first and second directions. The first side wall 41 extends downward from the outer edge portion of the first end face portion 44 in the left-right direction, bending as it goes. The first side wall 41 is connected to the first end face portion 44 and has a first curved surface portion 41a having an R shape.

[0037] The first shielding member 40 has a first extension portion 45 that extends in a third direction inward from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction. The first extension portion 45 extends downward while bending from the inner edge portion in the left-right direction of the first end face portion 44. The first extension portion 45 has a second curved surface portion 45a that is connected to the first end face portion 44 and has an R shape. The first extension portion 45 has a first recess 45b located on the left-right inner surface of the first extension portion 45.

[0038] The first side wall 41, the first end face portion 44, and the first extension portion 45 are in an inverted U shape in a cross-sectional view from the front-rear direction, as also shown in Figure 12, which will be described later. The first side wall 41, the first end face portion 44, and the first extension portion 45 are arranged in a continuous manner. The first side wall 41 is smoothly continuous with the first end face portion 44 via the first curved surface portion 41a. The first extension portion 45 is smoothly continuous with the first end face portion 44 via the second curved surface portion 45a.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the second side wall 42 has an elastic contact piece 42a that extends inward in the front-rear direction in an inverted U shape at the upper edge of the second side wall 42 and then extends diagonally downward inward. The elastic contact piece 42a has a second recess 42b located on the inner surface of the elastic contact piece 42a in the front-rear direction. A pair of elastic contact pieces 42a spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction are arranged on the second side wall 42.

[0040] The first shielding member 40 has a plurality of notches 46a formed by cutting out the first end of the second side wall 42 on the side of the second connector 50, i.e., the upper end, toward the opposite side from the second connector 50. The notches 46a are positioned on both the left and right outer sides relative to the pair of elastic contact pieces 42a. The first shielding member 40 also has a notch 46b positioned between the pair of elastic contact pieces 42a.

[0041] The first shielding member 40 has a third curved surface portion 47 having an R shape that continuously connects the first end face portion 44 and the second side wall 42. The second side wall 42 is arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44. More specifically, the second side wall 42 extends outward from the first end face portion 44 in the first direction via the third curved surface portion 47 in a third direction. The second side wall 42 extends downward from the third curved surface portion 47 which bends at the outer edge of the first end face portion 44 in the front-rear direction.

[0042] The first shielding member 40 has a locking portion 48 that extends in a third direction from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction inward. The locking portion 48 extends downward while bending from the inner edge portion in the left-right direction of the first end face portion 44.

[0043] The first shielding member 40 has a first mounting portion 49a that extends linearly downward from the lower edge of the first side wall 41. The first shielding member 40 has a second mounting portion 49b that extends linearly downward from the lower edge of the second side wall 42. The first shielding member 40 has a third mounting portion 49c that extends linearly downward from the lower edge of the folded portion 43.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together, the first end face 44 is located on the second connector 50 side of the second side wall 42, relative to the first end on the second connector 50 side. The first end face 44 is located above the upper end of the second side wall 42, more specifically above the top of the inverted U-shaped portion of the elastic contact piece 42a. The upward-facing surface of the first end face 44 is located at the very top of all the components of the first shielding member 40. The upward-facing surface of the first end face 44 is located furthest towards the second connector 50 on the first shielding member 40 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together.

[0045] Figure 7 is an unfolded view showing the first shielding member 40 of Figure 4 before it is bent in the thickness direction. For the first shielding member 40 bent in the thickness direction as shown in Figure 4, the length of the locking portion 48 in the third direction is smaller than the length of the notch portion 46a in the second direction. In the unfolded view shown in Figure 7, the amount of protrusion of the locking portion 48 of the first shielding member 40 is smaller than the width of the notch portion 46a. The tip of the locking portion 48 in the protruding direction is located within the width of the notch portion 46a and does not interfere with the elastic contact piece 42a facing the locking portion 48.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the first contact 30 is press-fitted into the first insulator 20 from below. At this time, the locking portion 32 engages with the portion of the first contact mounting groove 24 that is located inside the longitudinal wall 23. This holds the first contact 30 in place with respect to the first contact mounting groove 24. The first contact 30 is attached to the first portion 20a of the first insulator 20.

[0047] When the first contact 30 is held in the first contact mounting groove 24 of the first insulator 20, the contact portion 34 of the elastic contact piece 33 is exposed from the first contact mounting groove 24 between the fitting projection 22 and the longitudinal wall 23. At this time, the elastic contact piece 33 is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction within the first contact mounting groove 24. The front-rear tip of the mounting portion 31 is located on the second side wall 42 side of the first shielding member 40, rather than on the longitudinal wall 23.

[0048] As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the first shielding member 40 is press-fitted from above the first insulator 20. At this time, the locking portion 48 engages with the mounting groove 29 of the second portion 20b of the first insulator 20. This holds the first shielding member 40 in place with respect to the mounting groove 29. The first shielding member 40 is attached to the second portion 20b of the first insulator 20.

[0049] When the first shielding member 40 is held in the mounting groove 29 of the first insulator 20, the first side wall 41 is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 26a of the first insulator 20, covering a portion of the outer surface from the outside in the left-right direction. The first curved portion 41a is positioned along the connection portion between the outer surface and the top surface of the short wall 26a, covering a portion of the connection portion from the outside of the first insulator 20. The second side wall 42 is positioned along the front-rear outer surface of the short wall 26a of the first insulator 20, the front-rear outer surface of the outer wall 26b, and the front-rear outer surface of the long wall 23, covering these outer surfaces from the outside in the front-rear direction.

[0050] The second side wall 42 and the longitudinal wall 23 are spaced far apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The elastic contact piece 42a of the second side wall 42 is located in the space between the second side wall 42 and the longitudinal wall 23 and is elastically deformable along the front-rear direction within that space. The second recess 42b of the second side wall 42 is positioned to face the outer surface of the longitudinal wall 23 in the front-rear direction.

[0051] The folded portion 43 is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 26a of the first insulator 20 and the connection portion between the said outer surface and the front-rear outer surface of the short wall 26a, covering a part of the said outer surface and the said connection portion from the outside of the first insulator 20. The first end face portion 44 is positioned along the upper surface of the short wall 26a of the first insulator 20, covering substantially the entire upper surface from above. The first end face portion 44 is parallel to the second bottom wall 25. The upper surface of the first end face portion 44 is parallel to the upper surface of the second bottom wall 25.

[0052] The first extension portion 45 is positioned in the recess 28 of the first insulator 20 and covers the recess 28 from the inside in the left-right direction. At this time, as shown in Figure 12 which will be described later, the end edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension portion 45 is housed in the first groove portion 27. The continuously arranged first side wall 41, first end face portion 44, and first extension portion 45 cover a part of the short wall 26a from both the left and right sides and from above. The third curved surface portion 47 is positioned along the connection portion between the upper surface of the short wall 26a and the outer surface of the short wall 26a in the front-rear direction and covers a part of the connection portion from the outside of the first insulator 20.

[0053] As described above, the first shielding member 40 is positioned on the outside of the first insulator 20 in the front-rear, left-right, and right directions, and covers substantially the entire first insulator 20 from the front-rear, left-right, and right directions. The first shielding member 40 covers the first insulator 20 from the outside in the front-rear, left-right, and right directions in all parts except for the portion where there is a small gap between the fracture surface of the folded portion 43 and the fracture surface of the first side wall 41. In addition, the first shielding member 40 covers a portion of the outer peripheral wall 26 of the first insulator 20 from above.

[0054] The first mounting portion 49a is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 26a. The first mounting portion 49a extends downward from the lower end of the short wall 26a. The second mounting portion 49b is positioned along the front-rear outer surface of the outer wall 26b and the front-rear outer surface of the long wall 23. The second mounting portion 49b extends downward from the lower end of the outer wall 26b and the lower end of the long wall 23. The third mounting portion 49c is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 26a. The third mounting portion 49c extends downward from the lower end of the short wall 26a.

[0055] The upward-facing surface of the first end face portion 44 is located on the second connector 50 side of the upper end surface of the first contact 30 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other. The upper surface of the first shielding member 40 attached to the first insulator 20 is located above the upper surface of the first contact 30 attached to the first insulator 20. The first end face portion 44 is located on the first connector 10 closest to the second connector 50 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other.

[0056] In the first connector 10 having the structure described above, as shown in Figure 3, the mounting portion 31 of the first contact 30 is soldered to the circuit pattern arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1. The first mounting portion 49a, the second mounting portion 49b, and the third mounting portion 49c of the first shielding member 40 are soldered to the circuit pattern arranged on the mounting surface. As a result of mounting each mounting portion onto the circuit board CB1, the first connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board CB1. Other electronic components, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), controller, and memory, are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1, separate from the first connector 10.

[0057] The configuration of the second connector 50 will be explained primarily with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

[0058] Figure 8 is a top-view perspective view of the second connector 50 shown in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a top-view perspective view of the second connector 50 shown in Figure 8 after it has been disassembled. The second connector 50 can be obtained, for example, by press-fitting the second contact 70 and the second shielding member 80 into the second insulator 60 from above.

[0059] The second insulator 60 is a plate-shaped member extending in the left-right direction, injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The second insulator 60 has a bottom plate portion 61 that forms the lower part. The second insulator 60 has an annular outer peripheral wall 62 that protrudes upward along the front, rear, left, and right outer circumference of the bottom plate portion 61. The outer peripheral wall 62 extends in a first direction and a second direction. The outer peripheral wall 62 has a short wall 62a and a long wall 62b. The short wall 62a extends in the first direction and is wider in the front-rear direction than the distance between the pair of long walls 62b in the front-rear direction. The long wall 62b extends in the second direction. The second insulator 60 has a fitting recess 63 surrounded from four directions (front, rear, left, and right) by the outer peripheral wall 62.

[0060] The second insulator 60 has a second contact mounting groove 64 located on the longitudinal wall 62b. The second contact 70 is mounted in the second contact mounting groove 64. Multiple second contact mounting grooves 64 are arranged in a manner corresponding to the number of second contacts 70. The multiple second contact mounting grooves 64 are arranged along the direction of arrangement of the multiple second contacts 70.

[0061] The second insulator 60 has mounting grooves 65 recessed on both the front and rear sides of the short wall 62a. The second shielding member 80 is attached to the mounting grooves 65. The second insulator 60 has recesses 66 located on the left-right inner surface of the short wall 62a. The recesses 66 are located throughout the entire vertical surface of the inner surface. The recesses 66 have a second groove 66a recessed in the outer peripheral wall 62 along a third direction.

[0062] The second groove 66a is recessed in the short wall 62a along a third direction and includes a space enclosed by the short wall 62a and the long wall 62b. The second groove 66a is positioned in the recess 66 so as to be enclosed by the short wall 62a and the long wall 62b. The second groove 66a is enclosed from three directions by the left-right inner surface of the short wall 62a, i.e., the left-right surface of the recess 66; the front-rear inner surface of the short wall 62a, i.e., the front-rear surface of the recess 66; and the left-right end surface of the long wall 62b.

[0063] The configuration of the second contact 70 will be explained primarily with reference to Figure 9.

[0064] The second contact 70 is formed from a thin sheet of copper alloy containing, for example, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson-type copper alloy, using a progressive die (stamping) to form the shape shown in Figure 9. The surface of the second contact 70 is plated with nickel first, followed by plating with gold or tin.

[0065] The second contact 70 has a mounting portion 71 that extends linearly outward in the front-rear direction. The second contact 70 has a first locking portion 72 that extends upward from the mounting portion 71 and is wide in the left-right direction. The second contact 70 has a folded portion 73 that extends upward from the upper end of the first locking portion 72 and is folded back in an inverted U shape.

[0066] The second contact 70 has a contact portion 74 located on the folded portion 73. The contact portion 74 is configured to include an inner surface facing inward in the front-rear direction of the second connector 50 on the folded portion 73. The second contact 70 has a second locking portion 75 located at the tip of the folded portion 73. The second locking portion 75 is located directly below the contact portion 74 on the folded portion 73.

[0067] Figure 10 is a front view of the second connector 50 shown in Figure 8. The configuration of the second shielding member 80 will be mainly described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0068] The second shielding member 80 is formed from a thin sheet of any metal material using a progressive die (stamping) to the shape shown in Figures 9 and 10. The processing method for the second shielding member 80 includes a step of bending the sheet in the thickness direction after punching. However, it is not limited to this, and the second shielding member 80 may be processed by a process including drawing. The second shielding member 80 is made from a single metal sheet.

[0069] The second shielding member 80 has a pair of third side walls 81 extending along a first direction. The second shielding member 80 has a pair of fourth side walls 82 extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second shielding member 80 has a folded portion 83 that is folded back from the fourth side wall 82 toward the third side wall 81. The fracture surface of the folded portion 83 and the fracture surface of the third side wall 81 face each other without the second insulator 60 intervening. The third side wall 81, the folded portion 83, and the fourth side wall 82 are located on the outer circumference of the second shielding member 80 and the second connector 50. On this outer circumference, there is only a small gap between the fracture surface of the folded portion 83 and the fracture surface of the third side wall 81, and the rest is covered by the second shielding member 80.

[0070] The second shielding member 80 extends along the third side wall 81 and has a second end face portion 84 that faces the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other. The second end face portion 84 includes the upper surface of the second shielding member 80.

[0071] The third side wall 81 is arranged in continuous with the second end face portion 84. More specifically, the third side wall 81 extends from the second end face portion 84 outward in the second direction and in a third direction that intersects the first and second directions. The third side wall 81 extends downward while bending from the left-right outer edge of the second end face portion 84. The third side wall 81 is connected to the second end face portion 84 and has a first curved surface portion 81a having an R shape.

[0072] The second shielding member 80 has a second extension portion 85 that extends inward in the second direction from the second end face portion 84 in the third direction. The second extension portion 85 extends downward while bending from the inner edge portion in the left-right direction of the second end face portion 84. The second extension portion 85 is connected to the second end face portion 84 and has a second curved surface portion 85a having an R shape.

[0073] The third side wall 81, the second end face portion 84, and the second extension portion 85 are U-shaped in cross-sectional view from the front-rear direction, as shown in Figure 12, which will be described later. The third side wall 81, the second end face portion 84, and the second extension portion 85 are arranged in a continuous manner. The third side wall 81 is smoothly continuous with the second end face portion 84 via the first curved surface portion 81a. The second extension portion 85 is smoothly continuous with the second end face portion 84 via the second curved surface portion 85a.

[0074] The third side wall 81 has a first protrusion 81b that projects outward in the left-right direction from the outer surface of the third side wall 81. The fourth side wall 82 has a second protrusion 82a that projects outward in the front-rear direction from the outer surface of the fourth side wall 82.

[0075] The second shielding member 80 has a plurality of notches 86 formed by cutting out the second end of the fourth side wall 82 on the side of the first connector 10, i.e., the upper end, toward the opposite side from the first connector 10. A pair of notches 86 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the fourth side wall 82, respectively.

[0076] The second shielding member 80 has a third curved surface portion 87 having an R shape that continuously connects the second end face portion 84 and the fourth side wall 82 to each other. The fourth side wall 82 is arranged continuously with the second end face portion 84. More specifically, the fourth side wall 82 extends outward from the second end face portion 84 in the first direction via the third curved surface portion 87 in the third direction. The fourth side wall 82 extends downward from the third curved surface portion 87 which bends at the outer edge of the second end face portion 84 in the front-rear direction.

[0077] The second shielding member 80 has a locking portion 88 that extends in a third direction from the second end face portion 84 inward in the second direction. The locking portion 88 extends downward while bending from the inner edge portion in the left-right direction of the second end face portion 84.

[0078] The second shielding member 80 has a first mounting portion 89a that extends linearly downward from the lower edge of the third side wall 81. The second shielding member 80 has a second mounting portion 89b that extends linearly downward from the lower edge of the fourth side wall 82. The second shielding member 80 has a third mounting portion 89c that extends linearly downward from the lower edge of the folded portion 83.

[0079] As shown in Figure 10, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together, the second end face 84 is located on the side of the first connector 10 that is greater than the second end of the fourth side wall 82 that is greater than the second end of the fourth side wall 82. The second end face 84 is located above the upper end of the fourth side wall 82. The upward-facing surface of the second end face 84 is located at the very top of all the components of the second shielding member 80. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together facing each other, the upward-facing surface of the second end face 84 is located furthest towards the first connector 10 on the second shielding member 80.

[0080] As can be seen from Figures 8 and 9, the second contact 70 is press-fitted from above the second insulator 60. At this time, the first locking portion 72 and the second locking portion 75 engage with the second contact mounting groove 64. This holds the second contact 70 in place with respect to the second contact mounting groove 64. The second contact 70 is attached to the longitudinal wall 62b of the second insulator 60.

[0081] When the second contact 70 is held in the second contact mounting groove 64 of the second insulator 60, the contact portion 74 is positioned to face inward into the fitting recess 63. The front-to-rear end of the mounting portion 71 is located between the longitudinal wall 62b and the fourth side wall 82 of the second shielding member 80.

[0082] As can be seen from Figures 8 and 9, the second shielding member 80 is press-fitted from above the second insulator 60. At this time, the locking portion 88 engages with the mounting groove 65 of the second insulator 60. This holds the second shielding member 80 in place with respect to the mounting groove 65. The second shielding member 80 is attached to the short side wall 62a of the second insulator 60.

[0083] When the second shielding member 80 is held in the mounting groove 65 of the second insulator 60, the third side wall 81 is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 62a of the second insulator 60, covering a portion of the outer surface from the outside in the left-right direction. The first curved portion 81a is positioned along the connection portion between the outer surface and the top surface of the short wall 62a, covering a portion of the connection portion from the outside of the second insulator 60. The fourth side wall 82 is positioned along the front-rear outer surface of the short wall 62a and the front-rear outer surface of the long wall 62b of the second insulator 60, covering these outer surfaces from the outside in the front-rear direction. The fourth side wall 82 and the long wall 62b are spaced far apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0084] The folded portion 83 is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 62a of the second insulator 60 and the connection portion between the said outer surface and the front-rear outer surface of the short wall 62a, covering a part of the said outer surface and the said connection portion from the outside of the second insulator 60. The second end face portion 84 is positioned along the upper surface of the short wall 62a of the second insulator 60, covering substantially the entire upper surface from above. The second end face portion 84 is parallel to the bottom plate portion 61. The upper surface of the second end face portion 84 is parallel to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 61.

[0085] The second extension portion 85 is positioned in the recess 66 of the second insulator 60 and covers the recess 66 from the inside in the left-right direction. At this time, the first edge portion of the second extension portion 85 is housed in the second groove portion 66a. The first edge portion of the second extension portion 85 is positioned in the recess 66 so as to be surrounded by the short wall 62a and the long wall 62b. The first edge portion of the second extension portion 85 is surrounded from three directions by the left-right inner surface of the short wall 62a, i.e., the left-right surface of the recess 66; the front-rear inner surface of the short wall 62a, i.e., the front-rear surface of the recess 66; and the left-right end surface of the long wall 62b. The first edge portion of the second extension portion 85 is located between the second end surface of the long wall 62b and the second inner surface of the short wall 62a.

[0086] The continuously arranged third side wall 81, second end face portion 84, and second extension portion 85 cover a portion of the short wall 62a from both the left and right sides and from above. The third curved portion 87 is positioned along the connection between the upper surface of the short wall 62a and the outer surface of the short wall 62a in the front-rear direction, and covers a portion of the connection from the outside of the second insulator 60.

[0087] As described above, the second shielding member 80 is positioned on the outside of the second insulator 60 in the front-rear, left-right, and right directions, covering substantially the entire second insulator 60 from the front-rear, left-right, and right directions. The second shielding member 80 covers the second insulator 60 from the outside in the front-rear, left-right, and right directions in all parts except for the portion where there is a small gap between the fracture surface of the folded portion 83 and the fracture surface of the third side wall 81. In addition, the second shielding member 80 covers substantially the entire short side wall 62a of the second insulator 60 from above.

[0088] The first mounting portion 89a is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 62a. The first mounting portion 89a extends downward from the lower end of the short wall 62a. The second mounting portion 89b is positioned along the front-rear outer surface of the long wall 62b. The second mounting portion 89b extends downward from the lower end of the long wall 62b. The third mounting portion 89c is positioned along the left-right outer surface of the short wall 62a. The third mounting portion 89c extends downward from the lower end of the short wall 62a.

[0089] The upward-facing surface of the second end face portion 84 is located on the first connector 10 side of the upper end surface of the second contact 70 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other. The upper surface of the second shielding member 80 attached to the second insulator 60 is located above the upper surface of the second contact 70 attached to the second insulator 60. The second end face portion 84 is located on the second connector 50 closest to the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other.

[0090] In the second connector 50 having the structure described above, as shown in Figure 8, the mounting portion 71 of the second contact 70 is soldered to the circuit pattern arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2. The first mounting portion 89a, the second mounting portion 89b, and the third mounting portion 89c of the second shielding member 80 are soldered to the circuit pattern arranged on the said mounting surface. As a result of mounting each mounting portion onto the circuit board CB2, the second connector 50 is mounted on the circuit board CB2. Other electronic components, such as a communication module, are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2.

[0091] The configuration of the connector module 1 in the mated state, where the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together, will be mainly described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along the arrow XI-XI in Figure 1.

[0092] In connector module 1, the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are positioned facing each other when mating. For example, with the second connector 50 facing in the opposite direction in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 8, the front-to-back and left-to-right positions of the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are roughly aligned, and they are positioned facing each other in the vertical direction. The second connector 50 is then moved downwards.

[0093] As a result, the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are connected to each other, and the connection state of the connector module 1 is obtained. At this time, the first insulator 20 mates with the second connector 50. The second insulator 60 mates with the first connector 10. The mating projection 22 of the first insulator 20 and the mating recess 63 of the second insulator 60 mate with each other.

[0094] In the mating state, the elastic contact piece 33 of the first contact 30 and the folded portion 73 of the second contact 70 come into contact with each other. More specifically, the contact portion 34 and the contact portion 74 come into contact with each other. At this time, the elastic contact piece 33, which has spring elasticity, elastically deforms inward in the front-rear direction. The first contact 30 and the second contact 70 come into contact at one point by the contact portion 34 and the contact portion 74 located on the mating projection 22 side.

[0095] In the fitted state, the first shielding member 40 and the second shielding member 80 are in contact with each other. For example, the elastic contact piece 42a of the first shielding member 40 and the fourth side wall 82 of the second shielding member 80 are in contact with each other. More specifically, the second recess 42b of the elastic contact piece 42a and the second protrusion 82a of the fourth side wall 82 are engaged with each other based on the uneven structure.

[0096] The elastic contact piece 42a, which has spring elasticity, contacts the second shielding member 80 in the fitted state and elastically deforms outward in the front-rear direction. The first shielding member 40 and the second shielding member 80 contact at multiple locations on both the front and rear sides via the second recess 42b and the second protrusion 82a. The second shielding member 80 receives a biasing force directed inward in the front-rear direction from the elastic contact piece 42a, which has elastically deformed outward in the front-rear direction. This biasing force provides contact pressure between the first shielding member 40 and the second shielding member 80.

[0097] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII in Figure 1.

[0098] In the fitted state, the short side wall 62a of the second shielding member 80 is positioned within the space enclosed by the outer peripheral wall 26 in the second portion 20b of the first insulator 20. In the fitted state, the notch 86 of the second shielding member 80 positions the connecting portion 20c of the first insulator 20 between them. More specifically, the connecting portion 20c extending along the first direction and the notch 86 extending along the second direction intersect with each other, with the notch 86 overlapping the connecting portion 20c from above.

[0099] In the fitted state, the first shielding member 40 and the second shielding member 80 are in contact with each other. For example, the first extension 45 of the first shielding member 40 and the third side wall 81 of the second shielding member 80 are in contact with each other. More specifically, the first recess 45b of the first extension 45 and the first protrusion 81b of the third side wall 81 are engaged with each other based on the concave and concave structure.

[0100] According to the connector module 1 of the above embodiment, a shielding structure that facilitates the mating operation between the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 can be realized. In the connector module 1, the first end face portion 44 is located on the second connector 50 side of the second side wall 42, relative to the first end portion on the second connector 50 side. The second end face portion 84 is located on the first connector 10 side of the fourth side wall 82, relative to the second end portion on the first connector 10 side. As a result, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are placed facing each other and mated, the first end face portion 44 and the second end face portion 84, which are arranged planarly at a position closer to the mating connector, play a role in the initial positioning during mating. Therefore, the mating operation becomes easier.

[0101] The arrangement of the first side wall 41 in a continuous manner with the first end face portion 44 provides a guiding effect when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other. Even if the position of the second connector 50 relative to the first connector 10 is misaligned from the correct mating position when mating, the second shielding member 80 continuously contacts the first side wall 41, the first curved surface portion 41a, and the first end face portion 44, guiding the second connector 50 to the correct mating position. This reduces poor contact between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70 that may occur when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated in the wrong position. The connector module 1 can maintain contact reliability between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70.

[0102] The first side wall 41 extends outward from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction and in the third direction, and the first extension portion 45 extends inward from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction and in the third direction, thereby achieving the above-mentioned guiding effect. Even if the position of the second connector 50 relative to the first connector 10 is misaligned from the correct mating position when mating, the second shielding member 80 continuously contacts the first side wall 41, the first curved surface portion 41a, the first end face portion 44, the second curved surface portion 45a, and the first extension portion 45, guiding the second connector 50 to the correct mating position. This reduces poor contact between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70 that may occur when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated to each other in the wrong position. The connector module 1 can maintain contact reliability between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70.

[0103] The connector module 1 has a second curved portion 45a to which the first extension portion 45 is connected to the first end face portion 44, thereby smoothly connecting the first extension portion 45 and the first end face portion 44 and achieving the effects related to the guidance and attraction described above.

[0104] In the first extension portion 45, the end edge located at the tip in the third direction is housed in the first groove portion 27. This reduces the peeling of the first shielding member 40 even if an unexpected force is applied to it when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together. Therefore, the reliability of the connector module 1 as a product is improved.

[0105] The arrangement of the third side wall 81 in a continuous manner with the second end face portion 84 provides a guiding effect when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other. Even if the position of the first connector 10 relative to the second connector 50 is misaligned from the correct mating position when mating, the first shielding member 40 continuously contacts the second end face portion 84, the first curved surface portion 81a, and the third side wall 81, guiding the first connector 10 to the correct mating position. This reduces poor contact between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70 that may occur when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated in the wrong position. The connector module 1 can maintain contact reliability between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70.

[0106] The third side wall 81 extends outward from the second end face portion 84 in the third direction, and the second extension portion 85 extends inward from the second end face portion 84 in the third direction, thereby achieving the above-mentioned guiding effect. Even if the position of the first connector 10 relative to the second connector 50 is misaligned from the correct mating position when mating, the first shielding member 40 continuously contacts the second extension portion 85, the second curved surface portion 85a, the second end face portion 84, the first curved surface portion 81a, and the third side wall 81, guiding the first connector 10 to the correct mating position. This reduces poor contact between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70 that may occur when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated to each other in the wrong position. The connector module 1 can maintain contact reliability between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70.

[0107] The connector module 1 has a second curved surface portion 85a to which the second extension portion 85 is connected to the second end surface portion 84, thereby smoothly connecting the second extension portion 85 and the second end surface portion 84 and achieving the effects related to the guidance and attraction described above.

[0108] The first-direction edge of the second extension 85 is housed in the second groove 66a and surrounded by the short wall 62a and the long wall 62b. Therefore, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated together, even if an unexpected force is applied to the second shielding member 80, the peeling of the second shielding member 80 is reduced. This improves the reliability of the connector module 1 as a product.

[0109] Since the second side wall 42 is arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44, and the folded portion 43 is folded back from the second side wall 42 toward the first side wall 41, the first shielding member 40 can continuously and integrally cover the corner of the first connector 10. This improves the shielding performance against electromagnetic noise.

[0110] The fracture surface of the folded portion 43 and the fracture surface of the first side wall 41 face each other without the first insulator 20 being interposed. As a result, compared to conventional connectors in which the locking portion of the insulator is interposed between these fracture surfaces and is not covered by a shielding member, the first shielding member 40 can cover a wider area around the first insulator 20. Therefore, the shielding performance against electromagnetic noise is improved.

[0111] The first shielding member 40 has multiple notches 46a, which makes it possible to arrange an elastic contact piece 42a in the second side wall 42 that acts as an elastically deformable spring that bends inward in the front-rear direction.

[0112] Because the length of the locking portion 88 in the third direction is smaller than the length of the notch portion 46a in the second direction, it becomes possible to manufacture the first shielding member 40 from a single metal plate. More specifically, as shown in Figure 7, before bending the first shielding member 40 in the thickness direction, the locking portion 88 and the elastic contact piece 42a positioned by the notch portion 46a do not interfere with each other, making it possible to arrange each component of the first shielding member 40 from a single metal plate.

[0113] The strength of the first insulator 20 is improved by having a connecting portion 20c that connects the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b. This improves the robustness of the first connector 10 and the connector module 1.

[0114] By positioning the connecting portion 20c between the notch 86 and the first connector 10 in a mated state, the second connector 50 can be mated more deeply with the first connector 10, and the overall height of the connector module 1 in the connected state can be reduced.

[0115] The first direction is the short-side direction of the connector module 1. The second direction is the longitudinal direction of the connector module 1. As a result, the first end face portion 44 is positioned on the short-side wall 26a side. The second end face portion 84 is positioned on the short-side wall 62a side. Therefore, when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated facing each other, the first end face portion 44 and the second end face portion 84 initially play a role in positioning the contacts, including the first contact 30 and the second contact 70, in the direction of contact arrangement. Therefore, the mating operation is made easier and misalignment between contacts in the direction of contact arrangement is reduced. The connector module 1 can maintain contact reliability between the first contact 30 and the second contact 70.

[0116] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure can be implemented in other predetermined forms besides the embodiments described above without deviating from its spirit or essential features. Therefore, the prior description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the prior description but by the added claims. Any modifications within their equivalent scope are included therein.

[0117] For example, the shape, size, arrangement, orientation, and number of each component described above are not limited to those shown in the above description and drawings. The shape, size, arrangement, orientation, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily, as long as they can achieve their function.

[0118] The assembly method of the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 described above is not limited to the above description. The assembly method of the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 may be any method as long as they can be assembled so that their respective functions are performed. For example, in the first connector 10, at least one of the first contact 30 and the first shielding member 40 may be integrally molded with the first insulator 20 by insert molding rather than press-fitting. For example, in the second connector 50, at least one of the second contact 70 and the second shielding member 80 may be integrally molded with the second insulator 60 by insert molding rather than press-fitting.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the first side wall 41 was described as being arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44, but this is not limited to that. The first side wall 41 does not have to be arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44. For example, the first shielding member 40 does not have to have a first curved surface portion 41a.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the first side wall 41 was described as extending outward from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction and in the third direction, but it is not limited to this. The first side wall 41 may also extend inward from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction and in the third direction.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 40 was described as having a first extension portion 45 that extends inward from the first end face portion 44 in the second direction and in the third direction, but it is not limited to this. The first shielding member 40 does not have to have such a first extension portion 45.

[0122] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the first side wall 41 extends outward in the second direction from the first end face portion 44, and the first extension portion 45 extends inward in the second direction, but the embodiment is not limited to this. At least one of the first side wall 41 and the first extension portion 45 does not have to be arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44. For example, the first shielding member 40 does not have to have a second curved surface portion 45a.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the first extension portion 45 is described as being connected to the first end face portion 44 and having a second curved surface portion 45a having an R shape, but it is not limited to this. The second curved surface portion 45a may be based on a curved surface other than the R shape. The first extension portion 45 and the first end face portion 44 may be connected to each other by an inclined surface instead of a curved surface.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the first insulator 20 was described as having a first groove 27 recessed from the surface of the second bottom wall 25 toward the side opposite to the second connector 50, but it is not limited to this. The first insulator 20 does not have to have such a first groove 27.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension 45 was described as being housed in the first groove 27, but this is not limited to that. The edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension 45 does not have to be housed in the first groove 27 when the first groove 27 is located in the first insulator 20. The edge portion may simply be located in the recess 28 when the first groove 27 is not located in the first insulator 20.

[0126] For example, the first groove 27 may penetrate the second bottom wall 25 in the vertical direction, and the edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension 45 may come into contact with the circuit board CB1. In this case, the edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension 45 may function as a mounting portion for the circuit board CB1.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the first end face portion 44 was described as being parallel to the second bottom wall 25, but this is not limited to this. The first end face portion 44 may be inclined at an angle with respect to the second bottom wall 25. For example, the first end face portion 44 may be inclined diagonally downward from the outside to the inside in the second direction. This allows the connector module 1 to achieve the effects related to the guidance and attraction described above.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the third side wall 81 was described as being arranged continuously with the second end face portion 84, but this is not limited to that. The third side wall 81 does not have to be arranged continuously with the second end face portion 84. For example, the second shielding member 80 does not have to have the first curved surface portion 81a.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the third side wall 81 was described as extending outward from the second end face portion 84 in the third direction, but it is not limited to this. The third side wall 81 may also extend inward from the second end face portion 84 in the third direction.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the second shielding member 80 was described as having a second extension portion 85 that extends inward from the second end face portion 84 in the third direction, but it is not limited to this. The second shielding member 80 does not have to have such a second extension portion 85.

[0131] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the third side wall 81 extends outward in the second direction from the second end face portion 84, and the second extension portion 85 extends inward in the second direction, but the embodiment is not limited to this. At least one of the third side wall 81 and the second extension portion 85 does not have to be arranged continuously with the second end face portion 84. For example, the second shielding member 80 does not have to have a second curved surface portion 85a.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the second extension portion 85 was described as being connected to the second end face portion 84 and having a second curved surface portion 85a having an R shape, but it is not limited to this. The second curved surface portion 85a may be constructed based on a curved surface other than the R shape. The second extension portion 85 and the second end face portion 84 may be connected to each other by an inclined surface instead of a curved surface.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the second insulator 60 was described as having a second groove 66a recessed in the short wall 62a along the third direction and including a space surrounded by the short wall 62a and the long wall 62b, but it is not limited to this. The second insulator 60 does not have to have such a second groove 66a.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the first-direction edge of the second extension 85 is described as being housed in the second groove 66a and surrounded by the short wall 62a and the long wall 62b, but this is not limited to this. The first-direction edge of the second extension 85 does not have to be housed in the second groove 66a when the second groove 66a is positioned in the second insulator 60. The edge may simply be located within the recess 66 when the second groove 66a is not positioned in the second insulator 60.

[0135] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the end edge of the second extension 85 located at the tip in the third direction is not housed in the groove located at the end on the bottom plate 61 side of the recess 66, but is not limited to this. The end edge of the second extension 85 located at the tip in the third direction may be housed in the groove located at the end on the bottom plate 61 side of the recess 66, similar to the first shielding member 40 of the first connector 10.

[0136] For example, the groove located at the end of the recess 66 on the bottom plate portion 61 side may penetrate the bottom plate portion 61 in the vertical direction, and the edge located at the tip in the third direction of the second extension portion 85 may come into contact with the circuit board CB2. In this case, the edge located at the tip in the third direction of the second extension portion 85 may function as a mounting portion for the circuit board CB2.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the second end face portion 84 was described as being parallel to the bottom plate portion 61, but this is not limited to this. The second end face portion 84 may be inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom plate portion 61. For example, the second end face portion 84 may be inclined diagonally upward from the outside to the inside in the second direction. As a result, the connector module 1 will have the effects related to the guidance and attraction described above.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the second side wall 42 was described as being arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44, but this is not limited to this. The second side wall 42 does not have to be arranged continuously with the first end face portion 44. For example, the first shielding member 40 does not have to have a third curved surface portion 47.

[0139] In the above embodiment, it was described that both of the pair of second side walls 42 are arranged in continuous with the first end face portion 44, but this is not limited to this. At least one of the pair of second side walls 42 does not have to be arranged in continuous with the first end face portion 44. For example, the first shielding member 40 does not have to have a third curved surface portion 47 on at least one of the pair of second side walls 42.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 40 was described as having a folded portion 43 that is folded back from the second side wall 42 toward the first side wall 41, but it is not limited to this. The first shielding member 40 does not have to have such a folded portion 43.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 40 was described as having a pair of folded portions 43 that are folded back from both of the pair of second side walls 42 toward the first side wall 41, but it is not limited to this. The first shielding member 40 does not have to have a folded portion 43 on at least one of the pair of second side walls 42.

[0142] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the fracture surface of the folded portion 43 and the fracture surface of the first side wall 41 face each other without the first insulator 20 interposed between them, but this is not the only possible embodiment. The first insulator 20 may be interposed between the fracture surface of the folded portion 43 and the fracture surface of the first side wall 41.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 40 was described as having a plurality of notches 46a, but is not limited thereto. The first shielding member 40 does not have to have such notches 46a.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the length of the locking portion 48 in the third direction was described as being smaller than the length of the notch portion 46a in the second direction, but this is not limited to this. The length of the locking portion 48 in the third direction may be greater than or equal to the length of the notch portion 46a in the second direction.

[0145] The above modifications relating to the first shielding member 40 also apply to the corresponding components of the second shielding member 80.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the first insulator 20 was described as having a connecting portion 20c that extends along a first direction and connects a first portion 20a and a second portion 20b, but it is not limited to this. The first insulator 20 does not have to have such a connecting portion 20c.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the second shielding member 80 was described as having a notch 86, but it is not limited to this. The second shielding member 80 does not have to have such a notch 86.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the first direction is described as the short direction of the connector module 1 and the second direction as the longitudinal direction of the connector module 1, but this is not limited to this. The first direction may be the longitudinal direction of the connector module 1 and the second direction may be the short direction of the connector module 1.

[0149] The connector module 1 described above is mounted on an electronic device that includes circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The electronic device includes, for example, communication terminal devices such as game consoles and smartphones, wearable devices such as smartwatches, wireless earphones, and smart glasses, and any information processing equipment such as personal computers, copiers, printers, fax machines, and multifunction devices. Other electronic devices include any industrial equipment.

[0150] Such electronic devices can implement a shielding structure in the connector module 1 that facilitates the mating of connectors.

[0151] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Note 1] A connector module comprising a first connector and a second connector that are positioned opposite each other when mating, The aforementioned connector 1 is, A first insulator that mates with the second connector, Multiple first contacts attached to the first insulator, The first shielding member attached to the first insulator, Equipped with, The 2nd connector is, A second insulator that mates with the first connector, Multiple second contacts attached to the second insulator, The second shielding member attached to the second insulator, Equipped with, The first shielding member is, A pair of first side walls extending along a first direction, A pair of second side walls extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, A first end face portion that extends along the first side wall and has a surface that faces the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated facing each other, It has, The second shielding member is A pair of third side walls extending along the first direction, A pair of fourth side walls extending along the second direction, A second end face portion that extends along the third side wall and has a surface that faces the first connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated facing each other, It has, When mating, with the first connector and the second connector facing each other, The first end face portion is located closer to the second connector than the first end portion on the second connector side of the second side wall, The second end face portion is located closer to the first connector than the second end portion on the first connector side of the fourth side wall. Connector module. [Note 2] The connector module described in Appendix 1, The first side wall is arranged in continuous with the first end face portion. Connector module. [Note 3] The connector module described in Appendix 2, The first side wall extends outward from the first end face portion in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, on the outside in the second direction opposite to the center of the first connector. The first shielding member further has a first extension portion that extends in the third direction from the first end face portion on the inside in the second direction toward the center, Connector module. [Note 4] The connector module described in Appendix 3, The first extension has a curved portion connected to the first end face portion. Connector module. [Note 5] A connector module as described in Appendix 3 or 4, The first insulator has a bottom wall and a first groove recessed from the surface of the bottom wall toward the side opposite to the second connector, The end edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension portion is housed in the first groove portion. Connector module. [Note 6] A connector module described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5, The third side wall is arranged in continuous with the second end face portion. Connector module. [Note 7] The connector module described in Appendix 6, The third side wall extends outward from the second end face portion in the second direction opposite to the center of the second connector, in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The second shielding member further has a second extension portion that extends in the third direction from the second end face portion on the inside of the second direction toward the center, Connector module. [Note 8] The connector module described in Appendix 7, The second extension has a curved portion connected to the second end face portion. Connector module. [Note 9] A connector module as described in Appendix 7 or 8, The second insulator has a short wall extending along the first direction and a long wall extending along the second direction, and a second groove recessed in the short wall along the third direction, which includes a space enclosed by the short wall and the long wall. The edge portion in the first direction of the second extension is housed in the second groove and surrounded by the short wall and the long wall. Connector module. [Note 10] A connector module described in any one of the appendices 1 to 9, The second side wall is arranged in continuous with the first end face portion, The first shielding member has a folded portion that is folded back from the second side wall toward the first side wall, Connector module. [Note 11] The connector module described in Appendix 10, The fracture surface of the folded portion and the fracture surface of the first side wall face each other without the first insulator intervening. Connector module. [Note 12] A connector module described in any one of the appendices 1 to 11, The first shielding member has a plurality of first notches formed by cutting out the first end toward the opposite side from the second connector side. Connector module. [Note 13] The connector module described in Appendix 12, The first shielding member has a locking portion that extends inward from the first end face portion in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions toward the center of the first connector, The length of the locking portion in the third direction is smaller than the length of the first notch portion in the second direction. Connector module. [Note 14] A connector module described in any one of the appendices 1 to 13, The first insulator is, The first part to which the first contact is attached, A second portion located outward in the second direction from the first portion, to which the first shielding member is attached, A connecting portion extending along the first direction and connecting the first portion and the second portion, Having, Connector module. [Note 15] The connector module described in Appendix 14, The second shielding member has a second notch that positions the connecting portion between the first connector and the second connector in a mated state where they are fitted together. Connector module. [Note 16] A connector module described in any one of the appendices 1 to 15, The first direction is the short-side direction of the connector module, The second direction is the longitudinal direction of the connector module. Connector module. [Note 17] An electronic device comprising a connector module as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 16. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0152] 1 Connector Module 10. First connector 20. First Insulator 20a Part 1 20b 2nd part 20c connection part 21. First bottom wall 22 Fitting protrusion 23 Long Wall 24 First contact mounting groove 25. Second bottom wall (bottom wall) 26 Outer wall 26a short wall 26b Exterior wall 27. First groove 28 recesses 29 Mounting groove 30 First Contact 31 Implementation Section 32 Locking part 33 Elastic contact piece 34 Contact area 40 First shielding member 41 First side wall 41a 1st curved surface part 42 Second side wall 42a Elastic contact piece 42b Second recess 43 Turning section 44 First end section 45 1st extension part 45a 2nd curved surface part (curved surface part) 45b First recess 46a Notch (First notch) 46b Notch 47 Third curved surface part 48 Locking part 49a First Implementation Section 49b Second Implementation Section 49c Third Implementation Section 50 Second connector 60 Second Insulator 61 Bottom plate part 62 Outer wall 62a short wall 62b Long Wall 63 Fitting recess 64 Second contact mounting groove 65 Mounting groove 66 recesses 66a 2nd groove 70 Second Contact 71 Implementation Section 72 First locking part 73 Turning section 74 Contact area 75 Second locking section 80 Second shielding member 81 Third side wall 81a 1st curved surface part 81b First protrusion 82. Fourth side wall 82a Second protrusion 83 Turning section 84 Second end face part 85 Second extension part 85a 2nd curved surface part (curved surface part) 86 Notch (Second Notch) 87 Third curved surface part 88 Locking part 89a First Implementation Section 89b Second Implementation Section 89c Third Implementation Section CB1 Circuit Board CB2 Circuit Board

Claims

1. A connector module comprising a first connector and a second connector that are positioned opposite each other when mating, The first connector is, A first insulator that mates with the second connector, Multiple first contacts attached to the first insulator, The first shielding member attached to the first insulator, Equipped with, The second connector is, A second insulator that mates with the first connector, Multiple second contacts attached to the second insulator, The second shielding member attached to the second insulator, Equipped with, The first shielding member is, A pair of first side walls extending along a first direction, A pair of second side walls extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, A first end face portion that extends along the first side wall and has a surface that faces the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated facing each other, It has, The second shielding member is, A pair of third side walls extending along the first direction, A pair of fourth side walls extending along the second direction, A second end face portion that extends along the third side wall and has a surface that faces the first connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated facing each other, It has, When mating, with the first connector and the second connector facing each other, The first end face portion is located closer to the second connector than the first end portion on the second connector side of the second side wall, The second end face portion is located closer to the first connector than the second end portion on the first connector side of the fourth side wall. Connector module.

2. A connector module according to claim 1, The first side wall is arranged in continuous with the first end face portion. Connector module.

3. A connector module according to claim 2, The first side wall extends outward from the first end face portion in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, on the outside in the second direction opposite to the center of the first connector. The first shielding member further has a first extension portion that extends in the third direction from the first end face portion on the inside in the second direction toward the center, Connector module.

4. A connector module according to claim 3, The first extension has a curved portion connected to the first end face portion. Connector module.

5. A connector module according to claim 3 or 4, The first insulator has a bottom wall and a first groove recessed from the surface of the bottom wall toward the side opposite to the second connector, The end edge portion located at the tip in the third direction of the first extension portion is housed in the first groove portion. Connector module.

6. A connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The third side wall is arranged in continuous with the second end face portion. Connector module.

7. A connector module according to claim 6, The third side wall extends outward from the second end face portion in the second direction opposite to the center of the second connector, in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The second shielding member further has a second extension portion that extends in the third direction from the second end face portion on the inside of the second direction toward the center, Connector module.

8. A connector module according to claim 7, The second extension has a curved portion connected to the second end face portion. Connector module.

9. A connector module according to claim 7, The second insulator has a short wall extending along the first direction and a long wall extending along the second direction, and a second groove recessed in the short wall along the third direction, which includes a space enclosed by the short wall and the long wall. The edge portion in the first direction of the second extension is housed in the second groove and surrounded by the short wall and the long wall. Connector module.

10. A connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The second side wall is arranged in continuous with the first end face portion, The first shielding member has a folded portion that is folded back from the second side wall toward the first side wall, Connector module.

11. A connector module according to claim 10, The fracture surface of the folded portion and the fracture surface of the first side wall face each other without the first insulator intervening. Connector module.

12. A connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first shielding member has a plurality of first notches formed by cutting out the first end toward the opposite side from the second connector. Connector module.

13. A connector module according to claim 12, The first shielding member has a locking portion that extends inward from the first end face portion in a third direction intersecting the first and second directions toward the center of the first connector, The length of the locking portion in the third direction is smaller than the length of the first notch portion in the second direction. Connector module.

14. A connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first insulator is, The first part to which the first contact is attached, A second portion located outward in the second direction from the first portion, to which the first shielding member is attached, A connecting portion extending along the first direction and connecting the first portion and the second portion, Having, Connector module.

15. A connector module according to claim 14, The second shielding member has a second notch that positions the connecting portion between the first connector and the second connector in a mated state where they are fitted together. Connector module.

16. A connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The first direction is the short-side direction of the connector module, The second direction is the longitudinal direction of the connector module. Connector module.

17. An electronic device comprising a connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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