Connectors and connector devices

Abstract

A connector that is provided to a substrate and is capable of fitting with a counterpart connector, said connector comprising: a housing that faces the substrate; a conductive first contact that has a first connection part which extends from one side of the housing and which is connected to the substrate; a conductive second contact that has a second connection part which extends from another side of the housing and which is connected to the substrate; and a conductive shell that covers at least part of the housing, wherein the shell has a first shield part that surrounds the periphery of the first connection part and a second shield part that surrounds the periphery of the second connection part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector device.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a board-side connector includes a plurality of first board-side contacts arranged side by side in the left-right direction at a predetermined arrangement pitch on one side in the front-rear direction of a board-side housing, and on the other side in the front-rear direction of the board-side housing, a plurality of second board-side contacts arranged side by side in the left-right direction at the same arrangement pitch at a position shifted by half of the arrangement pitch in the left-right direction with respect to the first board-side contacts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the board-side connector described in Patent Document 1, in the first board-side contacts and the second board-side contacts, the connection portions used for connection to the wiring of the board are exposed. Therefore, noise may occur during signal transmission.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a technology capable of suppressing noise generation during signal transmission.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a connector that is mounted on a substrate and mated to a mating connector, comprising: a housing facing the substrate; a conductive first contact having a first connecting portion extending from one side of the housing and connected to the substrate; a conductive second contact having a second connecting portion extending from the other side of the housing and connected to the substrate; and a conductive shell covering at least a portion of the housing, wherein the shell comprises a first shielding portion surrounding the first connecting portion and a second shielding portion surrounding the second connecting portion.

[0007] In the above connector, the area around the first connection portion of the first contact is covered by the first shield portion, and the area around the second connection portion of the second contact is covered by the second shield portion. Therefore, the generation of noise from the first and second connection portions can be suppressed during signal transmission.

[0008] The second shield portion may also have a shell connection portion that is electrically connected to the substrate during installation.

[0009] The presence of a shell connection allows for a more reliable electrical connection between the shell and the circuit board, thereby improving shielding performance.

[0010] The second shield portion may have a contact projection that contacts the shell of the mating connector when mated with the mating connector.

[0011] With the above configuration, the contact protrusions allow for a more secure connection between the shell and the shell of the mating connector, thereby improving the shielding performance during mating.

[0012] The shell may have, when viewed from the side of the housing, an engaging portion between the first shield portion and the contact projection that engages with the mating connector.

[0013] The presence of a contact projection creates a force that engages with the mating connector. Conversely, the presence of an engaging portion makes it possible to maintain the mated state with the mating connector.

[0014] The first contact may have a first contact portion that contacts the contact of the mating connector, the second contact may have a second contact portion that contacts the contact of the mating connector, and the shell may have, when viewed from the side of the housing, an engaging portion between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and the contact projection that engages with the mating connector.

[0015] The presence of a contact projection creates a force acting in the direction of mating with the mating connector. In contrast, the presence of an engaging portion makes it possible to maintain the mated state with the mating connector. In particular, by providing an engaging portion between the first and second contact portions and the contact projection, it is possible to prevent the contact with the mating connector from being affected by the force in the direction of mating with the mating connector that arises from the presence of the contact projection.

[0016] A connector device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a receptacle connector installed on a substrate and a plug connector connected to a plurality of cables and mated to the receptacle connector, wherein the receptacle connector has a housing facing the substrate, a conductive first contact having a first connection portion extending from one side of the housing and connected to the substrate, a conductive second contact having a second connection portion extending from the other side of the housing and connected to the substrate, and a conductive shell covering at least a part of the housing, the shell including a first shield portion surrounding the first connection portion and a second shield portion surrounding the second connection portion, and the plug connector has a plug housing, a plurality of conductive plug contacts that individually contact either the first contact or the second contact of the receptacle connector, and a conductive plug shell covering at least a part of the plug housing, the plug shell contacting the second shield portion when mated.

[0017] According to the above connector device, in the receptacle connector, the area around the first connection portion of the first contact is covered by the first shield portion, and the area around the second connection portion of the second contact is covered by the second shield portion. Therefore, the generation of noise from the first and second connection portions can be suppressed during signal transmission. On the other hand, the plug shell of the plug connector comes into contact with the second shield portion, so the plug shell also functions as a shield. Therefore, the generation of noise from the first and second connection portions can be suppressed during signal transmission.

[0018] The shell of the receptacle connector may have an engaging portion that engages with the plug connector, and the plug shell may have an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion.

[0019] The above configuration makes it possible to maintain a more proper mating state between the receptacle connector and the plug connector.

[0020] The engaged portion may be provided on each of a pair of opposing sides of the plug shell in the direction in which the plurality of plug contacts are aligned.

[0021] By providing engaging portions on both sides of the plug shell, it becomes possible to maintain a more proper mating state between the receptacle connector and the plug connector.

[0022] A connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a connector that is mounted on a substrate and matable with a mating connector, comprising: a housing facing the substrate; a conductive contact having a connecting portion extending from one side of the housing and connected to the substrate; and a conductive shell surrounding the housing and the connecting portion around a first direction perpendicular to the substrate; the mating connector comprising: a mating housing that mats with the housing; a mating contact held by the mating housing, connected to the internal conductor of a cable and in contact with the contact; and a conductive mating shell covering at least a portion of the mating housing, wherein the mating shell has a mating portion that mats with the shell; and a surrounding portion that surrounds the end of the cable around a second direction parallel to the substrate and is connected to the external conductor of the cable at a position adjacent to the housing along the second direction, and the shell has an extended portion that extends along the substrate, is located between the substrate and the surrounding portion, is connected to the substrate and in contact with the surrounding portion.

[0023] A connector device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a connector mounted on a substrate and a mating connector connected to a cable and mating to the connector, wherein the connector comprises a housing facing the substrate, a conductive contact having a connecting portion extending from one side of the housing and connected to the substrate, and a conductive shell surrounding the housing and the connecting portion around a first direction perpendicular to the substrate, wherein the mating connector comprises a mating housing that mats to the housing, a mating contact held by the mating housing and connected to the internal conductor of the cable and in contact with the contact, and a conductive mating shell covering at least a portion of the mating housing, wherein the mating shell has a mating portion that fits into the shell and a surrounding portion that surrounds the end of the cable around a second direction parallel to the substrate at a position adjacent to the housing along the second direction and connected to the external conductor of the cable, wherein the shell has an extended portion that extends along the substrate and is located between the substrate and the surrounding portion, connected to the substrate and in contact with the surrounding portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present disclosure, a technique capable of suppressing noise generation during signal transmission is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receptacle connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a top view of the receptacle connector, and FIG. 3(b) is a bottom view of the receptacle connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the receptacle connector, and FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c) are views taken along arrows IVb-IVb and IVc-IVc of FIG. 3(a), respectively. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of a plug connector, and FIG. 5(b) is a top view of the plug connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the plug connector, and FIG. 6(b) is a bottom view of the plug connector. [Figure 7] FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) are diagrams for explaining the mating state in the connector device and correspond to FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c).

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Embodiments according to the present disclosure described below will be explained, but the present disclosure should not be limited to the following content. In the following explanations, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and overlapping explanations are omitted.

[0027] [Overview of the Connector Device] Referring to FIG. 1, the overview of the connector device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a connector device 1, which is a type of electrical connector, includes a receptacle connector 10 and a plug connector 30 (the mating connector).

[0028] The receptacle connector 10 is mounted on the circuit board 70 and electrically connected to the circuit board 70. The plug connector 30 is mounted on the electrical cable 90 and electrically connected to the electrical cable 90.

[0029] The receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are configured to be able to be mated and unmated with each other along a third direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 (e.g., the XY plane). When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are mated, the conductive path (e.g., wiring, not shown) formed on the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 and the electrical cable 90 are electrically connected. Thus, the connector device 1 is a device for electrically and physically connecting the conductive path and the electrical cable.

[0030] The circuit board 70 is a type of substrate on which electronic circuits and electronic components are mounted, such as a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board. The circuit board 70 has a receptacle connector 10 mounted on its main surface 70s by soldering or the like.

[0031] The electrical cable 90 is wiring used to transmit signals and the like between various circuit boards built into small electronic devices such as mobile phones, and is, for example, a coaxial cable. When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are mated, the electrical cable 90 extends along a first direction (for example, the X-axis direction). The plug connector 30 may be a connector for a coaxial cable that extends along the first direction. The electrical cable 90 includes an internal conductor 91 made of a linear metal wire (for example, a copper wire), an insulator 92 covering the circumferential surface of the internal conductor 91, an external conductor 93 made of a cylindrical metal braided wire that covers the circumferential surface of the insulator 92, and a protective coating 94 on the circumferential surface of the external conductor 93 (see Figures 7(b) and 7(c)).

[0032] In the following embodiments, the first direction is described as being along the X-axis direction, the second direction as being along the Y-axis direction, and the third direction as being along the Z-axis direction.

[0033] [Receptacle Connector] The receptacle connector 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The receptacle connector 10 is a long connector whose main body extends along the second direction (Y-axis direction), and is attached to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 (see Figures 1 and 2). Figures 4(b) and 4(c) show the views from the IVb-IVb arrow and the IVc-IVc arrow, respectively, as shown in Figure 3(a), but some components (contact protrusions) are omitted from the description.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2, 3(a), (b), etc., the receptacle connector 10 includes a shell 11, a housing 12 facing the circuit board 70, and a plurality of contacts 13. The plurality of contacts 13 are composed of a plurality of first contacts 13A and a plurality of second contacts 13B.

[0035] The housing 12 is made of an insulating material containing resin and holds a plurality of contacts 13 arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction. The housing 12 is also interposed between the shell 11 and the contacts 13, insulating them from each other. As shown in Figures 4(b) and 4(c), the housing 12 holds the contacts 13 so that both ends of the contacts 13 are exposed while the housing 12 is covered by the shell 11.

[0036] For example, the housing 12 includes side walls 12a and 12b. The side walls 12a and 12b are sides that extend in the Y-axis direction along the long side of the housing 12. As shown in Figure 4(c), one end of the first contact 13A among the multiple contacts 13 protrudes from the side wall 12a in the X-axis direction. Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), one end of the second contact 13B protrudes from the side wall 12b in the X-axis direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the housing 12 has a concave groove 12c extending in the Y-axis direction, with an opening on its upper surface. The groove 12c is a space for housing the plug connector 30. The protrusion W of the plug connector 30 (see Figure 6(a)) is housed inside the groove 12c. The other ends of the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B are exposed inside the groove 12c.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4(b), 4(c), etc., the housing 12 is provided with a through hole 12d for supporting the first contact 13A and a through hole 12e for supporting the second contact 13B. The through holes 12d and 12e are formed to correspond to the mounting positions of the contacts 13.

[0039] Although a portion of the upper surface 12f of the housing 12 is covered by the shell 11, the remaining portion of the upper surface 12f and the bottom surface 12g are exposed and not covered by the shell 11, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), etc. A pair of side walls extending in the X-axis direction, separate from the side walls 12a and 12b, are covered by the shell 11.

[0040] The shell 11 is made of, for example, a pressed metal plate member and is elastic and conductive. For example, as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the shell 11 includes a top portion 11a, a pair of side wall portions 11b and 11c extending along the Y-axis, a pair of side wall portions 11d extending along the X-axis, and an extension portion 11e, so as to cover the housing 12.

[0041] The upper surface portion 11a extends along the XY plane so as to cover the upper surface 12f of the housing 12. Furthermore, near the center of the upper surface portion 11a along its longitudinal direction, the upper surface portion 11a is formed to cover only the surface of the upper surface 12f of the housing 12 that is far from the extended portion 11e, with the groove 12c in between, so that the protrusion W (see Figure 6) of the plug connector 30 can be inserted into the groove 12c of the housing 12 from above.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the side wall portions 11b and 11c face each other in the X-axis direction and extend along the Y-axis direction. The side wall portion 11b is located outward in the X-axis direction from the side wall portion 12a of the housing 12. The side wall portion 11b extends upward from the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70. Furthermore, the side wall portion 11b and the upper surface portion 11a are continuous at one end of the side wall portion 11b in the Z-axis direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the side wall portion 11b is provided with a plurality of projections 11y that protrude outward (away from the housing 12) along the horizontal direction (XY direction). These projections 11y can be used to fix the shell 11 to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70. That is, the projections 11y can be fixed to the main surface 70s by solder or the like.

[0044] The side wall portion 11c is located outward in the X-axis direction compared to the side wall portion 12b of the housing 12. As shown in Figure 4(a), the side wall portion 11c extends upward from the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 at both ends in the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4(b), (c), etc., at the center in the Y-axis direction, the lower end of the side wall portion 11c (the end closer to the circuit board 70) is located away from the circuit board 70. The second contact 13B protrudes from the space below the side wall portion 11c (closer to the circuit board 70) at the center. Also, the upper end of the side wall portion 11c at the center in the Y-axis direction is bent along the upper surface 12f of the housing 12. At both ends of the side wall portion 11c in the Y-axis direction, the side wall portion 11c and the upper surface portion 11a are continuous.

[0045] The pair of side wall portions 11d face each other in the Y-axis direction and extend along the X-axis direction, as shown in Figures 3(a), (b), etc. Each pair of side wall portions 11d is provided to cover the sides of both ends of the housing 12 along the Y-axis direction. Each pair of side wall portions 11d is connected to the upper surface portion 11a.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 4(a), each of the pair of side wall portions 11d is provided with recesses 11s extending horizontally (in the X-axis direction). The recesses 11s can function as engaging portions used for engaging with the shell 31 of the plug connector 30. This will be discussed later.

[0047] The extension portion 11e is provided so as to protrude outward (away from the housing 12) from the side wall portion 11c of the shell 11, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(a). The extension portion 11e is composed of three protrusions 11h that extend outward along the X-axis from the lower ends at both ends and the lower end in the center of the side wall portion 11c in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting portion 11i that extends in the Y-axis direction to connect the three protrusions 11h. As shown in Figure 4(a), the three protrusions 11h each extend horizontally at approximately the same height as the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70. The connecting portion 11i extends in the Y-axis direction to connect the three protrusions 11h. As a result, two openings 11o are formed in the shell 11, surrounded by the side wall portion 11c and the extension portion 11e.

[0048] The connecting portion 11i of the extension portion 11e is provided with a contact projection 11j that protrudes toward the center of the opening 11o. Two contact projections 11j are provided so as to protrude toward each of the two openings 11o. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(a), both contact projections 11j are inclined upward as they move from the connecting portion 11i toward the center of the opening 11o. The contact projections 11j are provided to ensure connection with the shell 31 of the plug connector 30 when the plug connector 30 is mated with the receptacle connector 10.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3(b), a shell connection portion 11k is provided on the lower surface of the connecting portion 11i of the extension portion 11e (the surface facing the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70) for electrical connection with the main surface 70s. When fixing the receptacle connector 10 to the circuit board 70, solder is applied to the shell connection portion 11k and joined to the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70.

[0050] The contacts 13 (first contact 13A and second contact 13B) are made of, for example, a pressed metal plate and are elastic and conductive. As shown in Figures 4(b), (c), etc., each contact 13 extends along the X-axis and includes a connecting portion 13a, an intermediate portion 13b, and a contact portion 13c. Furthermore, the contact 13 includes a branch portion 13d that branches off from the intermediate portion 13b and extends along the X-axis. The first contact 13A and the second contact 13B have the same shape, but their mounting positions in the receptacle connector 10 are different, so they will be described individually below, including their mounting positions.

[0051] First, let's describe the parts of the first contact 13A. As shown in Figure 4(c), the connection portion 13a (first connection portion) of the first contact 13A is located on the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 and is connected to the conductive path of the circuit board 70 by, for example, solder. The connection portion 13a is located between the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11 and the side wall portion 12a of the housing 12. Therefore, the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11 functions as a first shield portion that surrounds the connection portion 13a of the first contact 13A.

[0052] The intermediate portion 13b of the first contact 13A connects the connecting portion 13a and the contact portion 13c. The intermediate portion 13b extends from the side wall portion 12a of the housing 12 into the groove portion 12c.

[0053] The branch section 13d, which branches off from the intermediate section 13b, extends upward and is inserted into the through-hole 12d of the housing 12. The diameter of the through-hole 12d corresponds to the outer diameter of the branch section 13d, and within the through-hole 12d, the branch section 13d is supported by the housing 12. As a result, the first contact 13A is fixed to the housing 12.

[0054] The contact portion 13c of the first contact 13A is a portion that protrudes into the groove portion 12c. As shown in Figure 7(c), the contact portion 13c contacts the contact 33 of the plug connector 30, which will be described later, when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are mated. The tip portion of the contact portion 13c is curved. Furthermore, the contact portion 13c is configured to be elastically deformable.

[0055] Next, the parts of the second contact 13B will be described. As shown in Figure 4(b), the connection portion 13a (second connection portion) of the second contact 13B is located on the main surface 70s of the circuit board 70 and is connected to the conductive path of the circuit board 70 by, for example, solder. The connection portion 13a is located between the connecting portion 11i of the extension portion 11e of the shell 11 and the side wall portion 12b of the housing 12. Therefore, the extension portion 11e of the shell 11 (especially the connecting portion 11i) functions as a second shield portion that surrounds the connection portion 13a of the second contact 13B.

[0056] The intermediate portion 13b of the second contact 13B connects the connecting portion 13a and the contact portion 13c. The intermediate portion 13b extends from the side wall portion 12a of the housing 12 into the groove portion 12c.

[0057] The branched portion 13d, which branches off from the intermediate portion 13b, extends upward and is inserted into the through-hole 12e of the housing 12. The diameter of the through-hole 12e corresponds to the outer diameter of the branched portion 13d, and within the through-hole 12e, the branched portion 13d is supported by the housing 12. As a result, the second contact 13B is fixed to the housing 12.

[0058] The contact portion 13c of the second contact 13B is a portion that protrudes into the groove portion 12c. As shown in Figure 7(b), the contact portion 13c contacts the contact 33 of the plug connector 30, which will be described later, when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are mated. The tip portion of the contact portion 13c is curved. Furthermore, the contact portion 13c is configured to be elastically deformable.

[0059] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(a), the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B are arranged alternately along the Y-axis. Furthermore, the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B are each arranged in a single line along the Y-axis.

[0060] [Plug connector] Next, the plug connector 30 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5(a),(b), 6(a),(b), and 7(b),(c). The plug connector 30 is a long connector whose main body extends along a second direction (Y-axis direction), and is configured to mate into a receptacle connector 10, which is the mating connector, and to which multiple electrical cables 90 are connected. As shown in Figures 5(a),(b) and 6(a),(b), the plug connector 30 includes a shell 31 (plug shell), a housing 32 (plug housing), and multiple contacts 33 (plug contacts). The multiple contacts 33 consist of multiple first contacts 33A and multiple second contacts 33B.

[0061] The housing 32 is made of an insulating material containing resin and holds a plurality of contacts 33, while also insulating the shell 31 from the contacts 33. As shown in Figures 7(b) and (c), for example, the housing 32 includes a main body 32a and a tip 32b. The main body 32a extends along the Y-axis. The main body 32a also holds the contacts 33 and has a notch 32c at one end along the X-axis (the end connected to the electrical cable 90) where the tip of the contact 33 is exposed and the contact 33 is connected to the tip of the electrical cable 90.

[0062] The tip portion 32b protrudes in the Z-axis direction from one end of the main body portion 32a (the end opposite to the end where the notch portion 32c is provided). The tip portion 32b holds the contact 33 which extends in the Z-axis direction. The tip portion 32b, together with the contact 33, constitutes the protrusion W of the plug connector 30. Therefore, the thickness (length in the Z-axis direction) of the tip portion 32b corresponds to the height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the groove portion 12c of the receptacle connector 10. As shown in Figures 7(b) and (c), when the plug connector 30 is mated with the receptacle connector 10, the contact 33 attached to the tip portion 32b and the contact 13 exposed from the groove portion 12c come into contact, forming, for example, part of a signal circuit.

[0063] The shell 31 is made of, for example, a pressed metal plate member and is elastic and conductive. As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the shell 31 includes, for example, an upper wall portion 31a, a bottom wall portion 31b, a side wall portion 31c, and a front wall portion 31d.

[0064] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the upper wall portion 31a covers the tip of the electrical cable 90 and also covers the upper surface of the housing 32. The upper wall portion 31a extends in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c), it has a cable support portion 31f that extends from the upper wall portion 31a and is folded back onto the circuit board 70.

[0065] As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the bottom wall portion 31b is provided so as to be continuous with the end of the main body portion 32a of the housing 32 where the notch portion 32c is provided, and is located below the tip of the electrical cable 90. The bottom wall portion 31b extends integrally with the housing 32 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(b) and (c), the bottom wall portion 31b and the cable support portion 31f described above clamp the outer conductor 93 and the member that electrically connects the outer conductor 93 at the tip of the electrical cable 90 along the Z-axis direction, and the outer conductor 93 and the shell 31 are electrically connected. As shown in Figures 7(a) to (c), the bottom wall portion 31b is in contact with the upper surface of the extended portion 11e of the receptacle connector 10 when the plug connector 30 and the receptacle connector 10 are mated together.

[0066] The side wall portions 31c are provided so as to extend downward (in the direction in which the protrusions W protrude) from both ends of the upper wall portion 31a in the Y-axis direction. The pair of side wall portions 31c are provided so as to face each other. As shown in Figure 6(a), the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 31c (the surfaces facing the housing 12) are provided with protrusions 31s extending along the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). The protrusions 31s can function as engaged portions used for engagement with the shell 11 of the receptacle connector 10. This point will be described later.

[0067] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), the front wall portion 31d is provided so as to extend downward (in the direction in which the protrusion W protrudes) from one end of the upper wall portion 31a in the X-axis direction. When the plug connector 30 and the receptacle connector 10 are mated together, the front wall portion 31d is provided so as to overlap the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11 of the receptacle connector 10.

[0068] As shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c), the multiple contacts 33 are made of, for example, pressed metal plate members and are conductive. The multiple contacts 33 are arranged along the Y-axis. As shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c), each contact 33 extends along the X-axis and includes a connecting portion 33a, an intermediate portion 33b, and a contact portion 33c. The first contact 33A and the second contact 33B differ in some shape and their mounting positions in the plug connector 30 are different from each other, so they will be described individually below, including their mounting positions.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7(c), the connection portion 33a of the first contact 33A extends along the internal conductor 91 at the end of the electrical cable 90 inside the housing 32, and the exposed internal conductor 91 is connected by solder M. The middle portion 33b of the first contact 33A connects the connection portion 33a and the contact portion 33c. The contact portion 33c of the first contact 33A extends along the tip portion 32b of the housing 32 and is exposed on one side of the housing 32. When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are mated, the contact portion 33c contacts the first contact 13A of the receptacle connector 10. The contact portion 33c may have a recess 33d to ensure reliable contact with the first contact 13A.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7(b), the connection portion 33a of the second contact 33B extends along the internal conductor 91 at the end of the electrical cable 90 inside the housing 32, and the exposed internal conductor 91 is connected by solder M. The middle portion 33b of the second contact 33B connects the connection portion 33a and the contact portion 33c. The contact portion 33c of the second contact 33B extends along the tip portion 32b of the housing 32 and is exposed on the side of the tip portion 32b opposite to the side facing the electrical cable 90. When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 are mated, the contact portion 33c contacts the second contact 13B of the receptacle connector 10. The contact portion 33c may have a recess 33d to ensure reliable contact with the second contact 13B.

[0071] As shown in Figures 6(a), (b), etc., the first contact 33A and the second contact 33B are arranged alternately along the Y-axis. Furthermore, the first contact 33A and the second contact 33B are each arranged in a single line along the Y-axis.

[0072] [Fitting state] Referring to Figures 7(a) to 7(c), the mating state of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 will be explained. When the plug connector 30 is mated with the receptacle connector 10, the protrusion W of the plug connector 30 is accommodated in the groove 12c of the receptacle connector 10, as shown in Figures 7(b) and 7(c).

[0073] In the mated state, as shown in Figure 7(c), the contact portion 13c of the first contact 13A of the receptacle connector 10 and the contact portion 33c of the first contact 33A of the plug connector 30 come into contact, thereby electrically connecting the first contacts 13A and 33A to each other. Also, as shown in Figure 7(b), the contact portion 13c of the second contact 13B of the receptacle connector 10 and the contact portion 33c of the second contact 33B of the plug connector 30 come into contact, thereby electrically connecting the second contacts 13B and 33B to each other.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), a ground connection is made when the contact projection 11j of the shell 11 of the receptacle connector 10 and the bottom wall portion 31b of the shell 31 of the plug connector 30 come into contact. Since the contact projection 11j protrudes above the extension portion 11e, the contact projection 11j presses the bottom wall portion 31b upward.

[0075] Furthermore, in the mated state, as shown in Figure 7(a), the protrusions 31s provided on the pair of side wall portions 31c of the shell 31 of the plug connector 30 engage with the recesses 11s provided on the pair of side wall portions 11d of the shell 11 of the receptacle connector 10. The recesses 11s and protrusions 31s engage when the plug connector 30 is brought closer to the receptacle connector 10 along the Z-axis direction, as the protrusions 31s of the plug connector 30 enter into the recesses 11s of the receptacle connector 10. These recesses 11s and protrusions 31s function as engaging portions that maintain the mating between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7(a), P1 is defined as the engagement position between the protrusion 31s of the plug connector 30 and the recess 11s of the receptacle connector 10, when viewed from the Y-axis direction on the side of the housing 12 of the receptacle connector 10, i.e., when the mated state of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 is viewed from the Y-axis direction. The engagement position P1 is defined as the region in which the protrusion 31s is inserted into the recess 11s. In other words, the protrusion 31s at the engagement position P1 is the engaged portion, and the recess 11s at the engagement position P1 is the engaging portion.

[0077] At this time, as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(c), when viewed from the side of the housing 12 of the receptacle connector 10, the engagement position P1 is set between the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11 which functions as the first shield portion in the receptacle connector 10 and the contact projection 11j provided on the extension portion 11e. Setting the engagement position P1 closer to the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11 than to the contact projection 11j means that the engagement portion is set closer to the center of the receptacle connector 10.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(c), the engagement position P1 can also be described as being set between the contact portion 13c of the first contact 13A and the contact portion 13c of the second contact 13B and the contact projection 11j, when viewed from the side of the housing 12 of the receptacle connector 10. Since the contact projection 11j presses against the plug connector 30 above, a force acts between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30 in the direction of releasing the mating, that is, in the direction of moving them apart. This force in the direction of releasing the mating can be the force that releases the contacts 13 and 33 at the contact portions 13c and 33c. However, by setting the engagement position P1 between the contact portions 13c and 33c and the contact projection 11j, the upward force generated at the contact projection 11j does not affect the contact portions 13c and 33c.

[0079] [Effect] In the receptacle connector 10 included in the connector device 1 described above, the area around the connection portion 13a (first connection portion) of the first contact 13A is covered by the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11, which serves as the first shield portion. Furthermore, the area around the connection portion 13a (second connection portion) of the second contact 13B is covered by the extended portion 11e of the shell 11, which serves as the second shield portion. Therefore, the generation of noise from the first and second connection portions can be suppressed during signal transmission.

[0080] Conventionally, a configuration in which multiple first contacts are arranged on one side of the housing 12 and multiple second contacts are arranged on the other side of the housing 12 has been known. However, connectors of this shape have been insufficiently configured to prevent noise during signal transmission. In contrast, as described above, by providing shielding to the connection portions of both the first contact 13A and the second contact 13B, it is possible to suppress noise.

[0081] Furthermore, the extended portion 11e of the shell 11, which serves as the second shielding portion, may be provided with a shell connection portion 11k that is electrically connected to the circuit board 70. This configuration makes the electrical connection between the shell 11 and the circuit board 70 more reliable and improves the shielding performance.

[0082] Furthermore, the extended portion 11e of the shell 11, which serves as the second shield portion, may have a contact projection 11j that contacts the shell of the mating connector, the plug connector 30, when mating with the plug connector 30. The presence of the contact projection 11j allows for a more secure connection between the shell 11 and the shell 31 of the mating connector, the plug connector 30, thereby improving the shielding performance during mating.

[0083] When viewed from the side of the housing 12, the shell 11 may have, for example, a recess 11s that engages with the plug connector 30 between the first shield portion (side wall portion 11b) and the contact projection 11j along the Y-axis. The presence of the contact projection 11j ensures reliable contact between the shell 11 and the shell 31. On the other hand, this contact projection 11j acts as a force in the direction of mating with the plug connector 30. The presence of the engagement portion makes it possible to maintain the mated state with the plug connector 30.

[0084] The first contact 13A of the receptacle connector 10 has a contact portion 13c (first contact portion) that contacts the contact 33 of the plug connector 30. The second contact 13B also has a contact portion 13c (second contact portion). In this case, the recess 11s as an engaging portion may be provided between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and the contact projection 11j when viewed from the side of the housing. By positioning the engaging portion as described above, between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and the contact projection, it is possible to prevent the contact with the plug connector 30 from being affected by the force in the direction of mating with the plug connector 30 caused by the provision of the contact projection 11j.

[0085] As described above, in the connector device 1 consisting of a receptacle connector 10 and a plug connector 30, the two shielding parts suppress the generation of noise from the first and second connection parts during signal transmission. Furthermore, the shell 31 of the plug connector 30 comes into contact with the extension 11e which acts as the second shielding part, so the shell 31 also functions as a shield. Therefore, the generation of noise from the first and second connection parts during signal transmission can be suppressed.

[0086] Furthermore, if the shell 11 of the receptacle connector 10 has an engaging portion, the shell 31 of the plug connector 30 may have an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion. Specifically, the engaging portion is a recess 11s of the shell 11, and the engaged portion is a protrusion 31s of the shell 31. This configuration makes it possible to maintain a more appropriate mating state between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30.

[0087] Furthermore, the protrusions 31s, which serve as the engaging portion, may be provided on each of the pair of side wall portions 31c of the shell 31, which are arranged opposite each other in the direction in which the plurality of contacts 33 of the plug connector 30 are aligned. By providing engaging portions on both sides of a pair of opposing sides, it becomes possible to maintain a more appropriate mating state between the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 30.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the shell 11 of the receptacle connector 10 surrounds the housing 12 and the connection portion 13a of the first contact 13A around a first direction perpendicular to the circuit board 70. The housing 32 of the plug connector 30 fits into the housing 12 of the receptacle connector 10. The shell 31 of the plug connector 30 has a fitting portion (front wall portion 31d) that fits into the shell 11, and a surrounding portion (upper wall portion 31a, bottom wall portion 31b, and side wall portion 31c) that surrounds the end of the electrical cable 90 around a second direction parallel to the circuit board 70 at a position adjacent to the housing 12 and is connected to the outer conductor 93 of the electrical cable 90. The shell 11 has an extension portion 11e that extends along the circuit board 70, is located between the circuit board 70 and the surrounding portion, is connected to the circuit board 70, and contacts the surrounding portion.

[0089] In a configuration where the surrounding portion is positioned adjacent to the housing 12 along the second direction, the connector device 1 can be made lower in profile. However, the surrounding portion may protrude like an antenna along the second direction and become a source of noise. In contrast, the extension portion 11e is connected to the circuit board 70 and further contacts the surrounding portion, stabilizing the potential of the surrounding portion. Therefore, the possibility of the surrounding portion becoming a source of noise can be reduced. Accordingly, the above embodiment is effective in achieving both a lower profile for the connector device 1 and noise suppression. Even in a configuration where the second contact 13B of the receptacle connector 10 and the second contact 33B of the plug connector 30 are omitted, the extension portion 11e can achieve both a lower profile for the connector device 1 and noise suppression.

[0090] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments illustrated, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0091] For example, the shapes of the engaging portion and the engaged portion are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. The positional relationship between contact 13 and contact 33 may also be changed as appropriate.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case was described in which the side wall portion 11b of the shell 11 constituting the first shield portion and the extended portion 11e of the shell 11 constituting the second shield portion are both integrally formed with the other parts of the shell 11. However, the first shield portion and the second shield portion may be separate from the other parts of the shell 11.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contact projection 11j is formed to protrude upward from a part of the connecting portion 11i, but it is not limited to this, and may be a part of the connecting portion 11i. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 1...Connector device, 10...Receptacle connector, 11...Shell, 11b...Side wall portion, 11e...Extension portion, 11j...Contact projection, 11k...Shell connection portion, 12...Housing, 12a,12b...Side wall portion, 12c...Groove portion, 13...Contact, 13A...First contact, 13B...Second contact, 13a...Connection portion, 13b...Intermediate portion, 13c...Contact portion, 13d...Branch portion, 30...Plug connector, 31...Shell, 32...Housing, 33...Contact, 33A...First contact, 33B...Second contact, 70...Circuit board, 70s...Main surface, 90...Electrical cable.

Claims

1. A connector that can be mated to a mating connector connected to a cable and is mounted on a circuit board, An insulating housing facing the aforementioned substrate, When the connector is installed on the substrate, it has a conductive first contact having a first connecting portion that extends in one direction from the housing along a direction parallel to the substrate and is electrically connected to the substrate, A conductive second contact having a second connecting portion that extends from the housing in the opposite direction to the aforementioned parallel direction and is connected to the substrate, A conductive shell covering at least a portion of the housing, It has, The shell is matable with the mating connector along a vertical direction perpendicular to the substrate when the connector is installed on the substrate. Viewed from the aforementioned vertical direction, the first shield portion surrounds the first connection portion, Viewed from the vertical direction, it has a second shield portion surrounding the second connection portion, The mating connector comprises a mating shell having a mating portion that fits into the shell and a conductive surrounding portion that surrounds the end of the cable. In the state in which the fitting portion is fitted to the shell, The first contact, the second contact, and the surrounding portion are arranged in order in the opposite direction. The second shield portion is located between the substrate and the surrounding portion in the vertical direction. connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second shield portion has a shell connection portion that contacts the substrate and is electrically connected to the substrate when the connector is installed on the substrate.

3. The aforementioned mating connector is A conductive mating first contact that contacts the first contact, A conductive mating second contact that contacts the aforementioned second contact, The aforementioned mating shell has The first contact has a first contact portion that contacts the mating first contact, The second contact has a second contact portion that contacts the mating second contact, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first shield portion surrounds the first contact portion, the second contact portion, and the first connection portion when viewed from the vertical direction.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the second shield portion has a contact projection that contacts the mating shell when the mating portion is fitted to the shell.

5. The first shield portion has a first side wall portion facing the first connection portion from the one direction, The shell has an engaging portion that engages with the mating connector, The connector according to claim 4, wherein the engaging portion is located between the first side wall portion and the contact projection portion in the parallel direction.

6. The shell has an engaging portion that engages with the mating connector, The connector according to claim 4, wherein the engaging portion is located between the first contact portion and the contact projection in the parallel direction, and between the second contact portion and the contact projection.

7. The first contact portion contacts the mating first contact from the one direction, The connector according to claim 6, wherein the second contact portion contacts the mating second contact from the opposite direction.

8. Each of the first shield portion and the second shield portion has a thickness direction that minimizes its dimensions, and when the connector is installed on the substrate, The thickness direction of the first shield portion is parallel to the surface of the housing facing the substrate, The connector according to claim 1, wherein the thickness direction of the second shield portion is perpendicular to the surface of the housing.

9. The first shield portion has a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion, In the aforementioned parallel direction, the first contact is located between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the second shield portion is bent relative to the second side wall portion.

10. The connector and the mating connector are as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, A connector device in which, when the mating portion is fitted to the shell, the mating shell is in contact with the second shield portion.

11. The shell has an engaging portion that engages with the mating connector, The connector device according to claim 10, wherein the mating shell has an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion.

12. The first contact and the second contact are arranged along an alignment direction perpendicular to the parallel direction and the vertical direction. The aforementioned mating shell has a pair of sides facing each other along the direction of arrangement, The connector device according to claim 11, wherein the engaged portion is provided on each of the pair of side surfaces.

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