Connector, connector module, and electronic device

Abstract

A connector 10 according to the present disclosure comprises: a frame-shaped first insulator 20; a second insulator 30 which is disposed opposite the first insulator 20, is moveable relative to the first insulator 20, and mates with an object 70 for connection; a plurality of first contacts 50 attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30; and a first shield member 60a disposed between the plurality of first contacts 50. The first shield member 60a includes a first shield portion 61a which is disposed along a first direction transverse to a mating direction in which the object 70 for connection and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other.

Description

Connector, connector module, and electronic device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-110845, filed on July 8, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a connector, a connector module, and an electronic device.

[0003] A connector with a floating structure has been known as a technology for improving connection reliability with connection objects. Such connectors absorb misalignment between the connector and the connection object by, for example, moving a movable insulator, which is a part of the connector, during and after mating. Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that can ensure smooth movement of such a movable insulator.

[0004] Patent No. 5946804

[0005] A connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a frame-shaped first insulator, a second insulator disposed relative to the first insulator, movable relative to the first insulator, and mated with a connection object, a plurality of first contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator, and a first shielding member disposed between the plurality of first contacts. The first shielding member has a first shielding portion disposed along a first direction intersecting a mating direction when the connection object and the second insulator are mated with each other.

[0006] A connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-described connector and the connection object. The connection object includes a third insulator that mates with the second insulator, a plurality of second contacts attached to the third insulator, and a third shielding member that is attached to the third insulator and disposed between the plurality of second contacts. When the connector and the connection object are in a mated state, the first shielding member and the third shielding member come into contact with each other.

[0007] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the connector or the connector module described above.

[0008] 1. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a connector according to an embodiment in a state where a connection object is connected. 2. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a connector according to an embodiment in a state where the connection object is separated. 3. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the connector alone of FIG. 1. 4. An exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 3. 5. A cross-sectional view taken along the V-V arrow line of FIG. 3. 6. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the pair of contacts of FIG. 4. 7. A front view of the pair of contacts of FIG. 6. 8. A side view of the pair of contacts of FIG. 6. 9. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a pair of contacts according to another example. 10. A front view of the pair of contacts of FIG. 9. 11. A side view of the pair of contacts of FIG. 9. 12. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a set of a pair of contacts and a shielding member of FIG. 4. 13. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, four sets of a pair of contacts and a shielding member of FIG. 12. 14. A front view of the pair of contacts and a shielding member of FIG. 13. 14. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a connection object to be connected to the connector of FIG. 3. 15. An exploded perspective view of the connection object of FIG. 15. 16. A cross-sectional view taken along the XVII-XVII arrow line of FIG. 1. 10 is an external perspective view showing a pair of contacts and a shielding member of a connector according to a modified example, as viewed from above. FIG.

[0009] In recent years, electronic devices have seen a significant increase in the amount of information and the speed of signal transmission. Connectors using a floating structure are also required to be designed to accommodate such large capacity and high-speed transmission. However, conventional connectors, including the floating connector described in Patent Document 1, have not fully considered design issues for high-speed transmission, such as crosstalk between terminals.

[0010] According to the connector, connector module, and electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when a floating structure is used, it is possible to obtain good transmission characteristics in signal transmission.

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions refer to the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows in Figures 1 to 14 and 17 are consistent with each other in different drawings. The directions of the arrows in Figures 15 and 16 are consistent with each other. In some drawings, circuit boards CB1 and CB2, which will be described later, are omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a connector 10 according to an embodiment connected to a connection object 70. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the connector 10 according to an embodiment separated from the connection object 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , a connector module 1 includes the connector 10 and a connection object 70. The connector 10 includes a first insulator 20 as a fixed insulator, a second insulator 30 as a movable insulator, a metal fitting 40, first contacts 50a and second contacts 50b, and a shielding member 60. Hereinafter, when the first contacts 50a and the second contacts 50b are not to be distinguished from each other, they will be simply referred to as "contacts 50." The connection object 70 includes an insulator 80, a metal fitting 90, first contacts 100a and second contacts 100b, and a shielding member 110. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first contact 100a and the second contact 100b, they will be simply referred to as "contact 100."

[0013] In the following, for example, the connector 10 according to one embodiment will be described as a plug connector. For example, the connection object 70 will be described as a receptacle connector. A connector 10 in which the portions of the contacts 50 that come into contact with the contacts 100 do not elastically deform when the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are mated with each other will be described as a plug connector. On the other hand, a connection object 70 in which the portions of the contacts 100 that come into contact with the contacts 50 elastically deform when mated will be described as a receptacle connector. The types of the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are not limited to these. For example, the connector 10 may function as a receptacle connector, and the connection object 70 may function as a plug connector.

[0014] In the following description, the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are mounted on circuit boards CB1 and CB2, respectively. The connector 10 electrically connects the circuit board CB1 to the circuit board CB2 on which the connection object 70 is mounted, via the connection object 70 mated with the second insulator 30 of the connector 10. The circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be rigid boards or any other circuit boards. For example, at least one of the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC).

[0015] In the following description, the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are connected to each other in a direction perpendicular to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. As an example, the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are connected to each other in the up-down direction. The mating direction when the second insulator 30 and the connection object 70 are mated to each other is perpendicular to the circuit board CB1.

[0016] The connection method is not limited to this. The connector 10 and the connection object 70 may be connected to each other in a direction parallel to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The connector 10 and the connection object 70 may be connected to each other so that one is perpendicular to the circuit board on which they are mounted and the other is parallel to the circuit board on which they are mounted.

[0017] In the following description, the "mating direction" refers to, for example, the up-down direction. The "short direction of the connector 10" refers to, for example, the front-to-back direction. The "longitudinal direction of the connector 10" refers to, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50" is synonymous with the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50, and refers to, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "mating side" refers to, for example, the lower side. The "removal side" refers to, for example, the upper side.

[0018] The "mated state" refers to a state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are mated with each other, and the contacts 100 are elastically deformed due to contact with the contacts 50. The "unmated state" refers to a state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are not mated with each other, and the contacts 100 are not elastically deformed by an external force. "Along" refers to a planar shape parallel to the target component or direction. Without being limited thereto, "along" may also refer to a curved shape or an oblique shape relative to the target component or direction. For example, when describing "the first shielding portion 61a is arranged so as to overlap the contacts 50 "along" the first direction," the first shielding portion 61a may be arranged so as to overlap the contacts 50 in a planar shape parallel to the first direction, a curved shape relative to the first direction, or an oblique shape relative to the first direction.

[0019] The connector 10 according to one embodiment has a floating structure. The connector 10 allows a connected connection object 70 to move relative to the circuit board CB1 in six directions, including up, down, front, back, left, and right. The connection object 70 can move within a predetermined range in the six directions, including up, down, front, back, left, and right, relative to the circuit board CB1, even when connected to the connector 10. In addition to the six directions, the connection object 70 may also be able to move within a predetermined range in diagonal directions between the six directions.

[0020] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 of Fig. 1 as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 of Fig. 3 as viewed from above. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the V-V arrow in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an external perspective view showing the pair of contacts 50 of Fig. 4 as viewed from above. Fig. 7 is a front view of the pair of contacts 50 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a side view of the pair of contacts 50 of Fig. 6.

[0021] 4 , the connector 10 is assembled, for example, by the following method: The metal fitting 40 is press-fitted into the first insulator 20 from below; The second insulator 30 is placed onto the first insulator 20 from above; The contacts 50 are press-fitted into the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 from below; and The shielding member 60 is press-fitted into the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 from below.

[0022] The following mainly describes the configuration of each component of the connector 10 in the non-mated state. The configuration of the first insulator 20 will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the first insulator 20 is a member extending in the left-right direction that is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The first insulator 20 is frame-shaped. The first insulator 20 has openings 21a and 21b on its upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The first insulator 20 has four side surfaces and an outer peripheral wall 22 that surrounds an internal space. More specifically, the outer peripheral wall 22 has a pair of short walls 22a on both the left and right sides and a pair of long walls 22b on both the front and rear sides. The pair of short walls 22a and the pair of long walls 22b are perpendicular to each other and form the outer peripheral wall 22.

[0024] The first insulator 20 has a first restricting portion 23a formed by the inner surface of the short wall 22a. The first insulator 20 has a second restricting portion 23b formed by the inner surface of the long wall 22b. The first insulator 20 has a metal fitting mounting groove 24 recessed over substantially the entire interior of the short wall 22a. A metal fitting 40 is attached to the metal fitting mounting groove 24.

[0025] The first insulator 20 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 25 extending in the up-down direction on the inner surface of the longitudinal wall 22b. The contact mounting grooves 25 include a first contact mounting groove 25a and a second contact mounting groove 25b. A plurality of contacts 50 are mounted in the plurality of contact mounting grooves 25, respectively. More specifically, a plurality of first contacts 50a are mounted in the plurality of first contact mounting grooves 25a, respectively. A plurality of second contacts 50b are mounted in the plurality of second contact mounting grooves 25b, respectively. The plurality of pairs of contact mounting grooves 25 are recessed side by side and spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction.

[0026] The first insulator 20 has a plurality of mounting grooves 26 extending in the up-down direction on the inner surface of the longitudinal wall 22b. The mounting grooves 26 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the contact mounting groove 25 so as to sandwich the contact mounting groove 25 from both sides in the left-right direction. A plurality of shielding members 60 are attached to the plurality of mounting grooves 26, respectively. The plurality of mounting grooves 26 are recessed and lined up in the left-right direction, spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.

[0027] The first insulator 20 has a pair of contact mounting grooves 25 and a pair of mounting grooves 26 arranged to face each other on both the front and rear longitudinal walls 22 b, and a partition 27 that divides the pair of contact mounting grooves 25 and the pair of mounting grooves 26 into left-right pairs. The partition 27 is arranged over almost the entire length of the outer peripheral wall 22 in the vertical direction and extends in the front-rear direction to connect one longitudinal wall 22 b to the other longitudinal wall 22 b.

[0028] The configuration of the second insulator 30 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 4. The second insulator 30 is disposed in the internal space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20 through the opening 21a, and is movable relative to the first insulator 20. The second insulator 30 is fitted into the connection object 70.

[0029] The second insulator 30 is a component extending in the left-right direction that is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The second insulator 30 has a base 31 that extends in the left-right direction at its upper portion. The second insulator 30 has a mating protrusion 32 that protrudes upward from the center of the base 31 in the front-to-rear direction and is mated with the connection object 70. The second insulator 30 has a plurality of mating recesses 33 recessed in the base 31 along the left-to-right direction on both sides of the mating protrusion 32 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The second insulator 30 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 34 recessed into the outer surface of the mating protrusion 32 in the front-rear direction and extending over substantially the entire mating protrusion 32 in the up-down direction. The contact mounting grooves 34 include a first contact mounting groove 34a and a second contact mounting groove 34b. A plurality of contacts 50 are mounted in the plurality of contact mounting grooves 34, respectively. More specifically, a plurality of first contacts 50a are mounted in the plurality of first contact mounting grooves 34a, respectively. A plurality of second contacts 50b are mounted in the plurality of second contact mounting grooves 34b, respectively. The plurality of pairs of contact mounting grooves 34 are recessed side by side and spaced apart at a predetermined interval along the left-right direction.

[0031] The second insulator 30 has a plurality of mounting grooves 35 that are arranged along both inner surfaces of the fitting recess 33 in the left-right direction and into the fitting protrusion 32. The mounting grooves 35 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the contact mounting groove 34 so as to surround the contact mounting groove 34 on both left-right sides and from the center of the second insulator 30 in the front-rear direction. A plurality of shielding members 60 are attached to the plurality of mounting grooves 35, respectively. The plurality of mounting grooves 35 are recessed and lined up side by side at a predetermined interval from each other in the left-right direction.

[0032] The second insulator 30 has regulated portions 36 that protrude outward in the left-right direction and extend downward on both the left and right sides of the lower end of the base 31. The second insulator 30 has a first regulated portion 36a that is formed by the outer surface of the regulated portion 36 in the left-right direction. The second insulator 30 has a second regulated portion 36b that is formed by the outer surface of the regulated portion 36 in the front-rear direction.

[0033] The configuration of the metal fitting 40 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0034] The metal fitting 40 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 4. The method for forming the metal fitting 40 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. The metal fitting 40 is H-shaped when viewed from the left and right.

[0035] The metal fitting 40 has mounting portions 41 that extend outward in a U-shape at the lower end on both the front and rear sides. The metal fitting 40 has locking portions 42 that extend upward from the upper end of the mounting portions 41. The metal fitting 40 has a base portion 43 that extends in the front-to-rear direction to connect the locking portions 42 on both the front and rear sides.

[0036] The configuration of the contact 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0037] The contact 50 is formed by stamping a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, into the shapes shown in Figures 4 to 8. The contact 50 is produced by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The contact 50 contains, for example, a metal material with a low elastic modulus so that the shape change due to elastic deformation is large. The surface of the contact 50 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after a nickel-plated base is formed.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, the contacts 50 are arranged in multiple pairs along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The contacts 50 are arranged in multiple pairs along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the contacts 50 are attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. A pair of contacts 50 arranged at the same left-right position are arranged symmetrically with each other along the front-rear direction. The pair of contacts 50 are arranged so as to be line-symmetric with each other about the up-down axis passing through the center therebetween. As shown in Fig. 7, a pair of contacts 50 arranged at the same front-rear position are arranged symmetrically with each other along the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50. The pair of contacts 50 are arranged so as to be line-symmetric with each other about the up-down axis passing through the center therebetween.

[0039] 6 to 8 , the first contact 50a of the pair of contacts 50 has a first base portion 51a that extends in the up-down direction and is supported by the first insulator 20. The first base portion 51a has a first held portion 51a1 that is disposed at the lower portion of the first base portion 51a. The first contact 50a has a mounting portion 52a that extends outward in an L-shape from the lower end of the first held portion 51a1. The first base portion 51a extends from the mounting portion 52a along the first insulator 20 and is disposed along the first insulator 20. The first contact 50a has a first connecting portion 53a that bends at an angle of approximately 90° in an L-shape from the upper end of the first base portion 51a toward the second insulator 30, i.e., inward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0040] The first contact 50a has an elastically deformable elastic portion 54a connected to the first connecting portion 53a. The first contact 50a has a second connecting portion 55a that bends outward in the left-right direction at an angle of approximately 90° in an L-shape from the end of the elastic portion 54a. The first contact 50a has a second base portion 56a that extends in the up-down direction and is supported by the second insulator 30. The second base portion 56a has a second held portion 56a1 on the second insulator 30 side that corresponds to the first held portion 51a1. The second held portion 56a1 is wider in the left-right direction on the second base portion 56a. The second base portion 56a extends from the second connecting portion 55a along the second insulator 30 and is disposed along the second insulator 30. The first contact 50a has a contact portion 57a ​​that is disposed on the outer surface of the second base portion 56a in the front-rear direction.

[0041] The first contact 50a has a first notch 58a disposed in the up-down direction between a portion of the first base 51a that is wider in the left-right direction and the first connection portion 53a. A portion of the portion of the first base 51a that is wider in the left-right direction and a portion of the first connection portion 53a face each other in the up-down direction via the first notch 58a.

[0042] The first contact 50a has a second notch 59a disposed in the up-down direction between a wide portion of the second base 56a in the left-right direction and the second connection portion 55a. A portion of the wide portion of the second base 56a in the left-right direction and a portion of the second connection portion 55a face each other in the up-down direction via the second notch 59a.

[0043] The first connecting portion 53a connects one end of the elastic portion 54a to the first base portion 51a. The second connecting portion 55a connects the other end of the elastic portion 54a to the second base portion 56a. The elastically deformable elastic portion 54a is disposed between the first base portion 51a and the second base portion 56a. More specifically, the elastic portion 54a is disposed between the first connecting portion 53a and the second connecting portion 55a.

[0044] The elastic portion 54a has a first extending portion 54a1 that extends linearly from the first connecting portion 53a toward the second insulator 30. The elastic portion 54a has a first bent portion 54a2 that extends diagonally downward from the first extending portion 54a1 and bends in a C-shape overall. The first bent portion 54a2 is bent in a gentle R-shape from the first extending portion 54a1, and has an arc shape with its end facing the first insulator 20. The first bent portion 54a2 has a fan-shaped arc shape with a central angle of 180° or more.

[0045] The elastic portion 54a has a second extending portion 54a3 that is further bent in an L-shape from the first bent portion 54a2 and extends linearly upward. The elastic portion 54a has a second bent portion 54a4 that extends diagonally upward from the second extending portion 54a3 and is bent in an inverted C-shape overall. The second bent portion 54a4 is bent in a gentle R-shape from the second extending portion 54a3 and has an arc shape with its end facing the second insulator 30. The second bent portion 54a4 has a fan-shaped arc shape with a central angle of 180° or more.

[0046] The elastic portion 54a has a third extending portion 54a5 that extends linearly from the second bent portion 54a4 toward the second insulator 30 side.

[0047] Of the pair of contacts 50, the second contact 50b has a first base portion 51b extending in the up-down direction and supported by the first insulator 20. The first base portion 51b has a first held portion 51b1 arranged at the bottom of the first base portion 51b. The second contact 50b has a mounting portion 52b extending outward in an L-shape from the lower end of the first held portion 51b1. The first base portion 51b extends from the mounting portion 52b along the first insulator 20 and is arranged along the first insulator 20. The second contact 50b has a first connecting portion 53b bending from the upper end of the first base portion 51b at an angle of approximately 90° in an L-shape toward the second insulator 30, i.e., inward in the front-to-rear direction.

[0048] The second contact 50b has an elastically deformable elastic portion 54b connected to the first connecting portion 53b. The second contact 50b has a second connecting portion 55b that bends outward in the left-right direction at an angle of approximately 90° in an L-shape from the end of the elastic portion 54b. The second contact 50b has a second base portion 56b that extends in the up-down direction and is supported by the second insulator 30. The second base portion 56b has a second held portion 56b1 on the second insulator 30 side that corresponds to the first held portion 51b1. The second held portion 56b1 is wider in the left-right direction on the second base portion 56b. The second base portion 56b extends from the second connecting portion 55b along the second insulator 30 and is disposed along the second insulator 30. The second contact 50b has a contact portion 57b that is disposed on the outer surface of the second base portion 56b in the front-rear direction.

[0049] The second contact 50b has a first notch 58b disposed in the up-down direction between a portion of the first base 51b that is wider in the left-right direction and the first connection portion 53b. A portion of the portion of the first base 51b that is wider in the left-right direction and a portion of the first connection portion 53b face each other in the up-down direction via the first notch 58b.

[0050] The second contact 50b has a second notch 59b disposed in the up-down direction between a wide portion of the second base 56b and the second connection portion 55b. A part of the wide portion of the second base 56b and a part of the second connection portion 55b face each other in the up-down direction via the second notch 59b.

[0051] The first connecting portion 53b connects one end of the elastic portion 54b to the first base portion 51b. The second connecting portion 55b connects the other end of the elastic portion 54b to the second base portion 56b. The elastically deformable elastic portion 54b is disposed between the first base portion 51b and the second base portion 56b. More specifically, the elastic portion 54b is disposed between the first connecting portion 53b and the second connecting portion 55b.

[0052] The elastic portion 54b has a first extending portion 54b1 that extends linearly from the first connecting portion 53b toward the second insulator 30. The elastic portion 54b has a first bent portion 54b2 that extends diagonally downward from the first extending portion 54b1 and bends in a C-shape overall. The first bent portion 54b2 bends gently from the first extending portion 54b1 in an R-shape, and its end is arc-shaped so that it faces the first insulator 20. The first bent portion 54b2 has a fan-shaped arc shape with a central angle of 180° or more.

[0053] The elastic portion 54b has a second extending portion 54b3 that further bends in an L-shape from the first bent portion 54b2 and extends linearly upward. The elastic portion 54b has a second bent portion 54b4 that extends diagonally upward from the second extending portion 54b3 and then bends in an inverted C-shape overall. The second bent portion 54b4 bends in a gentle R-shape from the second extending portion 54b3 and has an arc shape with its end facing the second insulator 30. The second bent portion 54b4 has a fan-shaped arc shape with a central angle of 180° or more.

[0054] The elastic portion 54b has a third extending portion 54b5 that extends linearly from the second bent portion 54b4 toward the second insulator 30 side.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a pair of contacts 50 according to another example, as seen from above. Fig. 10 is a front view of the pair of contacts 50 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a side view of the pair of contacts 50 of Fig. 9. The shape of the contacts 50 is not limited to those shown in Figs. 4 to 8.

[0056] The contacts 50 may have different shapes while having the same components as those shown in Figures 4 to 8. More specifically, the first base portions 51a and 51b of the first contacts 50a and second contacts 50b may be shorter in the up-down direction. The first contacts 50a and second contacts 50b may have significantly different shapes of the elastic portions 54a and 54b. As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the elastic portions 54a and 54b may each be crank-shaped when viewed from the left and right.

[0057] Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the elastic portion 54a and the elastic portion 54b, they will simply be referred to as the "elastic portion 54." Similarly, when there is no need to distinguish between other components of the first contact 50a and the second contact 50b, the "a" and "b" will be omitted and only the corresponding numerals will be used as reference numerals.

[0058] As shown in Figures 6 to 11 , in the first contact 50a of a pair of contacts 50, the first surface of the elastic portion 54a, which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the contact 50, faces the first surface of the elastic portion 54b of the second contact 50b across the entirety. In the second contact 50b of the pair of contacts 50, the first surface of the elastic portion 54b, which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the contact 50, faces the first surface of the elastic portion 54a of the first contact 50a across the entirety. In the present disclosure, the "first surface" refers to, for example, a rolled surface. In Figures 6 to 11 , the first surface of the elastic portion 54 is, for example, a surface facing the left-right direction. The first surfaces of the pair of elastic portions 54 face each other across the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50.

[0059] The pair of first base portions 51 face each other in the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50, with their second surfaces parallel to the plate thickness direction of the contacts 50. The pair of second base portions 56 face each other in the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50, with their second surfaces parallel to the plate thickness direction of the contacts 50. In the present disclosure, the "second surface" refers to, for example, a fracture surface. In Figures 6 to 11, the second surfaces of the first base portion 51 and the second surfaces of the second base portion 56 are surfaces facing, for example, in the left-right direction.

[0060] As described above, in the contact 50, the rolled surfaces of the first base portion 51 and the second base portion 56 are surfaces facing the front-rear direction, while the rolled surface of the elastic portion 54 is a surface facing the left-right direction. In the contact 50, the fracture surfaces of the first base portion 51 and the second base portion 56 are surfaces facing the left-right direction, while the fracture surfaces of the elastic portion 54 are surfaces facing various directions perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, in the first contact 50a of the pair of contacts 50, the first connecting portion 53a and the second connecting portion 55a have a first portion 53a1 and a first portion 55a1, respectively.

[0062] The first portions 53a1 extend from the corresponding first base portions 51a toward the second contacts 50b along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50 so as to bring the elastic portions 54a closer to the elastic portions 54b of the second contacts 50b along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50. The first portions 53a1 extend from the corresponding first base portions 51a toward the second contacts 50b along the arrangement direction so that the spacing between the pairs of elastic portions 54 along the arrangement direction is narrower than the spacing between the pairs of contacts 50.

[0063] The first portions 55a1 extend from the corresponding second base portions 56a toward the second contacts 50b along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50 so as to bring the elastic portions 54a closer to the elastic portions 54b of the second contacts 50b along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50. The first portions 55a1 extend from the corresponding second base portions 56a toward the second contacts 50b along the arrangement direction so that the spacing between the pairs of elastic portions 54 along the arrangement direction is narrower than the spacing between the pairs of contacts 50.

[0064] In the second contact 50b of the pair of contacts 50, the first connecting portion 53b and the second connecting portion 55b have a first portion 53b1 and a first portion 55b1, respectively.

[0065] The first portions 53b1 extend from the corresponding first base portions 51b toward the first contacts 50a along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50 so as to bring the elastic portions 54b closer to the elastic portions 54a of the first contacts 50a along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50. The first portions 53b1 extend from the corresponding first base portions 51b toward the first contacts 50a along the arrangement direction so that the spacing between the pairs of elastic portions 54 along the arrangement direction is narrower than the spacing between the pairs of contacts 50.

[0066] The first portions 55b1 extend from the corresponding second base portions 56b toward the first contacts 50a along the arrangement direction of the pairs of contacts 50 so as to bring the elastic portions 54b closer to the elastic portions 54a of the first contacts 50a along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50. The first portions 55b1 extend from the corresponding second base portions 56b toward the first contacts 50a along the arrangement direction so that the spacing between the pairs of elastic portions 54 along the arrangement direction is narrower than the spacing between the pairs of contacts 50.

[0067] The first connecting portion 53 connects the first base portion 51 and the elastic portion 54 such that the pair of elastic portions 54 are located more inward in the arrangement direction than the pair of first base portions 51. More specifically, the first connecting portion 53 connects the first base portion 51 and the elastic portion 54 such that the outer edges of the pair of elastic portions 54 are located more inward in the arrangement direction than the outer edges of the pair of first base portions 51. The first connecting portion 53 connects the first base portion 51 and the elastic portion 54 such that the center line of the elastic portion 54 is located more inward in the arrangement direction than the center line of the first base portion 51.

[0068] The second connecting portions 55 connect the second base portions 56 and the elastic portions 54 such that the pair of elastic portions 54 are positioned more inward in the arrangement direction than the pair of second base portions 56. More specifically, the second connecting portions 55 connect the second base portions 56 and the elastic portions 54 such that the outer edges of the pair of elastic portions 54 are positioned more inward in the arrangement direction than the outer edges of the pair of second base portions 56. The second connecting portions 55 connect the second base portions 56 and the elastic portions 54 such that the center lines of the elastic portions 54 are positioned more inward in the arrangement direction than the center lines of the second base portions 56.

[0069] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, in the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50, the distance L0 between the pair of center lines of the pair of elastic portions 54 is shorter than the distance L1 between the pair of center lines of the pair of first base portions 51 and the distance L2 between the pair of center lines of the pair of second base portions 56.

[0070] 6 and 9 , in the first contact 50a of the pair of contacts 50, the first connection portion 53a and the second connection portion 55a have second portions 53a2 and 55a2, respectively. The second portion 53a2 bends from the first portion 53a1 toward the other insulator, i.e., the second insulator 30. The second portion 55a2 bends from the first portion 55a1 toward the other insulator, i.e., the first insulator 20.

[0071] In the second contact 50b of the pair of contacts 50, the first connection portion 53b and the second connection portion 55b have second portions 53b2 and 55b2, respectively. The second portion 53b2 bends from the first portion 53b1 toward the other insulator, i.e., the second insulator 30. The second portion 55b2 bends from the first portion 55b1 toward the other insulator, i.e., the first insulator 20.

[0072] The pair of first notches 58 that each of the pair of contacts 50 has are located on the inside in the left-right direction of the pair of contacts 50. The pair of first notches 58 face each other on the inside in the left-right direction of the pair of contacts 50. The pair of second notches 59 that each of the pair of contacts 50 has are located on the inside in the left-right direction of the pair of contacts 50. The pair of second notches 59 face each other on the inside in the left-right direction of the pair of contacts 50.

[0073] 8 and 11 , when viewed in the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50, the width by which a pair of elastic portions 54 overlap in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the contacts 50 is greater than the width by which a pair of first base portions 51 overlap and the width by which a pair of second base portions 56 overlap. For example, in a crank-shaped elastic portion 54 as shown in Fig. 11 , the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the contacts 50 is the up-down direction in the portion extending in the front-rear direction, and the front-rear direction in the portion extending in the up-down direction. For example, in an elastic portion 54 having gently curved bent portions as shown in Fig. 8 , the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the contacts 50 is the radial direction of the radius of curvature at the bent portions.

[0074] Fig. 12 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, a set of a pair of contacts 50 and a shielding member 60 shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 13 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, four sets of pairs of contacts 50 and a shielding member 60 shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a front view of the pair of contacts 50 and a shielding member 60 shown in Fig. 13.

[0075] The configuration of the shielding member 60 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS. 4 and 12 to 14.

[0076] The shielding member 60 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Figures 4 and 12 to 14. The method for processing the shielding member 60 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. When viewed from above, the shielding member 60 has a shape that follows three consecutive sides of a rectangle.

[0077] 4 , a plurality of shielding members 60 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The shielding members 60 are attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. More specifically, the shielding member 60 includes a first shielding member 60a attached to the second insulator 30 and a second shielding member 60b attached to the first insulator 20.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 13, a pair of shielding members 60 arranged at the same left-right position are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other along the front-rear direction. The pair of shielding members 60 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point located between them when viewed from above. As shown in Fig. 14, a pair of shielding members 60 arranged at the same front-rear position have the same shape and arrangement with respect to the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50.

[0079] 12 to 14 , the first shielding member 60a has a pair of first shielding portions 61a extending in a plane along the front-rear direction. The first shielding member 60a has a second shielding portion 62a extending in a plane along the left-right direction and connecting the pair of first shielding portions 61a spaced apart in the front-rear direction along the left-right direction. The first shielding member 60a has a first held portion 63a extending linearly upward from the center of the upper edge of the second shielding portion 62a.

[0080] The second shielding member 60b has a pair of third shielding portions 61b extending in a plane along the front-rear direction. The second shielding member 60b has a fourth shielding portion 62b extending in a plane along the left-right direction and connecting the pair of third shielding portions 61b spaced apart in the front-rear direction along the left-right direction. The second shielding member 60b has a second held portion 63b extending linearly upward from the upper end at the front-rear end of the third shielding portion 61b. The second shielding member 60b has a mounting portion 64b extending linearly outward in the front-rear direction from the lower end at the front-rear end of the third shielding portion 61b. The second shielding member 60b has a first spring piece 65b that is elastically deformable at the center of the front-rear direction at the bottom of one of the third shielding portions 61b. The second shielding member 60b has a second spring piece 66b that is elastically deformable on the inside in the front-rear direction at the bottom of the other third shielding portion 61b.

[0081] The shielding member 60 has an elastically deformable connecting portion 67 that connects the lower edge of the second shielding portion 62a of the first shielding member 60a and the upper edge of the fourth shielding portion 62b of the second shielding member 60b. The connecting portion 67 bends in a J-shape and extends from the lower edge of the second shielding portion 62a, and then bends in an inverted U-shape to connect with the upper edge of the fourth shielding portion 62b.

[0082] The shielding members 60 are arranged between one pair of contacts 50 and the other pair of contacts 50. The first shielding members 60a are arranged between the plurality of contacts 50. The second shielding members 60b are arranged between the plurality of contacts 50.

[0083] The first shielding portion 61a of the first shielding member 60a is arranged to overlap the contact 50 along a first direction that intersects with the mating direction when the connection object 70 and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other. In the present disclosure, the "first direction" refers to the front-to-rear direction, for example. The first shielding portion 61a is arranged in a plane along the first direction and overlaps the contact 50.

[0084] The second shielding portion 62a of the first shielding member 60a is arranged to overlap the contacts 50 along a second direction that intersects the mating direction when the connection object 70 and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other and the first direction. In this disclosure, the "second direction" refers to the left-right direction, for example. The second shielding portion 62a is arranged in a plane along the second direction and overlaps the contacts 50.

[0085] The third shielding portion 61b of the second shielding member 60b is arranged so as to overlap the contact 50 along a first direction that intersects with the mating direction when the connection object 70 and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other. The third shielding portion 61b is arranged in a plane along the first direction and overlaps with the contact 50.

[0086] The fourth shielding portion 62b of the second shielding member 60b is arranged so as to overlap the contact 50 along a second direction that intersects with the first direction and the mating direction when the connection object 70 and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other. The fourth shielding portion 62b is arranged in a plane along the second direction and overlaps with the contact 50.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 14, the first shielding member 60a surrounds the portion of the contact 50 located above the center of the elastic portion 54 from both left and right sides and the inside in the front-rear direction. The second shielding member 60b surrounds the portion of the contact 50 located below the center of the elastic portion 54 from both left and right sides and the inside in the front-rear direction. The first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b are arranged so that they partially overlap each other along the mating direction. As shown in Fig. 12, the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b are connected to each other at a connecting portion 67.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 13, a plurality of second shielding members 60b are arranged in the first and second directions. A pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b in the first direction are in surface contact with each other via a pair of fourth shielding portions 62b. As shown in Fig. 14, a pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b in the second direction are arranged such that the first spring piece 65b of one second shielding member 60b is adjacent to the third shielding portion 61b of the other second shielding member 60b, and the second spring piece 66b of the other second shielding member 60b is adjacent to the third shielding portion 61b of the one second shielding member 60b.

[0089] 13, a plurality of first shielding members 60a are arranged in the first and second directions. A pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a in the first direction are spaced apart from each other across a pair of connecting portions 67. As shown in FIG. 14, a pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a in the second direction are spaced apart from each other.

[0090] The distance between the first base portion 51 of the contact 50 and the second shielding member 60b remains constant even when the second insulator 30 moves relative to the first insulator 20. More specifically, the distance in the left-right direction between the first base portion 51 and the third shielding portion 61b located outside it in the left-right direction is constant.

[0091] The distance between the second base portion 56 of the contact 50 and the first shielding member 60a remains constant even when the second insulator 30 moves relative to the first insulator 20. More specifically, the distance in the left-right direction between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding portion 61a located outside it in the left-right direction is constant.

[0092] The distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the first shielding member 60a is greater than the distance between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a. More specifically, the left-right distance between the elastic portion 54 and the first shielding portion 61a located outside it in the left-right direction is greater than the left-right distance between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding portion 61a located outside it in the left-right direction.

[0093] The distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the second shielding member 60b is greater than the distance between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b. More specifically, the distance in the left-right direction between the elastic portion 54 and the third shielding portion 61b located outside it in the left-right direction is greater than the distance in the left-right direction between the first base portion 51 and the third shielding portion 61b located outside it in the left-right direction.

[0094] 4 and other figures, the first base portion 51 of the contact 50 is engaged with the contact mounting groove 25 disposed in the longitudinal wall 22b of the first insulator 20. The first base portion 51 is attached to the first insulator 20. More specifically, the first base portion 51a of the first contact 50a is engaged with the first contact mounting groove 25a. The first base portion 51b of the second contact 50b is engaged with the second contact mounting groove 25b.

[0095] The second base portion 56 of the contact 50 is engaged with the contact mounting groove 34 disposed in the mating protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30. The second base portion 56 is attached to the second insulator 30. More specifically, the second base portion 56a of the first contact 50a is engaged with the first contact mounting groove 34a. The second base portion 56b of the second contact 50b is engaged with the second contact mounting groove 34b.

[0096] 5 , when the plurality of contacts 50 are attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, the contact portion 57 of each contact 50 is positioned inside the mating recess 33 of the second insulator 30. The contact portion 57 of each contact 50 is arranged along the inner surface of the mating recess 33 in the front-to-rear direction so as to face the inside of the mating recess 33.

[0097] Each contact 50 supports the second insulator 30 in the internal space surrounded by the outer wall 22 of the first insulator 20 and directly above the outer wall 22, with the second insulator 30 spaced apart from the first insulator 20 and floating.

[0098] When the second insulator 30 is held relative to the first insulator 20 by the contacts 50, the second insulator 30 is disposed apart from the first insulator 20 in the internal space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20 and directly above the outer peripheral wall 22. More specifically, the base 31 of the second insulator 30 is located directly above the outer peripheral wall 22. The regulated portion 36 of the second insulator 30 is disposed in the internal space of the first insulator 20 surrounded by the pair of long walls 22b and the pair of short walls 22a. The regulated portion 36 of the second insulator 30 is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20.

[0099] The base 31 of the second insulator 30 protrudes upward from the opening 21 a of the first insulator 20 and is located outside the internal space of the first insulator 20. The base 31 of the second insulator 30 is disposed above the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20 in a state in which it can be fitted with the connection object 70.

[0100] 3 and 4, the second regulated portion 36b of the second insulator 30 is located inside in the front-rear direction with respect to the second regulating portion 23b arranged on the long-side wall 22b of the first insulator 20. The first regulated portion 36a of the second insulator 30 faces the first regulating portion 23a arranged on the short-side wall 22a of the first insulator 20 from the inside in the left-right direction.

[0101] 4 and other figures, the first held portion 63a of the first shielding member 60a is engaged with the mounting groove 35 arranged in the fitting protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30. The first held portion 63a is attached to the second insulator 30. The second held portion 63b of the second shielding member 60b is engaged with the mounting groove 26 arranged in the longitudinal wall 22b of the first insulator 20. The second held portion 63b is attached to the first insulator 20.

[0102] The locking portions 42 of the metal fittings 40 are locked into the metal fitting mounting grooves 24 of the first insulator 20. The metal fittings 40 are press-fitted into the metal fitting mounting grooves 24 of the first insulator 20 and are disposed at both left and right ends of the first insulator 20.

[0103] The connector 10 having the above structure is mounted, for example, on a circuit formation surface disposed on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1. More specifically, the mounting portion 41 of the metal fitting 40 is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB1. The mounting portion 52a of the first contact 50a is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB1. The mounting portion 52b of the second contact 50b is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB1. The mounting portion 64b of the second shielding member 60b is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB1.

[0104] By heating and melting the solder pastes in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portions 41, 52a, 52b, and 64b are soldered to the above-mentioned patterns. As a result, the mounting of the connector 10 on the circuit board CB1 is completed. Electronic components other than the connector 10, including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, and a memory, are mounted on the circuit formation surface of the circuit board CB1.

[0105] The structure of the connection object 70 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0106] Fig. 15 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, a connection object 70 to be connected to the connector 10 of Fig. 3. Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing, as viewed from above, the connection object 70 of Fig. 15.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 16, the connection object 70 is assembled by press-fitting the metal fitting 90 into the insulator 80 from above, and then press-fitting the contact 100 and the shielding member 110 into the insulator 80 from below.

[0108] The insulator 80 is a rectangular pillar-shaped component injection-molded from an insulating, heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The insulator 80 has a mating recess 81 disposed on its top surface. The insulator 80 has a plurality of mating protrusions 82 arranged inside the mating recess 81. The insulator 80 has metal fitting grooves 83 disposed in the up-down direction on both left and right ends of its lower end. Metal fittings 90 are attached to the metal fitting grooves 83.

[0109] The insulator 80 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 84 linearly recessed over substantially the entire interior thereof in the up-down direction. The contact mounting grooves 84 include a first contact mounting groove 84a and a second contact mounting groove 84b. A plurality of contacts 100 are mounted in the plurality of contact mounting grooves 84, respectively. More specifically, a plurality of first contacts 100a are mounted in the plurality of first contact mounting grooves 84a, respectively. A plurality of second contacts 100b are mounted in the plurality of second contact mounting grooves 84b, respectively. The plurality of pairs of contact mounting grooves 84 are recessed side by side in the left-right direction, spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.

[0110] The insulator 80 has a plurality of mounting grooves 85 recessed linearly over substantially the entire interior thereof in the up-down direction. The mounting grooves 85 are arranged along part of the periphery of the contact mounting groove 84, surrounding the contact mounting groove 84 from both left-right sides and from the inside in the front-rear direction. A plurality of shielding members 110 are attached to the plurality of mounting grooves 85, respectively. The plurality of mounting grooves 85 are recessed side by side in the left-right direction, spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.

[0111] The metal fitting 90 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 16. The metal fitting 90 is disposed at each of the left and right ends of the insulator 80. The metal fitting 90 has an L-shaped mounting portion 91 at its lower end that extends outward in the left-right direction. The metal fitting 90 has the mounting portion 91. The metal fitting 90 has a locking portion 92 that locks onto the insulator 80. The locking portion 92 is connected to the mounting portion 91 at its lower edge.

[0112] The contact 100 is formed by stamping a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy containing, for example, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson copper alloy, into the shape shown in Fig. 16. The contact 100 is produced by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The surface of the contact 100 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after a nickel-plated base is formed.

[0113] The contacts 100 are arranged in pairs in the left-right direction. Each pair of contacts 100 has the same shape. The first contact 100a and the second contact 100b have the same shape.

[0114] The contact 100 has a mounting portion 101 that extends linearly outward in the front-to-rear direction. The contact 100 has a connecting portion 102 that is provided so as to be continuous with the mounting portion 101. The connecting portion 102 has a shape like two inverted L-shapes connected to each other. More specifically, the connecting portion 102 extends linearly upward from the mounting portion 101, then bends approximately 90 degrees before extending in the front-to-rear direction. The connecting portion 102 further bends approximately 90 degrees, extends linearly upward, then bends approximately 90 degrees before extending in the front-to-rear direction.

[0115] The contact 100 has a locking portion 103 that extends linearly upward from an end of the connecting portion 102. The contact 100 has an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 104 that extends upward while bending from the locking portion 103. The contact 100 has a contact portion 105 that is located on the inside of the resilient contact piece 104 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0116] The shielding member 110 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in FIG. 16 . The method for forming the shielding member 110 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. When viewed from above, the shielding member 110 has a shape that follows three consecutive sides of a rectangle. A plurality of shielding members 110 are arranged in the left-right direction. The shielding members 110 are attached to the insulator 80.

[0117] A pair of shielding members 110 arranged at the same left-right position are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other along the front-rear direction. The pair of shielding members 110 are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis passing through the center between them. A pair of shielding members 60 arranged at the same front-rear position have the same shape and arrangement with respect to each other along the left-rear direction.

[0118] The shielding member 110 has a pair of first shielding portions 111 extending in a plane in the front-rear direction. The shielding member 110 has a second shielding portion 112 extending in a plane in the left-right direction and connecting the pair of first shielding portions 111 spaced apart in the front-rear direction along the left-right direction. The shielding member 110 has an elastically deformable resilient contact piece 113 that extends upward while bending from the upper end at the front-rear end of the first shielding portion 111. The shielding member 110 has a mounting portion 114 that extends linearly outward in the front-rear direction from the lower end at the front-rear end of the first shielding portion 111.

[0119] The shielding member 110 is disposed between one pair of contacts 100 and the other pair of contacts 100. The shielding member 110 is disposed between the multiple contacts 100. The shielding member 110 surrounds the pair of contacts 100 from both sides in the left-right direction and from the inside in the front-rear direction.

[0120] 16 and other figures, the metal fittings 90 are attached to the metal fitting mounting grooves 83 of the insulator 80. For example, the locking portions 92 of the metal fittings 90 are locked into the metal fitting mounting grooves 83 of the insulator 80. The metal fittings 90 are disposed at both the left and right ends of the insulator 80.

[0121] The plurality of contacts 100 are respectively attached to the plurality of contact attachment grooves 84 of the insulator 80. More specifically, the plurality of first contacts 100a are respectively attached to the plurality of first contact attachment grooves 84a of the insulator 80. The plurality of second contacts 100b are respectively attached to the plurality of second contact attachment grooves 84b of the insulator 80.

[0122] The locking portion 103 of the contact 100 is locked into the contact mounting groove 84 of the insulator 80. At this time, the resilient contact piece 104 of the contact 100 is arranged inside the contact mounting groove 84 so as to be resiliently deformable in the front-to-rear direction. The contact portion 105 of the resilient contact piece 104 is exposed from the contact mounting groove 84 and is located inside the fitting recess 81.

[0123] Substantially the entire first shielding portion 111 and the entire second shielding portion 112 of the shielding member 110 are engaged with the mounting groove 85 disposed inside the insulator 80. The shielding member 110 is attached to the insulator 80.

[0124] The connection object 70 having the above structure is mounted, for example, on a circuit formation surface arranged on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2. More specifically, the mounting portion 91 of the metal fitting 90 is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB2. The mounting portion 101 of the contact 100 is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB2. The mounting portion 114 of the shielding member 110 is placed on the solder paste applied to the pattern on the circuit board CB2.

[0125] By heating and melting the solder pastes in a reflow furnace or the like, the mounting portions 91, 101, and 114 are soldered to the above-mentioned patterns. As a result, the mounting of the connection object 70 on the circuit board CB2 is completed. Electronic components other than the connection object 70, such as a camera module and a sensor, are mounted on the circuit formation surface of the circuit board CB2.

[0126] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XVII-XVII in Fig. 1. The operation of the connector 10 having a floating structure will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 17.

[0127] The mounting portions 52 of the contacts 50 are soldered to the circuit board CB1, thereby fixing the first insulator 20 to the circuit board CB1. The second shielding member 60b attached to the first insulator 20 is also fixed to the circuit board CB1. The contacts 50 elastically deform, allowing the second insulator 30 to move relative to the first insulator 20 fixed to the circuit board CB1. The first shielding member 60a attached to the second insulator 30 is also movable relative to the first insulator 20 in association with the movement of the second insulator 30. For example, the first shielding portion 61a is movable relative to the first insulator 20 in association with the movement of the second insulator 30. At this time, the connection portion 67 of the shielding member 60 connecting the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b is elastically deformed.

[0128] 4 , the second restricting portion 23b of the first insulator 20 restricts excessive movement of the second insulator 30 in the front-rear direction relative to the first insulator 20. For example, if the second insulator 30 moves significantly in the front-rear direction beyond the design value due to elastic deformation of the contact 50, the second restricted portion 36b of the second insulator 30 comes into contact with the second restricting portion 23b. This prevents the second insulator 30 from moving further outward in the front-rear direction.

[0129] The first restricting portion 23a of the first insulator 20 restricts excessive left-right movement of the second insulator 30 relative to the first insulator 20. For example, if the second insulator 30 moves significantly left-right beyond a design value due to elastic deformation of the contact 50, the first restricted portion 36a of the second insulator 30 comes into contact with the first restricting portion 23a. This prevents the second insulator 30 from moving further outward in the left-right direction.

[0130] With the connection object 70 facing upside down relative to the connector 10 having the floating structure described above, the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are placed facing each other in the up-down direction while their front-to-back and left-to-right positions are approximately aligned. The connection object 70 is then moved downward. At this time, even if their positions are slightly misaligned, for example, in the front-to-back or left-to-right directions, the floating structure of the connector 10 allows the second insulator 30 to move relative to the first insulator 20.

[0131] More specifically, the fitting convex portion 32 of the second insulator 30 is guided into the fitting recessed portion 81 of the insulator 80. When the connection object 70 is further moved downward, the fitting convex portion 32 of the second insulator 30 and the fitting recessed portion 81 of the insulator 80 fit together. At this time, the fitting recessed portion 33 of the second insulator 30 and the fitting convex portion 82 of the insulator 80 fit together.

[0132] 17 , when the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the insulator 80 of the connection object 70 are mated with each other, the contacts 50 of the connector 10 and the contacts 100 of the connection object 70 come into contact with each other. More specifically, the contact portions 57 of the contacts 50 and the contact portions 105 of the contacts 100 come into contact with each other. The contact portions 57a of the first contacts 50a and the contact portions 105 of the first contacts 100a come into contact with each other. The contact portions 57b of the second contacts 50b and the contact portions 105 of the second contacts 100b come into contact with each other. At this time, the elastic contact pieces 104 of the contacts 100 are slightly elastically deformed in the front-rear direction and elastically displaced in the front-rear direction within the contact mounting grooves 84.

[0133] As a result, the connector 10 is completely connected to the connection object 70. At this time, the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 are electrically connected via the contacts 50 and 100.

[0134] When the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are fitted together, the first shielding member 60a and the shielding member 110 come into contact with each other. More specifically, the resilient contact pieces 113 of the shielding member 110 come into contact with the inner surfaces of the first shielding portions 61a of the first shielding member 60a in the left-right direction.

[0135] The following description will focus mainly on the connector 10 and explain its effects, but the same explanation also applies to the connector module 1 and electronic devices.

[0136] According to the connector 10 of the embodiment described above, it is possible to easily adjust the characteristic impedance while maintaining the mobility of the movable insulator. The connector 10 can obtain good transmission characteristics in signal transmission while maintaining the mobility of the movable insulator.

[0137] In the connector 10, the first surface of at least a portion of the elastic portion 54 of one of the pair of contacts 50 faces the first surface of the elastic portion 54 of the other contact 50. The pair of contacts 50 face each other with the first surfaces having larger areas perpendicular to the thickness direction of the contacts 50. This allows an effect similar to that of a capacitor to be obtained between the pair of contacts 50. If the capacitance is C, then the characteristic impedance Z depends on the capacitance C. For example, the characteristic impedance Z is inversely proportional to the square root of the capacitance C, or inversely proportional to the capacitance C.

[0138] Therefore, by increasing the opposing area of ​​the capacitor and increasing the capacitance C, the characteristic impedance decreases. Compared to when the pair of elastic portions 54 face each other on the second surface, the connector 10 allows adjustment of the characteristic impedance while maintaining a design-appropriate spacing in the arrangement direction between the pair of contacts 50. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedance while maintaining the thickness of the elastic portions 54 of the contacts 50 and the width of the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction. Because the connector 10 can maintain the thickness of the elastic portions 54 of the contacts 50 and the width of the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, it is possible to reduce the decrease in mobility of the second insulator 30 and reduce the size of the connector 10.

[0139] Conversely, the connector 10 also makes it easy to adjust the characteristic impedance by freely changing the width of the first surface in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the elastic portions 54 of the contacts 50. Therefore, the connector 10 allows for greater design freedom than when the pair of elastic portions 54 face each other on the second surface.

[0140] As a result, the connector 10 makes it easier to match the characteristic impedance value to an ideal value based on the capacitor configuration in the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50. The connector 10 can improve the transmission characteristics of signal transmission while maintaining the mobility of the second insulator 30. The connector 10 can achieve both the adjustment of the characteristic impedance required for high-speed transmission and the mobility of the movable insulator while improving the degree of freedom in its design.

[0141] In the connector 10, at least one of the first connection portion 53 and the second connection portion 55 of one contact 50 of a pair of contacts 50 has a first portion. This allows the elastic portion 54 of one contact 50 to be brought closer to the elastic portion 54 of the other contact 50 along the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50. Therefore, the capacitance C of the capacitor formed by the pair of elastic portions 54 is further increased. The characteristic impedance is further reduced. As a result, the above-mentioned effect of being able to achieve both adjustment of the characteristic impedance and mobility of the movable insulator while improving the design freedom of the contacts 50 is more pronounced.

[0142] At least a portion of the pair of elastic portions 54 faces each other on the first surfaces in the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50. This achieves space saving in the elastic portions 54 in the arrangement direction, and further enhances the above-described effect of achieving both adjustment of the characteristic impedance of the contacts 50 and mobility of the movable insulator.

[0143] In each contact 50, at least one of the first connecting portion 53 and the second connecting portion 55 has a second portion. This makes it less likely that the connector 10 will be affected by stress, etc., generated when the elastic portion 54 elastically deforms on components located from the corresponding base portion to the end of the contact 50. For example, the connector 10 can reduce stress generated in the mounting portion 52 when the elastic portion 54 elastically deforms. Therefore, the connector 10 can reduce damage to the mounting portion 52, such as solder cracks, and improve product reliability.

[0144] The pair of first base portions 51 face each other on their second surfaces in the arrangement direction of the contact pairs 50. This allows the connector 10 to be designed with a first retained portion included in the first base portion 51 between the elastic portion 54 and the mounting portion 52, thereby further reducing stress generated in the mounting portion 52 when the elastic portion 54 elastically deforms. Therefore, the connector 10 can further reduce damage to the mounting portion 52, such as solder cracks, and further improve product reliability. Additionally, the connector 10 can reduce stubs in the locking portion, thereby reducing branching of transmission signals at the stubs. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve transmission characteristics in signal transmission.

[0145] The second surfaces of the pair of second base portions 56 face each other in the arrangement direction of the contact pairs 50. This allows the connector 10 to be designed with a second retained portion included in the second base portion 56 between the elastic portion 54 and the contact portion 57, thereby further reducing stress generated in the contact portion 57 when the elastic portion 54 elastically deforms. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve the contact reliability between the contact portion 57 and the contacts 100 of the connection object 70, thereby further improving product reliability. Additionally, the connector 10 can reduce stubs in the locking portion, thereby reducing branching of the transmission signal at the stub. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve the transmission characteristics of signal transmission.

[0146] In the connector 10, the distance L0 between the pair of elastic portions 54 is shorter than at least one of the distances L1 and L2, and therefore the characteristic impedance of the elastic portions 54, which is prone to increase, can be easily reduced. The connector 10 more significantly exhibits the above-mentioned effect of being able to achieve both the adjustment of the characteristic impedance required for high-speed transmission and the mobility of the movable insulator, while improving the degree of freedom in its design.

[0147] In the connector 10, when viewed in the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50, the width over which the pair of elastic portions 54 overlap is larger than at least one of the width over which the pair of first base portions 51 overlap and the width over which the pair of second base portions 56 overlap. This allows the connector 10 to increase the opposing area of ​​the capacitor formed by the pair of elastic portions 54, thereby further increasing the capacitance C. Therefore, the above-mentioned effect of being able to achieve both adjustment of the characteristic impedance and mobility of the movable insulator while improving the degree of freedom in designing the contacts 50 becomes more pronounced.

[0148] In the connector 10, pairs of contacts 50 are arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to each other along the arrangement direction of the contacts 50, thereby improving the symmetry between the pairs of contacts 50 and improving the differential transmission characteristics. In a conventional pair of contacts having the same shape, the spacing between the elastic portions is determined by the pitch between the pair of contacts, i.e., the spacing between the pair of mounting portions in the arrangement direction. Unlike such conventional contacts, in the connector 10, the pair of contacts 50 have different shapes from each other, so the spacing in the left-right direction between the pair of opposing first surfaces of the pair of elastic portions 54 can be changed without changing the pitch.

[0149] The connector 10 has a pair of first notches 58 arranged in each of the pair of contacts 50, which makes it easy to bend the contacts 50. When manufacturing the contacts 50, it is easy to create a bent structure in the first connection portion 53. The connector 10 has a pair of second notches 59 arranged in each of the pair of contacts 50, which makes it easy to bend the contacts 50. When manufacturing the contacts 50, it is easy to create a bent structure in the second connection portion 55.

[0150] The connector 10 can improve noise shielding effects by including a shielding member 60 disposed between one pair of contacts 50 and another pair of contacts 50. For example, the inflow of external electromagnetic noise into the multiple pairs of contacts 50 and the outflow of electromagnetic noise from the multiple pairs of contacts 50 to the outside are effectively reduced. For example, crosstalk between the multiple contacts 50 is effectively reduced. As a result, the connector 10 can achieve good transmission characteristics for high-frequency signals even during high-speed transmission. The above effects also apply to the case where the shielding member 60 shields one contact 50 from another contact 50, and to the modified examples described below where the shielding member 60 shields one set of three or more contacts 50 from another set of three or more contacts 50.

[0151] According to the connector 10 of the embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain good transmission characteristics in signal transmission even when a floating structure is used. The connector 10 has the first shielding member 60a and the first shielding portion 61a, which improves the noise shielding effect in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10.

[0152] In the connector 10, the first shielding portion 61a is movable relative to the first insulator 20 in accordance with the movement of the second insulator 30, and is therefore movable together with the portion of the contact 50 that is disposed on the second insulator 30 side. Therefore, contact between the first shielding portion 61a and the contact 50 is reduced even during floating operation.

[0153] The connector 10 has the effect of improving the noise shielding effect in the short direction of the connector 10 by having the first shielding member 60a have the second shielding portion 62a.

[0154] The connector 10 has the second shielding member 60b in addition to the first shielding member 60a, and thereby exhibits the effect of improving the noise shielding effect more significantly.

[0155] In the connector 10, the second shielding member 60b has the third shielding portion 61b, so that the effect of improving the noise shielding effect described above is more pronounced in the longitudinal direction of the connector 10.

[0156] In the connector 10, the second shielding member 60b has the fourth shielding portion 62b, so that the effect of improving the noise shielding effect described above is more pronounced in the short direction of the connector 10.

[0157] In the connector 10, the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b are connected to each other, so that the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b can be configured as a single shielding member 60, which can further improve the noise shielding effect described above.

[0158] In the connector 10, the first shielding members 60a are arranged in a plurality in at least one of the first direction and the second direction, thereby making it possible to further improve the overall noise shielding effect described above.

[0159] In the connector 10, the second shielding members 60b are arranged in a plurality in at least one of the first direction and the second direction, so that the noise shielding effect can be further improved overall.

[0160] The connector 10 can reduce disturbances in the characteristic impedance at the second base portion 56 of the contact 50 by maintaining a constant distance between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a even when the second insulator 30 moves. Therefore, the connector 10 can obtain good transmission characteristics in signal transmission even when a floating structure is used.

[0161] The distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the first shielding member 60a is greater than the distance between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a. This allows the connector 10 to reduce changes in characteristic impedance even when the distance between the elastic portion 54 and the first shielding member 60a changes due to elastic deformation of the elastic portion 54.

[0162] The distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the second shielding member 60b is greater than the distance between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b. This allows the connector 10 to reduce changes in characteristic impedance even when the distance between the elastic portion 54 and the second shielding member 60b changes due to elastic deformation of the elastic portion 54.

[0163] The connector 10 can reduce disturbances in the characteristic impedance of the first base portion 51 of the contact 50 by maintaining a constant distance between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b even when the second insulator 30 moves. Therefore, even when the connector 10 uses a floating structure, it is possible to obtain good transmission characteristics in signal transmission.

[0164] When the connector module 1 is in an engaged state, the first shielding member 60a and the shielding member 110 come into contact with each other, allowing the first shielding member 60a and the shielding member 110 to be regarded as a single shielding member, thereby further improving the noise shielding effect described above.

[0165] Because the contacts 50 contain a metal material with a low elastic modulus, the connector 10 can ensure the required amount of movement of the second insulator 30 even when a small force is applied to the second insulator 30. The second insulator 30 can move smoothly relative to the first insulator 20. This allows the connector 10 to easily absorb misalignment when mating with the connection object 70.

[0166] The connector 10 absorbs vibrations caused by some external factor through elastic deformation of the contacts 50. This reduces the possibility of a large force being applied to the mounting portion 52 of the contacts 50. This reduces damage to the connection portion with the circuit board CB1. This also reduces the risk of cracks occurring in the solder at the connection portion between the circuit board CB1 and the mounting portion 52. This improves connection reliability even when the connector 10 and the connection target 70 are connected.

[0167] The metal fitting 40 is press-fitted into the first insulator 20 and the mounting portion 41 is soldered to the circuit board CB1, so that the metal fitting 40 can stably fix the first insulator 20 to the circuit board CB1. The metal fitting 40 improves the mounting strength of the first insulator 20 to the circuit board CB1.

[0168] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0169] For example, the shape, size, arrangement, orientation, and number of each of the components described above are not limited to those described above and illustrated in the drawings, and may be arbitrarily configured as long as the function can be realized.

[0170] The method for assembling the connector 10 and the connection object 70 described above is not limited to the above description, and any method may be used as long as the connector 10 and the connection object 70 can be assembled in such a way that their respective functions can be exhibited.

[0171] For example, at least one of the metal fittings 40, the contacts 50, and the shielding member 60 may be integrally molded with the first insulator 20 by insert molding rather than press fitting. For example, at least one of the contacts 50 and the shielding member 60 may be integrally molded with the second insulator 30 by insert molding rather than press fitting. For example, at least one of the metal fittings 90, the contacts 100, and the shielding member 110 may be integrally molded with the insulator 80 by insert molding rather than press fitting.

[0172] In the above embodiment, the entire pair of elastic portions 54 are described as facing each other with their first surfaces facing each other, but this is not limited to this. Parts of the pair of elastic portions 54 may face each other with their first surfaces facing each other. The remaining parts of the pair of elastic portions 54 may face each other with their second surfaces facing each other, or one may face each other with its first surface facing the other with its second surface facing each other.

[0173] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 53 a and the second connecting portion 55 a have the first portion 53 a 1 and the first portion 55 a 1, respectively. However, this is not limited to this. Only one of the first connecting portion 53 a and the second connecting portion 55 a may have the first portion, or neither may have the first portion.

[0174] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 53b and the second connecting portion 55b have been described as having the first portion 53b1 and the first portion 55b1, respectively, but this is not limited thereto. Only one of the first connecting portion 53b and the second connecting portion 55b may have the first portion, or neither may have the first portion.

[0175] In the above embodiment, the orientation of the rolled surface of the contact 50 is different for each component, but this is not limiting. The rolled surface of the contact 50 may be the same for each component, with the rolled surface facing a predetermined direction, for example, the front-to-rear direction.

[0176] In the above embodiment, the pair of elastic portions 54 are described as facing each other on their first surfaces in the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50, but this is not limited to this. The pair of elastic portions 54 may face each other on their first surfaces in any direction. For example, in the case of contacts 50 according to the above modified example in which the rolled surfaces are the same in each component as the surfaces facing the front-rear direction, the pair of elastic portions 54 may face each other on their first surfaces in the front-rear direction.

[0177] In such a modified example, the front-to-rear distance between the pair of opposing first surfaces of the pair of elastic portions 54 may be greater than at least one of the front-to-rear distance between the pair of first base portions 51 and the front-to-rear distance between the pair of second base portions 56. In a conventional pair of contacts having the same shape, the distance between the elastic portions is determined by the pitch distance between the pair of contacts, i.e., the distance in the arrangement direction between the pair of mounting portions. Unlike such conventional contacts, in the connector 10, the pair of contacts 50 have different shapes from each other, so that the front-to-rear distance between the pair of opposing first surfaces of the pair of elastic portions 54 can be changed without changing the pitch distance. In this modified example, the elastic portions 54 may have cutouts on the outer lateral sides thereof so that the pair of elastic portions 54 face each other in the front-to-rear direction and have a small width in the lateral direction.

[0178] In this modified example, the first plane of the first connecting portion 53 connecting the first base portion 51 and the elastic portion 54 may be located in the same plane as the first plane of the elastic portion 54. The first connecting portion 53 may have a portion extending toward the other contacts 50 along the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50 so as to bring the elastic portion 54 closer to the elastic portion 54 of the other contacts 50 along the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50. The first connecting portion 53 may further have a portion bent from the portion toward the elastic portion 54 in the mating direction. More specifically, the first connecting portion 53 may further have a portion bent from the portion toward the elastic portion 54 in the mating direction at an angle of approximately 90°.

[0179] In this modified example, the first plane of the second connection portion 55 connecting the second base portion 56 and the elastic portion 54 may be located in the same plane as the first plane of the elastic portion 54. The second connection portion 55 may have a portion extending toward the other contacts 50 along the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50 so as to bring the elastic portion 54 closer to the elastic portion 54 of the other contacts 50 along the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50. The second connection portion 55 may further have a portion bent from the portion toward the elastic portion 54 in the mating direction. More specifically, the second connection portion 55 may further have a portion bent from the portion toward the elastic portion 54 in the mating direction at an angle of approximately 90°.

[0180] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 53 a and the second connecting portion 55 a have the second portion 53 a2 and the second connecting portion 55 a2, respectively. However, this is not limited to this. Only one of the first connecting portion 53 a and the second connecting portion 55 a may have the second portion, or neither may have the second portion.

[0181] In the above embodiment, the first connecting portion 53b and the second connecting portion 55b have been described as having the second portion 53b2 and the second connecting portion 55b2, respectively, but this is not limited thereto. Only one of the first connecting portion 53b and the second connecting portion 55b may have the second portion, or neither may have the second portion.

[0182] In the above embodiment, the pair of first base portions 51 are described as facing each other in the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50 with their second surfaces parallel to the plate thickness direction of the contacts 50, but this is not limited to this. The pair of first base portions 51 may face each other with their first surfaces facing each other, or one may face each other with the first surface and the other with the second surface facing each other. The pair of first base portions 51 may face each other in any direction.

[0183] In the above embodiment, the pair of second base portions 56 are described as facing each other in the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50 with their second surfaces parallel to the plate thickness direction of the contacts 50, but this is not limited to this. The pair of second base portions 56 may face each other with their first surfaces facing each other, or one may face each other with the first surface and the other with the second surface facing each other. The pair of second base portions 56 may face each other in any direction.

[0184] In the above embodiment, the distance L0 between the pair of center lines of the pair of elastic portions 54 in the arrangement direction of the multiple pairs of contacts 50 is described as being shorter than the distance L1 between the pair of center lines of the pair of first base portions 51 and the distance L2 between the pair of center lines of the pair of second base portions 56. However, this is not limiting. The distance L0 may be shorter than either the distance L1 or the distance L2.

[0185] In the above embodiment, when viewed from the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50, the overlapping width of the pair of elastic portions 54 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the contacts 50 is described as being larger than the overlapping width of the pair of first base portions 51 and the overlapping width of the pair of second base portions 56. However, this is not limited to this. The overlapping width of the pair of elastic portions 54 may be larger than either the overlapping width of the pair of first base portions 51 or the overlapping width of the pair of second base portions 56.

[0186] In the above embodiment, the pairs of contacts 50 are described as being arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to each other along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50, but this is not limiting. The pairs of contacts 50 may also be arranged so as to be asymmetrical with respect to each other along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pairs of contacts 50.

[0187] In the above embodiment, neither the first insulator 20 nor the second insulator 30 is interposed between the pair of contacts 50 in the first connection portion 53 and the second connection portion 55, but this is not limited to this. An insulator may be interposed between the pair of contacts 50 in at least one of the first connection portion 53 and the second connection portion 55. For example, the first insulator 20 may be interposed between the pair of contacts 50 in the first connection portion 53. For example, the second insulator 30 may be interposed between the pair of contacts 50 in the second connection portion 55.

[0188] The connector 10 is not limited to the above configuration in which an insulator is interposed, and other insulators such as an insulating film may be interposed between the pair of contacts 50 in at least one of the first connection portion 53 and the second connection portion 55. An insulator such as a resin may be attached to the surface of at least one of the pair of contacts 50 in at least one of the first connection portion 53 and the second connection portion 55. In addition, the connector 10 may additionally include a shielding member. The shielding member covers all of the fitting recesses 33 arranged in the second insulator 30 from above so as to hide the pair of elastic portions 54, or covers gaps on the outer sides of the first shielding member 60a in the front-to-rear direction from the outer sides in the front-to-rear direction.

[0189] As a result, the connector 10 can reduce the possibility of pairs of elastic portions 54 with narrow spacing in the arrangement direction of multiple pairs of contacts 50 coming into contact with each other, or of foreign matter getting between a pair of elastic portions 54 and causing a short circuit.

[0190] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 is described as further including the shielding member 60 disposed between one pair of contacts 50 and the other pair of contacts 50. However, the connector 10 is not limited to this. The connector 10 does not necessarily have to include such a shielding member 60.

[0191] In the above embodiment, the shielding member 60 has been described as having a shape that follows three consecutive sides of a rectangle when viewed from above, but is not limited to this. The shielding member 60 may have a perfect rectangular shape when viewed from above, or any other shape such as a circle, a semicircle, a U-shape, or a C-shape.

[0192] In the above embodiment, each surface of the shielding member 60 is described as being flat, but this is not limited to this. Each surface of the shielding member 60 may be curved. Each surface of the shielding member 60 may have a configuration such as a notch or a hole in part, as long as the above-described shielding effect of the shielding member 60 can be maintained.

[0193] In the above embodiment, the shielding member 60 is described as shielding one pair of contacts 50 from another pair of contacts 50, but this is not limiting. The shielding member 60 may shield one contact 50 from another contact 50, or may shield one set of three or more contacts 50 from another set of three or more contacts 50.

[0194] In the above embodiment, the shielding member 60 is described as being attached to both the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, but this is not limiting. The shielding member 60 may be attached to only one of the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, or may be attached to neither and only to the circuit board CB1.

[0195] In the above embodiment, the first shielding portions 61 a are described as being arranged in pairs in the left-right direction on the first shielding member 60 a, but this is not limiting and the first shielding portions 61 a may be arranged on only one side of the first shielding member 60 a in the left-right direction.

[0196] In the above embodiment, the first shielding portion 61a is described as being movable relative to the first insulator 20 in association with the movement of the second insulator 30, but this is not limiting. The first shielding member 60a including the first shielding portion 61a may be fixed.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 60a has been described as having the second shielding portion 62a, but this is not limiting. The first shielding member 60a does not necessarily have to have the second shielding portion 62a.

[0198] In the above embodiment, the connector 10 has been described as including the second shielding member 60b, but this is not limiting. The connector 10 may include only the first shielding member 60a without including the second shielding member 60b.

[0199] In the above embodiment, the second shielding member 60b has been described as having the third shielding portion 61b, but this is not limiting, and the second shielding member 60b does not necessarily have to have the third shielding portion 61b.

[0200] In the above embodiment, the third shielding portions 61b are described as being arranged in pairs in the left-right direction on the second shielding member 60b, but this is not limiting and the third shielding portions 61b may be arranged on only one side in the left-right direction on the second shielding member 60b.

[0201] In the above embodiment, the second shielding member 60b has been described as having the fourth shielding portion 62b, but this is not limiting. The second shielding member 60b does not necessarily have to have the fourth shielding portion 62b.

[0202] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b are described as being connected to each other, but this is not limiting and the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b do not necessarily have to be connected to each other.

[0203] In the above embodiment, the second shielding members 60b are described as being arranged in multiple numbers in the first direction and the second direction, but this is not limiting. The second shielding members 60b may be arranged in multiple numbers only in either the first direction or the second direction, or may not be arranged in multiple numbers in either direction.

[0204] In the above embodiment, the pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b are not connected to each other, but this is not limiting. The pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b may be connected to each other. For example, the pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b may be connected to each other based on a component similar to the connection portion 67 that connects the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b.

[0205] In the connector 10, a pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b are connected to each other, so that the pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b can be configured as a single shielding member 60, thereby further improving the noise shielding effect.

[0206] In the above embodiment, the pair of second shielding members 60b adjacent to each other in the first direction are in contact with each other via surface contact by the pair of fourth shielding portions 62b, but this is not limiting. Instead of or in addition to such surface contact, the pair of adjacent second shielding members 60b may have a contact structure in which the first spring pieces 65b or the second spring pieces 66b slide against each other.

[0207] In the above embodiment, the gap between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b is constant even when the second insulator 30 moves relative to the first insulator 20. However, this is not limiting. The gap between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b may change when the second insulator 30 moves relative to the first insulator 20.

[0208] Even in such a case, since the pair of contacts 50 are close to each other along the arrangement direction, it is possible to adjust the characteristic impedance between the pair of contacts 50 without relying on the second shielding member 60b. Therefore, unlike when the pair of contacts 50 are far apart along the arrangement direction, it is not necessary to maintain a constant distance between the contacts 50 and the second shielding member 60b so as not to disrupt the characteristic impedance. In the above embodiment, from the perspective of adjusting the characteristic impedance, the connector 10 does not need to have the second shielding member 60b.

[0209] In the above embodiment, the first shielding members 60a are described as being arranged in multiple numbers in the first and second directions, but this is not limiting. The first shielding members 60a may be arranged in multiple numbers only in either the first direction or the second direction, or may not be arranged in multiple numbers in either direction.

[0210] In the above embodiment, the pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a are not connected to each other, but this is not limiting. The pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a may be connected to each other. For example, the pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a may be connected to each other based on a component similar to the connection portion 67 that connects the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b. For example, the pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a may have a contact structure that allows them to slide against each other based on a component similar to the first spring piece 65b or the second spring piece 66b.

[0211] 18 is a top perspective view of a pair of contacts 50 and a shielding member 60 of a connector 10 according to a modified example. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 and other figures, the connecting portion 67 is bent in a J-shape and extends from the lower edge of the second shielding portion 62a, and then bent in an inverted U-shape to connect with the upper edge of the fourth shielding portion 62b. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0212] As shown in FIG. 18 , the connecting portion 67 may have a contact spring structure. The connecting portion 67 may extend obliquely upward from the upper edge of the fourth shielding portion 62b toward the second shielding portion 62a. The connecting portion 67 may have spring elasticity and come into contact with the surface of the second shielding portion 62a. The connecting portion 67 maintains contact with the surface of the second shielding portion 62a by the contact spring structure, even when the first shielding member 60a moves relative to the first insulator 20 in conjunction with the movement of the second insulator 30. In this way, the connecting portion 67 maintains the connection between the first shielding member 60a and the second shielding member 60b.

[0213] In the connector 10, a pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a are connected to each other, so that the pair of adjacent first shielding members 60a can be configured as a single shielding member 60, thereby further improving the noise shielding effect.

[0214] In the above embodiment, the gap between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a is constant even when the second insulator 30 moves relative to the first insulator 20. However, this is not limiting. The gap between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a may change when the second insulator 30 moves relative to the first insulator 20.

[0215] Even in such a case, because the pair of contacts 50 are close to each other along the arrangement direction, it is possible to adjust the characteristic impedance between the pair of contacts 50 without relying on the first shielding member 60a. Therefore, unlike when the pair of contacts 50 are far apart along the arrangement direction, a complex movable structure of the first shielding member 60a is not required to keep the distance between the contacts 50 and the first shielding member 60a constant so as not to disrupt the characteristic impedance. In the above embodiment, from the perspective of adjusting the characteristic impedance, the connector 10 does not need to have the first shielding member 60a.

[0216] In the above embodiment, the distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the first shielding member 60a is described as being larger than the distance between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a, but this is not limiting. The distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the first shielding member 60a may be equal to or smaller than the distance between the second base portion 56 and the first shielding member 60a.

[0217] In the above embodiment, the distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the second shielding member 60b is described as being larger than the distance between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b, but this is not limiting. The distance between the elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 and the second shielding member 60b may be equal to or smaller than the distance between the first base portion 51 and the second shielding member 60b.

[0218] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 60a has been described as having the first held portion 63a extending linearly upward from the center of the upper edge of the second shielding portion 62a, but is not limited to this. The first held portion 63a may have any shape and be arranged in any position on the first shielding member 60a.

[0219] In the above embodiment, the second shielding member 60b has the second held portion 63b that extends linearly upward from the upper end of the third shielding portion 61b at the end in the front-rear direction, but is not limited to this. The second held portion 63b may have any shape and be arranged in any position on the second shielding member 60b.

[0220] In the above embodiment, the first shielding member 60a and the shielding member 110 are in contact with each other when the connector 10 and the connection object 70 are in a mated state, but this is not limiting. The first shielding member 60a and the shielding member 110 do not have to be in contact with each other when in a mated state.

[0221] In the above embodiment, the "first direction" refers to the front-rear direction, but is not limited thereto. The first direction may be any direction that intersects with the mating direction when the connection object 70 and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other.

[0222] In the above embodiment, the "second direction" refers to the left-right direction, but is not limited thereto. The second direction may be any direction intersecting the mating direction when the connection object 70 and the second insulator 30 are mated with each other and the first direction.

[0223] Although the contact 50 has been described as including a metal material with a low elastic modulus, the contact 50 is not limited to this and may include a metal material with any elastic modulus as long as the required amount of elastic deformation can be ensured.

[0224] Although the connection object 70 has been described as a receptacle connector to be connected to the circuit board CB2, it is not limited thereto. The connection object 70 may be any object other than a connector. For example, the connection object 70 may be an FPC, a flexible flat cable, a rigid board, or a card edge of any circuit board.

[0225] The connector 10 and connector module 1 described above are mounted in electronic devices. Examples of electronic devices include any in-vehicle device, such as a camera, radar, drive recorder, and engine control unit. Examples of electronic devices include any in-vehicle device used in in-vehicle systems, such as a car navigation system, an advanced driver assistance system, and a security system. Examples of electronic devices include any information device, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction device. Examples of electronic devices also include any industrial equipment.

[0226] Such electronic devices can achieve good signal transmission characteristics while maintaining the mobility of the movable insulator. The excellent floating structure of the connector 10 absorbs misalignment between circuit boards, improving workability when assembling electronic devices. This facilitates the manufacture of electronic devices. The connector 10 reduces damage to the connection with the circuit board CB1. For example, damage such as solder cracks in the mounting portion 52 of the contacts 50 is reduced. Therefore, defects such as deformation and damage of the contacts 50 are reduced. As a result, the reliability of electronic devices equipped with the connector 10 as products is improved.

[0227] The following concepts can be extracted from the present disclosure. (1) A connector comprising: a frame-shaped first insulator; a second insulator disposed on the first insulator, movable relative to the first insulator, and mated with a connection object; a plurality of first contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator; and a first shielding member disposed between the plurality of first contacts, wherein the first shielding member has a first shielding portion disposed along a first direction intersecting a mating direction when the connection object and the second insulator are mated with each other. (2) The connector according to (1) above, wherein the first shielding member is attached to the second insulator, and the first shielding portion is movable relative to the first insulator in accordance with movement of the second insulator. (3) The connector according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the first shielding member has a second shielding portion arranged along the mating direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. (4) The connector according to any one of (1) to (3) above, further comprising a second shielding member attached to the first insulator and arranged between the plurality of first contacts. (5) The connector according to (4) above, wherein the second shielding member has a third shielding portion arranged along the first direction. (6) The connector according to (4) or (5) above, wherein the second shielding member has a fourth shielding portion arranged along the mating direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. (7) The connector according to any one of (4) to (6) above, wherein the first shielding member and the second shielding member are connected to each other. (8) The connector according to any one of (4) to (7), wherein a plurality of the second shielding members are arranged in the first direction and at least one of the fitting direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. (9) The connector according to (8), wherein a pair of adjacent second shielding members are connected to each other.(10) The connector according to any one of (4) to (9) above, wherein the first contact has a first base attached to the first insulator, and a distance between the first base and the second shielding member remains constant even when the second insulator moves relative to the first insulator. (11) The connector according to any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein a plurality of the first shielding members are arranged in the first direction and at least one of the mating direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. (12) The connector according to (11) above, wherein a pair of adjacent first shielding members are connected to each other. (13) The connector according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the first contact has a second base attached to the second insulator, and a distance between the second base and the first shielding member is constant even when the second insulator moves relative to the first insulator. (14) The connector according to (13), wherein the first contact has an elastic portion that is elastically deformable, and a distance between the elastic portion and the first shielding member is larger than a distance between the second base and the first shielding member. (15) A connector module comprising: the connector according to any one of (1) to (14) above; and the connection object, wherein the connection object comprises: a third insulator that mates with the second insulator, a plurality of second contacts attached to the third insulator, and a third shielding member that is attached to the third insulator and disposed between the plurality of second contacts, wherein the first shielding member and the third shielding member come into contact with each other in a mated state in which the connector and the connection object are mated with each other. (16) An electronic device comprising the connector according to any one of (1) to (14) above or the connector module according to (15) above.

[0228] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connector module 10 Connector 20 First insulator 21a Opening 21b Opening 22 Outer peripheral wall 22a Short wall 22b Longitudinal wall 23a First restricting portion 23b Second restricting portion 24 Metal fitting mounting groove 25 Contact mounting groove 25a First contact mounting groove 25b Second contact mounting groove 26 Mounting groove 27 Partition portion 30 Second insulator 31 Base portion 32 Fitting convex portion 33 Fitting concave portion 34 Contact mounting groove 34a First contact mounting groove 34b Second contact mounting groove 35 Mounting groove 36 Restricted portion 36a First restricted portion 36b Second restricted portion 40 Metal fitting 41 Mounting portion 42 Locking portion 43 Base portion 50 Contact (first contact) 51 First base portion 52 Mounting portion 53 First connecting portion 54 Elastic portion 55 Second connecting portion 56 Second base portion 57 Contact portion 58 First notch portion 59 Second notch portion 50a First contact 51a First base portion 51a1 First held portion 52a Mounting portion 53a First connecting portion 53a1 First portion 53a2 Second portion 54a Elastic portion 54a1 First extending portion 54a2 First bent portion 54a3 Second extending portion 54a4 Second bent portion 54a5 Third extending portion 55a Second connecting portion 55a1 First portion 55a2 Second portion 56a Second base portion 56a1 Second held portion 57a ​​Contact portion 58a First notch portion 59a Second notch portion 50b Second contact 51b First base portion 51b1 First held part 52b Mounting part 53b First connecting part 53b1 First part 53b2 Second part 54b Elastic part 54b1 First extending part 54b2 First bent part 54b3 Second extending part 54b4 Second bent part 54b5 Third extending part 55b Second connecting part 55b1 First part 55b2 Second portion 56b Second base 56b1 Second held part 57b Contact part 58b First notch 59b Second notch 60 Shielding member 60a First shielding member 61a First shielding part 62a Second shielding part 63a First held part 60b Second shielding member 61b Third shielding part62b Fourth shielding portion 63b Second held portion 64b Mounting portion 65b First spring piece 66b Second spring piece 67 Connection portion 70 Connection object 80 Insulator (third insulator) 81 Fitting recess 82 Fitting protrusion 83 Metal fitting mounting groove 84 Contact mounting groove 84a First contact mounting groove 84b Second contact mounting groove 85 Mounting groove 90 Metal fitting 91 Mounting portion 92 Locking portion 100 Contact (second contact) 100a First contact 100b Second contact 101 Mounting portion 102 Connection portion 103 Locking portion 104 Resilient contact piece 105 Contact portion 110 Shielding member (third shielding member) 111 First shielding portion 112 Second shielding portion 113 Resilient contact piece 114 Mounting section CB1 Circuit board CB2 Circuit board L0 Distance L1 Distance L2 Distance

Claims

1. a frame-shaped first insulator; a second insulator that is disposed relative to the first insulator, is movable relative to the first insulator, and is fitted with a connection object; a plurality of first contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator; a first shielding member and a second shielding member disposed between the first contacts; Equipped with the first shielding member has a first shielding portion disposed along a first direction intersecting a fitting direction when the connection object and the second insulator are fitted to each other; connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, the first shielding member is attached to the second insulator, the first shielding portion is movable relative to the first insulator in association with the movement of the second insulator. connector.

3. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The first shielding member has a second shielding portion disposed along the fitting direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. connector.

4. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, the second shielding member is attached to the first insulator and disposed between the first contacts; connector.

5. 5. The connector of claim 4, The second shielding member has a third shielding portion disposed along the first direction. connector.

6. 5. The connector of claim 4, the second shielding member has a fourth shielding portion disposed along a second direction intersecting the fitting direction and the first direction; connector.

7. 5. The connector of claim 4, The first shielding member and the second shielding member are connected to each other. connector.

8. 5. The connector of claim 4, The second shielding members are arranged in a plurality in the first direction and in at least one of the fitting direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. connector.

9. 9. The connector of claim 8, A pair of adjacent second shielding members are connected to each other. connector.

10. 5. The connector of claim 4, the first contact has a first base attached to the first insulator; a distance between the first base portion and the second shielding member is constant even when the second insulator moves relatively to the first insulator; connector.

11. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, The first shielding members are arranged in a plurality of rows in the first direction and in at least one of the fitting direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. connector.

12. 12. The connector of claim 11, A pair of adjacent first shielding members are connected to each other. connector.

13. 3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, the first contact has a second base attached to the second insulator; a distance between the second base portion and the first shielding member is constant even when the second insulator moves relatively to the first insulator; connector.

14. 14. The connector of claim 13, The first contact has an elastic portion that is elastically deformable, a distance between the elastic portion and the first shielding member is greater than a distance between the second base portion and the first shielding member; connector.

15. A connector according to claim 1 or 2; The connection object; Equipped with The connection object is a third insulator that fits into the second insulator; a plurality of second contacts attached to the third insulator; a third shielding member attached to the third insulator and disposed between the second contacts; Equipped with When the connector and the connection object are fitted together, the first shielding member and the third shielding member come into contact with each other. Connector module.

16. 3. An electronic device comprising the connector according to claim 1 or 2.

17. An electronic device comprising the connector module according to claim 15.