Connector and electronic device

Abstract

A connector (10) according to the present disclosure comprises: a first insulator (20); a second insulator (30) that is movable relative to the first insulator (20) and that is fitted to a connection subject (60); a contact (50) that is attached to the first insulator (20) and the second insulator (30); and a metal member (40) that comes into contact with the contact (50). The contact (50) has a first attachment (51a) attached to the first insulator (20), a second attachment (58a) attached to the second insulator (30), and a movable part positioned between the first attachment (51a) and the second attachment (58a). The metal member (40) has a contact part (46) that comes into contact with the movable part.

Description

Connectors and electronic devices CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-140327, filed on August 30, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0003] A connector with a floating structure has been known as a technology for improving connection reliability with a connection object. Such a connector absorbs misalignment with the connection object by, for example, moving a movable insulator that is part of the connector during and after mating. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a floating connector that has a structure that is suitable for floating and that can electrically integrate multiple ground contacts.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-190255

[0005] A connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first insulator, a second insulator movable relative to the first insulator and adapted to mate with a connection target, contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator, and a metal member in contact with the contacts. The contacts have a first mounting portion attached to the first insulator, a second mounting portion attached to the second insulator, and a movable portion located between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion. The metal member has a contact portion in contact with the movable portion.

[0006] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the connector described above.

[0007] 1. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the connector according to the first embodiment in a state in which a connection object is connected. 2. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the connector according to the first embodiment in a state in which the connection object is separated from the connection object. 3. An external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the connector alone of FIG. 1. 4. An exploded oblique view showing, as seen from above, the connector of FIG. 3. 5. A side view of the connector of FIG. 3 as seen from the front. 6. A perspective view of the metal member and some of the contacts of FIG. 4 as seen from above. 7. An external perspective view of the connection object to be connected to the connector of FIG. 3. 8. An exploded oblique view of the connection object of FIG. 7 as seen from above. 9. A side view from the front showing only a portion of the configuration of the connector and the connection object in the mated state of FIG. 1. 10. A side view of the connector according to the second embodiment as seen from the front. 11. A perspective view of the metal member and some of the contacts of FIG. 10 as seen from above. 12. A side view of the connector according to the third embodiment as seen from the front. 13. A perspective view of the metal member and some of the contacts of FIG. 12 as seen from above. 14. A side view of the connector according to the fourth embodiment as seen from the front. 15. An external perspective view of the metal member and some of the contacts of FIG. 14 as seen from above. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a metal member and some contacts of a connector according to a modified example, as viewed from above.

[0008] When attempting to transmit electrical signals at high speeds through a floating connector, resonance points can occur periodically within the frequency range used due to the transmission path length. This makes it difficult to obtain good transmission characteristics. In order to shift the resonance to a higher frequency, it is necessary to short-circuit and share the GND pins of the connector terminals at regular intervals in the terminal extension direction.

[0009] In the floating connector described in Patent Document 1, for example, a conductive member for common grounding is attached to the movable insulator side. This conductive member is installed only in the non-moving portion of the contact, which has little effect on the floating operation and maintains contact between the contacts. This makes it difficult to short-circuit the GND pins at regular intervals in the direction of terminal extension in the movable portion, which occupies a large portion of the contact. For these reasons, the floating connector described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in the transmission characteristics for high-frequency signals.

[0010] According to the connector and electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain good transmission characteristics for high-frequency signals.

[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 are consistent between different drawings in Figures 1 to 16. In some drawings, circuit boards CB1 and CB2, which will be described later, are omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0012] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing, from above, a connector 10 according to a first embodiment in a state where a connection object 60 is connected. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing, from above, the connector 10 according to the first embodiment in a state where the connector 10 is separated from the connection object 60. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the connector 10 has a first insulator 20 as a fixed insulator, a second insulator 30 as a movable insulator, a metal member 40, and contacts 50. The connection object 60 has an insulator 70, a metal member 80, and contacts 90.

[0013] In the following, for example, the connector 10 according to the first embodiment will be described as a receptacle connector. For example, the connection object 60 will be described as a plug connector. A connector 10 in which the portions of the contacts 50 that come into contact with the contacts 90 elastically deform in a mated state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are mated with each other will be described as a receptacle connector. On the other hand, a connection object 60 in which the portions of the contacts 90 that come into contact with the contacts 50 do not elastically deform in a mated state will be described as a plug connector. The types of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are not limited to these. For example, the connector 10 may function as a plug connector. The connection object 60 may function as a receptacle connector.

[0014] As will be described later, the connector 10 and the connection object 60 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 60 is mounted, via the connection object 60 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 60 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 60 are connected to each other in the up-down direction. The mating direction when the second insulator 30 and the connection object 60 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 60 may be connected to each other in a direction parallel to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The connector 10 and the connection object 60 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 side direction of the connector 10" refers to, for example, the left-right direction. The "longitudinal direction of the connector 10" refers to, for example, the front-rear direction. The "arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50" refers to, for example, the front-rear direction. The "mating side" refers to, for example, the bottom side. The "removal side" refers to, for example, the top side.

[0018] "Inside" corresponds to the direction toward the center of the connector 10 or the connection object 60. For example, the inside in the front-to-back direction corresponds to the direction toward the center of the connector 10 or the connection object 60 in the front-to-back direction. This is not limited to this, and the inside does not have to be a direction completely toward the center in the front-to-back direction, but may correspond to a direction toward the center at a slight angle. The same applies to other directions. "Outside" is the opposite of inside.

[0019] The "mated state" refers to a state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are mated with each other, and the contacts 50 are elastically deformed due to contact with the contacts 90. The "non-mated state" refers to a state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are not mated with each other, and the contacts 50 are not elastically deformed by an external force.

[0020] The connector 10 according to the first embodiment has a floating structure. The connector 10 allows the connected connection object 60 to move relative to the circuit board CB1 in at least one of six directions: up, down, front, back, left, and right. Even when connected to the connector 10, the connection object 60 can move within a predetermined range in at least one of the six directions: up, down, front, back, left, and right. For example, the connection object 60 may be able to move within a predetermined range in diagonal directions between the six directions, in addition to the six directions: up, down, front, back, left, and right.

[0021] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 alone as viewed from above in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 as viewed from above in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view of the connector 10 as viewed from the front in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the metal member 40 and some of the contacts 50 as viewed from above in Fig. 4.

[0022] As can be seen from Figure 4, the connector 10 is assembled, for example, by the following method: The metal member 40 and the contacts 50 are press-fitted into the first insulator 20 from below. The metal member 40 and the contacts 50 are press-fitted into the second insulator 30 from below. As a result, the second insulator 30 is positioned inside the first insulator 20 to which the metal member 40 and the contacts 50 are attached.

[0023] 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.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, the first insulator 20 is a member extending in the front-rear direction and formed, for example, by injection molding an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. A pair of first insulators 20 are arranged facing each other at a distance in the left-right direction. The first insulator 20 forms substantially the entire insulator and has a wall portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction. The first insulator 20 has a mounting groove 22 recessed in the lower inner portion of the wall portion 21. A plurality of mounting grooves 22 are arranged in the front-rear direction. The metal member 40 and the contacts 50 are attached to the mounting groove 22.

[0025] The configuration of the second insulator 30 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 4. The lower half of the second insulator 30 is disposed in the internal space surrounded by the wall portion 21 of the first insulator 20. The upper half of the second insulator 30 is located above and exposed from the internal space surrounded by the wall portion 21 of the first insulator 20. The second insulator 30 is movable relative to the first insulator 20. The second insulator 30 is fitted into the connection object 60.

[0026] The second insulator 30 is a member extending in the front-rear direction and made of, for example, an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material by injection molding. The lower half of the second insulator 30 is linear when viewed from the front. The upper half of the second insulator 30 is U-shaped when viewed from the front.

[0027] The second insulator 30 has a base 31 located in its lower half. The base 31 is plate-shaped, extends in the front-rear direction, and narrows in the left-right direction. The base 31 is linear in the up-down direction when viewed from the front. The second insulator 30 has a protrusion 32 that extends continuously upward from the upper end of the base 31. The protrusion 32 is U-shaped in the up-down direction when viewed from the front.

[0028] The second insulator 30 has a mating recess 33 recessed inside the protruding portion 32 and adapted to mate with the connection object 60. The mating recess 33 is disposed continuously from the front end to the rear end inside the protruding portion 32. The second insulator 30 has mounting grooves 34 recessed into the inner wall of the protruding portion 32 in the left-right direction along the mating recess 33. The mounting grooves 34 are recessed along substantially the entire length in the up-down direction along the mating recess 33. The mounting grooves 34 are disposed continuously from the upper end of the protruding portion 32 to pass through the lower end of the protruding portion 32. A plurality of mounting grooves 34 are arranged in the front-rear direction. A metal member 40 and a contact 50 are attached to the mounting grooves 34.

[0029] The configuration of the metal member 40 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0030] The metal member 40 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 4. The method for processing the metal member 40 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. As also shown in Fig. 5, the metal member 40 is L-shaped when viewed from the front. A pair of metal members 40 are arranged facing each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0031] The metal member 40 has a base 41 located at its center and extending like a plate in the front-rear and up-down directions. The base 41 is rectangular. The metal member 40 has first connecting portions 42 that extend downward from the lower end of the base 41, bend at an angle of approximately 90°, and extend outward in the left-right direction. One first connecting portion 42 is disposed at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more pairs of first connecting portions 42 are arranged at arbitrary intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0032] The metal member 40 has rectangular mounting portions 43 that extend upward from the outer ends of the first connecting portions 42 in the left-right direction. The mounting portions 43 extend like plates in the front-rear and up-down directions. One mounting portion 43 is continuous with one first connecting portion 42 that is arranged at one end in the front-rear direction. Two or more mounting portions 43 are each continuous with two or more pairs of first connecting portions 42 that are arranged at arbitrary intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0033] The metal member 40 has second connecting portions 44 that extend upward from the upper end of the base 41 and are bent in a crank shape to extend upward. One second connecting portion 44 is disposed at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more pairs of second connecting portions 44 are arranged at arbitrary intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0034] The metal member 40 has a rectangular mounting portion 45 that extends upward from the upper end of the second connecting portion 44. The mounting portion 45 extends in a plate-like shape in the front-rear and up-down directions. One mounting portion 45 is continuous with one second connecting portion 44 that is arranged at one end in the front-rear direction. Two or more mounting portions 45 are each continuous with two or more pairs of second connecting portions 44 that are arranged at any intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0035] The metal member 40 has a contact portion 46 located in the center of the base portion 41 in the up-down direction. The contact portion 46 includes a contact spring located between the mounting portion 43 and the mounting portion 45. One contact portion 46 is located between the mounting portion 43 and the mounting portion 45, which are arranged at one end in the front-rear direction. Two or more contact portions 46 are located between two or more pairs of mounting portions 43 and 45, which are arranged at any intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction. The contact portion 46 is located at the same position as the mounting portion 43 and the mounting portion 45 in the front-rear direction and is coaxial with each other in the up-down direction. The contact spring of the contact portion 46 bends a portion of the base portion 41 in the plate thickness direction and extends so as to slope from above to below toward the outside in the left-right direction.

[0036] The metal member 40 has a resilient contact piece 47 that extends upward from the upper end of the mounting portion 45. The resilient contact piece 47 extends upward in a straight line from the upper end of the mounting portion 45, then tilts diagonally inward in the left-right direction, and then extends upward in a straight line. The upper end of the resilient contact piece 47 is configured to protrude one step inward in the left-right direction.

[0037] The configuration of the contact 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0038] The contact 50 is formed into the shape shown in FIG. 4 using a progressive die (stamping) from a thin plate of a copper alloy or Corson copper alloy with spring elasticity, such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper. The contact 50 is manufactured by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method for the contact 50 is not limited to this, and may include only the punching process. The contact 50 is made of, 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 forming a base with nickel.

[0039] 4, a plurality of contacts 50 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The same set of contacts 50 arranged along the front-rear direction on one side of the left-right direction is also arranged symmetrically on the other side of the left-right direction.

[0040] The contact 50 has a first contact 50a and a second contact 50b. One first contact 50a is arranged at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more first contacts 50a are arranged at any interval from that end toward the other end in the front-rear direction. A pair of second contacts 50b is arranged between a pair of first contacts 50a adjacent in the front-rear direction. One second contact 50b is arranged at the other end in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the contact 50 is attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30.

[0041] 5, the configuration of the first contact 50a disposed at one end in the front-rear direction will be described. The first contact 50a has a first attachment portion 51a extending in the up-down direction and supported by the first insulator 20. The first contact 50a has a mounting portion 52a extending outward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the first attachment portion 51a in an L-shape. The first attachment 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 bent portion 53a bending from the upper end of the first attachment portion 51a and extending toward the second insulator 30.

[0042] The first contact 50a has a first extending portion 54a extending from the bent portion 53a toward the second insulator 30. The first extending portion 54a extends horizontally toward the second insulator 30 from the end of the bent portion 53a on the second insulator 30 side. The tip of the first extending portion 54a on the second insulator 30 side is bent toward the mating side when the connection object 60 is mated with the second insulator 30.

[0043] The first contact 50a has a connecting portion 55a that slopes linearly from the tip of the first extending portion 54a on the second insulator 30 side toward the mating side. The first contact 50a has a folded portion 56a that folds back from the lower end of the connecting portion 55a toward the removal side located opposite the mating side. The folded portion 56a is connected to the first extending portion 54a by the connecting portion 55a.

[0044] The first contact 50a has a second extending portion 57a ​​extending from the folded portion 56a toward the removal side. The second extending portion 57a ​​is arranged linearly so as to be parallel to the up-down direction. The first contact 50a has a second mounting portion 58a that is bent upward from the upper end of the second extending portion 57a ​​in a gentle crank shape and extends linearly upward. The second mounting portion 58a includes a portion that is wider in the front-to-rear direction directly above the crank-shaped bent portion and is supported by the second insulator 30.

[0045] The first contact 50a has a resilient contact piece 59a that extends upward from the upper end of the second mounting portion 58a so as to protrude slightly inward in the left-right direction. The resilient contact piece 59a extends diagonally downward inward in the left-right direction at its upper end and bends diagonally downward outward in the left-right direction at its inner left-right end. The resilient contact piece 59a has a contact portion 59a1 located at its inner left-right end.

[0046] The configuration will be described focusing on two or more first contacts 50a arranged from one end of the front-rear direction to the other. Each first contact 50a has a shape that is obtained by combining the first contact 50a arranged at one end of the front-rear direction with a first contact 50a that is inverted and symmetrical in the front-rear direction, in a line-symmetrical manner. The first contact 50a has the same components as the first contact 50a arranged at one end of the front-rear direction, and the same explanations as those for the respective components described above apply.

[0047] The configuration of the second contact 50b will be described below. The second contact 50b has a first attachment portion 51b that extends in the up-down direction and is supported by the first insulator 20. The second contact 50b has a mounting portion 52b that extends outward in the left-right direction from the lower end of the first attachment portion 51b in an L-shape. The first attachment portion 51b extends from the mounting portion 52b along the first insulator 20 and is disposed along the first insulator 20. The second contact 50b has a bent portion 53b that bends from the upper end of the first attachment portion 51b and extends toward the second insulator 30.

[0048] The second contact 50b has a first extending portion 54b extending from the bent portion 53b toward the second insulator 30. The first extending portion 54b extends horizontally toward the second insulator 30 from the end of the bent portion 53b on the second insulator 30 side. The tip of the first extending portion 54b on the second insulator 30 side bends toward the mating side when the connection object 60 is mated with the second insulator 30.

[0049] The second contact 50b has a connecting portion 55b that slopes linearly from the tip of the first extending portion 54b on the second insulator 30 side toward the mating side. The second contact 50b has a folded portion 56b that folds back from the lower end of the connecting portion 55b toward the removal side, which is located opposite the mating side. The folded portion 56b is connected to the first extending portion 54b by the connecting portion 55b. The second contact 50b is notched in the thickness direction at the center in the front-to-rear direction, spanning the first extending portion 54b, the connecting portion 55b, and the folded portion 56b.

[0050] The second contact 50b has a second extending portion 57b extending from the folded portion 56b toward the removal side. The second extending portion 57b is arranged linearly so as to be parallel to the up-down direction. The second contact 50b has a second mounting portion 58b that is bent upward from the upper end of the second extending portion 57b in a gentle crank shape and extends linearly upward. The second mounting portion 58b includes a portion that is wide in the front-to-rear direction immediately above the crank-shaped bent portion and is supported by the second insulator 30. The second contact 50b is notched in the plate thickness direction at the center in the front-to-rear direction across the crank-shaped bent portion of the second mounting portion 58b.

[0051] The second contact 50b has a resilient contact piece 59b that extends upward from the upper end of the second mounting portion 58b so as to protrude slightly inward in the left-right direction. The resilient contact piece 59b extends diagonally downward inward in the left-right direction at its upper end and bends diagonally downward outward in the left-right direction at its inner left-right end. The resilient contact piece 59b has a contact portion 59b1 located at its inner left-right end.

[0052] 5 , the first mounting portion 51a of the first contact 50a engages with the mounting groove 22 located in the wall portion 21 of the first insulator 20. The first mounting portion 51a is attached to the first insulator 20. The second mounting portion 58a of the first contact 50a engages with the mounting groove 34 located in the protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30. The second mounting portion 58a is attached to the second insulator 30.

[0053] The first mounting portion 51b of the second contact 50b engages with the mounting groove 22 located in the wall portion 21 of the first insulator 20. The first mounting portion 51b is attached to the first insulator 20. The second mounting portion 58b of the second contact 50b engages with the mounting groove 34 located in the protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30. The second mounting portion 58b is attached to the second insulator 30.

[0054] When each of the multiple contacts 50 is attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, the inner left-right end of the contact portion 59a1 of the first contact 50a is exposed from the attachment groove 34 of the second insulator 30 and positioned inside the fitting recess 33. Similarly, the inner left-right end of the contact portion 59b1 of the second contact 50b is exposed from the attachment groove 34 of the second insulator 30 and positioned inside the fitting recess 33.

[0055] The resilient contact piece 59a of the first contact 50a is arranged in the mounting groove 34 of the second insulator 30 so as to be resiliently deformable in the left-right direction. The resilient contact piece 59b of the second contact 50b is arranged in the mounting groove 34 of the second insulator 30 so as to be resiliently deformable in the left-right direction.

[0056] When each contact 50 is attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, the second insulator 30 is spaced apart from the first insulator 20 and supports the second insulator 30 in a floating state.

[0057] At this time, the base 31 constituting the lower half of the second insulator 30 is disposed in an elevated state, separated from the wall 21 of the first insulator 20, in the internal space surrounded by the wall 21 of the first insulator 20. Most of the protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30 protrudes above the internal space surrounded by the wall 21 of the first insulator 20 and is exposed from the internal space. The fitting recess 33 of the second insulator 30 is disposed above the wall 21 of the first insulator 20 in a state in which it can be fitted with the connection object 60.

[0058] The bent portion 53a of the first contact 50a bends at an angle of 90° from the upper end of the first mounting portion 51a. The bent portion 53a is shaped like a sectorial arc with a central angle of 90°. The tip of the first extending portion 54a on the second insulator 30 side bends at an obtuse angle greater than 90°. This tip is shaped like a sectorial arc with a central angle of acute less than 90°. The folded portion 56a bends at an acute angle less than 90° from the lower end of the connecting portion 55a, which is inclined obliquely in a straight line, and bends in an arc shape so that its end faces upward. The folded portion 56a is shaped like a sectorial arc with a central angle of obtuse greater than 90°.

[0059] In the first contact 50a, the mounting portion 52a, the first attachment portion 51a, the bent portion 53a, and a portion of the first extending portion 54a are arranged along the first insulator 20. In the first contact 50a, the tip of the first extending portion 54a on the second insulator 30 side, the connecting portion 55a, the folded portion 56a, and the second extending portion 57a ​​are located between the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. In the first contact 50a, the second attachment portion 58a, the resilient contact piece 59a, and the contact portion 59a1 are arranged along the second insulator 30.

[0060] The first contact 50a has a first movable portion located between the first mounting portion 51a and the second mounting portion 58a. In the first contact 50a, the first movable portion includes a bent portion 53a, a first extending portion 54a, a connecting portion 55a, a folded portion 56a, and a second extending portion 57a. The first movable portion includes a portion whose shape changes when the connector 10 performs a floating operation.

[0061] The bent portion 53b of the second contact 50b bends at an angle of 90° from the upper end of the first mounting portion 51b. The bent portion 53b is shaped like a sectorial arc with a central angle of 90°. The tip of the first extending portion 54b on the second insulator 30 side bends at an obtuse angle greater than 90°. This tip is shaped like a sectorial arc with a central angle that is acute less than 90°. The folded portion 56b bends at an acute angle less than 90° from the lower end of the connecting portion 55b, which is inclined obliquely in a straight line, and bends in an arc shape so that its end faces upward. The folded portion 56b is shaped like a sectorial arc with a central angle that is obtuse greater than 90°.

[0062] In the second contact 50b, the mounting portion 52b, the first attachment portion 51b, the bent portion 53b, and a portion of the first extending portion 54b are arranged along the first insulator 20. In the second contact 50b, the tip of the first extending portion 54b on the second insulator 30 side, the connecting portion 55b, the folded portion 56b, and the second extending portion 57b are located between the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. In the second contact 50b, the second attachment portion 58b, the resilient contact piece 59b, and the contact portion 59b1 are arranged along the second insulator 30.

[0063] The second contact 50b has a second movable portion located between the first mounting portion 51b and the second mounting portion 58b. In the second contact 50b, the second movable portion includes a bent portion 53b, a first extending portion 54b, a connecting portion 55b, a folded portion 56b, and a second extending portion 57b. The second movable portion includes a portion of the second contact 50b whose shape changes when the connector 10 is in a floating state.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, the width direction of the contact 50, including the first contact 50a and the second contact 50b, is parallel to the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50. The thickness direction of the contact 50 is any direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and is included in a plane extending from top to bottom and left to right. The thickness of the contact 50 is approximately uniform at any point on the contact 50. However, the width of the contact 50 in the front-rear direction varies at various points on the contact 50.

[0065] 5 , the mounting portion 43 of the metal member 40 engages with the mounting groove 22 located in the wall portion 21 of the first insulator 20. The mounting portion 43 is attached to the first insulator 20. The mounting portion 45 of the metal member 40 engages with the mounting groove 34 located in the protruding portion 32 of the second insulator 30. The mounting portion 45 is attached to the second insulator 30.

[0066] The metal member 40 is attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, and is thereby held by the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. At this time, the inner ends in the left-right direction of the elastic contact pieces 47 of the metal member 40 are exposed from the mounting groove 34 of the second insulator 30 and are positioned inside the fitting recess 33. The elastic contact pieces 47 of the metal member 40 are arranged inside the mounting groove 34 of the second insulator 30 so as to be elastically deformable along the left-right direction.

[0067] For the purpose of simplicity of illustration, Fig. 6 shows only the metal member 40 and the two first contacts 50a out of the multiple components of the connector 10. The other components of the connector 10 are not shown in Fig. 6.

[0068] 5 and 6 , when the metal member 40 is attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, the metal member 40 comes into contact with the contacts 50. For example, the metal member 40 comes into contact with the first contact 50a of the contacts 50. The attachment portion 43 of the metal member 40 comes into surface-to-surface contact with the first attachment portion 51a of the first contact 50a in the attachment groove 22 of the first insulator 20. The attachment portion 45 of the metal member 40 comes into surface-to-surface contact with the second attachment portion 58a of the first contact 50a in the attachment groove 34 of the second insulator 30.

[0069] The contact portion 46 of the metal member 40 comes into contact with the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. For example, the contact portion 46 comes into contact with the second extending portion 57a ​​of the first movable portion. The contact spring of the contact portion 46 is slightly elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction due to contact with the inner surface of the second extending portion 57a ​​in the left-right direction.

[0070] In the metal member 40, the mounting portion 43 is disposed along the first insulator 20. In the metal member 40, the first connecting portion 42, the base portion 41, the contact portion 46, and the second connecting portion 44 are located between the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. In the metal member 40, the mounting portion 45 and the elastic contact piece 47 are disposed along the second insulator 30.

[0071] 3, the connector 10 having the above structure is mounted on, for example, the circuit surface located on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB1. More specifically, the mounting portion 52a of the first contact 50a is placed on solder paste applied to the GND pattern on the circuit board CB1. The mounting portion 52b of the second contact 50b is placed on solder paste applied to the signal pattern on the circuit board CB1.

[0072] By heating and melting the solder pastes in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portions 52a and 52b are soldered to the GND pattern and the signal pattern, respectively. 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 surface of the circuit board CB1.

[0073] The structure of the connection object 60 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0074] Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the connection object 60 to be connected to the connector 10 of Fig. 3. In one example, the connection object 60 is formed by integrally molding the contacts 90 and the insulator 70 by insert molding, and is assembled by press-fitting the metal member 80 into the insulator 70 from above.

[0075] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the connection object 60 shown in Figure 7 as viewed from above. In reality, the contacts 90 and the insulator 70 are integrally molded by insert molding, but for ease of understanding, Figure 8 shows the insulator 70 and the contacts 90 as virtually separated components. Accordingly, for example, the contact mounting grooves 73 of the insulator 70, which will be described later, are given such names for convenience, but in reality, the contacts 90 and the insulator 70 are integrally molded by insert molding. It should be noted that the contact mounting grooves 73 and the like are not inherent components of the insulator 70.

[0076] The insulator 70 is a rectangular pillar-shaped member that is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material, for example. The insulator 70 has a base 71. The insulator 70 has a fitting protrusion 72 that protrudes downward from the lower end of the base 71.

[0077] The insulator 70 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 73 recessed over the entire vertical length of the mating protrusion 72 and the base 71. The contact mounting grooves 73 are recessed on the outer surface of the mating protrusion 72 in the left-right direction. The contact mounting grooves 73 are provided so as to penetrate the entire base 71 in the up-down direction. A plurality of contacts 90 are mounted in each of the plurality of contact mounting grooves 73. The insulator 70 has mounting grooves 74 recessed over substantially the entire vertical length of the base 71 and the mating protrusion 72 inside. A metal member 80 is mounted in the mounting grooves 74.

[0078] The metal member 80 is formed by using a progressive die (stamping) to form a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 8. The method for processing the metal member 80 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction.

[0079] The metal member 80 has a base 81 that extends in a plate-like shape in the front-rear and up-down directions. The base 81 is rectangular. The metal member 80 has a plurality of contact portions 82 that are arranged in the front-rear and up-down directions on both left-right surfaces of the base 81. The contact portions 82 include contact springs. The contact springs of the contact portions 82 are formed by bending a portion of the base 81 in the plate thickness direction and extending so as to incline from bottom to top toward both outer sides in the left-right direction. On one surface of the base 81, two or more contact springs that are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the up-down direction are arranged in two or more rows in the front-rear direction at arbitrary intervals. On the other surface of the base 81, two or more contact springs that are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the up-down direction are arranged in two or more rows in the front-rear direction at arbitrary intervals.

[0080] The contact 90 is formed into the shape shown in Fig. 8 using a progressive die (stamping) from a thin plate of a copper alloy or Corson copper alloy with spring elasticity, including, for example, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper. The contact 90 is manufactured by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method for the contact 90 is not limited to this, and may include only the punching step. The surface of the contact 90 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after forming a base with nickel.

[0081] A plurality of contacts 90 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. The same set of contacts 90 arranged along the front-rear direction on one side of the left-right direction is also arranged symmetrically on the other side of the left-right direction.

[0082] The contacts 90 include a first contact 90a and a second contact 90b. One first contact 90a is arranged at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more first contacts 90a are arranged at any interval from that end toward the other end in the front-rear direction. A pair of second contacts 90b is arranged between a pair of first contacts 90a adjacent in the front-rear direction. One second contact 90b is arranged at the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0083] 8, the configuration of the first contact 90a located at one end in the front-rear direction will be described. The first contact 90a extends in the up-down direction and has a base 91a that is molded integrally with the insulator 70. The first contact 90a has a mounting portion 92a that extends outward in the left-right direction in an L-shape from the upper end of the base 91a. The first contact 90a has a contact portion 93a located below the base 91a.

[0084] The configuration will be described focusing on two or more first contacts 90a arranged from one end of the front-rear direction to the other. Each first contact 90a has a shape that combines the first contact 90a arranged at one end of the front-rear direction with a first contact 90a that is inverted and symmetrical in the front-rear direction, in a line-symmetrical manner. The first contact 90a has the same components as the first contact 90a arranged at one end of the front-rear direction, and the same explanations as those for the respective components described above apply.

[0085] The configuration of the second contact 90b will be described below. The second contact 90b has a base 91b that extends vertically and is integrally molded with the insulator 70. The second contact 90b has a mounting portion 92b that extends outward in the left-right direction in an L-shape from the upper end of the base 91b. The second contact 90b has a contact portion 93b located below the base 91b.

[0086] 8 , the metal member 80 is attached to the attachment groove 74 of the insulator 70. For example, the base 81 of the metal member 80 is engaged with the attachment groove 74 of the insulator 70. The metal member 80 is disposed inside the insulator 70.

[0087] The multiple contacts 90 are respectively held in the multiple contact mounting grooves 73 of the insulator 70. For example, the base 91a of the first contact 90a is held in the contact mounting groove 73 of the insulator 70. For example, the base 91b of the second contact 90b is held in the contact mounting groove 73 of the insulator 70. At this time, the contact portion 93a of the first contact 90a and the contact portion 93b of the second contact 90b are arranged in the mating protrusion 72 of the insulator 70. The contact portion 93a of the first contact 90a and the contact portion 93b of the second contact 90b face outward in the left-right direction at the mating protrusion 72.

[0088] 7, the connection object 60 having the above structure is mounted on, for example, a circuit surface located on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2. More specifically, the mounting portion 92a of the first contact 90a is placed on solder paste applied to a GND pattern on the circuit board CB2. The mounting portion 92b of the second contact 90b is placed on solder paste applied to a signal pattern on the circuit board CB2.

[0089] By heating and melting the solder pastes in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portion 92a and the mounting portion 92b are soldered to the GND pattern and the signal pattern, respectively. As a result, the mounting of the connection object 60 on the circuit board CB2 is completed. Electronic components other than the connection object 60, such as a camera module and a sensor, are mounted on the circuit surface of the circuit board CB2.

[0090] The operation of the connector 10 having a floating structure will be mainly described.

[0091] The mounting portion 52a of the first contact 50a and the mounting portion 52b of the second contact 50b are soldered to the circuit board CB1, thereby fixing the first insulator 20 to the circuit board CB1. The first contact 50a and the second contact 50b elastically deform, allowing the second insulator 30 to move relative to the first insulator 20 fixed to the circuit board CB1. At this time, the metal member 40 attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 also elastically deforms.

[0092] The connection object 60 is placed facing the connector 10 having the floating structure described above in the vertical direction while the front-to-back and left-to-right positions of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are approximately aligned. The connection object 60 is then moved downward. At this time, the connection object 60 is guided into the connector 10 even if their positions are slightly misaligned, for example, in the front-to-back or left-to-right directions.

[0093] At this time, the floating structure of the connector 10 causes the second insulator 30 to move relative to the first insulator 20. More specifically, the mating protrusion 72 of the insulator 70 is guided into the mating recess 33 of the second insulator 30. When the connection object 60 is moved downward, the mating recess 33 of the second insulator 30 and the mating protrusion 72 of the insulator 70 fit together.

[0094] 9 is a side view from the front showing only a portion of the configuration of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 in the mated state of FIG. 1. For the purpose of simple illustration, only the metal member 40 and the plurality of contacts 50 of the multiple components of the connector 10 are shown in FIG. 9. The other components of the connector 10 are not shown in FIG. 9. Similarly, only the metal member 80 and the plurality of contacts 90 of the multiple components of the connection object 60 are shown in FIG. 9. The other components of the connection object 60 are not shown in FIG.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 9, in a mated state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the insulator 70 of the connection object 60 are mated with each other, the contacts 50 of the connector 10 and the contacts 90 of the connection object 60 come into contact with each other.

[0096] For example, the first contact 50a of the connector 10 and the first contact 90a of the connection object 60 come into contact with each other. The contact portion 59a1 of the first contact 50a and the contact portion 93a of the first contact 90a come into contact with each other. At this time, the elastic contact piece 59a of the first contact 50a is slightly elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction and elastically displaced outward in the left-right direction within the mounting groove 34.

[0097] For example, the second contact 50b of the connector 10 comes into contact with the second contact 90b of the connection object 60. The contact portion 59b1 of the second contact 50b comes into contact with the contact portion 93b of the second contact 90b. At this time, the elastic contact piece 59b of the second contact 50b is slightly elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction, and elastically displaced outward in the left-right direction within the mounting groove 34.

[0098] Similarly, when the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the insulator 70 of the connection object 60 are fitted together, the metal member 40 of the connector 10 and the contact 90 of the connection object 60 come into contact with each other. For example, the metal member 40 of the connector 10 and the first contact 90a of the connection object 60 come into contact with each other. The inner ends in the left-right direction of the elastic contact pieces 47 of the metal member 40 come into contact with the contact portions 93a of the first contacts 90a. At this time, the elastic contact pieces 47 of the metal member 40 are slightly elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction and elastically displaced outward in the left-right direction within the mounting groove 34.

[0099] In addition to the contact structure described above, in the connection object 60, the metal member 80 and the contacts 90 arranged inside the insulator 70 come into contact with each other. For example, the metal member 80 and the first contact 90a come into contact with each other. The contact portion 82 of the metal member 80 and the base portion 91a of the first contact 90a come into contact with each other. The contact springs of the four contact portions 82 are in contact with one first contact 90a at approximately equal intervals along the up-down direction. At this time, the contact springs of the contact portions 82 are slightly elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction due to contact with the inner surface of the base portion 91a in the left-right direction, and are elastically displaced inward in the left-right direction within the mounting groove 74 of the insulator 70.

[0100] In the mated state, electrical commonality is realized at multiple locations for the first contacts 50a and 90a by the metal member 40 of the connector 10 and the metal member 80 of the connection object 60. Focusing on one pair of the first contacts 50a and 90a, multiple electrical commonality locations are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction between the circuit boards CB1 and CB2.

[0101] The common locations include a first contact location C1 between the mounting portion 43 of the metal member 40 and the first mounting portion 51a of the first contact 50a, which is located closest to the circuit board CB1. The common locations include a second contact location C2 between the contact portion 46 of the metal member 40 and the second extending portion 57a ​​of the first contact 50a, which is located directly above the first contact location C1. The common locations include a third contact location C3 between the mounting portion 45 of the metal member 40 and the second mounting portion 58a of the first contact 50a, which is located directly above the second contact location C2. The common locations include a fourth contact location C4 between the inner end in the left-right direction of the resilient contact piece 47 of the metal member 40 and the contact portion 93a of the first contact 90a, which is located directly above the third contact location C3. The common contact points include contact points between the contact springs of the four contact portions 82 of the metal member 80 and the inner surface of the base 91a of the first contact 90a in the left-right direction, which are located above the fourth contact point C4. The common contact points include a fifth contact point C5, a sixth contact point C6, a seventh contact point C7, and an eighth contact point C8.

[0102] As a result, the connector 10 is completely connected to the connection object 60. At this time, the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 are electrically connected via the contacts 50 and 90.

[0103] The following description will focus mainly on the connector 10 and explain its effects, but the same explanation also applies to electronic devices that have the connector 10.

[0104] The connector 10 according to the first embodiment described above can achieve excellent transmission characteristics for high-frequency signals. The connector 10 includes a contact portion 46 in which the metal member 40 contacts the movable portion of the contact 50, enabling an electrical common point to be provided in the movable portion of the contact 50. For example, when the first contact 50a is used as a GND pin, the metal member 40 contacts the first movable portion of the first contact 50a via the contact portion 46, enabling common GND pins at short intervals in the height direction between circuit boards. For example, the first movable portion, which occupies a large portion of the first contact 50a, can short-circuit the GND pins at regular intervals in the terminal extension direction. This reduces the periodic occurrence of resonance points due to the transmission path length within the frequency range used, enabling the connector 10 to achieve excellent transmission characteristics.

[0105] 9, by combining the connector 10 with the metal member 80 of the connection object 60, the connector 10 can share GND pins at short intervals in the vertical direction between the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. For example, when the first contacts 50a and 90a function as GND pins, the connector 10 can share GND pins at short intervals in the vertical direction between the first contacts 50a and 90a.

[0106] In the connector 10, the metal member 40 is attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 by the attachment portion 43 and the attachment portion 45, respectively. This enables the connector 10 to maintain good electrical contact between the metal member 40 and the contacts 50 while maintaining good mobility of the second insulator 30 during floating operation. The connector 10 allows the metal member 40 to easily follow the deformation of the contacts 50 during floating operation. In other words, the connector 10 can maintain good contact of the metal member 40 with the contacts 50 by following the three-dimensional deformation behavior of the movable portions of the contacts 50 during floating operation.

[0107] In addition, even when the connector 10 is made low-profile, the metal member 40 can be disposed as long as it has a GND bar structure. This allows the connector 10 to obtain good transmission characteristics even when made low-profile. Even when the connector 10 is made low-profile, the connector 10 can maintain good mobility of the second insulator 30 and good electrical contact between the metal member 40 and the contacts 50.

[0108] The connector 10 is able to maintain good electrical contact between the metal member 40 and the contacts 50 because the contact portions 46 of the metal member 40 include contact springs.

[0109] The connector 10 has first extending portions 54a and 54b whose tips on the second insulator 30 side are bent toward the mating side, and folded portions 56a and 56b that are folded back toward the removal side opposite the mating side. This allows the connector 10 to increase the length of the spring in the portion of the contact 50 that elastically deforms. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve the flexibility of the contact 50. The contact 50 becomes more susceptible to elastic deformation. This reduces the load applied to the mounting portions 52a and 52b of the contact 50.

[0110] The first contacts 50a have the linking portions 55a, which increase the distance on the first contacts 50a between the mounting portion 52a and the portion of the first contacts 50a that undergoes large elastic deformation and the fulcrum of the fulcrum. The second contacts 50b have the linking portions 55b, which increase the distance on the second contacts 50b between the mounting portion 52a and the portion of the second contacts 50b that undergoes large elastic deformation and the fulcrum of the fulcrum. Therefore, even when the connector 10 is miniaturized and the size of the contacts 50 is reduced, the load applied to the mounting portions 52a and 52b due to the elastic deformation of the contacts 50 can be reduced.

[0111] By making the width direction of the contacts 50 parallel to the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50, the strength of the contacts 50 along the arrangement direction is improved. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve the robustness of the contacts 50 against elastic deformation of the contacts 50 that occurs as the second insulator 30 moves. Therefore, the connector 10 can achieve stable floating operation, and can improve the reliability of the product.

[0112] Because the contacts 50 are made of a metal material with a small modulus of elasticity, 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 60.

[0113] The connector 10 absorbs vibrations caused by some external factor through elastic deformation of the contacts 50. This reduces the possibility of large forces being applied to the mounting portions 52a and 52b of the contacts 50. This reduces damage to the connection portions with the circuit board CB1. This also reduces the risk of cracks occurring in the solder at the connection portions between the circuit board CB1 and the mounting portions 52a and 52b. This improves connection reliability even when the connector 10 and the connection target 60 are connected.

[0114] In the first embodiment, the contact portion 46 of the metal member 40 includes a contact spring, but is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to a contact spring, the contact portion 46 may include any other structure that can come into contact with the movable portion of the contact 50.

[0115] In the first embodiment, the connecting portions 55a and 55b are described as being inclined obliquely in a straight line from the tip of the first extending portion 54a and the tip of the first extending portion 54b toward the fitting side, respectively. However, this is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the connecting portions 55a and 55b may be arranged in a curved line.

[0116] In the first embodiment, the width direction of the contact 50 is described as being parallel to the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50, but this is not limiting. The width direction of the contact 50 may be parallel to any direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50.

[0117] In the first embodiment, the contact 50 is described as being made of a metal material with a small elastic modulus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The contact 50 may be made of a metal material with any elastic modulus as long as the required amount of elastic deformation can be ensured.

[0118] In the first embodiment, the connection object 60 is described as a plug connector connected to the circuit board CB2, but is not limited to this. The connection object 60 may be any object other than a connector. For example, the connection object 60 may be an FPC, a flexible flat cable, a rigid board, or a card edge of any circuit board.

[0119] The method of assembling the connector 10 and the connection object 60 described above in the first embodiment is not limited to the above description. The method of assembling the connector 10 and the connection object 60 may be any method as long as it allows the connector 10 and the connection object 60 to be assembled in such a way that their respective functions can be exerted.

[0120] For example, at least one of the metal member 40 and the contacts 50 may be integrally molded with the first insulator 20 by insert molding rather than press-fitting. At least one of the metal member 40 and the contacts 50 may be integrally molded with the second insulator 30 by insert molding rather than press-fitting. For example, the metal member 80 may be integrally molded with the insulator 70 by insert molding rather than press-fitting. The contacts 90 may be press-fitted into the insulator 70 without being integrally molded by insert molding.

[0121] In the first embodiment, the metal member 40 of the connector 10 is described as being attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, but this is not limiting. The metal member 40 may be attached to the movable portion of the contact 50 instead of the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. Examples of such a connector 10 will be described below in the second to fourth embodiments.

[0122] The connectors 10 according to the second to fourth embodiments differ from the first embodiment in that the metal member 40 has an attachment portion 48 attached to the movable portion of the contact 50. Other configurations, functions, effects, and modifications are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the corresponding explanations apply to the connectors 10 according to the second to fourth embodiments. In the following, components similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. Differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

[0123] Second Embodiment Fig. 10 is a side view of a connector 10 according to a second embodiment as viewed from the front. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the metal member 40 and some of the contacts 50 of Fig. 10 as viewed from above. As with Fig. 6, Fig. 11 shows only the metal member 40 and two first contacts 50a out of the multiple components of the connector 10 for the purpose of simple illustration. Other components of the connector 10 are omitted from Fig. 11.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 10 , in the second embodiment, the second insulator 30 does not have a base 31, but only includes components related to the protrusion 32. As shown in FIG. 11 , the metal member 40 has a pair of bases 41 arranged facing each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The bases 41 extend like plates in the front-rear and up-down directions and have a rectangular shape. The metal member 40 has mounting portions 48 that protrude outward in the left-right direction from the upper and lower ends of the bases 41. In the second embodiment, the mounting portions 48 include protrusions that protrude outward in the left-right direction from the base 41. The pair of protrusions arranged at the upper and lower ends of the base 41 are located at the same positions in the front-rear direction. In the metal member 40, a pair of protrusions of the mounting portions 48 are arranged at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more pairs of protrusions are arranged at any interval from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0125] The metal member 40 has a contact portion 46 located in the center of the base 41 in the up-down direction. The contact portion 46 includes a contact spring adjacent to a protrusion of the mounting portion 48. For example, the contact spring of the contact portion 46 is located between a pair of protrusions of the mounting portion 48 that are located at the upper and lower ends of the base 41, respectively. The contact spring of the contact portion 46 is sandwiched between the pair of protrusions in the up-down direction. The contact spring of the contact portion 46 is located in the same position as the pair of protrusions in the front-rear direction. A total of four contact springs of the contact portion 46 are arranged for each pair of protrusions. The contact springs of the contact portion 46 bend a portion of the base 41 in the plate thickness direction and extend so as to slope from above to below toward the outside in the left-right direction.

[0126] The metal member 40 has a connecting portion 49 that connects in the left-right direction a pair of base portions 41 that are arranged facing each other and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The connecting portion 49 is arranged above the pair of base portions 41 so as to connect the upper edge of one base portion 41 to the upper edge of the other base portion 41. The connecting portion 49 extends in a plate shape in the front-rear and left-right directions at its upper end and constitutes a ceiling surface of the metal member 40. As shown in Fig. 10 , the ceiling surface is in contact with or close to the bottom surface of the protruding portion 32 of the second insulator 30 in the up-down direction.

[0127] 11 , the first contact 50a has, in addition to the components in the first embodiment, a hole 57a1 located in the first movable portion. For example, in the first contact 50a, the hole 57a1 is formed through each of the upper and lower ends of the second extending portion 57a ​​of the first movable portion. The pair of holes 57a1 located at the upper and lower ends of the second extending portion 57a, respectively, are located at the same positions in the front-to-rear direction.

[0128] The protrusion of the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 fits loosely into the hole 57a1 located in the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. As a result, the metal member 40 is attached to the first contact 50a in a semi-movable state, meaning a state with some play. The contact portion 46 of the metal member 40 contacts the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. For example, the contact portion 46 contacts the second extension portion 57a ​​of the first movable portion. The contact spring of the contact portion 46 elastically deforms slightly inward in the left-right direction due to contact with the inner surface of the second extension portion 57a ​​in the left-right direction.

[0129] In the connector 10, the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 includes a protrusion that fits loosely into the hole 57a1, so that the metal member 40 can be mounted in a semi-movable state relative to the first contact 50a. The connector 10 facilitates the mounting operation of the metal member 40 relative to the first contact 50a.

[0130] Third Embodiment Fig. 12 is a side view of a connector 10 according to a third embodiment as viewed from the front. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the metal member 40 and some of the contacts 50 of Fig. 12 as viewed from above. As with Fig. 6, Fig. 13 shows only the metal member 40 and two first contacts 50a out of the multiple components of the connector 10 for the purpose of simple illustration. Other components of the connector 10 are omitted from Fig. 13.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 13 , the metal member 40 has an attachment portion 48 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the vertical center of the base 41 in a plate-like shape. In the third embodiment, the attachment portion 48 includes a protruding structure that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the base 41 in a plate-like shape. The protruding structure located in the vertical center of the base 41 is located at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more are arranged at any intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction. The metal member 40 has a recess 48a recessed into the front-rear side surface of the protruding structure of the attachment portion 48. In the third embodiment, the contact portion 46 of the metal member 40 that contacts the first movable portion of the first contact 50a includes the protruding structure of the attachment portion 48. The protruding structure located in the vertical center of the base 41 functions not only as the attachment portion 48 but also as the contact portion 46.

[0132] In addition to the components of the first embodiment, the first contact 50a includes a pair of contact springs 57a2 located on the first movable portion. For example, in the first contact 50a, the pair of contact springs 57a2 protrude inward in the left-right direction from the inner surface of the second extension portion 57a ​​of the first movable portion. The first contact 50a includes bent portions 57a3 located at the tip of each of the pair of contact springs 57a2.

[0133] The plate-shaped protruding structure of the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 is sandwiched by a pair of contact springs 57a2 arranged on the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. This allows the metal member 40 to be attached to the first contact 50a. The plate-shaped protruding structure on the base 41 serves as the contact portion 46, allowing the metal member 40 to come into contact with the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. The plate-shaped protruding structure on the base 41 allows the metal member 40 to be attached to the first movable portion while in contact with the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. At this time, the bent portion 57a3 of the first contact 50a fits into the recess 48a of the metal member 40.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 12 , when the metal member 40 is attached to the first contact 50 a , the inner surface of the base 41 of the metal member 40 in the left-right direction contacts or is close to the outer surface of the base 31 of the second insulator 30 in the left-right direction.

[0135] The connector 10 includes a plate-shaped protruding structure in which the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 is clamped by a pair of contact springs 57a2, thereby allowing the metal member 40 to be positioned relative to the contact 50 while simplifying the shape of the metal member 40.

[0136] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 14 is a side view of a connector 10 according to a fourth embodiment as viewed from the front. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the metal member 40 and some of the contacts 50 of Fig. 14 as viewed from above. As with Fig. 6, Fig. 15 shows only the metal member 40 and two first contacts 50a out of the multiple components of the connector 10 for the purpose of simple illustration. In Fig. 15, the other components of the connector 10 are omitted.

[0137] 15 , the metal member 40 has an attachment portion 48 as a plate-like structure extending in the front-rear and up-down directions, which also constitutes the base 41. In the fourth embodiment, the attachment portion 48 includes a plate-like structure extending in the front-rear and up-down directions at the base 41. The metal member 40 has a contact portion 46 that extends upward from the lower edge of the plate-like structure of the attachment portion 48 while folding back in a U-shape. The contact portion 46 includes a contact spring that extends from the plate-like structure of the attachment portion 48. One contact spring of the contact portion 46 is disposed at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more contact springs are arranged at any intervals from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0138] In addition to the components of the first embodiment, the first contact 50a has a fork-shaped contact spring 57a4 located in the first movable part. For example, the contact springs 57a4 of the first contact 50a are arranged in pair on the left-right inner surface of the second extension part 57a of the first movable part so as to protrude inward in the left-right direction from both ends in the front-rear direction. The pair of contact springs 57a4 are located at the same position relative to each other in the up-down direction.

[0139] The plate-like structure of the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 is clamped by a contact spring 57a4 disposed on the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. This allows the metal member 40 to be attached to the first contact 50a. The contact portion 46 of the metal member 40 comes into contact with the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. For example, the contact portion 46 comes into contact with the second extending portion 57a ​​of the first movable portion. The contact spring of the contact portion 46 is slightly elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction due to contact with the inner surface of the second extending portion 57a ​​in the left-right direction.

[0140] The connector 10 includes a plate-like structure in which the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 is clamped by the contact spring 57a4, so that the metal member 40 can be positioned relative to the contact 50 while the shape of the metal member 40 is simplified.

[0141] 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.

[0142] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-described components 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.

[0143] For example, in the first embodiment, the attachment portion 43 of the metal member 40 may be fixed to the first attachment portion 51a of the first contact 50a by crimping, welding, etc. The attachment portion 45 of the metal member 40 may be fixed to the second attachment portion 58a of the first contact 50a by crimping, welding, etc.

[0144] For example, in the second to fourth embodiments, the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 may be fixed to the first movable portion of the first contact 50a by crimping, welding, or the like. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the metal member 40 and some of the contacts 50 of a connector 10 according to a modified example, as viewed from above. As with Fig. 6, for the purpose of simplifying the illustration, Fig. 16 shows only the metal member 40 and two first contacts 50a out of the multiple components of the connector 10. The other components of the connector 10 are omitted from Fig. 16.

[0145] 16 , the metal member 40 may have mounting portions 48 that extend in a crank-like shape from the base 41 toward both sides in the vertical direction. The mounting portions 48 may include contact plates that extend in the front-rear and up-down directions at the tips of the crank-like bend. The contact plates of the mounting portions 48, located on both the top and bottom sides of the base 41, may be arranged in pairs at one end in the front-rear direction, and two or more pairs may be arranged at any interval from the one end toward the other end in the front-rear direction.

[0146] The contact portion 46 in the metal member 40 that comes into contact with the first movable portion of the first contact 50a may include a contact plate of the mounting portion 48. The contact plates of the mounting portion 48 located on both the upper and lower sides of the base 41 may function not only as the mounting portion 48 but also as the contact portion 46.

[0147] The contact plate of the mounting portion 48 of the metal member 40 may contact the second extending portion 57a ​​arranged on the first movable portion of the first contact 50a. In this case, the contact plate of the mounting portion 48 may be in face-to-face contact with the inner surface of the second extending portion 57a ​​in the left-right direction and may be fixed by crimping, welding, or the like. In this way, the metal member 40 may be attached to the first contact 50a. The metal member 40 may be attached to the first movable portion of the first contact 50a by contact plates located on both the upper and lower sides of the base 41 while contacting the first movable portion of the first contact 50a.

[0148] The connector 10 described above is mounted on an electronic device. Examples of the electronic device include any in-vehicle device, such as a camera, radar, drive recorder, or engine control unit. Examples of the electronic device include any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system, such as a car navigation system, an advanced driver assistance system, or a security system. Examples of the electronic device include any information device, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device. Examples of the electronic device also include any industrial equipment.

[0149] Such electronic equipment can obtain good transmission characteristics for high frequency signals in the connector 10 having a floating structure, thereby improving the reliability of the electronic equipment as a product having the connector 10.

[0150] The excellent floating structure of the connector 10 absorbs misalignment between circuit boards, improving workability when assembling electronic devices. The manufacturing of electronic devices becomes easier. The connector 10 reduces damage to the connection with the circuit board CB1, improving the reliability of the electronic device as a product.

[0151] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Connector 20 First insulator 21 Wall portion 22 Mounting groove 30 Second insulator 31 Base portion 32 Protrusion portion 33 Fitting recess 34 Mounting groove 40 Metal member 41 Base portion 42 First connecting portion 43 Mounting portion (third connecting portion) 44 Second connecting portion 45 Mounting portion (fourth connecting portion) 46 Contact portion 47 Elastic contact piece 48 Mounting portion (fifth connecting portion) 48a Recess 49 Connecting portion 50 Contact 50a First contact 51a First connecting portion 52a Mounting portion 53a Bent portion 54a First extending portion 55a Connecting portion 56a Folded portion 57a ​​Second extending portion 57a1 Hole 57a2 Contact spring 57a3 Bent portion 57a4 Contact spring 58a Second mounting portion 59a Resilient contact piece 59a1 Contact portion 50b Second contact 51b First mounting portion 52b Mounting portion 53b Bent portion 54b First extending portion 55b Linking portion 56b Folded portion 57b Second extending portion 58b Second mounting portion 59b Resilient contact piece 59b1 Contact portion 60 Connection object 70 Insulator 71 Base 72 Fitting convex portion 73 Contact mounting groove 74 Mounting groove 80 Metal member 81 Base 82 Contact portion 90 Contact 90a First contact 91a Base 92a Mounting portion 93a Contact portion 90b Second contact 91b Base 92b Mounting portion 93b Contact portion C1 First contact point C2 Second contact point C3 3rd contact point C4 4th contact point C5 5th contact point C6 6th contact point C7 7th contact point C8 8th contact point CB1 Circuit board CB2 Circuit board

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a first insulator; a second insulator movable relative to the first insulator and adapted to mate with an object to be connected; contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator; and a metal member in contact with the contacts, wherein the contacts have a first mounting portion attached to the first insulator, a second mounting portion attached to the second insulator, and a movable portion located between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, and the metal member has a contact portion in contact with the movable portion.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal member has a third mounting portion attached to said first insulator, and a fourth mounting portion attached to said second insulator.

3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein said contact portion includes a contact spring located between said third mounting portion and said fourth mounting portion.

4. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said metal member has a fifth mounting portion attached to said movable portion of said contact.

5. A connector according to claim 4, wherein said contact has a hole located in said movable portion, and said fifth mounting portion includes a protrusion which fits loosely into said hole.

6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein said contact portion includes a contact spring adjacent said projection.

7. A connector according to claim 4, wherein said contact has a pair of contact springs located in said movable portion, and said fifth mounting portion includes a plate-shaped protruding structure held by said pair of contact springs.

8. A connector according to claim 4, wherein said contact has a fork-shaped contact spring located in said movable portion, and said fifth mounting portion includes a plate-shaped structure clamped by said contact spring.

9. A connector according to claim 8, wherein said contact portion includes a contact spring extending from said plate-like structure.

10. An electronic device comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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