Connector set and connector member

Abstract

A connector set (2) has: a first terminal (14) and a second terminal (16) which each are disposed independently at intervals in a first direction; a plurality of third terminals (18) which is arranged along the first direction between the first terminal (14) and the second terminal (16) in the first direction; a first shield member (20) which is provided around the first terminal (14); and a second shield member (22) which is provided around the second terminal (16). The connector set (2) comprises: a substrate-mounted connector (5) mounted on a substrate (4); a first connector (8) having a fourth terminal (38) that is fitted into the first terminal (14); and a second connector (10) having a fifth terminal (44) that is fitted into the second terminal (16). A third connector (12) having a plurality of sixth terminals (86) that is fitted into the plurality of third terminals (18) can also be connected to the connector set (2).

Description

Connector sets and connector components

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, connector sets have been disclosed in which a connector mounted on a substrate is connected to another connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-102462

[0004] It can be said that the connector set of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of the degree of freedom in designing signal transmission paths.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector set and a connector member that can improve the degree of freedom in designing signal transmission paths.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector set of the present disclosure has a first terminal and a second terminal arranged independently and spaced apart in a first direction, a plurality of third terminals arranged along the first direction between the first terminal and the second terminal, a first shielding member provided around the first terminal, and a second shielding member provided around the second terminal, and is equipped with a board-mounted connector mounted on a board, a first connector having a fourth terminal that mates with the first terminal, and a second connector having a fifth terminal that mates with the second terminal, and is further capable of connecting a third connector having a plurality of sixth terminals that mate with the plurality of third terminals.

[0007] In addition, the connector member of the present disclosure comprises a first connector having a fourth terminal that mates with a single first terminal located inside a first shielding member of a board-mounted connector mounted on a board, and a second connector having a fifth terminal that mates with a single second terminal located inside a second shielding member of the board-mounted connector, and can further comprise a third connector having a plurality of sixth terminals that contact a plurality of third terminals arranged along a first direction between the first terminal and the second terminal of the board-mounted connector.

[0008] The connector set and connector member of the present disclosure can improve the degree of freedom in designing signal transmission paths.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector set according to an embodiment; 2 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of a connector member of the connector set according to an embodiment; 3 is a perspective view showing a procedure for constructing a connector set by connecting another connector to the board-mounted connector of an embodiment; 4 is a perspective view showing a procedure for constructing a connector set by connecting another connector to the board-mounted connector of an embodiment; 5 is a perspective view showing a procedure for constructing a connector set by connecting another connector to the board-mounted connector of an embodiment; 1 is a plan view showing a first connector, a second connector, and a connecting member of an embodiment; 2 is a bottom view showing a first connector, a second connector, and a connecting member of an embodiment; 3 is a side view showing a state before the connecting member of an embodiment holds the first coaxial cable; 4 is a side view showing a state after the connecting member of an embodiment holds the first coaxial cable; 5 is a side view showing a state before the connecting member of an embodiment holds the second coaxial cable; 6 is a side view showing a state after the connecting member of an embodiment holds the second coaxial cable;

[0010] (Summary of embodiment) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set comprising: a board-mounted connector mounted on a board, the board-mounted connector having first and second terminals each independently arranged at a distance in a first direction, a plurality of third terminals arranged along the first direction between the first and second terminals in the first direction, a first shielding member provided around the first terminals, and a second shielding member provided around the second terminals; a first connector having fourth terminals mating with the first terminals; and a second connector having fifth terminals mating with the second terminals, and further capable of connecting a third connector having a plurality of sixth terminals mating with the plurality of third terminals.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set as described in the first aspect, wherein the first connector further has a first coaxial cable electrically connected to the fourth terminal, and the second connector further has a second coaxial cable electrically connected to the fifth terminal.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the connector set according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a connecting member that connects the first connector and the second connector.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the connector set according to the third aspect, wherein the third connector is connected to the board-mounted connector so as to overlap the connection member.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set as described in the third aspect, wherein the connecting member has a first holding portion that holds the first connector, a second holding portion that holds the second connector, and a connecting portion that extends in the first direction to connect the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set as described in the fifth aspect, in which the connection portion is in a recessed position relative to the first holding portion and the second holding portion, so that the connection member forms a recess, and the third connector is detachably positioned in the recess.

[0016] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set as described in the fifth or sixth aspect, in which the connection portion has a first connection portion and a second connection portion spaced apart in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and forms an opening surrounded by the first connection portion, the second connection portion, the first retaining portion, and the second retaining portion, and the third connector is connected to the board-mounted connector via the opening.

[0017] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the third connector has a flexible substrate electrically connected to the sixth terminal.

[0018] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set described in any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the board-mounted connector further has an insulating holding portion that holds a plurality of the third terminals.

[0019] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set described in any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are each millimeter wave terminals that transmit millimeter wave signals.

[0020] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the connector set according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, further comprising the third connector connected to the board-mounted connector.

[0021] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector set as described in the eleventh aspect, wherein the third terminal is a signal terminal that transmits a signal having a frequency lower than the frequency of the signals transmitted by the first terminal and the second terminal, or a power terminal.

[0022] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a connector member comprising: a first connector having a fourth terminal that mates with a single first terminal located inside a first shielding member of a board-mounted connector mounted on a board; and a second connector having a fifth terminal that mates with a single second terminal located inside a second shielding member of the board-mounted connector, and capable of further arranging a third connector having a plurality of sixth terminals that contact a plurality of third terminals arranged along a first direction between the first terminal and the second terminal of the board-mounted connector.

[0023] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the connector member according to the thirteenth aspect, further comprising the third connector connected to the board-mounted connector.

[0024] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector set 2 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a connector member 6 of the connector set 2 according to the embodiment.

[0026] 1 and 2 includes a board-mounted connector 5 mounted on a board 4, and a connector member 6 connected to the board-mounted connector 5. The connector set 2 is configured by connecting the connector member 6 to the board-mounted connector 5.

[0027] In the following description, the width direction of the connector set 2 is defined as the X direction, the length direction of the connector set 2 is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction of the connector set 2 is defined as the Z direction.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector member 6 includes a first connector 8 , a second connector 10 , and a third connector 12 .

[0029] The connectors 8, 10, and 12 each have a terminal for connection (contact terminal), which is fitted to a terminal provided on the board-mounted connector 5 and electrically connected thereto.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 each have a coaxial cable and function as a transmission path for transmitting high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves. Transmitting millimeter-wave signals is useful for applications such as 5G. The third connector 12 has a flexible substrate and functions as a transmission path for transmitting signals with lower frequencies than the signals transmitted by the first connector 8 and the second connector 10, or as a transmission path for power.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 are connected to each other by a connecting member 46 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and are integrally configured. The third connector 12 is separate from the first connector 8 and the second connector 10.

[0032] 3 to 5 are perspective views showing the procedure for constructing the connector set 2 by connecting the connectors 8, 10, and 12 to the board-mounted connector 5 on the board 4. FIG.

[0033] 3 , first, the two connectors 8, 10 are connected to the board-mounted connector 5. Specifically, the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 are lowered in the Z direction (arrows Z1, Z2) toward the board-mounted connector 5, so that the fourth terminal 38 of the first connector 8 is mated with the first terminal 14 of the board-mounted connector 5, and the fifth terminal 44 of the second connector 10 is mated with the second terminal 16 of the board-mounted connector 5.

[0034] As described above, the two connectors 8 and 10 are connected by the connecting member 46 and can be handled as a single unit, and can be connected to the board-mounted connector 5 at approximately the same time.

[0035] Next, the third connector 12 is connected to the board-mounted connector 5. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, with the two connectors 8 and 10 connected to the board-mounted connector 5, the third connector is lowered in the Z direction toward the board-mounted connector 5 (arrow Z3). An opening 68 is formed in the connecting member 46, and the sixth terminal 86 of the third connector 12 is mated with the third terminal 18 of the board-mounted connector 5 exposed through the opening 68. This completes the connector set 2 shown in Fig. 5.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the third connector 12 is connected to the board-mounted connector 5 so as to cover the connecting member 46 and the connectors 8 and 10 from above. This allows the third connector 12 to be inserted and removed independently in the connector set 2 shown in Fig. 5. This configuration makes it possible to select a configuration in which only two of the three connectors 8, 10, and 12, the connectors 8 and 10, are connected to the board-mounted connector 5 (for example, a configuration in which only high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves are transmitted), or a configuration in which all three connectors 8, 10, and 12 are connected to the board-mounted connector 5 as shown in Fig. 5 (for example, a configuration in which high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves and other signals (including power) are transmitted).

[0037] The ability to select between two types of signal transmission paths improves the degree of freedom in designing the signal transmission paths.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 4, a recess 70 is provided in a position adjacent to the opening 68 of the connecting member 46. A flexible substrate 84 of the third connector 12 is detachably disposed in the recess 70. The flexible substrate 84 is easier to reduce in height and size than a coaxial cable, and by disposing the flexible substrate 84 in the recess 70, the connector set 2 shown in Fig. 5 can be further reduced in height in the Z direction.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 use coaxial cables to transmit high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves, and the use of coaxial cables improves electrical characteristics. The third connector 12 uses a flexible substrate 84, which makes it easier to achieve a lower profile and smaller size than coaxial cables, and is suitable for use in applications where signal loss is not a significant problem, for example.

[0040] Each component of the connector set 2 will now be described.

[0041] 6 is a perspective view of the board-mounted connector 5, FIG. 7 is a plan view of the board-mounted connector 5, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the board-mounted connector 5. As shown in FIG.

[0042] 6 to 8, the board-mounted connector 5 has a shape that extends in the X direction (first direction) and includes three types of terminals: a first terminal 14, a second terminal 16, and a third terminal 18. All three types of terminals 14, 16, and 18 are mounted on a board 4 (not shown).

[0043] The first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 are independent, spaced apart in the X direction, and are therefore single terminals. Only one first terminal 14 and one second terminal 16 are provided, and are therefore referred to as "single" terminals. The fourth terminal 38 mated with the first terminal 14 is also a single terminal, and the fifth terminal 44 mated with the second terminal 16 is also a single terminal.

[0044] The third terminals 18 are a plurality of terminals provided between the first terminals 14 and the second terminals 16 in the X direction. A connector having a plurality of terminals may be referred to as a "multi-pole connector."

[0045] In the example shown in Figures 6 to 8, the third terminals 18 are arranged in two rows, three in each direction in the X direction, for a total of six. The number of rows of the third terminals 18 is not limited to two, but may be one row or three or more rows, and the number of terminals per row is not limited to three, but may be any number greater than or equal to two. In other words, it is sufficient that a plurality of third terminals 18 are arranged along the X-axis direction (first direction) between the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16. By arranging a plurality of third terminals 18 in a row, higher robustness can be achieved compared to the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 that are provided singly.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first terminals 14 and the second terminals 16 are each configured as female terminals. Female terminals have recesses that are mated with the terminals. On the other hand, the third terminals 18 are each configured as male terminals. Male terminals have protrusions that are mated with the terminals. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the terminals 14, 16, and 18 may each be either male or female.

[0047] By providing multiple third terminals 18 between the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 and ensuring the distance between the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16, it is possible to effectively suppress interference that may occur when transmitting high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves.

[0048] The board-mounted connector 5 further includes a first shielding member 20 and a second shielding member 22 .

[0049] The first shielding member 20 is a member disposed around the single first terminal 14 to electrically protect the single first terminal 14, and the second shielding member 22 is a member disposed around the single second terminal 16 to electrically protect the single second terminal 16. Both the shielding members 20 and 22 are made of a conductive material and function as ground terminals when mounted on the substrate 4.

[0050] By providing shield members 20, 22 as ground terminals around the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16, it is possible to effectively suppress interference that may occur when transmitting high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves.

[0051] In this embodiment, the shield members 20 and 22 each have an annular shape and have openings 26 and 28 that are closed in the XY plane as shown in Fig. 8. The shape is not limited to an annular shape, and may be partially interrupted.

[0052] 6 and 7 , all of the multiple third terminals 18 are disposed outside the shielding members 20, 22. No dedicated shielding member is provided around the third terminal 18 through which a signal with a lower frequency than the high-frequency signal flowing through the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 flows.

[0053] The board mounted connector 5 further comprises an insulator 24 .

[0054] The insulator 24 is an insulating member that holds the terminals 14, 16, 18 and the shield members 20, 22 together.

[0055] The insulator 24 has a first holding portion 24A that holds a single first terminal 14, a second holding portion 24B that holds a single second terminal 16, and a third holding portion 24C that holds multiple third terminals 18.

[0056] Each of the holding portions 24A, 24B, and 24C has a groove for holding and positioning each terminal.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the insulator 24 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin as an integrated member including the first holding portion 24A, the second holding portion 24B, and the third holding portion 24C.

[0058] 9 to 11 are a perspective view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, showing the first connector 8, the second connector 10, and the connecting member 46. FIG.

[0059] 9 to 11, the first connector 8 has a first coaxial cable 30, and the second connector 10 has a second coaxial cable 32. Both coaxial cables 30, 32 are held together by a connecting member 46.

[0060] 10 and 11 , the first coaxial cable 30 has a central conductor 34 that protrudes toward the distal end. The central conductor 34 is electrically connected to the fourth terminal 38 ( FIG. 3 ) described above via a conductive connecting portion 35 and an extending portion 36. The connecting portion 35, the extending portion 36, and the fourth terminal 38 are held by the insulator of the connecting member 46.

[0061] The second coaxial cable 32 has a central conductor 40 that protrudes toward the tip side. The central conductor 40 is electrically connected to the fifth terminal 44 ( FIG. 3 ) described above via a conductive connecting portion 41 and an extending portion 42. The connecting portion 41, the extending portion 42, and the fifth terminal 44 are held by the insulator of the connecting member 46.

[0062] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the connecting member 46 has crimping engagement portions 48, 50, and 52 as portions that engage with the first coaxial cable 30, and has crimping engagement portions 54, 56, and 58 (Figure 11) as portions for engaging with the second coaxial cable 32.

[0063] Each of the crimping engagement portions 48, 50, and 52 is crimped using a jig (not shown), thereby wrapping around and engaging with the first coaxial cable 30. Similarly, each of the crimping engagement portions 54, 56, and 58 is crimped using a jig (not shown), thereby wrapping around and engaging with the second coaxial cable 32.

[0064] 12 and 13 are side views showing the states before and after the connecting member 46 holds the first coaxial cable 30, respectively.

[0065] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the first crimping engagement portion 48 engages with the outer sheath 72 of the first coaxial cable 30, the second crimping engagement portion 50 engages with the outer conductor 74 of the first coaxial cable 30, and the third crimping engagement portion 52 engages with the insulator 76 of the first coaxial cable 30.

[0066] By engaging the crimp engagement portion 50 with the outer conductor 74, the conductive portion of the connecting member 46 formed continuously with the crimp engagement portion 50 has the same potential (e.g., ground potential) as the outer conductor 74. On the other hand, the fourth terminal 38 held by the insulator of the connecting member 46 and the portions formed continuously therewith (the connection portion 35 and the extension portion 36) have the same potential (e.g., the potential of a high-frequency signal) as the center conductor 34 of the first coaxial cable 30.

[0067] 14 and 15 are side views showing the states before and after the connecting member 46 holds the second coaxial cable 32, respectively.

[0068] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the fourth crimping engagement portion 54 engages with the outer sheath 78 of the second coaxial cable 32, the fifth crimping engagement portion 56 engages with the outer conductor 80 of the second coaxial cable 32, and the sixth crimping engagement portion 58 engages with the insulator 82 of the second coaxial cable 32.

[0069] When the crimping engagement portion 56 engages with the outer conductor 80, the conductive portion of the connecting member 46 formed continuously with the crimping engagement portion 56 has the same potential (e.g., ground potential) as the outer conductor 80. On the other hand, the fifth terminal 44 held by the insulator of the connecting member 46 and the portions formed continuously therewith (the connection portion 41 and the extension portion 42) have the same potential (e.g., the potential of a high-frequency signal) as the center conductor 40 of the second coaxial cable 32.

[0070] When the connecting member 46 of this embodiment is connected to the board-mounted connector 5 (FIGS. 4 and 5), the portions formed continuously with the crimped engagement portions 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, and 58 come into contact with the shielding members 20 and 22. Because the shielding members 20 and 22 are mounted on the board 4 as ground terminals, the outer conductors 74 and 80 of the coaxial cables 30 and 32 are also at ground potential via the connecting member 46.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the connection member 46 has a first contact portion 67 and a second contact portion 69 as portions that come into contact with the shield members 20 and 22 .

[0072] The first contact portion 67 is a portion that contacts the first shielding member 20, and the second contact portion 69 is a portion that contacts the second shielding member 22. Both the contact portions 67 and 69 have a shape that protrudes downward toward the board-mounted connector 5, and in this embodiment, the contact portions 67 and 69 are formed continuously with each other.

[0073] The connecting member 46 further includes a first retaining portion 60 , a second retaining portion 62 , a first connecting portion 64 , and a second connecting portion 66 .

[0074] The first holding portion 60 is a portion of the first connector 8 that holds the components (the connection portion 35, the extension portion 36, and the fourth terminal 38) that are connected to the first coaxial cable 30. The first holding portion 60 has an outer conductive portion and an inner insulator, and holds the first connector 8 with the inner insulator. In this embodiment, a first contact portion 67 is provided below the first holding portion 60 so as to protrude.

[0075] The second holding portion 62 is a portion of the second connector 10 that holds the components (the connection portion 41, the extension portion 42, and the fifth terminal 44) that are connected to the second coaxial cable 32. The second holding portion 62 has an outer conductive portion and an inner insulator, and holds the second connector 10 with the inner insulator. In this embodiment, a second contact portion 69 is provided below the second holding portion 62 so as to protrude.

[0076] The holding portions 60 and 62 are spaced apart in the X direction and extend along the Y direction.

[0077] The first connecting portion 64 and the second connecting portion 66 are portions that extend in the X direction so as to connect the first holding portion 60 and the second holding portion 62. By providing the connecting portions 64, 66, the first holding portion 60 that holds the first connector 8 and the second holding portion 62 that holds the second connector 10 become integrated, and it becomes possible to handle the two connectors 8, 10 as a single unit.

[0078] The connection portions 64, 66 are spaced apart in the Y direction and extend along the X direction. In the Y direction, the first connection portion 64 is located closer to the coaxial cables 30, 32 than the second connection portion 66.

[0079] An opening 68 is formed by the two holding portions 60, 62 and the two connecting portions 64, 66. The opening 68 is used as a gap for mating the sixth terminal 86 (FIG. 4) of the third connector 12 with the third terminal 18 of the board-mounted connector 5.

[0080] 9 to 11 show the opening 68 as being closed in the XY plane, but this is not limiting, and for example, the second connection portion 66 may be omitted, leaving a gap or space with one side open. On the other hand, by providing the second connection portion 66 in addition to the first connection portion 64 and forming the opening 68 as being closed, the shielding function of the connection member 46 having ground potential is improved.

[0081] 9 , the first connecting portion 64 is recessed in the Z direction relative to the two adjacent holding portions 60, 62, forming a recess 70. The recess 70 is used to arrange the third connector 12 described above and reduce the height of the connector set 2.

[0082] 16 and 17 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, showing the state in which the two connectors 8, 10 and the connecting member 46 are combined with the third connector 12.

[0083] 16 and 17 , the third connector 12 has a flexible substrate 84 and a plurality of sixth terminals 86 ( FIG. 17 ). The sixth terminals 86 are arranged to correspond to the third terminals 18, and a total of six sixth terminals 86 are provided. Similar to the third terminals 18, the sixth terminals 86 may be arranged in a plurality along the X-axis direction (first direction).

[0084] A plurality of sixth terminals 86 are inserted into the openings 68 of the connection member 46 , and a flexible substrate 84 is detachably disposed in the recesses 70 of the connection member 46 .

[0085] According to the above configuration, the third connector 12 can be inserted and removed independently when the two connectors 8, 10 are connected to the board-mounted connector 5, so it is possible to select between a configuration in which two connectors 8, 10 are connected to the board-mounted connector 5, and a configuration in which three connectors 8, 10, 12 are connected. This improves the degree of freedom in designing signal transmission paths.

[0086] In particular, in this embodiment, the third terminals 18 of the third connector 12, which can be inserted and removed independently, are arranged in a single row. This provides greater robustness than the first terminals 14 and second terminals 16, increasing the guaranteed number of insertions and removals of the third connector 12. For example, while the first terminals 14 and second terminals 16 can be inserted and removed 30 times, the third terminals 18 can be inserted and removed 100 times. In contrast, if the first connector, second connector, and third connector are integrated and the third connector cannot be inserted and removed independently, the guaranteed number of insertions and removals of the entire connectors would be limited to 30. The connector set 2 of this embodiment is advantageous in that it can increase the number of insertions and removals of the third connector 12.

[0087] (Actions and Effects) As described above, the connector set 2 of the embodiment has first terminals 14 and second terminals 16 that are individually arranged with a gap in the X direction (first direction), a plurality of third terminals 18 that are arranged along the X direction (first direction) between the first terminals 14 and the second terminals 16, a first shielding member 20 that is provided around the first terminals 14, and a second shielding member 22 that is provided around the second terminals 16, and is capable of connecting a board-mounted connector 5 mounted on a board 4, a first connector 8 that has a fourth terminal 38 that mates with the first terminal 14, and a second connector 10 that has a fifth terminal 44 that mates with the second terminal 16, and further a third connector 12 that has a plurality of sixth terminals 86 that mate with the plurality of third terminals 18.

[0088] With this configuration, high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves can be transmitted between the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 located inside the shielding members 20, 22, and interference between high-frequency signals can be suppressed by providing a gap by arranging the third terminal 18 between the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16. By making it possible to further connect the third connector 12 in addition to the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 that are compatible with such high-frequency signals, it becomes possible to select a configuration that can transmit signals for purposes other than those that transmit high-frequency signals (for example, signal terminals or power terminals), thereby improving the degree of freedom in designing signal transmission paths.

[0089] In the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the first connector 8 further includes a first coaxial cable 30 electrically connected to the fourth terminal 38, and the second connector 10 further includes a second coaxial cable 32 electrically connected to the fifth terminal 44. With this configuration, high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves are transmitted through the coaxial cables 30 and 32, thereby improving electrical characteristics.

[0090] Furthermore, the connector set 2 of the embodiment further includes a connecting member 46 that connects the first connector 8 and the second connector 10. With this configuration, the connecting member 46 allows the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 to be handled as an integrated member, improving workability when mating the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 to the board-mounted connector 5.

[0091] Furthermore, in the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the third connector 12 is connected to the board-mounted connector 5 so as to overlap the connecting member 46. With this configuration, the third connector 12 can be inserted and removed independently while the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 remain connected to the board-mounted connector 5. Because the third connector 12 has a plurality of third terminals 18 arranged in the X direction, it is more robust than the first terminals 14 and second terminals 16, which are provided independently, and the guaranteed number of insertions and removals can be increased.

[0092] Furthermore, in the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the connecting member 46 has a first holding portion 60 that holds the first connector 8, a second holding portion 62 that holds the second connector 10, and connection portions 64, 66 that extend in the X direction (first direction) to connect the first holding portion 60 and the second holding portion 62. With this configuration, the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 can be integrated with a simple structure.

[0093] Furthermore, in the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the connecting portion 64 is recessed relative to the first holding portion 60 and the second holding portion 62, so that the connecting member 46 forms a recess 70, and the third connector 12 is detachably disposed in the recess 70. With this configuration, by disposing the third connector 12 in the recess 70, the connector set 2 can be made low-profile.

[0094] Furthermore, in the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the connecting portions 64, 66 have a first connecting portion 64 and a second connecting portion 66 that are spaced apart in the Y direction (second direction) that intersects with the X direction (first direction), and an opening 68 is formed that is surrounded by the first connecting portion 64, the second connecting portion 66, the first holding portion 60, and the second holding portion 62, and the third connector 12 is connected to the board-mounted connector 5 through the opening 68. With this configuration, the connecting portions 64, 66 are separated into two locations, and the opening 68 is formed by the two connecting portions 64, 66 and the two holding portions 60, 62, thereby improving shielding properties and strength.

[0095] Furthermore, in the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the third connector 12 has a flexible substrate 84 electrically connected to the sixth terminal 86. With this configuration, the flexible substrate 84 of the third connector 12 can be more easily made smaller and thinner than the coaxial cables 30, 32, and can be suitably used, for example, for transmitting signals (digital signals, etc.) for which signal loss is not a significant problem.

[0096] In the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the board-mounted connector 5 further includes an insulator 24 (third holding portion 24C) that holds the plurality of third terminals 18. With this configuration, the mechanical strength of the connector set 2 can be improved by the plurality of third terminals 18 and the third holding portion 24C.

[0097] In the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 are millimeter-wave terminals that transmit millimeter-wave signals. Such a configuration is useful for applications such as 5G.

[0098] The connector set 2 of the embodiment further includes a third connector 12 connected to the board-mounted connector 5. With this configuration, the third connector 12 can transmit signals in a frequency band different from the frequency band (e.g., millimeter waves) targeted by the first connector 8 and the second connector 10.

[0099] In the connector set 2 of the embodiment, the third terminal 18 is a signal terminal or a power terminal that transmits a signal having a lower frequency than the frequency of the signals transmitted by the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16. With this configuration, by connecting the third connector 12, the third terminal 18 can be used as a signal terminal or a power terminal that transmits a low-frequency signal.

[0100] In addition, the connector member 6 of the embodiment comprises a first connector 8 having a single fourth terminal 38 that mates with a first terminal 14 located inside the first shielding member 20 of the board-mounted connector 5 mounted on the board 4, and a second connector 10 having a fifth terminal 44 that mates with a single second terminal 16 located inside the second shielding member 22 of the board-mounted connector 5, and it is possible to further arrange a third connector 12 having a plurality of sixth terminals 86 that contact a plurality of third terminals 18 arranged along the X direction (first direction) between the first terminal 14 and the second terminal 16 of the board-mounted connector 5.

[0101] With this configuration, the third connector 12 can be further positioned, making it possible to select a form for transmitting signals for purposes different from those of the first connector 8 and the second connector 10 (for example, signal terminals or power terminals), thereby improving the design freedom regarding the signal transmission path.

[0102] Moreover, the connector member 6 of the embodiment further includes a third connector 12 connected to the board-mounted connector 5. Such a configuration broadens the range of uses for the transmission path.

[0103] Although the present disclosure has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0104] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom. Furthermore, changes in the combination and order of elements in each embodiment may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0105] The present disclosure is applicable to any connector set and connector member.

[0106] 2 Connector set 4 Board 5 Board-mounted connector 6 Connector member 8 First connector 10 Second connector 12 Third connector 14 First terminal 16 Second terminal 18 Third terminal 20 First shield member 22 Second shield member 38 Fourth terminal 44 Fifth terminal 86 Sixth terminal

Claims

1. A connector set comprising: a board-mounted connector having first and second terminals each independently arranged with a gap in a first direction, a plurality of third terminals arranged along the first direction between the first and second terminals, a first shielding member provided around the first terminal, and a second shielding member provided around the second terminal, the board-mounted connector being mounted on a board; a first connector having a fourth terminal mating with the first terminal; and a second connector having a fifth terminal mating with the second terminal; and further capable of connecting a third connector having a plurality of sixth terminals mating with the plurality of third terminals.

2. The connector set according to claim 1, wherein the first connector further has a first coaxial cable electrically connected to the fourth terminal, and the second connector further has a second coaxial cable electrically connected to the fifth terminal.

3. The connector set according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connecting member that connects the first connector and the second connector.

4. The connector set according to claim 3, wherein the third connector is connected to the board-mounted connector so as to overlap the connecting member.

5. A connector set as described in claim 3, wherein the connecting member has a first holding portion that holds the first connector, a second holding portion that holds the second connector, and a connecting portion extending in the first direction to connect the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

6. A connector set as described in claim 5, wherein the connection portion is recessed relative to the first holding portion and the second holding portion, so that the connection member forms a recess, and the third connector is detachably positioned in the recess.

7. A connector set as described in claim 5 or 6, wherein the connection portion has a first connection portion and a second connection portion spaced apart in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and forms an opening surrounded by the first connection portion, the second connection portion, the first holding portion and the second holding portion, and the third connector is connected to the board-mounted connector via the opening.

8. A connector set according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the third connector has a flexible substrate electrically connected to the sixth terminal.

9. The connector set according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the board-mounted connector further comprises an insulator that holds a plurality of the third terminals.

10. A connector set according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are each a millimeter wave terminal for transmitting a millimeter wave signal.

11. The connector set of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a third connector connected to the board mounted connector.

12. A connector set as described in claim 11, wherein the third terminal is a signal terminal that transmits a signal having a frequency lower than the frequencies of the signals transmitted by the first terminal and the second terminal, or a power terminal.

13. A connector member comprising: a first connector having a fourth terminal that mates with a single first terminal located inside a first shielding member of a board-mounted connector mounted on a board; and a second connector having a fifth terminal that mates with a single second terminal located inside a second shielding member of the board-mounted connector, and capable of further arranging a third connector having a plurality of sixth terminals that contact a plurality of third terminals arranged along a first direction between the first terminal and the second terminal of the board-mounted connector.

14. The connector member of claim 13, further comprising a third connector connected to the board mounted connector.

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