Electrical connector and electrical connector set equipped with said electrical connector

Abstract

Provided is an electrical connector having enhanced shield ability for blocking unnecessary radiation of high-frequency waves. The electrical connector comprises inner terminals, an outer terminal, and a holding member. The inner terminals include: one inner terminal; and another inner terminal disposed opposite to said one inner terminal. The outer terminal has: a frame part surrounding the inner terminals; and a contact part provided to the frame part and connected to a ground potential. The holding member holds the inner terminals and the outer terminal, and further comprises a shield member having a shield terminal connected to the ground potential through a shorter path than that for the contact part. The frame part has a boundary section which separates the one inner terminal and the other inner terminal. The shield terminal is placed in at least one of a portion between the one inner terminal and the boundary section and a portion between the other inner terminal and the boundary section.

Description

Electrical connector and electrical connector set including said electrical connector

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector and an electrical connector set including the electrical connector.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector comprising an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a retaining member that holds the internal terminal and the external terminal, the external terminal having a side portion that seamlessly surrounds the outer periphery of the retaining member and a connection portion that is integral with the side portion and is connected to the ground of the board.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrical connector that includes an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a holding member that holds the internal terminal and the external terminal, with the external terminal partially surrounding the internal terminal via a pre-defined gap.

[0004] International Publication No. 2022 / 080453 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-22158

[0005] When a high-frequency signal such as a millimeter-wave signal is transmitted through an internal terminal, the following problems occur: In the electrical connector of Patent Document 1, multiple ground loops are formed in the external terminal, and unwanted high-frequency radiation generated by resonance in the ground loops may interfere with the high-frequency signal transmitted through the internal terminal; and in the electrical connector of Patent Document 2, the internal terminal is partially surrounded by an external terminal having a gap, which reduces the shielding ability of the external terminal to block unwanted high-frequency radiation emitted from the internal terminal.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector and an electrical connector set including the electrical connector that have improved shielding capability for blocking unwanted high frequency radiation.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrical connector comprising an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a retaining member, wherein the internal terminal has one internal terminal and another internal terminal arranged opposite the one internal terminal, the external terminal has a frame portion surrounding the internal terminal and a contact portion provided on the frame portion and connected to a ground potential, the retaining member holds the internal terminal and the external terminal, and further comprises a shielding member having a shield terminal connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion, the frame portion has a boundary portion separating the one internal terminal and the other internal terminal, and the shield terminal is arranged at least either between the one internal terminal and the boundary portion or between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

[0008] According to this invention, a shield terminal connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion of the external terminal is arranged at least either between one internal terminal and the boundary portion or between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion, thereby improving the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0009] 9 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector set according to an embodiment in a mated state. 10 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1 in an unmated state. 11 is a perspective view of a male electrical connector constituting the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. 12 is a perspective view of a female electrical connector constituting the electrical connector set shown in FIG. 1. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 4. 14 is a plan view of the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 4. 15 is a perspective view of the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 4 from the back. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 4. 17 is a perspective view of an external terminal in the female electrical connector shown in FIG. 1. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of the external terminal shown in FIG. 12. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the locking state of the external terminal and the contact state of the shield terminal in an electrical connector set in a mated state. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the external terminal shown in FIG. 23. 21 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the contact state of the shield terminal and the contact state of another internal terminal in an electrical connector set in a mated state.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electrical connector 10 according to the present invention and an electrical connector set 1 including the electrical connector 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience, each figure shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. In this specification, the length, width, and height directions of the electrical connector 10 are defined by the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively.

[0011] [Electrical Connector Set] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector set 1 according to an embodiment in a mated state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the electrical connector set 1 shown in Fig. 1 in a non-mated state.

[0012] 1 and 2 , the electrical connector set 1 includes a female electrical connector 10 and a mating electrical connector, i.e., a male electrical connector 20, which is insertably and removably mated with the female electrical connector 10 in the height direction (Z-axis direction). The electrical connector set 1 is configured such that the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated with each other by moving the male electrical connector 20 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) toward the female electrical connector 10 while the male electrical connector 20 is facing the female electrical connector 10. Note that in this disclosure, the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are configured such that the overall size of the male electrical connector 20 is smaller than the overall size of the female electrical connector 10, and the male electrical connector 20 is accommodated and fitted within the female electrical connector 10.

[0013] [Male Electrical Connector] The configuration of the male electrical connector 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the male electrical connector 20 that constitutes the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3 , the male electrical connector 20, which is a mating electrical connector, includes a mating holding member 21, mating internal terminals 22, mating-specific internal terminals 23, and a mating external terminal 26. The mating holding member 21 is made of an electrically insulating resin, such as a liquid crystal polymer. The mating holding member 21 includes four mating internal terminal mounting portions 21b and one mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion 21d. The mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b and the mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion 21d are formed to protrude from a mating base material 21a, which is rectangular in plan view, and each has a rectangular shape in plan view. The four mating internal terminal mounting portions 21b are spaced apart so as to be positioned at respective corners of the mating base material 21a. The mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion 21d has a long side extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the male electrical connector 20 and a short side extending in the length direction (X-axis direction). The internal terminal mounting portion 21d for each counterpart is disposed in the center of the counterpart base material 21a so as to be spaced apart from the internal terminal mounting portions 21b for each counterpart that are disposed in the corners of the counterpart base material 21a.

[0015] The mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b has a mating internal terminal holding portion for holding the mating internal terminal 22. The mating internal terminal 22 has a shape that allows it to be connected to an internal terminal 12 of the female electrical connector 10, which will be described later. The mating internal terminal 22 comes into contact with the corresponding internal terminal 12 to form an electrical connection.

[0016] The mating internal terminal 22 transmits high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals and is formed by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the mating internal terminal 22. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the mating internal terminal 22 may be gold-plated, for example. The mating internal terminal 22 has a mating internal mounting portion for mounting on a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The mating internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the male electrical connector 20.

[0017] The mating internal terminal mounting portion 21d has a mating internal terminal holding portion for holding the mating internal terminal 23. The mating internal terminal 23 has a shape that allows it to be connected to another internal terminal 13 in the female electrical connector 10, which will be described later. The mating internal terminal 23 comes into contact with the corresponding other internal terminal 13 to form an electrical connection.

[0018] The mating internal terminal 23 transmits, for example, a low-frequency signal or a digital signal having a frequency lower than that of a millimeter-wave signal, and is formed by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the mating internal terminal 23. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the mating internal terminal 23 may be gold-plated, for example. The mating internal terminal 23 has a mating internal mounting portion for mounting on a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The mating internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the male electrical connector 20.

[0019] The mating external terminals 26 are attached to and supported by the mating internal terminal attachment portion 21b and the mating internal terminal attachment portion 21d of the mating holding member 21. The mating external terminals 26 have mating outer portions 26b for mounting on ground electrodes of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in Figure 2, the mating outer portions 26b have mating external mounting portions 26a on the back side of the male electrical connector 20.

[0020] The mating external terminal 26 is made of a thin metal plate and is connected to a ground electrode (i.e., ground potential) of a circuit board (not shown). This shields the space surrounded by the mating external terminal 26 from external electromagnetic waves and unwanted radiation from the mating internal terminal 22, thereby creating an electromagnetic wave-shielding space. In other words, the mating external terminal 26 is a member for electromagnetically shielding the mating internal terminal 22. The mating external terminal 26 may be made of, for example, phosphor bronze, which is a conductive and elastically deformable material. The mating external terminal 26 is formed, for example, by bending. The mating external terminal 26 has a contacted portion 29a on its outer surface corresponding to the mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b. The contacted portion 29a has a recessed engaged portion 29b. The mating external terminal 26 also has another contacted portion 29c on its outer surface corresponding to another mating internal terminal mounting portion 21d. The other contacted portion 29c has another locked portion 29d having a recessed shape.

[0021] The mating external terminals 26 have mating exposed portions 21e that expose the corners of the mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b and mating-specific exposed portions 21f that expose the corners of the mating-specific internal terminal mounting portion 21d, thereby mitigating thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the resin mating holding member 21 and the metal mating external terminals 26 when reflow soldering is performed to mount the male electrical connector 20 on a circuit board (not shown).

[0022] [Female Electrical Connector] The configuration of the female electrical connector 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 9. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the female electrical connector 10 constituting the electrical connector set 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a plan view of the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 4, seen from the back. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 4. Figure 9 is a perspective view of an external terminal 16 in the female electrical connector 10 shown in Figure 4.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, the female electrical connector 10 has a holding member 11 , an internal terminal 12 , another internal terminal 13 , a shielding member 15 , and an external terminal 16 .

[0024] The retaining member 11 is made of an electrically insulating resin such as a liquid crystal polymer. The retaining member 11 has a rectangular shape extending in the length direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction) of the female electrical connector 10. The retaining member 11 has a base material 11a, four concave internal terminal mounting portions 11b, and one other concave internal terminal mounting portion 11e.

[0025] The internal terminal mounting portion 11b and the other internal terminal mounting portion 11e are formed on a base material 11a that is rectangular in plan view, and each has a rectangular shape in plan view. The four internal terminal mounting portions 11b are spaced apart so as to be located at each corner of the base material 11a. The other internal terminal mounting portion 11e extends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the female electrical connector 10. The other internal terminal mounting portion 11e is located in the center of the base material 11a so as to be spaced apart from the internal terminal mounting portions 11b located at each corner of the base material 11a.

[0026] Each internal terminal mounting portion 11b is formed with an internal terminal holding portion 11c that holds an internal terminal 12. The internal terminal 12 has a shape that allows it to be connected to a mating internal terminal 22 of the male electrical connector 20. The internal terminal 12 comes into contact with the corresponding mating internal terminal 22 to form an electrical connection.

[0027] The female electrical connector 10 has, as internal terminals 12, for example, a pair of internal terminals 12, one internal terminal 12e (for example, the upper side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 4 ) and the other internal terminal 12f (for example, the lower side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 4 ) arranged opposite the one internal terminal 12e. The female electrical connector 10 has the pair of one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f, for example, on the left and right sides in the length direction (X-axis direction) in FIG. 4 . Each of these internal terminals 12 is disposed, for example, at each corner of the female electrical connector 10.

[0028] The internal terminals 12 have terminal contact portions 12a. The terminal contact portions 12a of the internal terminals 12 come into contact with the mating internal terminals 22 to form an electrical connection. The terminal contact portions 12a of one internal terminal 12e and the terminal contact portions 12a of the other internal terminal 12f are positioned back to back. This makes it possible to suppress interference between the one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f, which emit directional high-frequency signals.

[0029] The internal terminal 12 transmits high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals and is formed by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the internal terminal 12. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the internal terminal 12 may be gold-plated, for example. The internal terminal 12 has an internal mounting portion for mounting to a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the female electrical connector 10. Millimeter waves have wavelengths in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm and frequencies in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. The internal terminal 12 is a connection terminal for transmitting millimeter-wave signals in the range of 40 GHz to 100 GHz, for example.

[0030] The other internal terminal mounting portion 11e is formed with two other internal terminal holding portions 11f for holding the other internal terminals 13. The other internal terminals 13 have a shape that allows them to be connected to the mating other internal terminals 23 of the male electrical connector 20. The other internal terminals 13 come into contact with the corresponding mating other internal terminals 23 to form an electrical connection.

[0031] The female electrical connector 10 has, for example, a pair of separate internal terminals 13, one of which is an upper internal terminal (for example, an upper side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 4 ) and the other internal terminal (for example, a lower side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in FIG. 4 ) that is arranged opposite the one of the separate internal terminals. In the female electrical connector 10, each of the pair of separate internal terminals is disposed, for example, at a position sandwiched between one set of internal terminals 12 e, 12 f (for example, on the left side in the length direction (X-axis direction) in FIG. 4 ) and the other set of internal terminals 12 e, 12 f (for example, on the right side in the length direction (X-axis direction) in FIG. 4 ).

[0032] The other internal terminal 13 transmits, for example, low-frequency signals or digital signals having frequencies lower than millimeter-wave signals, and is formed by bending a conductive rod-shaped metal member. Phosphor bronze, for example, can be used as the other internal terminal 13. Phosphor bronze is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The surface of the other internal terminal 13 may be gold-plated, for example. The other internal terminal 13 has a separate internal mounting portion for mounting to a land electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The separate internal mounting portion is formed on the back side of the female electrical connector 10.

[0033] The shielding members 15 are attached to and held on the rear surface 11h side of the holding member 11. The shielding members 15 include one shielding member 15 corresponding to one set of the internal terminals 12e, 12f, and another shielding member 15 corresponding to the other set of the internal terminals 12e, 12f.

[0034] The shielding member 15 includes a shielding frame 15 a and a shielding terminal 15 c. The shielding member 15 is made of a thin metal plate, and may be made of, for example, phosphor bronze. Phosphor bronze is an electrically conductive and elastically deformable material.

[0035] For example, the shielding frame 15a has an overall E-shape in a plan view. The shielding frame 15a has a first frame portion 15f and a second frame portion 15g connected to the first frame portion 15f. The first frame portion 15f is a central portion corresponding to a boundary portion 16g of the external terminal 16 (described later) and extends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). The second frame portion 15g includes a portion corresponding to another boundary portion 16h of the external terminal 16 (described later) and has a U-shape.

[0036] The shield frame 15a has a plurality of shield terminals 15c that extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction) from the shield frame 15a and are elastically supported by the shield frame 15a.

[0037] The surface of the shield terminal 15c may be gold-plated, for example. The shield terminal 15c has a shield mounting portion 15p (shown in FIG. 7) for mounting on a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The shield mounting portion 15p is disposed near the shield terminal 15c on the lower surface side of the shield frame 15a in the height direction (Z-axis direction) so as to sandwich the shield terminal 15c.

[0038] The first frame portion 15f is connected to the first shield terminal 15c and the second shield terminal 15c, which makes it easy to arrange the first shield terminal 15c and the second shield terminal 15c, and also makes it easy and stable to position them.

[0039] In the first frame portion 15f, one shield terminal 15c is disposed between one internal terminal 12e and the boundary portion 16g, and the other shield terminal 15c is disposed between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary portion 16g, thereby improving the shielding ability of the one shield terminal 15c and the other shield terminal 15c to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0040] The second frame portion 15g is provided with, for example, four shield terminals 15c, 15c, 15c, and 15c. The two shield terminals 15c, 15c are disposed in a portion corresponding to another boundary portion 16h and facing the contact portion 19a with the internal terminal holding portion 11c in between.

[0041] The remaining two shield terminals 15c, 15c are disposed on the side opposite the boundary portion 16g so as to face the terminal contact portion 12a of the internal terminal 12. This improves the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation emitted from one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f.

[0042] The first frame portion 15f is configured to be wider than the second frame portion 15g in a plan view, thereby making it possible to set the ground potential of the first frame portion 15f lower than the ground potential of the second frame portion 15g, thereby improving the shielding ability of the shield terminal 15c with respect to one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f of a pair that transmits high-frequency signals.

[0043] The shield member 15 has a short ground path that runs from the shield terminal 15c through the shield frame 15a to the shield mounting portion 15p. That is, the shield terminal 15c is connected to a ground electrode (i.e., ground potential) of a circuit board (not shown) via the shield mounting portion 15p disposed near the shield terminal 15c. Therefore, each shield terminal 15c is connected to ground potential via a short path. This allows the ground potential of the shield terminal 15c to be lowered, improving the shielding ability of the shield terminal 15c with respect to the internal terminals 12 that transmit high-frequency signals.

[0044] In particular, when a millimeter wave signal is transmitted through the internal terminal 12, providing the shield terminal 15c contributes to cost reduction while suppressing EMI (electromagnetic interference).

[0045] The external terminals 16 have a rectangular shape in a plan view and are attached to and supported by the holding member 11 so as to cover the front surface 11g of the holding member 11. The external terminals 16 have outer portions 16b for mounting on ground electrodes of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in Fig. 7, the outer portions 16b have external mounting portions 16a on the rear surface 11h side of the holding member 11.

[0046] The external terminal 16 is made of a thin metal plate and is connected to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown) to shield electromagnetic waves from the outside and unwanted radiation from the internal terminal 12, thereby making the space surrounded by the external terminal 16 an electromagnetic wave shielding space. In other words, the external terminal 16 is a member for electromagnetically shielding the internal terminal 12. The external terminal 16 can be made of, for example, phosphor bronze, which is a material that is both conductive and elastically deformable. The external terminal 16 can be formed, for example, by bending.

[0047] The external terminal 16 has four frame portions 16d and one other frame portion 16i. The frame portions 16d surround the internal terminal 12 and have a rectangular shape. The frame portions 16d are arranged spaced apart so as to be located at each corner of the external terminal 16. The other frame portion 16i surrounds the other internal terminal 13 and has a rectangular shape. The other frame portion 16i is arranged in the center of the external terminal 16 and spaced apart from the frame portions 16d arranged at each corner of the external terminal 16.

[0048] When viewed from the height direction (Z-axis direction), the frame portion 16d has a rectangular shape that is closed continuously in a ring shape so as to surround the internal terminal 12. That is, the rectangular frame portion 16d extends in both the length direction (X-axis direction) and the width direction (Y-axis direction). This makes it possible to shield unwanted radiation of high-frequency signals such as millimeter-wave signals.

[0049] Two adjacent frame portions 16d, 16d corresponding to one adjacent internal terminal 12e and the other adjacent internal terminal 12f have overlapping portions. The overlapping portions of the frame portions 16d function as boundaries 16g that separate the adjacent internal terminals 12e and 12f.

[0050] The frame portion 16d has a guide portion 17, an opening 16e, an outer portion 16b, a contact portion 19a, and a notch 19g.

[0051] Guide portion 17 has a shape that curves diagonally downward from the outside to the inside, and is used as a guide to accurately guide counterpart internal terminal mounting portion 21 b into opening 16 e when male electrical connector 20 is inserted into female electrical connector 10 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0052] The opening 16e is an opening formed inside the guide portion 17, has a rectangular shape when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction), and corresponds to the counterpart internal terminal mounting portion 21b.

[0053] The contact portion 19a is disposed, for example, on the side where the outer portion 16b is disposed, in other words, at a position that ensures the robustness of the frame portion 16d. The contact portion 19a extends between two slits 19m, 19m formed in the guide portion 17 and has a plate shape that extends diagonally downward in the approximate height direction (Z-axis direction) from the outer surface 16c. The contact portion 19a is cantilevered relative to the support portion of the frame portion 16d. This allows the contact portion 19a to be elastically displaced, for example, in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0054] The contact portion 19a is provided inside the frame portion 16d. A locking portion 19b having a convex shape that protrudes inward is formed on the inner surface of the contact portion 19a. When the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated, the convex locking portion 19b of the external terminal 16 locks with a concave locked portion 29b provided on the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26. This ensures reliable locking without affecting the internal terminal 12, the shield terminal 15c, or the like.

[0055] The notch 19g is formed by cutting out a portion of the guide portion 17. The notch 19g is disposed in a portion of the rectangular frame portion 16d where the contact portion 19a is not disposed. That is, the notch 19g is disposed on the side of the boundary portion 16g corresponding to the position of the shield terminal 15c. This prevents interference between one shield terminal 15c related to the shielding of one internal terminal 12e and the other shield terminal 15c related to the shielding of the other internal terminal 12f and the surrounding portion, i.e., the boundary portion 16g, thereby enabling the external terminal 16 to be miniaturized. Furthermore, the notch 19g is disposed on the side of another boundary portion 16h corresponding to the position of the shield terminal 15c, and is disposed on the outer portion of the frame portion 16d facing the boundary portion 16g.

[0056] The cutout 19g is configured to partially surround the shield terminal 15c in plan view, thereby preventing the shield terminal 15c from interfering with the surrounding members, i.e., the external terminal 16, and allowing the external terminal 16 to be made smaller.

[0057] The external terminal 16 has an outer portion 16b that forms the outer surface of the external terminal 16 in the length direction (X-axis direction) and extends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and height direction (Z-axis direction). The outer portion 16b and the contact portion 19a are positioned back to back. The outer portion 16b has an external mounting portion 16a for mounting on a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown). The external mounting portion 16a is formed at the lower end in the height direction (Z-axis direction).

[0058] In the height direction of the holding member 11, the outer portion 16b extends at a height equal to the overall height of the holding member 11, while the guide portion 17 extends at a height shorter than the overall height of the holding member 11. This makes it possible to alleviate thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the holding member 11 made of resin and the external terminals 16 made of metal when reflow soldering is performed to mount the electrical connector 10 on a circuit board (not shown).

[0059] The external terminal 16 has a long ground path extending from the contact portion 19a through the external surface 16c and outer portion 16b to the external mounting portion 16a. That is, the contact portion 19a passes through the external surface 16c and outer portion 16b, and is then connected to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown) via the external mounting portion 16a. Therefore, the shielding capability of the contact portion 19a with respect to the internal terminal 12 is not very high.

[0060] In contrast, as described above, the shield terminal 15c is connected to the ground electrode of the circuit board (not shown) via the shield mounting portion 15p disposed near the shield terminal 15c. Therefore, the shield terminal 15c of the shield member 15 is connected to the ground electrode (i.e., ground potential) of the circuit board (not shown) via a path shorter than that of the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16. This allows the ground potential of the shield terminal 15c to be lower than the ground potential of the contact portion 19a, thereby improving the shielding ability of the shield terminal 15c with respect to the internal terminal 12 that transmits high-frequency signals.

[0061] When viewed from the height direction (Z-axis direction), the other frame portion 16i has a rectangular shape that is closed continuously in a ring shape so as to surround the other internal terminal 13. That is, the other frame portion 16i having a rectangular shape has short sides extending in the length direction (X-axis direction) and long sides extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0062] The frame portion 16d corresponding to the internal terminal 12 and another frame portion 16i corresponding to another internal terminal 13 have another overlapping portion. The other overlapping portion of the frame portion 16d serves as another boundary portion 16h separating the internal terminal 12 and the other internal terminal 13. The shield terminal 15c is further disposed between the internal terminal 12 and the other boundary portion 16h. As a result, the shield terminal 15c, which is connected to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown) via a path shorter than the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16, is disposed between the internal terminal 12 and the other boundary portion 16h, improving the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0063] The other boundary portion 16h has a notch 19g on the side of the internal terminal holding portion 11c, which prevents the shield terminal 15c from interfering with the surrounding portion, i.e., the other boundary portion 16h, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the external terminal 16.

[0064] The other frame portion 16i has another opening 16f, an outer portion 16b, another contact portion 19c, and a notch.

[0065] The other opening 16f is an opening formed inside the other frame portion 16i, has a rectangular shape when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction), and corresponds to the other internal terminal mounting portion 21d of the other mating side.

[0066] The other contact portion 19c is disposed, for example, on the side where the outer portion 16b is disposed, in other words, at a position that ensures the robustness of the other frame portion 16i. The other contact portion 19c extends between two slits formed in the other frame portion 16i and has a plate shape that extends obliquely downward in the approximate height direction (Z-axis direction) from the outer surface 16c. The other contact portion 19c is cantilevered relative to the outer surface 16c. This allows the other contact portion 19c to be elastically displaced, for example, in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0067] The other contact portion 19c is provided inside the other frame portion 16i. An inwardly protruding other locking portion 19d is formed on the inner surface of the other contact portion 19c. When the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated, the other convex locking portion 19d of the external terminal 16 locks with the other concave locked portion 29d provided on the other contacted portion 29c of the mating external terminal 26. This ensures reliable locking without affecting the internal terminal 12, the shield terminal 15c, or the like.

[0068] The frame portion 16d of the external terminal 16 has exposed portions 16m that partially expose the side surfaces of the holding member 11. In other words, the exposed portions 16m are portions where the outer portion 16b is not provided. The exposed portions 16m are disposed in areas other than the portion where the contact portion 19a is disposed and the portion where the boundary portion 16g is disposed. That is, the exposed portions 16m are disposed in the Y-Z plane portion facing the contact portion 19a and the portion where the boundary portion 16g is disposed. These exposed portions 16m are disposed on the side surface opposite the side where the shield terminal 15c is disposed. This allows for the reduction of thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the resin holding member 11 and the metal external terminal 16 when reflow soldering is performed to mount the female electrical connector 10 on a circuit board (not shown). The exposed portion 16m exposes the entire holding member 11 in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the holding member 11, i.e., in the length direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction), in a direction intersecting the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the holding member 11. This makes it possible to more effectively relieve thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficients.

[0069] [Mated State of Electrical Connector Set] With reference to Figures 10 to 13, the locked state of the external terminal 16 and the contact state of the shield terminal 15c, as well as the contact state of the shield terminal 15c and the contact state of another internal terminal 13 in the electrical connector set 1 will be described. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of the external terminal 16 shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the external terminal 16 shown in Figure 9. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the external terminal 16 shown in Figure 9. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the external terminal 16 shown in Figure 9.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 10, the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16 extends obliquely downward toward the inside relative to the outer surface 16c. The outer portion 16b and the outer surface 16c are held and supported by a holding member 11 (not shown). As shown in Fig. 12, the contact portion 19a is cantilevered relative to the frame portion 16d via a slit 19m formed in the guide portion 17. This allows the contact portion 19a to be elastically displaced in the length direction (X-axis direction). Furthermore, a locking portion 19b is provided on the inner surface of the contact portion 19a, and the locking portion 19b has, for example, a convex shape that protrudes inward.

[0071] With the male electrical connector 20 facing the female electrical connector 10, the male electrical connector 20 is pushed in the height direction (Z-axis direction) toward the female electrical connector 10, for example, downward in Figure 11. This forms the electrical connector set 1 in which the female electrical connector 10 and the male electrical connector 20 are mated with each other.

[0072] As shown in Figure 11, the outer surface of the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26 is provided with a recessed locked portion 29b. In the mated electrical connector set 1, the locking portion 19b of the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16 contacts and locks with the locked portion 29b of the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26. As a result, the external terminal 16 and the mating external terminal 26 are electrically connected and locked. At the same time, the shield terminal 15c of the shield member 15 contacts the contacted portion 29a of the mating external terminal 26. As a result, the shield terminal 15c and the mating external terminal 26 are electrically connected.

[0073] 13 , in the mated state of the electrical connector set 1, the shield terminal 15c of the first frame portion 15f contacts the inner surface of the mating external terminal 26 and is connected to the mating external terminal 26. The shield terminal 15c of the second frame portion 15g contacts the outer surface of the mating external terminal 26. This electrically connects the shield terminal 15c and the mating external terminal 26. Furthermore, the terminal contact portion 12a of the internal terminal 12 contacts the mating internal terminal 22. This electrically connects the internal terminal 12 and the mating internal terminal 22.

[0074] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] This invention is applicable to an electrical connector 10 having at least one internal terminal 12e and another internal terminal 12f as internal terminals 12, and having a configuration in which the one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f are separated by a boundary portion 16g of the frame portion 16d of the external terminal 16.

[0076] The shield terminal 15c is disposed at least either between one internal terminal 12e and the boundary 16g or between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary 16g. When the signal transmitted through the internal terminal 12 is a high-frequency signal such as a millimeter-wave signal, it is preferable to dispose the shield terminal 15c both between one internal terminal 12e and the boundary 16g and between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary 16g.

[0077] The locking structure of the electrical connector set 1 may be configured such that the locking portion 19b and the other locking portion 19d have a concave shape, and the locked portion 29b and the other locked portion 29d have a convex shape.

[0078] In frame portion 16d and another frame portion 16i, the annular surrounding shape is not necessarily limited to a rectangular annular shape in a plan view, but may be, for example, a triangular shape, a polygonal shape with pentagons or more, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a shape that combines a polygonal and a circular shape.

[0079] In the frame portion 16d and the other frame portion 16i, the annular surrounding shape may be a structure in which the portions are spaced apart by a small distance as long as the shielding capability is not impaired, if the signal transmitted through the internal terminal 12 is not a high-frequency signal such as a millimeter wave signal.

[0080] The shield terminal 15c may be connected directly to a ground electrode of a circuit board (not shown) without going through the shield frame 15 (first frame portion 15f and second frame portion 15g).

[0081] The present invention and its embodiments can be summarized as follows.

[0082] An electrical connector (10) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an electrical connector (10) comprising an internal terminal (12), an external terminal (16), and a holding member (11), wherein the internal terminal (12) comprises one internal terminal (12e) and another internal terminal (12f) arranged opposite the one internal terminal (12e), the external terminal (16) comprises a frame portion (16d) surrounding the internal terminal (12) and a contact portion (19a) provided on the frame portion (16d) and connected to a ground potential, the holding member (11) holds the internal terminal (12) and the external terminal (16), and further comprises a shielding member (15) having a shield terminal (15c) connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion (19a), the frame portion (16d) having a boundary portion (16g) separating the one internal terminal (12e) and the other internal terminal (12f), and the shield terminal (15c) is arranged at least either between the one internal terminal (12e) and the boundary portion (16g) or between the other internal terminal (12f) and the boundary portion (16g).

[0083] According to the above configuration, the shield terminal 15c, which is connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16, is disposed at least either between one internal terminal 12e and the boundary portion 16g or between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary portion 16g, thereby improving the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0084] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the electrical connector 10 is configured to be matable with a mating electrical connector 20 having a mating external terminal 26, and when the electrical connector 10 is mated with the mating electrical connector 20, the shield terminal 15c is connected to the mating external terminal 26.

[0085] According to the above configuration, the shielding ability for blocking unnecessary high frequency radiation is further improved.

[0086] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the shield terminal 15c is disposed both between the one inner terminal 12e and the boundary portion 16g and between the other inner terminal 12f and the boundary portion 16g.

[0087] According to the above configuration, the shield terminal 15c, which is connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16, is disposed both between one internal terminal 12e and the boundary portion 16g and between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary portion 16g, thereby further improving the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0088] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the internal terminals 12 have terminal contact portions 12a, and the terminal contact portions 12a of the one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f are positioned back to back.

[0089] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress interference between one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f, which emit directional high-frequency signals.

[0090] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the shield member 15 is further provided with a shield terminal 15c that is connected to the ground potential via a path that is shorter than the contact portion 19a and is arranged to face the terminal contact portion 12a.

[0091] According to the above embodiment, the shielding capability for blocking unnecessary high frequency radiation emitted from one inner terminal 12e and the other inner terminal 12f is improved.

[0092] In the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the boundary portion 16g has a notch 19g on each of the side of the one inner terminal 12e and the side of the other inner terminal 12f.

[0093] According to the above embodiment, one shield terminal 15c related to the shielding of one internal terminal 12e and the other shield terminal 15c related to the shielding of the other internal terminal 12f are prevented from interfering with the surrounding portion, i.e., the boundary portion 16g, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the external terminal 16.

[0094] In addition, in the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the notch 19g partially surrounds the shield terminal 15c in a plan view.

[0095] According to the above embodiment, interference of the shield terminal 15c with the surrounding members, i.e., the boundary portion 16g, is suppressed, and the external terminal 16 can be made smaller.

[0096] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the shielding member 15 further includes a shielding frame 15a connected to the shielding terminal 15c, and the shielding frame 15a includes a first frame portion 15f connected to the shielding terminal 15c disposed between the one internal terminal 12e and the boundary portion 16g, and connected to the shielding terminal 15c disposed between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary portion 16g.

[0097] According to the above embodiment, the one shield terminal 15c and the other shield terminal 15c are easily disposed, and the positioning is easy and stable.

[0098] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the shield frame 15a is connected to the first frame portion 15f and further has a second frame portion 15g for connecting to another shield terminal 15c, and the first frame portion 15f is wider in plan view than the second frame portion 15g.

[0099] According to the above embodiment, the ground potential of the first frame portion 15f can be made lower than the ground potential of the second frame portion 15g, thereby improving the shielding capability of the shield terminal 15c with respect to one internal terminal 12e and the other internal terminal 12f of a pair that transmits high-frequency signals.

[0100] In one embodiment, the electrical connector 10 further includes another internal terminal 13 for transmitting signals having a lower frequency than the signals transmitted by the internal terminal 12, the external terminal 16 further includes another frame portion 16i surrounding the other internal terminal 13, the other frame portion 16i having another boundary portion 16h separating the internal terminal 12 and the other internal terminal 13, and the shield terminal 15c is further disposed between the internal terminal 12 and the other boundary portion 16h.

[0101] According to the above embodiment, the shield terminal 15c, which is connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16, is arranged between the internal terminal 12 and another boundary portion 16h, thereby improving the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0102] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the holding member 11 has an internal terminal holding portion 11c that holds the internal terminal 12, and the other boundary portion 16h has a notch 19g on the side of the internal terminal holding portion 11c.

[0103] According to the above embodiment, the shield terminal 15c is prevented from interfering with the surrounding portion, that is, the other boundary portion 16h, and the external terminal 16 can be made smaller.

[0104] In addition, in the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the notch 19g partially surrounds the shield terminal 15c in a plan view.

[0105] According to the above embodiment, the shield terminal 15c is prevented from interfering with the surrounding members, that is, the other boundary portion 16h, and the external terminal 16 can be made smaller.

[0106] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the frame portion 16d is a portion excluding the portion where the contact portion 19a is arranged and the portion where the boundary portion 16g is arranged, and has an exposed portion 16m on the side opposite to the side where the shield terminal 15c is arranged, which exposes the holding member 11.

[0107] According to the above embodiment, when reflow soldering is performed to mount the electrical connector 10 on a circuit board, thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the holding member 11 made of resin and the external terminal 16 made of metal can be alleviated.

[0108] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the exposed portion 16m exposes the entire holding member 11 in the height direction in a direction intersecting the height direction of the holding member 11.

[0109] According to the above embodiment, the thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient can be more effectively alleviated.

[0110] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the frame portion 16d has a guide portion 17 that forms the inner portion of the frame portion 16d and an outer portion 16b that forms the outer portion of the frame portion 16d, and in the height direction of the holding member 11, the guide portion 17 extends at a height lower than the overall height of the holding member 11, and the outer portion 16b extends at a height equal to the overall height of the holding member 11.

[0111] According to the above embodiment, when reflow soldering is performed to mount the electrical connector 10 on a circuit board (not shown), thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the holding member 11 made of resin and the external terminal 16 made of metal can be alleviated.

[0112] In the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the frame portion 16d continuously surrounds the inner terminal 12 in an annular shape.

[0113] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to block unwanted radiation of high frequency signals such as millimeter wave signals.

[0114] In one embodiment of the electrical connector 10, the contact portion 19a has a locking function.

[0115] According to the above embodiment, a secure engagement can be achieved without affecting the internal terminal 12, the shield terminal 15c, or the like.

[0116] In addition, in the electrical connector 10 of one embodiment, the internal terminal 12 transmits millimeter wave signals.

[0117] According to the above embodiment, EMI (electromagnetic interference) can be suppressed while contributing to cost reduction.

[0118] An electrical connector set 1 according to another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising the above-described electrical connector 10 and a mating electrical connector 20 that is mated with the electrical connector 10 so as to be insertable and removable in the height direction.

[0119] According to the above configuration, the shield terminal 15c, which is connected to the ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion 19a of the external terminal 16, is disposed between one internal terminal 12e and the boundary portion 16g, and between the other internal terminal 12f and the boundary portion 16g, thereby improving the shielding ability to block unwanted high-frequency radiation.

[0120] In one embodiment of the electrical connector set 1, the electrical connector 10 is a female type having an internal terminal mounting portion 11b that has a polygonal concave shape in a planar view, and the mating electrical connector 20 is a male type having a mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b that has a polygonal convex shape in a planar view so as to fit into the internal terminal mounting portion 11b, the mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b has a mating external terminal 26 that is configured to allow electrical connection to the shield terminal 15c and the contact portion 19a, and the mating external terminal 26 has a mating exposure portion 21e that exposes a corner portion of the mating internal terminal mounting portion 21b.

[0121] According to the above embodiment, when reflow soldering is performed to mount the mating electrical connector 20 on a circuit board, thermal stress caused by the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the mating holding member 21 made of resin and the mating external terminal 26 made of metal can be alleviated.

[0122] (Summary of the embodiment) (1) The electrical connector of the present disclosure is an electrical connector comprising an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a holding member, wherein the internal terminal has one internal terminal and another internal terminal arranged opposite the one internal terminal, the external terminal has a frame portion surrounding the internal terminal and a contact portion provided on the frame portion and connected to a ground potential, the holding member has an internal terminal holding portion that holds the internal terminal, and further comprises a shield member that holds the external terminal and has a shield terminal that is connected to a ground potential via a path shorter than the contact portion, the frame portion has a boundary portion that separates the one internal terminal and the other internal terminal, and the shield terminal is arranged at least either between the one internal terminal and the boundary portion or between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

[0123] (2) In the electrical connector of (1), the electrical connector is configured to be matable with a mating electrical connector having a mating external terminal, and when the electrical connector is mated with the mating electrical connector, the shield terminal is connected to the mating external terminal.

[0124] (3) In the electrical connector of (1) or (2), the shield terminal is disposed both between one of the internal terminals and the boundary portion and between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

[0125] (4) In any one of the electrical connectors (1) to (3), the internal terminals have terminal contact portions, and the terminal contact portions of one internal terminal and the terminal contact portions of the other internal terminal are positioned back to back.

[0126] (5) In the electrical connector of (4), the shield member further includes a shield terminal connected to the ground potential through a path shorter than the contact portion and disposed so as to face the terminal contact portion.

[0127] (6) In the electrical connector of any one of (1) to (5), the boundary portion has a notch on each of the sides of one internal terminal and the other internal terminal.

[0128] (7) In the electrical connector of (6), the notch partially surrounds the shield terminal in a plan view.

[0129] (8) In any one of the electrical connectors (1) to (7), the shielding member further has a shielding frame connected to the shielding terminal, and the shielding frame has a first frame portion connected to the shielding terminal disposed between one internal terminal and the boundary portion and to the shielding terminal disposed between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

[0130] (9) In the electrical connector of (8), the shielding frame is connected to the first frame portion and further has a second frame portion for connecting to another shielding terminal, and the first frame portion is wider than the second frame portion in a planar view.

[0131] (10) In any one of the electrical connectors (1) to (9), the electrical connector further has another internal terminal for transmitting a low-frequency signal having a lower frequency than the signal transmitted by the internal terminal, the external terminal further has another frame portion surrounding the other internal terminal, the other frame portion has another boundary portion separating the internal terminal and the other internal terminal, and the shield terminal is further disposed between the internal terminal and the other boundary portion.

[0132] (11) In the electrical connector of (10), the other boundary portion has a notch on the side of the internal terminal holding portion.

[0133] (12) In the electrical connector of (11), the notch partially surrounds the shield terminal in a plan view.

[0134] (13) In any one of the electrical connectors (1) to (12), the frame portion is a portion excluding the portion where the contact portion is arranged and the portion where the boundary portion is arranged, and has an exposed portion that exposes the holding member on the side opposite to the side where the shield terminal is arranged.

[0135] (14) In the electrical connector of (13), the exposed portion exposes the entire holding member in the height direction in a direction intersecting the height direction of the holding member.

[0136] (15) In any one of the electrical connectors (1) to (14), the frame portion has a guide portion that forms the inner portion of the frame portion and an outer portion that forms the outer portion of the frame portion, and in the height direction of the holding member, the guide portion extends at a height lower than the overall height of the holding member, and the outer portion extends at a height equal to the overall height of the holding member.

[0137] (16) In the electrical connector according to any one of (1) to (15), the frame portion surrounds the internal terminal in a continuous annular shape.

[0138] (17) In the electrical connector of any one of (1) to (16), the contact portion has a locking function.

[0139] (18) In the electrical connector according to any one of (1) to (17), a millimeter wave signal is transmitted through the internal terminal.

[0140] (19) The electrical connector set of the present disclosure includes the electrical connector according to any one of (1) to (18) and a mating electrical connector that is mated with the electrical connector so as to be insertable and removable in the height direction.

[0141] In the electrical connector set of (20) (19), the electrical connector is a female type having an internal terminal mounting portion that has a polygonal concave shape in a planar view, and the mating electrical connector is a male type having a mating internal terminal mounting portion that has a polygonal convex shape in a planar view so as to fit into the internal terminal mounting portion, the mating internal terminal mounting portion has a mating external terminal that is configured so that the shield terminal and the contact portion can be electrically connected, and the mating external terminal has an exposed portion that exposes a corner portion of the mating internal terminal mounting portion.

[0142] 1...Electrical connector set 10...Female type electrical connector (electrical connector) 11...Holding member 11a...Base material 11b...Internal terminal mounting portion 11c...Internal terminal holding portion 11e...Another internal terminal mounting portion 11f...Another internal terminal holding portion 11g...Front surface 11h...Back surface 12...Internal terminal 12a...Terminal contact portion 12e...One internal terminal 12f...Other internal terminal 13...Another internal terminal 15...Shielding member 15a...Shield frame 15c...Shield terminal 15f...First frame portion 15g...Second frame portion 15p...Shield mounting portion 16...External terminal 16a...External mounting portion 16b...Outer portion 16c...External surface 16d...Frame portion 16e...Opening 16f...Another opening 16g...Boundary portion 16h...Another boundary portion 16i...Another frame portion 16m...Exposed portion 17...Guide portion 19a...Contact portion 19b...Latching portion 19c...Another contact portion 19d...Another locking portion 19g...Notch 19m...Slit 20...Male electrical connector (mating electrical connector) 21...Mating holding member 21a...Mating base material 21b...Mating internal terminal mounting portion 21d...Other internal terminal mounting portion of the opposing party 21e...Mating exposed portion 21f...Other exposed portion of the opposing party 22...Mating internal terminal 23...Other internal terminal of the opposing party 26...Mating external terminal 26a...Mating external mounting portion 26b...Mating outer portion 29a...Contacted portion 29b...Latched portion 29c...Other contacted portion 29d...Other locked portion

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising an internal terminal, an external terminal, and a holding member, wherein the internal terminal has one internal terminal and another internal terminal arranged opposite the one internal terminal, the external terminal has a frame portion surrounding the internal terminal and a contact portion provided on the frame portion and connected to a ground potential, the holding member holds the internal terminal and the external terminal, and further comprises a shielding member having a shield terminal connected to the ground potential by a path shorter than that of the contact portion, the frame portion having a boundary portion separating the one internal terminal and the other internal terminal, and the shield terminal is arranged at least either between the one internal terminal and the boundary portion or between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is configured to be matable with a mating electrical connector having a mating external terminal, and when the electrical connector is mated with the mating electrical connector, the shield terminal is connected to the mating external terminal.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shield terminal is disposed both between the one internal terminal and the boundary portion and between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

4. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal terminals have terminal contact portions, and the terminal contact portions of the one internal terminal and the other internal terminal are positioned back to back.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein the shield member is connected to the ground potential by a path shorter than the contact portion and further comprises a shield terminal disposed so as to face the terminal contact portion.

6. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the boundary portion has a notch on each of the side of the one internal terminal and the side of the other internal terminal.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein the cutout partially surrounds the shield terminal in a plan view.

8. An electrical connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shielding member further has a shielding frame connected to the shielding terminal, and the shielding frame has a first frame portion connected to the shielding terminal disposed between the one internal terminal and the boundary portion, and also connected to the shielding terminal disposed between the other internal terminal and the boundary portion.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein the shielding frame is connected to the first frame portion and further has a second frame portion for connecting to another of the shielding terminals, and the first frame portion is wider in plan view than the second frame portion.

10. An electrical connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising another internal terminal for transmitting a low-frequency signal having a lower frequency than the signal transmitted by the internal terminal, the external terminal further comprising another frame portion surrounding the other internal terminal, the other frame portion comprising another boundary portion separating the internal terminal and the other internal terminal, and the shield terminal further disposed between the internal terminal and the other boundary portion.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein the retaining member has an internal terminal retaining portion that retains the internal terminal, and the other boundary portion has a notch on the side of the internal terminal retaining portion.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein the cutout partially surrounds the shield terminal in a plan view.

13. An electrical connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the frame portion is a portion excluding the portion where the contact portion is arranged and the portion where the boundary portion is arranged, and has an exposed portion that exposes the holding member on the side opposite the side where the shield terminal is arranged.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein the exposed portion exposes the entire holding member in a height direction intersecting the height direction of the holding member.

15. An electrical connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the frame portion has a guide portion that constitutes the inner portion of the frame portion and an outer portion that constitutes the outer portion of the frame portion, and in the height direction of the holding member, the guide portion extends at a height lower than the overall height of the holding member, and the outer portion extends at a height equal to the overall height of the holding member.

16. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the frame portion continuously surrounds the inner terminal in an annular shape.

17. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the contact portion has a locking function.

18. An electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the internal terminals transmit millimeter wave signals.

19. An electrical connector set comprising the electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and a mating electrical connector that is insertable and removable in the height direction relative to the electrical connector.

20. An electrical connector set as described in claim 19, wherein the electrical connector is a female type having an internal terminal mounting portion that has a polygonal concave shape in a planar view, and the mating electrical connector is a male type having a mating internal terminal mounting portion that has a polygonal convex shape in a planar view so as to fit into the internal terminal mounting portion, the mating internal terminal mounting portion has a mating external terminal configured to allow electrical connection between the shield terminal and the contact portion, and the mating external terminal has an exposed portion that exposes a corner portion of the mating internal terminal mounting portion.

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