First connector, connector module, and electronic device

Abstract

A first connector 10 according to the present disclosure is attached to a connection object 40 having a ground section 43 that covers part of a contact line 42 of the connection object 40. The first connector 10 comprises: a first insulator 20 having a protrusion 27 protruding from an inner surface 21b1; and a metal member 30 attached to the first insulator 20. The protrusion 27 is sandwiched between the inner surface 21b1 and the metal member 30 and presses the metal member 30 against the ground section 43 from the inner surface 21b1 side.

Description

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

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-048663, filed on March 25, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0003] In recent years, signal transmission speeds have been increasing in electronic devices such as in-vehicle devices, information processing devices including personal computers (PCs), and industrial devices. Connectors that electrically connect flexible flat cables (FFCs) and flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) to circuit boards are also required to be designed to support high-speed transmission.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connection object that can prevent resonance due to multiple reflections and can be manufactured more easily.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-089815

[0006] A first connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a first connector to be attached to a connection object having a ground portion covering a part of a contact wire of the connection object, the first connector comprising: a first insulator having a protrusion protruding from an inner surface; and a metal member attached to the first insulator. The protrusion is sandwiched between the inner surface and the metal member and presses the metal member against the ground portion from the inner surface side.

[0007] A connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first connector described above, and a second connector that mates with the first connector. The second connector includes a second insulator that mates with the first insulator, and contacts attached to the second insulator. The contacts have contact portions that come into contact with the metal member.

[0008] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the first connector or the connector module described above.

[0009] 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a connector module according to one embodiment in a state in which a first connector holding a connection object and a second connector are connected to each other.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the first connector of FIG. 1 holding a connection object.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from below, the first connector of FIG. 1 holding a connection object.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, a connection object not held by the first connector.

[0026] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from below, a connection object not held by the first connector.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the first metal member alone.

[0028] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the first insulator alone.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIII-VIII arrow line of FIG. 2.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the IX-IX arrow line of FIG. 2.

[0031] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the second connector alone of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the second connector alone of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the second connector alone of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the second connector alone of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from above, the second connector alone of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 14 is an external perspective view showing, as seen from behind, the second connector alone of FIG. 11.

[0037] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective 10 is an external perspective view showing a first insulator alone of a first connector according to a modified example of the present disclosure as viewed from above; FIG.

[0010] However, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, when the contact spring of the grounding member contacts the shield layer of the connection target, a resin wall such as an insulator is not disposed on the side of the grounding member opposite the side that contacts the shield layer. Therefore, the grounding member receives a reaction force from the shield layer when the contact spring contacts the shield layer, which may cause deformation or damage to the grounding member. As a result, the contact pressure of the grounding member against the shield layer may be reduced.

[0011] According to the first connector, connector module, and electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to stabilize the contact between the ground portion of the connection object and the metal member.

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions refer to the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings. In some drawings, a circuit board CB, which will be described later, is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0013] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing, from above, a connector module 1 according to one embodiment in a state in which a first connector 10 holding a connection object 40 and a second connector 50 are connected to each other. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing, from above, the first connector 10 of Fig. 1 holding the connection object 40. Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing, from below, the first connector 10 of Fig. 1 holding the connection object 40. The configurations of the connector module 1 and the first connector 10 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0014] The connector module 1 has a first connector 10 and a second connector 50 that are connectable to each other.

[0015] The second connector 50 according to one embodiment is mounted on a circuit board CB. The circuit board CB may be a rigid board or any other circuit board. The second connector 50, together with the first connector 10, electrically connects the circuit board CB to a connection object 40 inserted into the second connector 50. The second connector 50 is capable of inserting and removing the connection object 40 via the first connector 10, and is connected to the connection object 40 when the connection object 40 is inserted.

[0016] The second connector 50 includes a second insulator 60, a first contact 70a, a second contact 70b, and a second metal member 80. The first contact 70a, the second contact 70b, and the second metal member 80 are attached to the second insulator 60.

[0017] The first connector 10 holds the connection object 40. For example, the first connector 10 receives the connection object 40 inserted from the rear toward the front, and holds the entire connection object 40 by supporting both left and right ends of the connection object 40.

[0018] The connection object 40 held by the first connector 10 is, for example, an FFC. However, the connection object 40 is not limited to this, and may be any cable as long as it is electrically connected to the circuit board CB via the first connector 10 and the second connector 50. For example, the connection object 40 may be an FPC. The connection object 40 is not limited to the above-mentioned cable, and may include any object. For example, the connection object 40 may include a rigid board or any other circuit board.

[0019] The first connector 10 can be connected to the second connector 50 while holding the connection object 40. The first connector 10 has a first insulator 20 that fits into a second insulator 60 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are connected to each other. The first connector 10 has a first metal member 30 and a metal fitting 35 attached to the first insulator 20.

[0020] The connection object 40 comes into contact with the second contact 70b in a mated state in which the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are mated with each other. The first metal member 30 comes into contact with the first contact 70a in this mated state.

[0021] In the following, for example, the second connector 50 according to one embodiment will be described as a receptacle connector. The first connector 10 will be described as a plug connector. The second connector 50 will be described as a receptacle connector in which the first contacts 70a and the second contacts 70b elastically deform when the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are mated with each other. The first connector 10 holding the connection object 40 will be described as a plug connector. The types of the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are not limited to these. For example, the second connector 50 may function as a plug connector. The first connector 10 may function as a receptacle connector.

[0022] In the following description, the connection object 40 is described as being inserted into the second connector 50 in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB on which the second connector 50 is mounted. As an example, the connection object 40 is inserted into the second connector 50 along the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection object 40 may be inserted into the second connector 50 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board CB on which the second connector 50 is mounted. The connection object 40 may also be inserted into the second connector 50 along the up-down direction.

[0023] As used below, "the direction in which the contact lines extend" means, for example, the front-to-rear direction. "The insertion / removal direction" means, for example, the front-to-rear direction. "The direction intersecting the direction in which the contact lines extend" means, for example, the left-to-right direction. "The tip of the connection object" means, for example, the front tip of the connection object. "The removal side" means, for example, the rear side. "The insertion side" means, for example, the front side. "The first connector 10 side" means, for example, the rear side. "The second connector 50 side" means, for example, the front side.

[0024] "Inside" corresponds to the direction toward the center of the first connector 10, the connection object 40, or the second connector 50. For example, the inside in the vertical direction corresponds to the direction toward the center in the vertical direction of the first connector 10, the connection object 40, or the second connector 50. This is not limited to this, and the inside does not have to be a direction completely toward the center in the vertical direction, but may correspond to a direction toward the center at a slight angle. The same applies to other directions. "Outside" is the opposite of inside.

[0025] Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing the connection object 40 as seen from above when it is not held by the first connector 10. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view showing the connection object 40 as seen from below when it is not held by the first connector 10. The configuration of the connection object 40 held by the first connector 10 will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 .

[0026] The connection object 40 has a laminated structure formed by bonding multiple thin film materials together. The connection object 40 has a reinforcing portion 41 that forms the tip end in the extension direction of the connection object 40, i.e., the insertion / removal direction in which the connection object 40 is inserted and removed, and is harder than other portions. The connection object 40 has multiple contact wires 42 that extend linearly along the insertion / removal direction and extend to the tip of the reinforcing portion 41. The contact wires 42 are exposed downward at the tip of the connection object 40.

[0027] The connection object 40 has a first ground portion 43, the lower outermost layer of which covers a portion of the contact wire 42 on the removal side of the connection object 40. The first ground portion 43 extends from the rear to the front in a flat plate shape and is bent obliquely upward at its tip. The connection object 40 has a second ground portion 44, the upper outermost layer of which covers substantially the entire contact wire 42. The second ground portion 44 extends from the rear to the front in a flat plate shape and is bent obliquely upward at the rear edge of the reinforcing portion 41, with the tip of the second ground portion 44 being layered above the reinforcing portion 41.

[0028] The connection object 40 has a locking portion 45, which is formed by cutting out the center portion facing inward in the left-right direction, at an edge portion along the front-rear direction of the tip of the connection object 40, including the reinforcing portion 41. The locking portion 45 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the tip of the connection object 40, including the reinforcing portion 41.

[0029] Fig. 6 is an external perspective view showing the first metal member 30 alone as viewed from above. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view showing the first insulator 20 alone as viewed from above. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows VIII-VIII in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows IX-IX in Fig. 2. The configuration of the first connector 10 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 6 to 9.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first insulator 20 is a symmetrical box-shaped member, for example, injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The first insulator 20 has four outer walls in the top, bottom, left, and right directions, and a rectangular outer peripheral wall 21. The outer peripheral wall 21 includes a first wall portion 21a, a second wall portion 21b, and a pair of side walls 21c. For example, the first wall portion 21a may be configured as a ceiling wall when the connection object 40 is inserted into the second connector 50 in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB. The second wall portion 21b may be configured as a bottom wall when the connection object 40 is inserted into the second connector 50 in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB. An inner surface 21b1 of the second wall portion 21b of the first insulator 20 faces the first wall portion 21a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first insulator 20 has a protrusion 22 that protrudes from the side wall 21c toward the insertion side of the connection object 40 beyond the first wall portion 21a and the second wall portion 21b.

[0031] The first insulator 20 has an insertion portion 23 that is surrounded in the vertical and horizontal directions by the outer peripheral wall 21. The insertion portion 23 includes a space disposed between the inner surface 21b1 and the first wall portion 21a. The first insulator 20 has a retaining portion 24 recessed within the protruding portion 22. The first insulator 20 has a locking portion 25 that extends from the center of the side wall 21c in the longitudinal direction to the center of the retaining portion 24 in the longitudinal direction. The locking portion 25 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. The first insulator 20 has retaining portions 26 that are recessed as grooves extending in the longitudinal direction and are located at both ends of the inner surface 21b1 of the second wall portion 21b in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] The first insulator 20 has a protrusion 27 protruding from the inner surface 21b1 of the second wall portion 21b. The protrusion 27 extends along the extension direction of the contact line 42 of the connection object 40. For example, the protrusion 27 includes a rib extending along the extension direction of the contact line 42. The protrusion 27 is arranged linearly along the front-rear direction. The protrusion 27 extends along the front-rear direction from the rear to the edge of the front end relative to the inner surface 21b1. The protrusion 27 is arranged narrowly with a substantially constant width in the left-right direction. The protrusion 27 protrudes from the inner surface 21b1 toward the first wall portion 21a so as to narrow the vertical width of the insertion portion 23.

[0033] A plurality of protrusions 27 are arranged in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the contact line 42 of the connection object 40. For example, a total of four ribs of the protrusions 27 are arranged on the inner surface 21b1, one pair on the left side and one pair on the right side. The ribs of the protrusions 27 arranged in the left-right direction are arranged so as to be approximately parallel to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0034] The first insulator 20 has an elastic portion 28 disposed on the first wall portion 21a facing the inner surface 21b1. The elastic portion 28 is disposed in the front half of the first wall portion 21a, in the center in the left-right direction. The elastic portion 28 includes a resin spring that extends obliquely downward from the rear to the front of the first wall portion 21a. The elastic portion 28 is disposed on the first wall portion 21a so that a portion of the front tip of the elastic portion 28 is exposed to the insertion portion 23. The elastic portion 28 is elastically deformable in the up-down direction.

[0035] The first metal member 30 is formed by using a progressive die (stamping) to form a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in FIG. 6 . The first metal member 30 is manufactured by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method for the first metal member 30 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process. The surface of the first metal member 30 is nickel-plated to form a base, and then surface-plated with gold, tin, or the like. Plating including nickel plating and surface plating may be applied partially where necessary.

[0036] The first metal member 30 has a first base 31 that is plate-shaped in the front-rear and left-right directions. The first base 31 includes a first portion 31a that is disposed as a flat plate extending in the front-rear and left-right directions, and a second portion 31b that extends forward from the front edge of the first portion 31a. The top surface of the first base 31 is configured as a flat surface that is perpendicular to the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0037] The first metal member 30 has an extending portion 32 extending forward from the first base portion 31, for example, the front edge portion of the second portion 31b. The extending portion 32 has a first extending portion 32a, an opposing portion 32a1, a second extending portion 32b, and a third extending portion 32c. A total of four extending portions 32 are arranged on the first metal member 30, one pair on the left side and one pair on the right side. The multiple extending portions 32 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0038] The first extending portion 32a bends obliquely upward and forward from the front edge of the second portion 31b and extends horizontally in front of the first extending portion 32a. The facing portion 32a1 is located in the horizontally disposed portion in front of the first extending portion 32a. The second extending portion 32b bends in a U-shape and extends in the up-down direction from the first extending portion 32a. The second extending portion 32b is continuously connected to the first extending portion 32a with approximately the same left-right width as the first extending portion 32a. The third extending portion 32c extends rearward from the second extending portion 32b and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The third extending portion 32c is continuously connected to the second extending portion 32b with approximately the same left-to-right width as the second extending portion 32b.

[0039] The first metal member 30 has a connecting portion 33 that connects the pair of third extending portions 32c along the left-right direction. The connecting portion 33 extends from a portion connected to the rear end of the third extending portion 32c in a bent upward and oblique direction toward the rear, and then extends from the apex of the connecting portion 33 in a bent downward and oblique direction toward the rear. The first metal member 30 has held portions 34 that are arranged on both left-right edge portions of the first portion 31a of the first base 31.

[0040] The metal fitting 35 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . The metal fitting 35 is manufactured by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method for the metal fitting 35 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process. The surface of the metal fitting 35 may be nickel-plated to form a base, followed by surface plating with gold, tin, or the like. Plating including nickel plating and surface plating may be applied partially where necessary.

[0041] 8 and 9 , the first connector 10 is assembled by inserting the first metal member 30 from the rear side of the first insulator 20 into the first insulator 20 from rear to front. The first metal member 30 is attached to the first insulator 20. The first metal member 30 is held by the first insulator 20 by the held portion 34 engaging with the holding portion 26 of the first insulator 20.

[0042] 1 to 3 , the first connector 10 is assembled by inserting the metal fittings 35 from the rear to the front into the first insulator 20 from the rear side of the first insulator 20. The metal fittings 35 are attached to both left and right ends of the first insulator 20 and are held by the first insulator 20.

[0043] The following mainly describes the function of the first connector 10 when the first metal member 30 is attached to the first insulator 20. The first connector 10 is attached to a connection object 40 having a first ground portion 43 that covers a portion of a contact wire 42 of the connection object 40. With the first metal member 30 attached to the first insulator 20, the connection object 40 is inserted from the rear side of the insertion portion 23 of the first insulator 20 toward the front, with the connection object 40 being attached to the first metal member 30. The following also describes the function of the first connector 10 when the connection object 40 is inserted into the first insulator 20 and the first connector 10 is attached to the connection object 40.

[0044] 8 and 9 , the convex portion 27 protruding from the inner surface 21b1 of the first insulator 20 is sandwiched between the inner surface 21b1 and the first metal member 30 and presses the first metal member 30 against the first grounding portion 43 from the inner surface 21b1 side. For example, the convex portion 27 contacts the first base portion 31 of the first metal member 30 and presses the first base portion 31 against the first grounding portion 43 from the inner surface 21b1 side. For example, the convex portion 27 directly contacts the lower surface of the first base portion 31 and presses the first base portion 31 upward from the inner surface 21b1 side. The convex portion 27 presses the first base portion 31 upward by entering a small vertical gap provided between the inner surface 21b1 and the first base portion 31, which is positioned one step above the held portions 34 engaged with the holding portions 26 at both left and right ends of the first base portion 31.

[0045] The elastic portion 28 of the first insulator 20 is disposed on the first wall portion 21a facing the inner surface 21b1 and presses the connection object 40 toward the convex portion 27. The elastic portion 28 presses the connection object 40, which has been inserted into a portion of the insertion portion 23 where the vertical spacing is narrowed by the vertical thickness of the convex portion 27 and pushed upward, back toward the convex portion 27 from above. The elastic portion 28 elastically deforms upward by the amount that the connection object 40 has been pushed upward. The elastic portion 28 attempts to press the connection object 40 downward by a restoring force based on this elastic deformation. At this time, the elastic portion 28 directly contacts the upper surface of the second ground portion 44 of the connection object 40 and presses the connection object 40 downward from above.

[0046] The first insulator 20 clamps the connection object 40 based on the pressing of the first metal member 30 from the inner surface 21b1 side by the convex portion 27 and the pressing of the connection object 40 from the opposite side to the inner surface 21b1 by the elastic portion 28. At this time, the first metal member 30 is disposed over substantially the entire lower portion of the first connector 10 along the second wall portion 21b of the first connector 10. The first base portion 31 is positioned closer to the first ground portion 43 than the held portion 34 held by the holding portion 26 of the first insulator 20. The first base portion 31 contacts the convex portion 27 protruding from the inner surface 21b1 of the second wall portion 21b. A plane located on the upper surface of the first base portion 31 is parallel to the first ground portion 43 and is in surface-to-surface contact with the lower surface of the first ground portion 43. The first base portion 31 contacts the first ground portion 43 at this plane.

[0047] When the connection object 40 is inserted into the insertion portion 23 and the first connector 10 is attached to the connection object 40, the holding portion 24 of the first insulator 20 holds the connection object 40 while accommodating the tip of the connection object 40. The locking portion 25 engages with the locked portion 45. This allows the locking portion 25 to function as a retainer for the connection object 40 to prevent it from coming off the first connector 10, reducing the risk of the connection object 40 being unintentionally removed from the first connector 10. As described above, the first connector 10 stably holds the connection object 40.

[0048] The first extending portion 32a extends from the second part 31b of the first base 31 toward the tip of the connection object 40 along the extension direction of the contact wire 42. The facing portion 32a1 arranged on the first extending portion 32a faces at least one exposed portion of the contact wire 42 along the extension direction of the contact wire 42. The facing portion 32a1 extends to the tip of the connection object 40 along the exposed portion of the contact wire 42 located up to the tip of the connection object 40. The facing portion 32a1 continuously covers the center and front portions of the exposed portion of the contact wire 42 from below.

[0049] The facing portion 32a1 contacts an exposed portion of at least one contact wire 42. As an example, the facing portion 32a1 contacts the exposed portion of the contact wire 42, thereby covering a part of the exposed portion from below. As shown in Fig. 3 , one facing portion 32a1 contacts two contact wires 42 that are adjacent to each other along the left-right direction.

[0050] The second extending portion 32b, which bends and extends from the facing portion 32a1, faces the tip of the connection object 40 along the plate thickness direction of the connection object 40, which is perpendicular to the extending direction of the contact line 42. The second extending portion 32b is spaced apart from the tip of the connection object 40 in the front-to-rear direction, and covers part of the tip of the connection object 40 from the front. The facing portion 32a1 and the second extending portion 32b integrally cover part of the tip of the connection object 40 from two directions, below and from the front.

[0051] The third extending portion 32c extends from the second extending portion 32b and faces the connection object 40 along the extension direction of the contact line 42. The third extending portion 32c is spaced apart from the second ground portion 44 of the connection object 40 in the vertical direction and covers a portion of the second ground portion 44 from above. The facing portion 32a1, the second extending portion 32b, and the third extending portion 32c integrally cover a portion of the tip of the connection object 40 from three directions: below, front, and above. The front portion of the first portion 31a, the second portion 31b, the extending portion 32, and the connecting portion 33 integrally cover a portion of the tip of the connection object 40, including the reinforcing portion 41, from three directions: below, front, and above.

[0052] Fig. 10 is an external perspective view of the second connector 50 alone shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from above from the front. Fig. 11 is an external perspective view of the second connector 50 alone shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from above from the rear. Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector 50 alone shown in Fig. 11. The configuration of the second connector 50 according to one embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 10 to 12.

[0053] As an example, the second connector 50 is assembled in the following manner. The first contacts 70a and the second contacts 70b are press-fitted into the second insulator 60 from the front of the second insulator 60. The second metal member 80 is press-fitted into the second insulator 60 from above so as to cover the entire second insulator 60. Referring to FIG. 1 , the second connector 50 is mounted on the circuit board CB. The second connector 50 electrically connects the connection target 40 and the circuit board CB via the first contacts 70a and the second contacts 70b.

[0054] 12 , the second insulator 60 is a left-right symmetrical box-shaped member that is injection-molded from, for example, an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. However, the second insulator 60 may be asymmetrical. The second insulator 60 has four outer walls in the top, bottom, left, and right directions, and includes a rectangular outer peripheral wall 61. The outer peripheral wall 61 has a first wall portion 61 a, a second wall portion 61 b, and a pair of side walls 61 c.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 10 , the second insulator 60 has a rear wall 62 that is continuous with the first wall portion 61a and the pair of side walls 61c. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12 , the second insulator 60 has an insertion portion 63 that is surrounded in the top, bottom, left, and right directions by the outer peripheral wall 61. The rear side of the insertion portion 63 is largely open due to an opening in the second insulator 60. On the other hand, the front side of the insertion portion 63 is closed by the rear wall 62.

[0056] 12 , the second insulator 60 has first holes 64a that penetrate the first wall 61a from the upper surface thereof to the insertion portion 63. The first holes 64a extend linearly across substantially the entire first wall 61a in the front-rear direction. A total of four first holes 64a are arranged in the first wall 61a, two on the left side and two on the right side. The first holes 64a are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0057] The second insulator 60 has a plurality of second holes 64b arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction at the rear edge of the first wall 61a. As shown in Fig. 10, the second insulator 60 has a plurality of third holes 64c arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction at the upper edge of the rear wall 62.

[0058] 11 and 12 , the second insulator 60 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 65 recessed to extend in the front-rear direction from the outer surface of the rear wall 62 to the inside of the insertion portion 63. The plurality of contact mounting grooves 65 are arranged in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals from one another. The contact mounting grooves 65 include first contact mounting grooves 65a and second contact mounting grooves 65b. The first contact mounting grooves 65a are recessed at positions that correspond to the number and mounting positions of the first contacts 70a shown in FIG. 12 . The second contact mounting grooves 65b are recessed at positions that correspond to the number and mounting positions of the second contacts 70b shown in FIG. 12 .

[0059] The second insulator 60 has an inter-electrode wall 66 disposed between a pair of contact mounting grooves 65 in the left-right direction. The inter-electrode wall 66 is disposed between a pair of first contact mounting grooves 65a. The inter-electrode wall 66 is disposed between a pair of second contact mounting grooves 65b. The inter-electrode wall 66 is disposed between each of the multiple pairs of first contact mounting grooves 65a and second contact mounting grooves 65b.

[0060] The first contacts 70a are formed into the shape shown in FIG. 12 using a progressive die (stamping) from a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, including phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper. The first contacts 70a are manufactured solely by punching. The processing method for the first contacts 70a is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The surfaces of the first contacts 70a are plated with a nickel base and then coated with a gold or tin surface plating. A total of eight first contacts 70a are arranged in the second connector 50, four on the left side and four on the right side.

[0061] The first contact 70a has a rectangular locking portion 71a with a protrusion on its upper edge. The first contact 70a has a mounting portion 72a that extends forward in an L-shape from the bottom end of the locking portion 71a. The first contact 70a has a first contact portion 73a that bends and extends rearward from the rear end of the locking portion 71a. The first contact 70a has a fourth contact portion 74a located on the front edge of the locking portion 71a.

[0062] The second contacts 70b are formed into the shape shown in FIG. 12 using a progressive die (stamping) from a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, including phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper. The second contacts 70b are manufactured solely by punching. The processing method for the second contacts 70b is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a step of bending the second contacts 70b in the thickness direction after punching. The surfaces of the second contacts 70b are plated with a nickel base and then coated with a gold or tin surface plating. A plurality of second contacts 70b are arranged in the second connector 50, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0063] The second contact 70b has a rectangular locking portion 71b with a protrusion on its upper edge, a mounting portion 72b that extends forward in an L-shape from the bottom end of the locking portion 71b, and a second contact portion 73b that bends and extends rearward from the rear end of the locking portion 71b.

[0064] The second metal member 80 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 12. The second metal member 80 is manufactured by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method for the second metal member 80 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process.

[0065] The second metal member 80 has a plate-shaped second base portion 81 that forms an upper portion of the second metal member 80. As shown in Fig. 10 , the second metal member 80 has a third base portion 82 that extends downward while bending from the second base portion 81. The second metal member 80 has a third contact portion 83 that extends downward in a straight line from the third base portion 82.

[0066] 12 , the second metal member 80 has a plurality of first claws 84a extending in a crank shape from the rear edge of the second base 81. The first claws 84a are arranged spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction. When the second metal member 80 is attached to the second insulator 60, the first claws 84a engage with the second hole 64b of the second insulator 60.

[0067] 10 and 12 , the second metal member 80 has a plurality of second claws 84b that protrude rearward from the lower edge of the third base 82. The second claws 84b are arranged spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction. When the second metal member 80 is attached to the second insulator 60, the second claws 84b engage with the third hole 64c of the second insulator 60 shown in FIG. 10 .

[0068] The second metal member 80 has locking portions 85 disposed at both left-right end portions of the second metal member 80. The locking portions 85 lock onto the side walls 61c of the second insulator 60 shown in Fig. 11 when the second metal member 80 is attached to the second insulator 60. The second metal member 80 has a mounting portion 86 that bends from the rear end of the lower edge of the locking portion 85 and extends outward in the left-right direction.

[0069] 10 and 12 , the second metal member 80 has a fifth contact portion 87 extending rearward from the second base portion 81. The fifth contact portion 87 is bent in a U-shape and then extends diagonally downward toward the rear. Four fifth contact portions 87 are arranged on the second metal member 80. The multiple fifth contact portions 87 are arranged while being spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The fifth contact portions 87 are elastically deformable in the up-down direction.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 1 , the second connector 50 is mounted on a circuit surface disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board CB. More specifically, the mounting portion 72a of the first contact 70a is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 72b of the second contact 70b is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 86 of the second metal member 80 is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. By heating and melting the solder paste in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portions 72a, 72b, and 86 are soldered to the pattern. As a result, the mounting of the second connector 50 on the circuit board CB is completed. Electronic components other than the second connector 50, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), controller, or memory, are mounted on the circuit surface of the circuit board CB.

[0071] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIII-XIII arrow line in Figure 1. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as the cross-sectional view in Figure 8. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV arrow line in Figure 1. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken at the same position as the cross-sectional view in Figure 9. The following mainly describes the function of the connector module 1 in a connected state in which the first connector 10 is connected to the second connector 50 while holding the connection target object 40.

[0072] The protrusion 22 of the first insulator 20 is received in the insertion portion 63 of the second insulator 60. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 50 are mated with each other, the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 60 are mated with each other.

[0073] 13 , the first contact 70a is attached to the second insulator 60 by being engaged with the first contact attachment groove 65a of the second insulator 60. The first contact portion 73a of the first contact 70a contacts the first extension portion 32a, which is in contact with the contact wire 42 of the connection object 40. At this time, the first contact portion 73a elastically deforms downward. The first contact portion 73a is located on the same side as the first extension portion 32a with respect to the connection object 40 in the up-down direction. The first extension portion 32a extends from the first base portion 31 toward the second connector 50.

[0074] The third contact portion 83 of the second metal member 80 extends from a portion of the second metal member 80 including the second base portion 81 and contacts the first contact 70a. As also shown in FIG. 10 , the third contact portion 83 contacts two first contacts 70a that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The third base portion 82 of the second metal member 80 extends while bending from the second base portion 81 toward the first contact 70a and fits along the end face of the second insulator 60 in the extension direction of the contact wire 42. The fourth contact portion 74a of the first contact 70a contacts the third contact portion 83 of the second metal member 80. The first contact portion 73a and the fourth contact portion 74a are located at both ends of the first contact 70a in the extension direction of the contact wire 42.

[0075] As described above, the first contact 70a contacts both the first metal member 30 of the first connector 10 and the second metal member 80 of the second connector 50. The first contact 70a indirectly contacts the contact wire 42 of the connection object 40. The first contact 70a is used for grounding, for example.

[0076] 14 , the second contact 70b is attached to the second insulator 60 by being engaged with the second contact attachment groove 65b of the second insulator 60. The second contact portion 73b of the second contact 70b contacts the contact wire 42. At this time, the second contact portion 73b elastically deforms downward. The second contact portion 73b is located on the same side as the first extension portion 32a with respect to the connection object 40 in the up-down direction.

[0077] As described above, the second contact 70b directly contacts the contact wire 42 of the connection object 40. The second contact 70b is used for signals, for example.

[0078] 12 , the fifth contact portion 87 of the second metal member 80 is disposed in the first hole portion 64a of the second insulator 60. The fifth contact portion 87 of the second metal member 80 extends obliquely downward while bending in a U-shape from the second base portion 81 to come into contact with the connection object 40. More specifically, the fifth contact portion 87 comes into contact with the second ground portion 44 of the connection object 40. At this time, the fifth contact portion 87 elastically deforms upward.

[0079] The following description of the effects will focus primarily on the first connector 10, but the same description also applies to the connector module 1 having the first connector 10. The first connector 10 according to the embodiment described above can stabilize contact between the first ground portion 43 of the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30. In the first connector 10, the convex portion 27 protruding from the inner surface 21b1 of the first insulator 20 is sandwiched between the inner surface 21b1 and the first metal member 30, pressing the first metal member 30 against the first ground portion 43 from the inner surface 21b1 side. This allows the first connector 10 to easily bring the first metal member 30 into contact with the connection object 40. By stabilizing the contact between the first ground portion 43 and the first metal member 30, the first connector 10 can improve the contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30. As a result, the reliability of the first connector 10 as a product is improved.

[0080] The inner surface 21b1 is disposed on the second wall portion 21b of the first insulator 20. This allows the first connector 10 to press the first metal member 30 from the second wall portion 21b side against the first ground portion 43 of the connection object 40 that is disposed on the second wall portion 21b side. This stabilizes contact between the first ground portion 43 and the first metal member 30, improving contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30.

[0081] The first insulator 20 is disposed on the first wall portion 21a facing the inner surface 21b1 and has an elastic portion 28 that presses the connection object 40 toward the convex portion 27. This allows the first connector 10 to press back, toward the convex portion 27, the connection object 40 that has been pushed up toward the first wall portion 21a in the insertion portion 23 by the thickness of the convex portion 27. Therefore, the first connector 10 can clamp the connection object 40 based on the pressing of the first metal member 30 from the inner surface 21b1 side by the convex portion 27 and the pressing of the connection object 40 from the side opposite the inner surface 21b1 by the elastic portion 28. This stabilizes contact between the first ground portion 43 and the first metal member 30, improving contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30.

[0082] The protrusions 27 extend along the extension direction of the contact wires 42 of the connection object 40. This allows the first connector 10 to press the first metal member 30 against the first ground portion 43 from the inner surface 21b1 side evenly along the extension direction of the contact wires 42. This stabilizes the contact between the first ground portion 43 and the first metal member 30, improving the contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30.

[0083] A plurality of protrusions 27 are arranged in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the contact wires 42. This allows the first connector 10 to press the first metal member 30 against the first grounding portion 43 from the inner surface 21b1 side over a wide range along the direction intersecting the extending direction of the contact wires 42. This stabilizes contact between the first grounding portion 43 and the first metal member 30, improving contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30.

[0084] The protrusion 27 comes into contact with the first base 31 located closer to the first ground portion 43 than the held portion 34, and presses the first base 31 from the inner surface 21b1 side against the first ground portion 43. As a result, the first connector 10 can use the protrusion 27 to push the first base 31 toward the opposite side from the inner surface 21b1 so as to bring the first base 31 closer to the connection object 40, thereby stabilizing the contact of the first base 31 with the first ground portion 43. This improves the contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30.

[0085] The first base 31 has a plane parallel to the first ground portion 43 and is in contact with the first ground portion 43 at the plane. This allows the first connector 10 to bring the first metal member 30 having the first base 31 and the connection object 40 having the first ground portion 43 into surface-to-surface contact.

[0086] For example, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the contact spring of the grounding member contacts the shield layer of the connection object. However, unlike contact by the contact spring of such a metal member, the first connector 10 can achieve surface contact. Additionally, the first connector 10 positions the second wall portion 21b of the first insulator 20 on the opposite side of the connection object 40 from the first metal member 30. As a result, unlike prior art in which the grounding member may be deformed or damaged by the reaction force of the contact spring contacting the shield layer, the first connector 10 omits the contact spring structure and can reduce deformation or damage of the first metal member 30. As a result, contact between the first ground portion 43 and the first metal member 30 is stabilized, improving contact reliability between the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30.

[0087] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0088] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to those shown in the above description and drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized. The illustrated components of the first connector 10 and connector module 1 are functional concepts, and the specific form of each component is not limited to those shown.

[0089] The assembly method of the first connector 10 described above is not limited to the above description. Any method may be used to assemble the first connector 10 as long as it allows the components to be assembled in a manner that allows their respective functions to be fulfilled. For example, the first metal member 30 may be molded integrally with the first insulator 20 by insert molding rather than by press-fitting.

[0090] The assembly method of the second connector 50 described above is not limited to the above description. Any method may be used to assemble the second connector 50 as long as it allows the respective functions to be performed. For example, at least one of the first contacts 70 a, the second contacts 70 b, and the second metal member 80 may be molded integrally with the second insulator 60 by insert molding rather than press-fitting.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the inner surface 21b1 is described as being disposed on the second wall portion 21b of the first insulator 20, but this is not limiting. The inner surface 21b1 may be disposed on any other portion of the first insulator 20 where the convex portion 27 can press the first metal member 30 from the inner surface 21b1 side against the first ground portion 43. For example, the inner surface 21b1 may be disposed on the first wall portion 21a of the first insulator 20. The convex portion 27 may protrude from the inner surface 21b1 of the first wall portion 21a toward the second wall portion 21b.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the first insulator 20 is described as being disposed on the first wall 21a, which is a wall facing the inner surface 21b1, and having the elastic portion 28 that presses the connection object 40 toward the protrusion 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first insulator 20 may have the elastic portion 28 disposed on the inner surface 21b1 instead of or in addition to the wall facing the inner surface 21b1.

[0093] Fig. 15 is an external perspective view showing the first insulator 20 alone of the first connector 10 according to a modified example of the present disclosure, as seen from above. Unlike the configuration of the first insulator 20 shown in Fig. 7, the first insulator 20 may not have the elastic portion 28. Instead of the elastic portion 28, the first insulator 20 may have a protrusion 29 that protrudes in a stepped shape toward the second wall portion 21b at the location of the first wall portion 21a where the elastic portion 28 was located. The protrusion 29 has a predetermined lateral width at the center of the first wall portion 21a in the lateral direction and is disposed across the entire front-to-rear width of the first wall portion 21a.

[0094] When the first connector 10 is attached to the connection object 40, the protrusion 29 faces the second ground portion 44 of the connection object 40 in the up-down direction. At this time, the protrusion 29 may be arranged so that the entire surface of the protrusion 29 is in contact with the second ground portion 44. The protrusion 29 may be arranged so that a portion of the protrusion 29 is in contact with the second ground portion 44. The protrusion 29 may be arranged so that the protrusion 29 is spaced apart from the second ground portion 44 but is not in contact with the second ground portion 44.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 27 is described as extending along the extension direction of the contact line 42 of the connection object 40. However, this is not limited to this. The protrusion 27 may include any other configuration having a convex structure. For example, instead of or in addition to a single, continuously extending rib as shown in FIG. 7 , the protrusion 27 may include multiple ribs arranged discretely in the front-rear direction with gaps between them. The multiple ribs may be arranged in a line at the same left-right position along the front-rear direction, or may be arranged offset from each other at different left-right positions along the front-rear direction. The ribs of the protrusion 27 are not limited to the extension direction of the contact line 42 and may extend in any other direction. The length, width, thickness, number, direction, and arrangement of the ribs are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 7 and may be any other configuration that can achieve the function of the protrusion 27. For example, instead of or in addition to the ribs, the protrusion 27 may include multiple bosses arranged discretely in the front-rear direction with gaps between them.

[0096] Alternatively, for example, the convex portion 27 may include at least one protrusion that locally protrudes from the inner surface 21b1 instead of or in addition to a rib extending along the extension direction of the contact line 42. For example, the convex portion 27 may have a stepped shape that protrudes flatly from the inner surface 21b1 over a wide area in the front-rear and left-right directions, or may have a raised shape that protrudes in a mountain-like protrusion from the inner surface 21b1 over a wide area in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the protrusions 27 are described as being arranged in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the contact line 42, but this is not limiting. Instead of arranging multiple protrusions 27 in the left-right direction as shown in Fig. 7, multiple protrusions 27 may be arranged in other directions, or only one protrusion 27 may be arranged in any direction.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the first base portion 31 of the first metal member 30 is described as being located closer to the first ground portion 43 than the held portion 34, but this is not limited to this. The first base portion 31 does not have to be located closer to the first ground portion 43 than the held portion 34. For example, the first base portion 31 may be disposed on the same plane as the held portion 34, or may be located closer to the inner surface 21 b 1 than the held portion 34. The convex portion 27 of the first insulator 20 has been described as being in contact with the first base portion 31 and pressing the first base portion 31 against the first ground portion 43 from the inner surface 21 b 1 side, but this is not limited to this. The convex portion 27 does not have to be in direct contact with the first base portion 31 of the first metal member 30, and may be in indirect contact with the first base portion 31 with any other structure interposed between the convex portion 27 and the first base portion 31.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the first base portion 31 has a plane parallel to the first ground portion 43 and is in contact with the first ground portion 43 at that plane, but this is not limiting. The first base portion 31 does not have to be in contact with the first ground portion 43 at that plane. For example, the first base portion 31 may have a protrusion-like structure that makes localized contact with the first ground portion 43 rather than at a plane.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the first contact 70a of the second connector 50 has been described as having the first contact portion 73a that contacts the first metal member 30, but this is not limited thereto. The first contact portion 73a of the first contact 70a may directly contact the contact wire 42 without going through the first metal member 30, rather than indirectly contacting the contact wire 42 via the first metal member 30. Even in such a case, the first metal member 30 may also be in contact with a portion of one contact wire 42 that is different from the portion of the one contact wire 42 that is in contact with the first contact portion 73a. The first contact portion 73a and the first metal member 30 may be in contact with each other at different portions on the surface of one contact wire 42.

[0101] The first connector 10 or connector module 1 described above is mounted in an electronic device. Examples of the electronic device include any in-vehicle device, such as a camera, radar, drive recorder, and engine control unit. Examples of the electronic device include any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system, such as a car navigation system, an advanced driver assistance system, and a security system. Without being limited to these, the electronic device may include any information device, such as a personal computer, a game console, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral. Examples of the electronic device may include any audiovisual device, such as an LCD television, a recorder, a camera, and headphones. In addition, the electronic device may include any industrial equipment.

[0102] Such electronic devices can improve the reliability of the product by virtue of the effect of stabilizing the contact between the first ground portion 43 of the connection object 40 and the first metal member 30 of the above-mentioned first connector 10 or connector module 1.

[0103] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Supplementary Note 1] A first connector attached to a connection object having a ground portion covering a portion of a contact wire of the connection object, comprising: a first insulator having a convex portion protruding from an inner surface; and a metal member attached to the first insulator, wherein the convex portion is sandwiched between the inner surface and the metal member and presses the metal member against the ground portion from the inner surface side. [Supplementary Note 2] The first connector according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the inner surface is disposed on a second wall portion of the first insulator. [Supplementary Note 3] The first connector according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the first insulator is disposed on a first wall portion facing the inner surface and has an elastic portion that presses the connection object toward the convex portion. [Supplementary Note 4] The first connector according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the convex portion extends along the extension direction of the contact wire. [Supplementary Note 5] The first connector according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein a plurality of the convex portions are arranged in a direction intersecting the extension direction. [Supplementary Note 6] The first connector according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the metal member has a held portion held by the first insulator and a base portion located closer to the ground portion than the held portion, and the convex portion contacts the base portion and presses the base portion against the ground portion from the inner surface side. [Supplementary Note 7] The first connector according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the base portion has a flat surface parallel to the ground portion and contacts the ground portion at the flat surface. [Supplementary Note 8] A connector module comprising: a first connector according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7; and a second connector that mates with the first connector, wherein the second connector comprises: a second insulator that mates with the first insulator; and contacts attached to the second insulator, and the contacts have contact portions that come into contact with the metal member.[Supplementary Note 9] An electronic device comprising the first connector according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7 or the connector module according to Supplementary Note 8.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connector module 10 First connector 20 First insulator 21 Outer peripheral wall 21a First wall portion 21b Second wall portion 21b1 Inner surface 21c Side wall 22 Protrusion 23 Insertion portion 24 Holding portion 25 Locking portion 26 Holding portion 27 Convex portion 28 Elastic portion 29 Convex portion 30 First metal member (metal member) 31 First base portion (base portion) 31a First portion 31b Second portion 32 Extension portion 32a First extension portion 32a1 Opposing portion 32b Second extension portion 32c Third extension portion 33 Connecting portion 34 Held portion 35 Metal fitting 40 Connection object 41 Reinforcement portion 42 Contact wire 43 First ground portion (ground portion) 44 Second ground portion 45 Locked portion 50 Second connector 60 Second insulator 61 Outer peripheral wall 61a First wall portion 61b Second wall portion 61c Side wall 62 Rear wall 63 Insertion portion 64a First hole portion 64b Second hole portion 64c Third hole portion 65 Contact mounting groove 65a First contact mounting groove 65b Second contact mounting groove 66 Inter-electrode wall 70a First contact (contact) 71a Locking portion 72a Mounting portion 73a First contact portion (contact portion) 74a Fourth contact portion 70b Second contact 71b Locking portion 72b Mounting portion 73b Second contact portion 80 Second metal member 81 Second base portion 82 Third base portion 83 Third contact portion 84a First claw portion 84b Second claw portion 85 Locking portion 86 Mounting portion 87 Fifth contact part CB circuit board

Claims

1. A first connector to be attached to a connection object having a ground portion that covers part of the contact wire of the connection object, comprising: a first insulator having a convex portion protruding from an inner surface; and a metal member attached to the first insulator, wherein the convex portion is sandwiched between the inner surface and the metal member and presses the metal member against the ground portion from the inner surface side.

2. A first connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface is disposed on a second wall portion of the first insulator.

3. A first connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first insulator is arranged on a first wall portion facing the inner surface and has an elastic portion that presses the connection object against the protrusion.

4. A first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion extends in the direction in which the contact wire extends.

5. A first connector according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of said protrusions are arranged in a direction intersecting said extending direction.

6. A first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the metal member has a held portion held by the first insulator and a base portion located closer to the ground portion than the held portion, and the convex portion contacts the base portion and presses the base portion against the ground portion from the inner surface side.

7. A first connector according to claim 6, wherein the base has a plane parallel to the ground portion and contacts the ground portion at the plane.

8. A connector module comprising: a first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a second connector that mates with said first connector, wherein said second connector comprises: a second insulator that mates with said first insulator; and contacts attached to said second insulator, said contacts having contact portions that come into contact with said metal member.

9. An electronic device comprising the first connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the connector module according to claim 8.

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