Connector

Abstract

A connector (100) includes: a conductive signal contact (110) that is connected to a center conductor (11) of a coaxial cable (10) and contacts a mating signal contact (210) of a mating connector (200); a conductive ground contact (120) having a surrounding part (121) that surrounds at least a part of the signal contact (110) in a fitting direction (D1), and a cable housing part (137) that houses the coaxial cable (10) outside the surrounding part (121); an insulating housing (170) that is accommodated in the ground contact (120) and that holds the signal contact (110); and a conductive inner fitting member (140) that is formed as a separate body from the ground contact (120) and that overlaps with the inner periphery of the surrounding part (121). The surrounding part (121) is fitted to the outer periphery of a mating ground contact (220) of the mating connector (200) via the inner fitting member (140).

Description

connector

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector. This connector includes an insulating base, a housing, and signal terminals and a shield reinforcement member provided on the insulating base. The housing is fitted to a mating connector from the outside. The shield reinforcement member is fitted to the mating connector from the inside.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-183103

[0004] The present disclosure provides a connector that is effective in improving the mechanical connection strength to a mating connector.

[0005] A connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a connector that mates with a mating connector along a mating direction, and includes: a conductive signal contact that is connected to the center conductor of a coaxial cable and contacts a mating signal contact of the mating connector; a conductive ground contact that has an enclosing portion that encloses at least a portion of the signal contact around the mating direction; and a cable accommodating portion that accommodates the coaxial cable outside the enclosing portion; an insulating housing that is accommodated in the ground contact and holds the signal contact; and a conductive inner mating member that is formed separately from the ground contact and overlaps the inner circumference of the enclosing portion, and the enclosing portion mates with the outer circumference of the mating ground contact of the mating connector via the inner mating member.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector that is effective in improving the mechanical connection strength to a mating connector.

[0007] 1. A perspective view illustrating a connector system. 2. A cross-sectional view of a coaxial cable. 3. A perspective view of the connector in FIG. 1, viewed from the mating connector. 4. An exploded perspective view of the connector in FIG. 1. 5. A perspective view of a signal contact. 6. A perspective view of a ground contact. 7. A perspective view of an inner fitting member. 8. A perspective view of the inner fitting member, viewed from the mating connector. 9. A perspective view of a housing. 10. A perspective view of the housing, viewed from the mating connector. 11. A cross-sectional view along line XI-XI in FIG. 1. 12. A cross-sectional view along line XII-XII in FIG. 1. 13. A cross-sectional view of a connector mated to a mating connector. 14. A perspective view of a modified connector. 15. An exploded perspective view of the connector in FIG. 14. 16. A perspective view of a modified inner fitting member. 17. A cross-sectional view along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 14. 18. A perspective view of another modified inner fitting member.

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] [Connector System] The connector system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a system for detachably connecting a coaxial cable 10 to a circuit board. As shown in Fig. 1, the connector system 1 includes a connector 100 and a mating connector 200. The mating connector 200 is attached to the circuit board. The connector 100 is connected to the coaxial cable 10 and is mated with the mating connector 200 along a mating direction D1 perpendicular to the circuit board. The configurations of the mating connector 200 and the connector 100 will be described below.

[0010] [Mating Connector] The mating connector 200 includes a mating signal contact 210, a mating ground contact 220, and a mating housing 230. The mating signal contact 210 is electrically connected to a signal pattern on a circuit board and contacts a signal contact 110 (described later) of the connector 100. For example, the mating signal contact 210 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material such as copper, and is conductive. The mating signal contact 210 includes a contact portion 211 and a connecting portion 212. The contact portion 211 protrudes from the circuit board along the mating direction D1 and has a cylindrical shape. The signal contact 110 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the contact portion 211. The connecting portion 212 extends from a base end of the contact portion 211 (the end facing the circuit board) along a direction perpendicular to the mating direction D1 and is connected to the signal pattern by soldering or the like.

[0011] The mating ground contact 220 is connected to a ground pattern on the circuit board and mates with a ground contact 120 (described below) of the connector 100. For example, the mating ground contact 220 is formed by cutting and bending a cylindrical metal material such as copper, and is conductive. The mating ground contact 220 has a mating portion 221 and a connection plate 222. The mating portion 221 surrounds the mating signal contact 210. The mating portion 221 protrudes from the circuit board along the mating direction D1 and has a cylindrical shape. The center of the mating portion 221 substantially coincides with the center of the contact portion 211. This substantially coincident state also includes a state in which they are misaligned relative to each other within the tolerance of processing and assembly errors. The connection plate 222 protrudes outward from the base end of the mating portion 221 along the circuit board and is connected to the ground pattern by soldering or the like.

[0012] A recess 224 may be formed along the circumferential direction around the mating direction D1 on the outer peripheral surface of the mating ground contact 220 (e.g., the outer peripheral surface of the mating portion 221). For example, the recess 224 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mating portion 221 over the entire circumference around the mating direction D1.

[0013] The mating housing 230 extends along the circuit board at least within the mating portion 221 and holds the mating signal contacts 210 and the mating ground contacts 220. This allows the mating signal contacts 210, the mating ground contacts 220, and the mating housing 230 to be integrated into the mating connector 200. The mating housing 230 is formed from a resin material such as engineering plastic and has insulating properties. The mating housing 230 is formed to leave an exposed region 231 within the mating portion 221 for exposing a portion of the connecting portion 212 of the mating signal contact 210. This allows the connecting portion 212 to be connected to a signal pattern within the exposed region 231 by soldering or the like.

[0014] [Connector] As described above, the connector 100 is connected to the coaxial cable 10. As shown in FIG. 2 , the coaxial cable 10 has a center conductor 11, a dielectric layer 12 surrounding the center conductor 11, an outer conductor 13 surrounding the dielectric layer 12, and a sheath 14 surrounding the outer conductor 13. The center conductor 11 may be a solid wire or a twisted wire made of a metal such as copper. The outer conductor 13 may be a braided wire or a metal foil made of a metal such as copper. The end of the coaxial cable 10 is processed so that the exposed portion of the center conductor 11 and the exposed portion of the outer conductor 13 are lined up in order from the end, and is connected to the connector 100.

[0015] Figure 3 is a perspective view of connector 100 in Figure 1 as seen from the mating connector 200 side. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of connector 100. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, connector 100 includes signal contacts 110, ground contacts 120, a housing 170, and an inner fitting member 140.

[0016] The signal contact 110 is conductive, connected to the exposed center conductor 11, and contacts a mating signal contact 210 of the mating connector 200. The ground contact 120 is conductive, and includes an enclosing portion 121 and a cable accommodating portion 137. The enclosing portion 121 encloses at least a portion of the signal contact 110 in the mating direction D1. The cable accommodating portion 137 accommodates the coaxial cable 10 outside the enclosing portion 121. For example, the cable accommodating portion 137 is adjacent to the enclosing portion 121 along a longitudinal direction D2 perpendicular to the mating direction D1, and accommodates an end of the coaxial cable 10 along the longitudinal direction D2.

[0017] Accommodating the end of the coaxial cable 10 includes accommodating some of the components of the coaxial cable 10. For example, the cable accommodating section 137 accommodates a portion where the center conductor 11 is exposed, a portion where the outer conductor 13 is exposed, and a portion surrounded by the sheath 14. As a result, in the cable accommodating section 137, the following are arranged in order from the side closest to the surrounding section 121: a portion accommodating the center conductor 11, a portion accommodating the center conductor 11, the dielectric layer 12, and the outer conductor 13, and a portion accommodating the center conductor 11, the dielectric layer 12, the outer conductor 13, and the sheath 14. All of these portions accommodate the coaxial cable 10.

[0018] The housing 170 has insulating properties, is housed in the ground contacts 120, and holds the signal contacts 110 within the ground contacts 120. For example, the housing 170 has a contact holding portion 171 and a conductor support portion 172. The contact holding portion 171 is housed within the enclosure 121 (the internal space of the enclosure 121) and holds the signal contacts 110. The conductor support portion 172 extends from the contact holding portion 171 into the cable accommodating portion 137 and supports at least the center conductor 11.

[0019] The inner fitting member 140 is conductive and formed as a separate body from the ground contacts 120. Formed as a separate body means that it is formed so that it can be handled independently from the ground contacts 120 before being assembled into the connector 100. The inner fitting member 140 overlaps the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121. For example, the inner fitting member 140 is located between the contact holding portion 171 and the surrounding portion 121 and overlaps the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121. The surrounding portion 121 fits onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 via the inner fitting member 140. For example, the surrounding portion 121 fits onto the outer periphery of the fitting portion 221 via the inner fitting member 140.

[0020] By interposing the inner fitting member 140, which is separate from the surrounding portion 121, between the surrounding portion 121 and the mating ground contact 220, it is possible to adjust the fitting margin of the inner fitting member 140 with respect to the mating ground contact 220 regardless of the processing constraints on the surrounding portion 121. This improves the mechanical connection strength of the connector 100 with respect to the mating connector 200. Because the inner fitting member 140 and the surrounding portion 121 are fitted to the outside of the mating ground contact 220 in an overlapping state, the mechanical connection strength of the connector 100 with respect to the mating connector 200 can be improved compared to when the inner fitting member 140 and the surrounding portion 121 are fitted individually from the inside and outside of the mating ground contact 220.

[0021] Fitting the inner fitting member 140 onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 means fitting the inner fitting member 140, which is fitted onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 (the outer periphery of the fitting portion 221), without directly contacting the mating ground contact 220. The state in which the inner fitting member 140 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 and the surrounding portion 121 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the inner fitting member 140 simultaneously constitutes the state in which the surrounding portion 121 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 via the inner fitting member 140. When the surrounding portion 121 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 via the inner fitting member 140, the surrounding portion 121 does not necessarily overlap with the mating ground contact 220 in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction D1.

[0022] The ground contact 120 may further have an opening 125 that connects the enclosing portion 121 (the internal space of the enclosing portion 121) with the cable housing portion 137 (the internal space of the cable housing portion 137). The opening 125 allows easy connection between the signal contact 110 in the enclosing portion 121 and the center conductor 11 of the coaxial cable 10 in the cable housing portion 137. The inner fitting member 140 may have a first fitting portion 142, a second fitting portion 143, and a connecting portion 144. The first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 sandwich the opening 125 in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1 and overlap the inner periphery of the enclosing portion 121. The connecting portion 144 connects the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 to partially block the opening 125. The connecting portion 144 may be fitted to the mating ground contact 220 together with the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 .

[0023] Even if the surrounding portion 121 itself cannot partially close the opening 125 due to processing constraints on the surrounding portion 121, the opening 125 can be partially closed by the inner fitting member 140, and the fitting margin with the mating ground contact 220 can be expanded within the opening 125. This further improves the mechanical connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200. In particular, the connector 100 exhibits high connection strength in a situation where the coaxial cable 10 is pulled along the mating direction D1, thereby applying a force to the connector 100 in a direction that causes it to be removed from the mating connector 200 (a situation where a so-called tilting removal force is applied).

[0024] The inner fitting member 140 may further have a slit 151 that divides the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143, which are connected by the connecting portion 144, within the surrounding portion 121. The slit 151 allows the fitting portion 141 (described below) of the inner fitting member 140 to elastically expand in diameter (become larger in diameter) during the process of mating with the mating ground contact 220, facilitating connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200. Furthermore, the overlap between the fitting portion 141 and the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121 prevents the fitting portion 141 from expanding excessively in diameter, thereby improving the connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200.

[0025] The slit 151 may be located opposite the connecting portion 144 in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1. For example, the slit 151 and the connecting portion 144 may be aligned along the longitudinal direction D2 through the surrounding portion 121. By positioning the slit 151 away from the opening 125, it is possible to suppress a decrease in strength due to overlap between the slit 151 and the opening 125. Note that the slit 151 may be located at a position shifted from the opposite side of the connecting portion 144.

[0026] In the circumferential direction around the mating direction D1, the spacing G1 between the slits 151 may be smaller than the spacing G2 between the openings 125. The formation of the slits 151 can suppress a decrease in connection strength, and further achieve both ease of connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200 and connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200.

[0027] Below, the configuration of each of the signal contacts 110, the ground contacts 120, the inner fitting member 140, and the housing 170 before being assembled into the connector 100 will be described individually.

[0028] 5, the signal contact 110 includes a support plate 111, a pair of contact pieces 112, and a clip 113. The signal contact 110 is formed by punching and bending a thin metal plate material such as copper, and is conductive. The support plate 111 supports the center conductor 11 extending from within the cable accommodating portion 137 into the enclosure portion 121. The support plate 111 extends so as to intersect with the mating direction D1 and along the longitudinal direction D2.

[0029] The pair of contact pieces 112 protrude in opposite directions from the support plate 111 in a width direction D3 perpendicular to the mating direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D2, and are each bent so as to protrude toward the mating connector 200. The pair of contact pieces 112 gradually approach each other as they move away from the support plate 111. The ends of the pair of contact pieces 112 are bent so as to gradually move away from each other as they move away from the support plate 111. When the connector 100 is mated with the mating connector 200, the contact portion 211 enters between the pair of contact pieces 112, and each of the pair of contact pieces 112 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 211.

[0030] The clip 113 is connected to the tip of the support plate 111 and is bent relative to the support plate 111 so as to protrude away from the mating connector 200. The tip of the support plate 111 is the end that faces away from the cable accommodating portion 137 in the longitudinal direction D2. When assembling the connector 100, the clip 113 is tilted toward the support plate 111 and pressed against the center conductor 11 supported by the support plate 111. This electrically connects the signal contact 110 to the center conductor 11 (see FIG. 11 ).

[0031] 6 , the ground contact 120 includes an enclosing portion 121, a pair of arms 131, a pair of inner holders 132, a base plate 133, a pair of first holders 134, a pair of second holders 135, and a pair of third holders 136. The ground contact 120 is formed by stamping and bending a thin metal plate material such as copper, and is conductive. As described above, the enclosing portion 121 encloses at least a portion of the signal contact 110 in the mating direction D1. For example, the enclosing portion 121 encloses at least a pair of contact pieces 112 together with the contact holding portion 171 of the housing 170.

[0032] The surrounding portion 121 has a first end 122 and a second end 123. The first end 122 is one of the ends of the surrounding portion 121 in the mating direction D1 that receives the mating ground contact 220. The second end 123 is one of the ends that faces away from the first end 122. In the following description of the ground contact 120, for convenience, the side toward which the first end 122 faces will be referred to as "downward" and the side toward which the second end 123 faces will be referred to as "upward."

[0033] The enclosure 121 further has an opening 125. The opening 125 is formed over the entire length from the first end 122 to the second end 123 so as to open the interior of the enclosure 121 toward the cable housing portion 137.

[0034] A protrusion 126 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121 along the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1. A recess 127 corresponding to the protrusion 126 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121. For example, the protrusion 126 and the recess 127 are formed at the lower end of the surrounding portion 121, including the first end 122. The protrusion 126 and the recess 127 may be formed over the entire circumference around the fitting direction D1.

[0035] The surrounding portion 121 has one or more slots 124 formed therein, each recessed from the second end 123. For example, the surrounding portion 121 has a plurality of slots 124 formed therein that are aligned in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1. The slots 124 respectively receive a plurality of anchor pieces 162 (described below) of the inner fitting member 140. Each of the slots 124 is formed, for example, by cutting out a rectangular shape from the upper end of the surrounding portion 121, including the second end 123. In the drawing, four slots 124 are formed, but the number of slots 124 can be changed.

[0036] The pair of arms 131 respectively protrude from a pair of end edges of the enclosure portion 121 separated by the opening 125 toward the cable housing portion 137. Each of the pair of arms 131 extends along the fitting direction D1 and the longitudinal direction D2.

[0037] The pair of inner holders 132 are bent relative to the pair of arms 131 so as to protrude toward each other from the lower edges of the pair of arms 131. The edges of the pair of inner holders 132 face each other in close proximity. Each of the pair of inner holders 132 extends in a direction intersecting with the fitting direction D1. The pair of inner holders 132 support the conductor support portion 172 of the housing 170 described above.

[0038] The base plate 133 faces the second end 123, closes the internal space of the enclosure 121 like a lid, and extends to the cable accommodating section 137. The base plate 133 is connected to the upper end of the enclosure 121 at a position farthest from the opening 125. Before the connector 100 is assembled, the base plate 133 extends upward from the enclosure 121 as shown in the figure. By tilting the base plate 133 toward the enclosure 121, the base plate 133 closes the first end 122 and extends to the cable accommodating section 137. Hereinafter, the terms "upper" and "lower" in the descriptions of the pair of first holders 134, the pair of second holders 135, and the pair of third holders 136 refer to the upper and lower states when the base plate 133 faces the second end 123 and extends to the cable accommodating section 137.

[0039] The pair of first holders 134, the pair of second holders 135, and the pair of third holders 136 are arranged outside the enclosure 121 in order, moving away from the enclosure 121. The pair of first holders 134 protrude in opposite directions from the base plate 133 in the width direction D3, and each is bent downward. The pair of second holders 135 protrude in opposite directions from the base plate 133 in the width direction D3, and each is bent downward. The pair of third holders 136 protrude in opposite directions from the base plate 133 in the width direction D3, and each is bent downward.

[0040] The pair of first holders 134 overlap the outside of the pair of arms 131. Ends of the pair of first holders 134 are bent from the outside of the pair of arms 131 and the pair of inner holders 132 so as to embrace the conductor support portion 172 toward the base plate 133. The pair of second holders 135 are bent so as to embrace the portion of the coaxial cable 10 where the outer conductor 13 is exposed, toward the base plate 133. The pair of third holders 136 are bent so as to embrace the portion of the coaxial cable 10 surrounded by the sheath 14, toward the base plate 133. As a result, a cable accommodating portion 137 is formed that is surrounded by the base plate 133, the pair of first holders 134, the pair of second holders 135, and the pair of third holders 136 (see FIG. 11 ).

[0041] With the cable housing portion 137 formed, the pair of inner holders 132 become holders facing the base plate 133 so as to cover the cable housing portion 137. Similarly, the ends of the pair of first holders 134, the ends of the pair of second holders 135, and the ends of the pair of third holders 136 become holders facing the base plate 133 so as to cover the cable housing portion 137.

[0042] 7 and 8 , the inner fitting member 140 has a fitting portion 141, a cover piece 161, and one or more anchor pieces 162. The inner fitting member 140 is formed by punching and bending a thin metal plate material such as copper, and is conductive. The fitting portion 141 at least partially overlaps the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121 and fits onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 (the outer periphery of the fitting portion 221). The fitting portion 141 has a first end 145 and a second end 146. The first end 145 is one of the ends of the fitting portion 141 in the mating direction D1 that receives the mating ground contact 220. The second end 146 is one of the ends facing away from the first end 145. In the following description of the inner fitting member 140, for convenience, the direction toward which the first end 145 faces will be referred to as "downward" and the direction toward which the second end 146 faces will be referred to as "upward."

[0043] The fitting portion 141 includes a first fitting portion 142, a second fitting portion 143, and a connecting portion 144. As described above, the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 sandwich the opening 125 in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1, and each overlap the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121. The connecting portion 144 connects the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 to partially block the opening 125, and fits together with the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 to the outer periphery of the connection plate 222. For example, the first fitting portion 142, the second fitting portion 143, and the connecting portion 144 are connected along a series of arcs around the fitting direction D1.

[0044] The lower end of the coupling portion 144 is flush with the lower ends of the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143. The upper end of the coupling portion 144 is recessed from the upper ends of the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143. This leaves a sufficient opening for connecting the signal contact 110 in the enclosure portion 121 and the center conductor 11 of the coaxial cable 10 in the cable accommodating portion 137, even when the opening 125 is partially blocked by the coupling portion 144.

[0045] The fitting portion 141 further has the above-mentioned slit 151. The slit 151 is formed from the first end 145 to the second end 146 so as to divide the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143, which are connected by the connecting portion 144, within the surrounding portion 121.

[0046] A convex portion 153 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 141 facing the outer peripheral surface of the mating ground contact 220, extending in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1. A concave portion 154 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 141, facing the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121, extending in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1, corresponding to the convex portion 153. The convex portion 153 and the concave portion 154 may be formed over the entire circumference around the fitting direction D1.

[0047] The protrusion 126 on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121 fits into the recess 154. When the inner fitting member 140 is mated with the mating ground contact 220, the protrusion 153 fits into the recess 224 on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 221 (see FIG. 13 ). The engagement of the protrusion 153 with the recess 224 further improves connection strength. Furthermore, the protrusion 126 that fits into the recess 154 supports the protrusion 153, further improving connection strength. For example, when the connector 100 mated with the mating connector 200 is removed from the mating connector 200, the protrusion 126 fits into the recess 154, which requires the mating portion 141 and the surrounding portion 121 to undergo elastic expansion. The overlap between the mating portion 141 and the surrounding portion 121 increases the elastic force that expands the diameters of the mating portion 141 and the surrounding portion 121. As a result, the connector 100 exhibits high connection strength with the mating connector 200 .

[0048] The mating portion 141 may have a flare 155 at an end including the first end 145. The flare 155 is a portion that gradually widens toward the first end 145. The flare 155 allows the mating ground contact 220 to be smoothly guided into the mating portion 141, thereby improving the ease of connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200.

[0049] The fitting portion 141 may further have one or more flare slits 156 that divide the flare 155 into multiple portions aligned in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1. The one or more flare slits 156 are formed from the first end 145 to a depth that can divide the flare 155. In the illustration, the fitting portion 141 has four flare slits 156, but the number of flare slits 156 is not limited to this. Each of the flares 155 divided by the one or more flare slits 156 is easily elastically deformed, which further improves ease of connection.

[0050] The cover piece 161 projects upward from the upper end of the connecting portion 144, bends toward the outside of the enclosing portion 121 along the longitudinal direction D2, and expands so as to intersect with the fitting direction D1. As a result, the cover piece 161 projects toward the holder (e.g., the pair of inner holders 132) so as to cover the inside of the cable housing portion 137. The inner fitting member 140 can be used to improve the shielding performance from the opening 125 to the holder.

[0051] The cover piece 161 may fit between the base plate 133 and the holder and contact the inner surface of the holder. For example, the cover piece 161 fits between the base plate 133 and the pair of inner holders 132 and contacts the inner surfaces (surfaces facing the base plate 133) of the pair of inner holders 132 (see FIG. 11). The use of the inner fitting member 140 can further improve the shielding performance from the opening 125 to the holder.

[0052] The cover piece 161 may be inserted between the base plate 133 and the ends of the pair of first holders 134 and contact the inner surfaces of the pair of first holders 134. The cover piece 161 may be inserted between the base plate 133 and the ends of the pair of second holders 135 and contact the inner surfaces of the pair of second holders 135. Furthermore, the cover piece 161 may be inserted between the base plate 133 and the ends of the pair of third holders 136 and contact the inner surfaces of the pair of third holders 136. The cover piece 161 arranged in this manner may be in contact with the holders and also with the outer conductor 13 exposed in the cable accommodating portion 137.

[0053] The one or more anchor pieces 162 protrude outward from the mating portion 141 and engage with the surrounding portion 121 toward mating with the mating ground contact 220. The connection strength can be further improved by preventing the inner fitting member 140 from coming out of the surrounding portion 121. For example, each of the one or more anchor pieces 162 protrudes upward from the mating portion 141, bends outward from the mating portion 141, and spreads out so as to intersect with the mating direction D1.

[0054] The inner fitting member 140 may have a plurality of anchor pieces 162 arranged circumferentially around the mating direction D1. This can more reliably prevent the inner fitting member 140 from slipping out of the enclosing portion 121. For example, the inner fitting member 140 has a plurality of anchor pieces 162 that respectively correspond to the plurality of slots 124 of the enclosing portion 121 described above. The plurality of anchor pieces 162 are received in the plurality of slots 124, respectively, from the side away from the mating ground contact 220 (see FIG. 4 ). By accommodating a plurality of anchor pieces 162 in the plurality of slots 124, the connector 100 can be made more compact.

[0055] Each of the plurality of slots 124 may be formed to restrict circumferential displacement of the corresponding anchor piece 162 around the mating direction D1. For example, each of the plurality of slots 124 and the corresponding anchor piece 162 may be formed to come into contact with each other in the circumferential direction as the mating portion 141 and the surrounding portion 121 expand in diameter as expected in actual use. This can suppress expansion of the surrounding portion 121 and the mating portion 141 of the connector 100 mated with the mating connector 200, further improving the connection strength.

[0056] 9 and 10 , the housing 170 has a contact holding portion 171 and a conductor support portion 172. The housing 170 is formed by injection molding or the like of a resin material such as engineering plastic. As described above, the contact holding portion 171 is housed within the enclosure portion 121 and holds the signal contacts 110.

[0057] The contact holding portion 171 has a first end 177 and a second end 178. The first end 177 is one of the two ends of the contact holding portion 171 in the mating direction D1 that receives the mating signal contact 210 (contact portion 211). The second end 178 is one of the two ends that faces away from the first end 177. In the following description of the housing 170, the side toward which the first end 177 faces will be referred to as "downward," and the side toward which the second end 178 faces will be referred to as "upward."

[0058] The conductor support portion 172 protrudes into the cable accommodating portion 137 along the longitudinal direction D2 from an upper portion of the contact holding portion 171, including the second end 178. A series of accommodating grooves 173 are formed in the contact holding portion 171 and the conductor support portion 172, along the mating direction D1. The contact holding portion 171 is formed with receiving holes 174 that penetrate downward from the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 173. A pair of contact pieces 112 of the signal contact 110 are inserted into the receiving holes 174 from above, and the support plate 111 is supported by the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 173. At least the center conductor 11 is accommodated in the accommodating groove 173. In the conductor support portion 172, the center conductor 11 is supported by the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 173. In the contact holding portion 171, the center conductor 11 is supported by the upper surface of the support plate 111.

[0059] The housing 170 further includes a clip retainer 175. The clip retainer 175 protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the accommodating groove 173 at a position farthest from the conductor support portion 172. When the signal contact 110 is held in the contact holding portion 171, the clip retainer 175 is located outward of the clip 113 (away from the center of the contact holding portion 171). When assembling the connector 100, the clip retainer 175 is tilted toward the support plate 111 together with the clip 113 by the base plate 133. As a result, the clip 113 is pressed against the center conductor 11 supported by the support plate 111, and the signal contact 110 is electrically connected to the center conductor 111.

[0060] The housing 170 may further include one or more spacer pieces 176. Each of the one or more spacer pieces 176 protrudes outward from an upper portion of the contact holding portion 171, including the second end 178. The housing 170 may include multiple spacer pieces 176 arranged circumferentially around the mating direction D1. For example, the housing 170 includes multiple spacer pieces 176 corresponding to the multiple slots 124 of the enclosing portion 121. The multiple spacer pieces 176, together with the multiple anchor pieces 162, fit into the multiple slots 124, respectively. For example, the multiple spacer pieces 176 fit into the multiple slots 124 from above, with the multiple anchor pieces 162 also fitting into the multiple slots 124, respectively (see FIG. 4). Stabilizing the position of the inner fitting member 140 within the enclosing portion 121 further enhances both ease of connection and connection strength.

[0061] 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating the connector 100 after assembly is complete. As shown in Fig. 11 and 12, the enclosing portion 121 contains the mating portion 141 and a contact holding portion 171 that holds the signal contacts 110. In the contact holding portion 171, the center conductor 11 is sandwiched between the clip 113, which is pushed down together with the clip retainer 175 by the base plate 133, and the support plate 111, and is electrically connected to the signal contact 110.

[0062] The pair of inner holders 132 supporting the conductor support portion 172 are held in the cable accommodating portion 137 by a pair of bent first holders 134. The portion of the coaxial cable 10 where the outer conductor 13 is exposed is held in the cable accommodating portion 137 by a pair of bent second holders 135. This electrically connects the outer conductor 13 to the ground contact 120. The portion of the coaxial cable 10 surrounded by the sheath 14 is held in the cable accommodating portion 137 by a pair of bent third holders 136.

[0063] The fitting portion 141 of the inner fitting member 140 overlaps the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121 between the surrounding portion 121 and the contact holding portion 171. The protrusion 126 on the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121 fits into the recess 154 on the outer periphery of the fitting portion 141.

[0064] The cover pieces 161 of the inner fitting member 140 fit between the pair of inner holders 132 and the conductor support portions 172 of the housing 170. As the pair of first holders 134 hold the pair of inner holders 132, the cover pieces 161 come into contact with the inner surfaces of the pair of inner holders 132.

[0065] 12 , when the mating portion 141 is not mated with the mating ground contact 220, the outer diameter OD1 of the mating portion 141 may be smaller than the inner diameter ID1 of the surrounding portion 121. On the other hand, when the mating portion 141 is mated with the mating ground contact 220, the outer diameter OD1 of the mating portion 141 may be larger than the inner diameter ID1 of the surrounding portion 121. The diameter expansion of the mating portion 141 upon mating with the mating ground contact 220 firmly integrates the mating portion 141 and the surrounding portion 121, further improving the connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200. Furthermore, the flare 155 of the inner mating member 140 protrudes downward beyond the first end 122 of the surrounding portion 121. As described above, the flare 155 gradually widens toward the first end 145, allowing the mating ground contact 220 to be smoothly guided into the mating portion 141.

[0066] The ground contact 120 may be formed of a plate material having a thickness t1, and the inner fitting member 140 may be formed of a plate material having a thickness t2 that is thinner than the thickness t1, thereby achieving both ease of connection and connection strength.

[0067] 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the mating connector 200 is mated with the connector 100. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the mating connector 200 is mated with the connector 100, the convex portion 153 fits into the concave portion 224 on the outer peripheral surface of the mating portion 221. As a result, the convex portion 153 fits into the concave portion 224 of the mating portion 221, and further, the convex portion 126 of the ground contact 120 fits into the concave portion 154 of the inner fitting member 140. Furthermore, even in the opening 125 where a fitting allowance cannot be secured by the surrounding portion 121, a fitting allowance is secured by the connecting portion 144 of the inner fitting member 140.

[0068] The connector system 1 shown in Fig. 1 may have a connector 100A shown in Fig. 14 instead of the connector 100. An exploded perspective view of the connector 100A is shown in Fig. 15. The following describes the connector 100A, focusing mainly on the differences in configuration from the connector 100.

[0069] The connector 100A includes signal contacts 110, ground contacts 120, an inner fitting member 140, and a housing 170. A pair of crimping pieces 113a protrude from both edges of a support plate 111 of the signal contact 110 in the width direction D3. After the center conductor 11 of the coaxial cable 10 is positioned between the crimping pieces 113a, the crimping pieces 113a are bent in a direction that brings them into contact with each other, thereby sandwiching the center conductor 11 between the pair of crimping pieces 113a. This electrically connects the center conductor 11 and the signal contact 110.

[0070] The inner fitting member 140 has a fitting portion 141 and a pair of anchor pieces 162. The fitting portion 141 may further have flares 155 at multiple portions aligned circumferentially around the fitting direction D1. The flares 155 gradually widen toward the first end 145 (see FIG. 16 ). The fitting portion 141 at least partially overlaps the inner periphery of the surrounding portion 121 and fits onto the outer periphery of the mating ground contact 220 (the outer periphery of the fitting portion 221). The fitting portion 141 has a first fitting portion 142, a second fitting portion 143, and a third fitting portion 147. The first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 face each other along the width direction D3. The third fitting portion 147 is located between the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143. As a result, the first to third fitting portions 142, 143, and 147 are connected in series, thereby forming the fitting portion 141. Flare slits 156 are formed between the first fitting portion 142 and the third fitting portion 147, and between the second fitting portion 143 and the third fitting portion 147.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 16 , the fitting portion 141 has a contact portion 148. The contact portion 148 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the fitting portion 141. Therefore, a gap S exists between the contact portion 148 and the fitting portion 141. In other words, the contact portion 148 is surrounded by the gap S. The contact portion 148 is integrated with the fitting portion 141. The contact portion 148 functions as a cantilever spring with a support portion 148b, which is a branch portion of the fitting portion 141, as a fulcrum and a bent portion 148a located on the second end 146 side as a free end. The bent portion 148a protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 141. In the example shown in FIG. 16 , three cantilever contact portions 148 are provided, one each on the first fitting portion 142, the second fitting portion 143, and the third fitting portion 147. The three contact portions 148 are preferably positioned at equal intervals from one another. However, the number of contact portions 148 is not limited to three. The contact portion 148 has a bent portion 148a that is bent so as to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion 141, and a support portion 148b that is continuous with the fitting portion 141 on the first end 145 side.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 17 , which is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XVII-XVII in FIG. 14 , the contact portion 148 is a cantilever spring, so the bent portion 184a protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the mating portion 141 is constantly in elastic contact with the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121. For example, while the connector 100 is mating with the mating connector 200, the inner fitting member 140, which is in contact with the mating portion 221 of the mating connector 200, may move slightly along the mating direction D1. Even in such a case, the connector 100A allows the contact portion 148 to constantly elastically contact the surrounding portion 121 of the ground contact 120, thereby sufficiently maintaining electrical connection between the ground contact 120 and the inner fitting member 140. Note that the contact portion 148 is not limited to a cantilever spring, as long as it elastically contacts the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121. The contact portion 148 may also be separate from the mating portion 141.

[0073] Furthermore, because the contact portion 148 is always in elastic contact with the surrounding portion 121, the mating portion 141 is positioned relative to the surrounding portion 121 in the longitudinal direction D2 and the width direction D3. This allows the central axes of the surrounding portion 121 and the mating portion 141 along the mating direction D1 to be aligned. As a result, when the connector 100A is mated with the mating connector 200, the first end 145 of the mating portion 141 is prevented from contacting the upper edge of the mating portion 221 of the mating connector 200 and buckling. In addition, the first end 145 of the flare 155 does not protrude beyond the first end 122 of the surrounding portion 121. In other words, the mating portion 141 is completely surrounded by the surrounding portion 121. This configuration more effectively prevents the above-mentioned buckling.

[0074] 15 and 16 , a slit 151 is formed in a position facing the third mating portion 147 in the longitudinal direction D2. The slit 151 overlaps the opening 125 of the ground contact 120. The slit 151 connects the first end 145 to the second end 146. That is, the slit 151 completely separates the first mating portion 142 from the second mating portion 143. This allows the conductor support portion 172 of the housing 170 to be positioned within the slit 151, very close to the mating portion 221 of the mating connector 200. As a result, the height of the connector 100A can be reduced.

[0075] The contact portion 148 is not limited to a cantilever spring as long as it contacts the inner circumferential surface of the surrounding portion 121. For example, the contact portion 148 may be a protrusion that protrudes outward from a part of the fitting portion 141, as shown in FIG. 18 . The contact portion 148 shown in the same figure can be formed by pressing a part of the fitting portion 141. Three contact portions 148 are provided, one each for the first fitting portion 142, the second fitting portion 143, and the third fitting portion 147. Note that the contact portion 148 may be a plurality of protruding embossments that protrude uniformly across the first fitting portion 142, the second fitting portion 143, and the third fitting portion 147, or may be a bead that protrudes outward and is continuous across the first fitting portion 142, the second fitting portion 143, and the third fitting portion 147.

[0076] The contact portion 148 may be provided on the inner mating member 140 of the connector 100 .

[0077] [Summary] The above-described exemplary embodiments include the following configurations: (1) A connector 100 that mates with a mating connector 200 along a mating direction D1 includes: conductive signal contacts 110 connected to the center conductor 11 of a coaxial cable 10 and in contact with mating signal contacts 210 of the mating connector 200; conductive ground contacts 120 having an enclosing portion 121 that encloses at least a portion of the signal contacts 110 along the mating direction D1; and a cable accommodating portion 137 that accommodates the coaxial cable 10 outside the enclosing portion 121; an insulating housing 170 that is accommodated in the ground contacts 120 and holds the signal contacts 110; and a conductive inner fitting member 140 that is formed separately from the ground contacts 120 and overlaps the inner periphery of the enclosing portion 121, wherein the enclosing portion 121 mates with the outer periphery of the mating ground contacts 220 of the mating connector 200 via the inner fitting member 140. By interposing the inner fitting member 140, which is separate from the surrounding portion 121, between the mating ground contact 220, it is possible to adjust the fitting margin of the inner fitting member 140 with respect to the mating ground contact 220 regardless of the processing constraints on the surrounding portion 121. This improves the mechanical connection strength of the connector 100 with respect to the mating connector 200. Because the inner fitting member 140 and the surrounding portion 121 are fitted to the outside of the mating ground contact 220 in an overlapping state, the mechanical connection strength of the connector 100 with respect to the mating connector 200 can be improved compared to when the inner fitting member 140 and the surrounding portion 121 are fitted individually from the inside and outside of the mating ground contact 220.

[0078] (2) The connector 100 according to (1), wherein the ground contact 120 further has an opening 125 that connects the enclosing portion 121 with the cable accommodating portion 137, and the inner fitting member 140 has a first fitting portion 142 and a second fitting portion 143 that overlap the inner periphery of the enclosing portion 121 across the opening 125, and a connecting portion 144 that connects the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143 and partially blocks the opening 125, and the connecting portion 144, together with the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143, fits into the mating ground contact 220. Even if the enclosing portion 121 itself cannot partially block the opening 125 due to processing constraints on the enclosing portion 121, the inner fitting member 140 can partially block the opening 125, thereby widening the fitting margin with the mating ground contact 220 within the opening 125. This further improves the mechanical connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200 .

[0079] (3) The connector 100 according to (2), wherein the inner fitting member 140 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the surrounding portion 121 when not mated with the mating ground contact 220, and an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the surrounding portion 121 when mated with the mating ground contact 220. The inner fitting member 140 expands in diameter when mated with the mating ground contact 220, thereby firmly integrating the inner fitting member 140 and the surrounding portion 121, further improving the connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200.

[0080] (4) The connector 100 according to (2) or (3), wherein the inner fitting member 140 further has a slit 151 that separates the first fitting portion 142 and the second fitting portion 143, which are connected by the connecting portion 144, within the surrounding portion 121. This makes it possible to achieve both ease of connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200 and a strong connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200.

[0081] (5) The connector according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the inner fitting member has a contact portion that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the surrounding portion. Since the contact portion 148 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the surrounding portion 121, electrical connection between the ground contact 120 and the inner fitting member 140 can be sufficiently maintained.

[0082] (6) The connector 100 according to (4), wherein the spacing between the slits 151 in the circumferential direction around the mating direction D1 is smaller than the spacing between the openings 125. This suppresses a decrease in connection strength due to the formation of the slits 151, and further achieves both ease of connection of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200 and connection strength of the connector 100 to the mating connector 200.

[0083] (7) The connector 100 according to any one of (4) to (6), wherein the slit 151 is located circumferentially opposite the coupling portion 144. By separating the slit 151 from the opening 125, it is possible to suppress a decrease in strength due to overlapping between the slit 151 and the opening 125.

[0084] (8) The connector (100) according to any one of (2) to (7), wherein the surrounding portion (121) has a first end (122) that receives the mating ground contact (220) and a second end (123) facing away from the first end (122), the ground contact (120) has a base plate (133) that closes the second end (123) and extends to the cable housing (137), and a holder that faces the base plate (133) to cover the inside of the cable housing (137), and the inner fitting member (140) has a cover piece (161) that protrudes toward the holder to cover the inside of the cable housing (137). Using the inner fitting member (140) can improve the shielding performance from the opening (125) to the holder.

[0085] (9) The connector 100 according to (8), wherein the cover piece 161 is inserted between the base plate 133 and the holder and contacts the inner surface of the holder. This can further improve the shielding performance from the opening 125 to the holder.

[0086] (10) Connector 100 according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein a circumferentially extending recess 224 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of mating ground contact 220 facing inner fitting member 140, and a circumferentially extending protrusion 153 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of inner fitting member 140 facing mating ground contact 220, and protrusion 153 fits into recess 224 when inner fitting member 140 is fitted into mating ground contact 220. The connection strength can be further improved by the protrusion 153 being caught in recess 224.

[0087] (11) The connector 100 according to (10), wherein a second recess 154 extending along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner fitting member 140 facing the surrounding portion 121 to correspond to the protrusion 153, and a second protrusion 126 extending along the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 121 facing the inner fitting member 140 to fit into the second recess 154. Supporting the protrusion 153 with the second protrusion 126 can further improve connection strength.

[0088] (12) The connector (100) according to any one of (2) to (9), wherein the inner fitting member (140) has one or more anchor pieces (162) that protrude outward and engage with the surrounding portion (121) toward mating with the mating ground contact (220). By preventing the inner fitting member (140) from coming out of the surrounding portion (121), the connection strength can be further improved.

[0089] (13) The connector 100 according to (12), wherein the inner fitting member 140 has a plurality of anchor pieces 162 arranged along the circumferential direction around the fitting direction D1. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the inner fitting member 140 from slipping out of the surrounding portion 121.

[0090] (14) The connector 100 according to (13), wherein the surrounding portion 121 is formed with a plurality of slots 124, each of which receives a plurality of anchor pieces 162, from the side away from the mating ground contact 220. By accommodating the plurality of anchor pieces 162 in the plurality of slots 124, the connector 100 can be made more compact.

[0091] (15) The connector 100 according to (14), wherein each of the plurality of slots 124 is formed to restrict circumferential displacement of the corresponding anchor piece 162. This can suppress expansion of the surrounding portion 121 and the inner fitting member 140, thereby further improving connection strength.

[0092] (16) The connector 100 according to (14), wherein the housing 170 has a plurality of spacer pieces 176 that fit into the plurality of slots 124 together with the plurality of anchor pieces 162. By stabilizing the position of the inner fitting member 140 within the surrounding portion 121, it is possible to further achieve both ease of connection and connection strength.

[0093] (17) The connector (100) according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the ground contact (120) is formed of a plate material having a first thickness, and the inner fitting member (140) is formed of a plate material having a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness. This further improves both ease of connection and connection strength.

[0094] (18) The connector (100) according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein the inner fitting member (140) has a flare (155) at an end that receives the mating ground contact (220). This can improve ease of connection.

[0095] (19) The connector (100) according to (18), wherein the inner fitting member (140) further includes one or more flare slits (156) that divide the flare (155) into a plurality of portions aligned in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction (D1). This can further improve ease of connection. While the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0096] 100...connector, 200...mating connector, D1...mating direction, 210...mating signal contact, 220...mating ground contact, 224...recess, 10...coaxial cable, 11...center conductor, 13...outer conductor, 110...signal contact, 170...housing, 120...ground contact, 121...enclosure, 137...cable accommodating portion, 140...inner mating member, 125...opening, 142...first mating portion, 143...second mating portion, 144...connecting portion, 148...contact portion, 122...first end, 123...second end, 124...multiple slots, 126...second convex portion, 133...base plate, 151...slit, 153...convex portion, 154...second concave portion, 155...flare, 156...flare slit, 161...cover piece, 162...anchor piece, 176...spacer piece.

Claims

1. A connector that mates with a mating connector in a mating direction, comprising: a conductive signal contact that is connected to the center conductor of a coaxial cable and that contacts a mating signal contact of the mating connector; an enclosing portion that encloses at least a portion of the signal contact around the mating direction; and a cable accommodating portion that accommodates the coaxial cable outside the enclosing portion; a conductive ground contact; an insulating housing that is accommodated in the ground contact and holds the signal contact; and a conductive inner fitting member that is formed separately from the ground contact and overlaps the inner periphery of the enclosing portion, wherein the enclosing portion mates with the outer periphery of the mating ground contact of the mating connector via the inner fitting member.

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the ground contact further has an opening that connects the inside of the enclosing portion with the inside of the cable accommodating portion, and the inner fitting member has a first fitting portion and a second fitting portion that respectively overlap the inner circumference of the enclosing portion on either side of the opening, and a connecting portion that connects the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion and partially blocks the opening, and wherein the connecting portion fits into the mating ground contact together with the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion.

3. A connector as described in claim 2, wherein the inner fitting member has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the surrounding portion when not mated with the mating ground contact, and an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the surrounding portion when mated with the mating ground contact.

4. A connector as set forth in claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner fitting member further has a slit formed therein that separates the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion connected by the connecting portion within the surrounding portion.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner fitting member has a contact portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion.

6. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the spacing between the slits in the circumferential direction around the mating direction is smaller than the spacing between the openings.

7. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the slit is located opposite the connecting portion in the circumferential direction.

8. A connector as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the surrounding portion has a first end that receives the mating ground contact and a second end facing away from the first end, the ground contact has a base plate that closes the second end and extends to the cable accommodating portion, and a holder that faces the base plate so as to cover the inside of the cable accommodating portion, and the inner fitting member has a cover piece that protrudes towards the holder so as to cover the inside of the cable accommodating portion.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the cover piece is inserted between the base plate and the holder and contacts the inner surface of the holder.

10. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a recess is formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the mating ground contact facing the inner fitting member, and a protrusion is formed along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the inner fitting member facing the mating ground contact, and when the inner fitting member is fitted into the mating ground contact, the protrusion fits into the recess.

11. A connector as described in claim 10, wherein a second recess along the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner fitting member facing the surrounding portion so as to correspond to the protrusion, and a second protrusion along the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding portion facing the inner fitting member so as to fit into the second recess.

12. A connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner fitting member has one or more anchor pieces that protrude outward and engage with the surrounding portion toward the mating position of the mating ground contact.

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein the inner fitting member has a plurality of anchor pieces arranged along a circumferential direction around the fitting direction.

14. The connector according to claim 13, wherein the surrounding portion has a plurality of slots formed therein from the side away from the mating ground contact, the slots receiving the plurality of anchor pieces, respectively.

15. The connector according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of slots is formed so as to restrict displacement of the corresponding anchor piece in the circumferential direction.

16. The connector according to claim 14, wherein the housing has a plurality of spacer pieces that fit into the plurality of slots together with the plurality of anchor pieces.

17. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ground contact is formed from a plate material having a first thickness, and the inner fitting member is formed from a plate material having a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness.

18. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner fitting member has a flare at an end that receives the mating ground contact.

19. A connector according to claim 18, wherein the inner fitting member is further formed with one or more flare slits that divide the flare into a plurality of portions aligned in the circumferential direction around the fitting direction.

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