Connector system and connector

Abstract

A connector system 1 comprises a first connector 100 connected to a circuit board, and a plurality of second connectors 200, wherein: the first connector 100 has a plurality of connection slots 101 to which the plurality of second connectors 200 are respectively connected, and a conductive side plate 110; each of the plurality of connection slots 101 has two or more conductive first contacts 120; and each of the plurality of second connectors 200 has two or more conductive second contacts respectively contacting the two or more first contacts 120, and a conductive shell 210 surrounding the two or more second contacts and contacting the side plate 110.

Description

Connector System and Connector

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing attached to a circuit board and a plurality of housing blocks assembled to the housing. The housing blocks have a plurality of rows of signal contacts and a reference conductor extending between the plurality of rows of signal contacts.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-155077

[0004] The present disclosure provides a system effective for suppressing signal resonance between contacts in a configuration in which a plurality of connectors are connected to one connector.

[0005] A connector system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first connector connected to a circuit board, and a plurality of second connectors arranged in a first arrangement direction along the circuit board and each connected to the first connector. The first connector has a plurality of connection slots to which the plurality of second connectors are respectively connected, and a conductive side plate extending in the first arrangement direction and an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the circuit board around the plurality of connection slots. Each of the plurality of connection slots has two or more conductive first contacts arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the orthogonal direction and the first arrangement direction in which the side plate extends. Each of the plurality of second connectors has two or more conductive second contacts respectively contacting the two or more first contacts, and a conductive shell surrounding the two or more second contacts and contacting the side plate.

[0006] A connector relating to another aspect of the present disclosure is a connector connected to a mating connector connected to a circuit board, the mating connector having a plurality of connection slots to which a plurality of connectors including the connector are each connected, and a conductive side plate extending around the plurality of connection slots in a first arrangement direction in which the plurality of connection slots are aligned and in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the circuit board, each of the plurality of connection slots having two or more first contacts arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the orthogonal direction in which the side plate extends and the first arrangement direction, the connector having two or more conductive second contacts each connected to the two or more first contacts, and a conductive shell surrounding the two or more second contacts and in contact with the side plate.

[0007] A connector relating to yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a connector connected to a circuit board, comprising: a plurality of connection slots to which a plurality of mating connectors arranged in a first arrangement direction along the circuit board are each connected; and a conductive side plate extending around the plurality of connection slots in the first arrangement direction and in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the circuit board, wherein each of the plurality of connection slots has two or more first contacts arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the orthogonal direction to which the side plate extends and the first arrangement direction; each of the plurality of mating connectors has two or more conductive second contacts connected to the two or more first contacts, and a conductive shell surrounding the two or more second contacts, wherein the side plate has a plurality of contact portions corresponding to each of the plurality of mating connectors, and each of the plurality of contact portions contacts the shell of the corresponding mating connector.

[0008] According to this disclosure, in a configuration in which multiple connectors are connected to one connector, a system effective in suppressing signal resonance between contacts can be provided.

[0009] This is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a connector system. This is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the first connector. This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the first connector. This is a perspective view of the first housing in Figure 3. This is a perspective view of the first contact in Figure 3. This is a perspective view of the first individual shell in Figure 3. This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the second connector by a cross section along line VII-VII in Figure 1. This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the second connector. This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the inner unit in Figure 8. This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the base unit in Figure 9. This is a perspective view of the shell plate in Figure 10. This is a perspective view of the second individual shell in Figure 9. This is a perspective view of the outer shell in Figure 8. This is a perspective view of the outer shell in Figure 8. This is a cross-sectional view along line XV-XV in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view along line XVI-XVI in Figure 1. This is a perspective view showing a modified version of the connector system. This is a perspective view showing the shell plate, first side plate, and second side plate in Figure 17. This is a perspective view showing another modified version of the connector system. This is a perspective view showing the shell plate, first side plate, and second side plate in Figure 19. This is a graph illustrating the propagation of a signal between the second contacts. This graph illustrates the propagation of a signal between two contacts.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same function will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] [Connector System] The connector system 1 shown in Figure 1 is used to connect a circuit board 10 to a plurality of cables 20. An example of such an application is an information processing system that transmits signals between a plurality of circuit boards 10 or within a single circuit board 10 using a plurality of cables 20. As shown in Figure 1, the connector system 1 comprises a first connector 100 and a plurality of second connectors 200. The first connector 100 is, for example, a receptacle connector, and each of the plurality of second connectors 200 is, for example, a plug connector. The second connectors 200 are "mating connectors" to the first connector 100 (connector). The first connector 100 is "mating connectors" to the second connectors 200 (connector).

[0012] The first connector 100 is connected to the circuit board 10. Each of the multiple second connectors 200 is connected to two or more cables 20. The multiple second connectors 200 are arranged in a first alignment direction D2, and each is connected to the first connector 100. For example, the first alignment direction D2 is along the circuit board 10, and each of the multiple second connectors 200 is mated to the first connector 100 along an orthogonal direction D1 perpendicular to the circuit board 10. The orthogonal direction D1 is the direction in which the normal to the main surface of the circuit board 10 extends.

[0013] The first connector 100 has a plurality of connection slots 101 to which a plurality of second connectors 200 are each connected. For example, a plurality of second connectors 200 are each mated into a plurality of connection slots 101 along an orthogonal direction D1. Each of the plurality of connection slots 101 has two or more conductive first contacts 120 (see Figure 3). The two or more first contacts 120 are arranged in a second array direction D3 that intersects (for example, is orthogonal to) the orthogonal direction D1 and the first array direction D2.

[0014] Each of the multiple second connectors 200 has two or more conductive second contacts 250 (Figure 10) and a conductive shell 210. The two or more second contacts 250 are each connected to two or more cables 20 and each contacts two or more first contacts 120. The shell 210 surrounds the two or more second contacts 250 around a direction D1 orthogonal to the second contacts 250. Here, surrounding means, for example, covering more than half of the perimeter of the object being surrounded. The same applies hereafter.

[0015] Signal resonance between a first contact 120 and a second contact 250 that are in contact with each other and between other first contacts 120 and second contacts 250 can occur both between second connectors 200 and within one second connector 200. Signal resonance between second connectors 200 refers to a phenomenon in which crosstalk (voltage and current) between a first contact 120 and a second contact 250 that are in contact with each other changes sharply at a certain frequency. It has been newly discovered that signal resonance both between second connectors 200 and within one second connector 200 is amplified by the potential difference between shells 210 and shells 210 between multiple second connectors 200. Even if shells 210 and shells 210 are electrically connected via the circuit board 10, a potential difference can occur between shells 210 and shells 210 at positions away from the circuit board 10, so signal resonance in the path to the circuit board 10 may not be sufficiently suppressed.

[0016] In contrast, the first connector 100 has a conductive side plate 110. The side plate 110 extends in a first arrangement direction D2 and an orthogonal direction D1 around the plurality of connection slots 101. Each shell 210 of the plurality of second connectors 200 is in contact with the side plate 110. As a result, the shells 210 of the second connectors 200 are electrically connected to each other by the side plate 110 of the first connector 100, so that the potential difference between the shells 210 is suppressed (the potential difference becomes smaller). This makes it possible to suppress signal resonance both between the second connectors 200 and within the second connectors 200 of the connector system 1. The configurations of the first connector 100 and the second connector 200 are described below as examples.

[0017] [First Connector] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the first connector 100. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the first connector 100. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the plurality of connection slots 101 has two or more conductive first contacts 120 and two or more conductive first individual shells 130. The two or more first contacts 120 are arranged in a second arrangement direction D3. The two or more first individual shells 130 each surround the two or more first contacts 120. For example, each of the two or more first individual shells 130 surrounds the corresponding first contact 120 around the orthogonal direction D1.

[0018] The first connector 100 may further have a conductive second side plate 110B in addition to the first side plate 110A, which is the side plate 110 described above. The second side plate 110B extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the first array direction D2, and faces the first side plate 110A in the second array direction D3. In each of the plurality of connection slots 101, two or more first contacts 120 are located between the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B.

[0019] Each of the two or more first individual shells 130 and the side plate 110 may have a connection portion that connects to the ground pattern 11 of the circuit board 10. The ground pattern 11 is a conductor pattern having a reference potential on the circuit board 10. Here, "connected" means that it itself is connected to the object to be connected without the use of other components (excluding bonding materials such as solder). The same applies below. For example, each of the two or more first individual shells 130 has a connection portion 131 at the end facing the circuit board 10. Each of the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B has a connection portion 111 at the end facing the circuit board 10. The connection portions 131 and 111 are connected to the ground pattern 11 by soldering or the like.

[0020] The first connector 100 further comprises an insulating first housing 140. The first housing 140 holds two or more first contacts 120 of each connection slot 101, two or more first individual shells 130 of each connection slot 101, a first side plate 110A, and a second side plate 110B in an insulated state from each other.

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first housing 140 in Figure 3. The first housing 140 is formed by injection molding of an insulating material such as resin. The first housing 140 has a pair of wall portions 141, a pair of wall portions 142, and a plurality of contact holding portions 144. The pair of wall portions 141 face each other in the second arrangement direction D3, and each extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the first arrangement direction D2. The pair of wall portions 142 face each other in the first arrangement direction D2, and each extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the second arrangement direction D3. Each of the pair of wall portions 142 connects one of the pair of wall portions 141 to the other. Hereinafter, the pair of wall portions 141 will be distinguished from each other as wall portion 141A and wall portion 141B as needed. Similarly, the pair of wall portions 142 will be distinguished from each other as wall portion 142A and wall portion 142B as needed.

[0022] The multiple contact holding portions 144 are arranged in a first arrangement direction D2 between a pair of wall portions 141 and each corresponds to one of the multiple connection slots 101. Each of the multiple contact holding portions 144 holds two or more first contacts 120 of the corresponding connection slot 101 and two or more first individual shells 130 of the corresponding connection slot 101.

[0023] For example, each of the multiple contact holding portions 144 has two or more individual holding portions 145 and a connecting bar 147. The two or more individual holding portions 145 are arranged in the second arrangement direction D3, and each protrudes toward the direction away from the circuit board 10. The two or more individual holding portions 145 each hold two or more first contacts 120 and two or more first individual shells 130. For example, each of the two or more individual holding portions 145 has a groove 146 formed along the orthogonal direction D1, and the wall surface forming the groove 146 holds the first contact 120. The groove 146 opens toward the wall portion 142A. In addition, each of the two or more individual holding portions 145 is surrounded by the first individual shell 130 and holds the first individual shell 130 from the inside.

[0024] The connecting bar 147 extends from wall portion 141A to wall portion 141B along the second arrangement direction D3, connecting the pair of wall portions 141 to two or more individual holding portions 145. The first housing 140 may further have a connecting bar 148. The connecting bar 148 extends from wall portion 142A to wall portion 142B along the first arrangement direction D2, connecting the pair of wall portions 142 to the connecting bar 147 of the multiple contact holding portions 144. The illustrated first housing 140 has one connecting bar 148 at an intermediate position between the pair of wall portions 141, but the first housing 140 may have multiple connecting bars 148.

[0025] Each of the pair of wall portions 141 has a pair of plate holders 143. The pair of plate holders 143 of wall portion 141A hold the first side plate 110A with at least a portion of it exposed outward (away from wall portion 141B). For example, the pair of plate holders 143 are provided on the outer surface of wall portion 141A (the surface facing away from wall portion 141B) at both ends of wall portion 141A in the first arrangement direction D2. Each of the pair of plate holders 143 protrudes outward from wall portion 141A and holds the first side plate 110A from the outside. The pair of plate holders 143 of wall portion 141B hold the second side plate 110B with at least a portion of it exposed outward (away from wall portion 141A). For example, a pair of plate holders 143 are provided at both ends of the wall portion 141B in the first arrangement direction D2, on the outer surface of the wall portion 141B (the surface facing away from the wall portion 141A). Each of the pair of plate holders 143 protrudes outward from the wall portion 141B and holds the second side plate 110B from the outside.

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first contact 120 in Figure 3. The first contact 120 is formed by punching and bending a thin sheet material of metal (e.g., copper or copper alloy). The first contact 120 has a contact portion 121, a connecting portion 122, and a linking portion 123. The contact portion 121 contacts the second contact 250 (described later) of the second connector 200 when the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101. The connecting portion 122 is connected to the signal line 12 of the circuit board 10 by soldering or the like. The linking portion 123 connects the connecting portion 122 to the contact portion 121. For example, the linking portion 123 extends along the orthogonal direction D1 and is held by the wall surface that forms the groove 146 of the individual holding portion 145. Hereinafter, of the two ends of the linking portion 123, the end facing the circuit board 10 is called the "base end," and the end facing away from the circuit board 10 is called the "tip end." The connecting portion 122 is connected to the base end of the connecting portion 123. The connecting portion 122 is bent around the second alignment direction D3 relative to the connecting portion 123 and protrudes from the groove 146 along the first alignment direction D2. The contact portion 121 is connected to the tip of the connecting portion 123. The portion of the connecting portion 123 near the tip is curved so that the contact portion 121 is located outside the groove 146.

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first individual shell 130 in Figure 3. The first individual shell 130 is formed by punching and bending a thin sheet material of metal (e.g., copper or a copper alloy). The first individual shell 130 has a pair of wall portions 132 and a pair of wall portions 133. The pair of wall portions 132 face each other in the second arrangement direction D3, and each extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the first arrangement direction D2 to cover the outer surface of the individual holding portion 145. The pair of wall portions 133 face each other in the first arrangement direction D2, and each extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the second arrangement direction D3 to cover the outer surface of the individual holding portion 145. Each of the pair of wall portions 132 connects one of the pair of wall portions 133 to the other. Hereinafter, the pair of wall portions 132 will be distinguished from each other as wall portion 132A and wall portion 132B as needed. Similarly, the pair of wall portions 133 are distinguished from each other as wall portion 133A and wall portion 133B as needed. Of the two ends of the first individual shell 130 in the orthogonal direction D1, the end facing the circuit board 10 is called the "base end," and the end facing away from the circuit board 10 is called the "tip end."

[0028] Wall portion 132A faces wall portion 141A, and wall portion 132B faces wall portion 141B. Wall portion 133A faces wall portion 142A, and wall portion 133B faces wall portion 142B. A slit 134 is formed in wall portion 133A along the orthogonal direction D1.

[0029] The base end of the first individual shell 130 is connected to the ground pattern 11 of the circuit board 10 as the connection portion 131 described above. A cutout 135 for receiving the connection bar 147 is formed at the base end (base end and the portion near it) of the first individual shell 130.

[0030] [Second Connector] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the second connector 200, taken along the line VII-VII in Figure 1. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the second connector 200. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second connector 200 has two or more second contacts 250 and a shell 210. The two or more second contacts 250 are each connected to two or more cables 20 and contact two or more first contacts 120 when the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101 (see Figure 15). The shell 210 surrounds the two or more second contacts 250 around the orthogonal direction D1 and contacts the side plate 110 when the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101 (see Figure 1).

[0031] The shell 210 may have two or more conductive second individual shells 220 and a conductive shell plate 230. The two or more second individual shells 220 each surround two or more second contacts 250 and are fitted into the two or more first individual shells 130 with the second connector 200 fitted into the connection slot 101. For example, each of the two or more second individual shells 220 is fitted into the first individual shell 130. The shell plate 230 extends in the second array direction D3 and the orthogonal direction D1 and is connected to the two or more second individual shells 220. For example, the shell plate 230 is connected to the two or more second individual shells 220 by soldering or the like. The shells 210 of the multiple second connectors 200 come into contact with the side plate 110, thereby electrically connecting the shell plate 230 to the shell plate 230.

[0032] Signal resonance is suppressed by individually surrounding two or more first individual shells 130 with two or more first individual shells 130 and individually surrounding two or more second individual shells 220 with two or more second individual shells 250. However, if the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 is not suppressed, signal resonance may not be sufficiently suppressed. In connector system 1, the shell plate 230 suppresses the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 within the second connector 200 of connector system 1. In addition, the side plate 110 electrically connects the shell plate 230 to the shell plate 230, thereby suppressing the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 between the second connectors 200 as well. Since the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 is suppressed both within the second connector 200 and between the second connectors 200 of connector system 1, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0033] The shell 210 may have a first contact portion 211A and a second contact portion 211B. The first contact portion 211A contacts the first side plate 110A toward one direction in the second arrangement direction D3. The second contact portion 211B contacts the second side plate 110B toward the other direction in the second arrangement direction D3. Since the direction in which the first contact portion 211A contacts the first side plate 110A and the direction in which the second contact portion 211B contacts the second side plate 110B are opposite to each other, the arrangement of each of the multiple second connectors 200 with respect to the first connector 100 can be stabilized. This further suppresses signal resonance. In addition, by making each shell 210 of the multiple second connectors 200 contact both the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B, the potential difference between the shells 210 can be further suppressed.

[0034] The shell 210 may further have a first elastic portion 212A and a second elastic portion 212B. The first elastic portion 212A applies an elastic force to the first contact portion 211A toward one direction in the second array direction D3. For example, when the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101, the first elastic portion 212A elastically deforms toward the other direction in the second array direction D3, and applies an elastic force to the first contact portion 211A by elastic energy. The second elastic portion 212B applies an elastic force to the second contact portion 211B toward the other direction in the second array direction D3. For example, when the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101, the second elastic portion 212B elastically deforms toward one direction in the second array direction D3, and applies an elastic force to the second contact portion 211B by elastic energy. By improving the stability of the contact resistance between the first contact portion 211A and the first side plate 110A, and the contact resistance between the second contact portion 211B and the second side plate 110B, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0035] The first contact portion 211A may be configured to contact the first side plate 110A from the outside, with the first side plate 110A facing the second side plate 110B, and the second contact portion 211B may be configured to contact the second side plate 110B from the outside, with the second side plate 110B facing the first side plate 110A. By arranging the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B between the first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B, the first connector 100 can be made more compact.

[0036] The first contact portion 211A may be configured to contact the first side plate 110A from the inside in a direction away from the second side plate 110B, and the second contact portion 211B may be configured to contact the second side plate 110B from the inside in a direction away from the first side plate 110A.

[0037] The shell 210 may further have a conductive outer shell 240. The outer shell 240 surrounds two or more second individual shells 220 and a shell plate 230, and is connected to the shell plate 230 by soldering or the like. The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B may be provided on the outer shell 240. The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B can be easily provided. Furthermore, the first elastic portion 212A and the second elastic portion 212B may be provided on the outer shell 240. In addition to the first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B, the first elastic portion 212A and the second elastic portion 212B can be easily provided.

[0038] The outer shell 240 may be connected to both ends of the shell plate 230 in the second array direction D3. By further suppressing the potential difference within the shell plate 230, the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 can be further suppressed.

[0039] As shown in Figure 13, the outer shell 240 may have a surrounding portion 241 and a first protrusion 242A and a second protrusion 242B. The surrounding portion 241 surrounds two or more second individual shells 220 and a shell plate 230. The first protrusion 242A and the second protrusion 242B protrude toward the circuit board 10 from both ends of the surrounding portion 241 in the second arrangement direction D3. In this configuration, the first contact portion 211A may be provided on the first protrusion 242A, and the second contact portion 211B may be provided on the second protrusion 242B. The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B can be provided even more easily. In addition, the first elastic portion 212A may be provided on the first protrusion 242A, and the second elastic portion 212B may be provided on the second protrusion 242B. In addition to the first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B, the first elastic portion 212A and the second elastic portion 212B can be provided even more easily.

[0040] The first protrusion 242A may face the first side plate 110A from the outside, facing the direction in which the first side plate 110A faces the second side plate 110B, and the second protrusion 242B may face the second side plate 110B from the outside, facing the direction in which the second side plate 110B faces the first side plate 110A. The first contact portion 211A may contact the first side plate 110A with the first protrusion 242A facing the direction in which the first side plate 110A faces, and the second contact portion 211B may contact the second side plate 110B with the second protrusion 242B facing the direction in which the second side plate 110B faces.

[0041] A structure can be easily implemented in which the first contact portion 211A contacts the first side plate 110A as it faces the second side plate 110B, and the second contact portion 211B contacts the second side plate 110B as it faces the first side plate 110B.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the second connector 200 has an integrally formed inner unit 201, and the outer shell 240 is attached to the inner unit 201 along the orthogonal direction D1. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the inner unit 201 has a base unit 202 and two or more of the above-described second individual shells 220. The base unit 202 has two or more of the above-described second contacts 250, the above-described shell plate 230, and an insulating second housing 260. The second housing 260 holds two or more of the second contacts 250 and the shell plate 230 in a mutually insulated state.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 10, the shell plate 230 extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the second array direction D3 in the base unit 202. Hereinafter, one of the main surfaces of the shell plate 230 that extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the second array direction D3 is referred to as the "front surface", and the other is referred to as the "back surface". Two or more of the second contacts 250 are arranged in the second array direction D3 at positions away from the shell plate 230 toward the side facing the front surface of the shell plate 230. Each of the two or more second contacts 250 extends in the direction away from the shell plate 230 in the orthogonal direction D1.

[0044] Each of the two or more second contacts 250 is formed by punching and bending a thin plate material of a metal (for example, copper or a copper alloy, etc.). Each of the two or more second contacts 250 has a connection portion 251 and a contact portion 252. The connection portion 251 and the contact portion 252 are arranged in order toward the side away from the shell plate 230.

[0045] The second housing 260 is integrally molded with two or more second contacts 250 and the shell plate 230 by insert molding of an insulating material such as resin. For example, the second housing 260 has a pair of plate holders 261, two or more contact holders 262, and a connecting bar 263. The pair of plate holders 261 each hold both ends of the shell plate 230 in the second alignment direction D3. The two or more contact holders 262 are aligned in the second alignment direction D3 between the pair of plate holders 261 and each hold two or more second contacts 250. The connecting bar 263 extends from one of the pair of plate holders 261 to the other along the second alignment direction D3 and connects the pair of plate holders 261 and the two or more contact holders 262. Each of the two or more contact holders 262 exposes a connecting portion 251 and a contact portion 252 in opposite directions in the first alignment direction D2. For example, each of the two or more contact holding portions 262 exposes a connecting portion 251 toward the surface facing the shell plate 230 and exposes a contact portion 252 toward the back surface facing the shell plate 230.

[0046] The contact portion 252 contacts the contact portion 121 of the first contact 120 when the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101. Two or more cables 20 are connected to the connection portions 251 of two or more second contacts 250. As shown in Figure 9, each of the two or more cables 20 has a conductive signal conductor 21, an insulating inner sheath 22 covering the signal conductor 21, a conductive outer conductor 23 covering the inner sheath 22, and an insulating outer sheath 24 covering the outer conductor 23. The terminal portion of the cable 20 is processed so that the portion where the signal conductor 21 is exposed, the portion where the outer conductor 23 is exposed, and the portion covered by the outer sheath 24 are arranged in that order from the end of the cable 20. The signal conductor 21 exposed at the terminal portion of the cable 20 is connected to the connection portion 251. When the signal conductor 21 is connected to the connection portion 251, the exposed outer conductor 23 faces the surface of the shell plate 230.

[0047] Two or more second individual shells 220 are attached to the shell plate 230 so as to respectively surround two or more contact holding portions 262 and the outer conductors 23 of two or more cables 20. Each of the two or more second individual shells 220 is connected to the shell plate 230 by, for example, soldering or the like.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shell plate 230 in FIG. 10. The shell plate 230 is formed by punching and bending a thin plate material of metal (such as copper or a copper alloy). The shell plate 230 has a main plate 231 and a pair of lugs 232. The main plate 231 extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the second arrangement direction D3 and is connected to two or more second individual shells 220. The main plate 231 has two or more connection openings 233 and two or more connection openings 234.

[0049] The two or more connection openings 233 are arranged along the second arrangement direction D3. The outer conductors 23 of the two or more cables 20 are connected to the shell plate 230 by soldering or the like through the two or more connection openings 233 respectively. The two or more connection openings 234 are arranged along the second arrangement direction D3. The two or more second individual shells 220 are connected to the shell plate 230 by soldering or the like through the two or more connection openings 234 respectively. The shell plate 230 may have a pair of connection openings 234 for each of the two or more second individual shells 220.

[0050] The pair of lugs 232 project outward from each other in the second arrangement direction D3 from both ends of the main plate 231. In a state where the shell plate 230 is held by the pair of plate holding portions 261 of the second housing 260, the pair of lugs 232 respectively project outward (outward in the second arrangement direction D3) from the pair of plate holding portions 261 (see FIG. 10).

[0051] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second individual shell 220 in Figure 9. The second individual shell 220 is formed by punching and bending a thin sheet of metal (for example, copper or a copper alloy). The second individual shell 220 extends along the orthogonal direction D1 and surrounds the contact holding portion 262 and the outer conductor 23 around the orthogonal direction D1. Hereinafter, of the two ends of the second individual shell 220 in the orthogonal direction D1, the end facing the circuit board 10 is referred to as the "tip," and the end facing away from the circuit board 10 is referred to as the "base."

[0052] The second individual shell 220 has a pair of side wall portions 221, a connecting wall portion 222, a pair of contact portions 223, a pair of elastic portions 224, and a pair of connecting portions 225. The pair of side wall portions 221 face each other in the second arrangement direction D3 and each extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the first arrangement direction D2. The connecting wall portion 222 extends in the orthogonal direction D1 and the second arrangement direction D3 so as to connect the pair of side wall portions 221.

[0053] The pair of contact portions 223 are each connected to the pair of side wall portions 221 via the pair of elastic portions 224. When the second individual shell 220 is fitted into the first individual shell 130, the pair of contact portions 223 each contact the inner surfaces of the pair of wall portions 132. When the second individual shell 220 is fitted into the first individual shell 130, each of the pair of elastic portions 224 elastically deforms to bring the contact portion 223 closer to the contact holding portion 262, and applies an elastic force to the contact portion 223 toward the wall portion 132.

[0054] For example, each of the pair of sidewalls 221 has a cutout near the tip for positioning a contact portion 223 and an elastic portion 224, with the elastic portion 224 protruding into the cutout from the tip towards the base. When the second individual shell 220 is not fitted into the first individual shell 130, the elastic portion 224 is bent relative to the sidewall 221 such that it moves away from the contact holding portion 262 as it moves from the tip towards the base.

[0055] The pair of connecting portions 225 each protrude from the base ends (or near the base ends) of the pair of side wall portions 221 toward the direction away from the connecting wall portion 222. The pair of connecting portions 225 are each fitted into the aforementioned connecting openings 234 and connected to the main plate 231 by soldering or the like.

[0056] Figures 13 and 14 are perspective views of the outer shell 240 in Figure 8. The outer shell 240 is formed by punching and bending a thin sheet of metal (e.g., copper or a copper alloy). As described above, the outer shell 240 may have a surrounding portion 241 and a first protrusion 242A and a second protrusion 242B. The surrounding portion 241 has a main plate 243 and a pair of side holders 246.

[0057] The surrounding portion 241 extends in the first array direction D2 and the second array direction D3, at least partially covering the connecting wall portions 222 of two or more second individual shells 220 connected to the shell plate 230. The pair of side holders 246 protrude in opposite directions from both ends of the surrounding portion 241 in the second array direction D3, and each holds a pair of plate holding portions 261 of the second housing 260. Each of the pair of side holders 246 is bent around the orthogonal direction D1 so as to hold the plate holding portion 261 from both the side facing the surface of the shell plate 230 and the side facing the back surface of the shell plate 230. Hereinafter, the pair of side holders 246 will be distinguished from each other as side holder 246A and side holder 246B as necessary.

[0058] The first protrusion 242A and the second protrusion 242B protrude from the side holder 246A and the side holder 246B toward the circuit board 10, respectively. Of the two ends of the outer shell 240 in the orthogonal direction D1, the end toward the circuit board 10 (the ends of the first protrusion 242A and the second protrusion 242B) is called the "tip" of the outer shell 240, and the end toward the side away from the circuit board 10 is called the "base" of the outer shell 240.

[0059] Each of the pair of side holders 246 has a pair of slits 244 that open at their base ends. When the outer shell 240 is attached to the inner unit 201, the pair of slits 244 each receive a pair of lugs 232 of the shell plate 230. The pair of lugs 232 that have entered the pair of slits 244 are connected to the pair of side holders 246 by soldering or the like.

[0060] The main plate 243 has two or more connection openings 245 arranged in the second arrangement direction D3. The two or more connection openings 245 correspond to two or more connecting wall portions 222 connected to the shell plate 230. Even when the outer shell 240 is attached to the inner unit 201, the two or more connecting wall portions 222 can be accessed from outside the outer shell 240 via the two or more connection openings 245. The main plate 243 is connected to two or more second individual shells 220 by soldering or the like via the two or more connection openings 245. As a result, the two or more second individual shells 220 are connected to each other via both the shell plate 230 and the outer shell 240.

[0061] The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B, and the first elastic portion 212A and the second elastic portion 212B are provided on the first convex portion 242A and the second convex portion 242B, respectively. For example, the first contact portion 211A is connected to the tip of the first convex portion 242A (the tip of the outer shell 240) via the first elastic portion 212A. The first elastic portion 212A is bent around the first alignment direction D2 relative to the first convex portion 242A so as it faces the inner surface of the first convex portion 242A (the surface facing the second convex portion 242B). The first elastic portion 212A is inclined with respect to the first convex portion 242A such that it moves away from the inner surface of the first convex portion 242A as it moves away from the tip of the first convex portion 242A.

[0062] Similarly, the second contact portion 211B is connected to the tip of the second protrusion 242B (the tip of the outer shell 240) via the second elastic portion 212B. The second elastic portion 212B is bent around the first alignment direction D2 relative to the second protrusion 242B so as to face the inner surface of the second protrusion 242B (the surface facing the first protrusion 242A). The second elastic portion 212B is inclined relative to the second protrusion 242B such that it moves away from the inner surface of the second protrusion 242B as it moves away from the tip of the second protrusion 242B.

[0063] When the second connector 200 is fitted into the connection slot 101, the first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B contact the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B from the outside, respectively. The first elastic portion 212A elastically deforms so as to bring the first contact portion 211A closer to the first protrusion 242A, and applies an elastic force toward the first side plate 110A to the first contact portion 211A. Similarly, the second elastic portion 212B elastically deforms so as to bring the second contact portion 211B closer to the second protrusion 242B, and applies an elastic force toward the second side plate 110B to the second contact portion 211B.

[0064] Figure 15 shows the state in which the second connector 200 is fitted to the wall surface of the connection slot 101, as shown by a cross-section along the line XV-XV in Figure 1. Figure 16 shows the state in which the second connector 200 is fitted to the wall surface of the connection slot 101, as shown by a cross-section along the line XVI-XVI in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 15, when the second connector 200 is fitted to the wall surface of the connection slot 101, the contact holding portion 262 enters the first individual shell 130, and the tip portion (or the portion near the tip) of the second individual shell 220 fits to the wall surface of the first individual shell 130. The contact portion 252 of the second contact 250 contacts the contact portion 121 of the first contact 120.

[0065] As shown in Figure 16, when the tip of the second individual shell 220 is fitted into the wall surface of the first individual shell 130, the pair of contact portions 223 contact the inner surfaces of the pair of wall portions 132, respectively. The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B contact the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B from the outside, respectively. Within the second connector 200, the second individual shells 220 are electrically connected to each other by the shell plate 230, and between the second connectors 200, the second individual shells 220 are electrically connected to each other by the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B. The positions where the second individual shells 220 are electrically connected to each other by the shell plate 230 and the positions where the shells 210 are electrically connected to each other by the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B are offset from each other in the orthogonal direction D1. For example, the position where the second individual shells 220 are electrically connected by the shell plate 230 is located further away from the circuit board 10 than the position where the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B connect the shells 210 to each other.

[0066] [Modified Version] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing a modified version of the connector system 1. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the shell plate 230, the first side plate 110A, and the second side plate 110B in Figure 17. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the side plates 110 in this modified version (each of the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B) have a plurality of protrusions 112. The plurality of protrusions 112 are arranged in the first arrangement direction D2, and each protrudes away from the circuit board 10.

[0067] The second connector 200 does not have an outer shell 240. The pair of lugs 232 of the shell plate 230 protrude from both ends of the main plate 231 in opposite directions in the second arrangement direction D3. Furthermore, each of the pair of lugs 232 extends toward the circuit board 10. Hereafter, the pair of lugs 232 will be distinguished from each other as lug 232A and lug 232B as needed.

[0068] Lug 232A fits between two adjacent protrusions 112 on the first side plate 110A, so that both protrusions 112 contact lug 232A. Similarly, lug 232B fits between two adjacent protrusions 112 on the second side plate 110B, so that both protrusions 112 contact lug 232B. This structure allows for further suppression of signal resonance by directly contacting the shell plate 230 with the side plate 110. Furthermore, it allows for space savings compared to configurations where the shell 210 contacts the side plate 110 from the inside or outside in the second array direction D3.

[0069] Each of the two adjacent protrusions 112 may have a contact portion 113 and an elastic portion 114. The contact portion 113 contacts the lug 232. The elastic portion 114 applies an elastic force to the contact portion 113 toward the lug 232. By improving the stability of the contact resistance between the contact portion 113 and the lug 232, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0070] For example, each of the multiple protruding parts 112 has a main body 115, a pair of contact parts 113, and a pair of elastic parts 114. The main body 115 protrudes away from the circuit board 10. The pair of contact parts 113 protrude from the main body 115 in opposite directions in the first arrangement direction D2. The pair of elastic parts 114 connect the pair of contact parts 113 to the main body 115, respectively. For example, each of the pair of elastic parts 114 connects both ends of the contact part 113 in the orthogonal direction D1 to the main body 115. Hereinafter, the pair of contact parts 113 will be described separately as contact part 113A and contact part 113B (distinguishable from each other), and the pair of elastic parts 114 will be described separately as elastic part 114A and elastic part 114B (distinguishable from each other).

[0071] When the lug 232 is placed between two adjacent protrusions 112, the elastic portion 114B of one protrusion 112 elastically deforms to bring the contact portion 113B closer to the main body portion 115, thereby applying an elastic force toward the lug 232 to the contact portion 113B. Similarly, the elastic portion 114A of the other protrusion 112 elastically deforms to bring the contact portion 113A closer to the main body portion 115, thereby applying an elastic force toward the lug 232 to the contact portion 113A.

[0072] Figure 19 is a perspective view showing another modification of the connector system 1. Figure 20 is a perspective view showing the shell plate 230, the first side plate 110A, and the second side plate 110B in Figure 19. By further widening the side plate 110 of Figure 17 in the orthogonal direction D1, the multiple protrusions 112 are moved away from the circuit board 10 and the lugs 232 are shortened. As the multiple protrusions 112 are moved away from the circuit board 10, the area in contact between the side plate 110 and the shell 210 is moved away from the circuit board 10. As a result, in the orthogonal direction D1, the area R1 in which the side plate 110 and the shell 210 are in contact and the area R2 in which the shell plate 230 and two or more second individual shells 220 are connected overlap at least partially, so that the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 can be further suppressed.

[0073] [Example of confirming the effect] Figures 21, 22, and 23 are graphs showing the results of measuring the strength of signals propagating to other second individual shells 220 when signals of various frequencies are input to the second individual shells 220 of the connector system 1 with multiple second connectors 200 mated to the first connector 100. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the frequency of the signal input to the second individual shells 220 of the connector system 1, and the vertical axis of the graph represents the strength of the signal propagating to other second individual shells 220.

[0074] Figure 21 shows the results measured when the first connector 100 does not have a side plate 110 and the shells 210 are not connected by the side plate 110. Plot P1 represents the signal propagated from one second individual shell 220 to another second individual shell 220 adjacent to one second individual shell 220 within the same second connector 200. Plots P2 and P3 represent the signals propagated from two second individual shells 220 in another second connector 200 adjacent to one second individual shell 220 in the second connector 200 having one second individual shell 220.

[0075] Figure 22 shows the results measured using the connector system 1 of Figure 1, with the shells 210 connected to each other by the side plates 110. Plot P11 represents the signal propagated from one second individual shell 220 to another second individual shell 220 adjacent to it within the same second connector 200. Plots P12 and P13 represent the signals propagated from two second individual shells 220 in another second connector 200 adjacent to a second connector 200 having one second individual shell 220.

[0076] Figure 23 shows the results measured using the connector system 1 of Figure 19, with the shells 210 connected by side plates 110. Plot P21 represents the signal propagated from one second individual shell 220 to another second individual shell 220 adjacent to it within the same second connector 200. Plots P22 and P23 represent the signals propagated from two second individual shells 220 in another second connector 200 adjacent to a second connector 200 having one second individual shell 220.

[0077] As shown in Figure 21, resonance occurs between the second individual shells 220 at specific frequencies (e.g., approximately 9.5 GHz and approximately 13.5 GHz), and a strong signal propagates from one second individual shell 220 to another. In particular, strong resonance occurs between the second individual shells 220 within the same second connector 200.

[0078] In contrast, as shown in Figure 22, the connector system 1 of Figure 1 reduced the intensity of the signal propagating both within the same second connector 200 and between the second connectors 200. This confirmed that connecting the shells 210 of multiple second connectors 200 with side plates 110 is effective in suppressing both resonance within the same second connector 200 and resonance between the second connectors 200, and is particularly effective in suppressing resonance within the same second connector 200.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23, the connector system 1 of Figure 19 significantly reduced the signal intensity propagating between the second connectors 200. This confirmed that at least partially overlapping the area R1 in which the side plate 110 and the shell 210 are in contact with the area R2 in which the shell plate 230 and two or more second individual shells 220 are connected is effective in further suppressing resonance between the second connectors 200.

[0080] [Summary] The above disclosure includes the following configuration: (1) A connector system 1 comprising: a first connector 100 connected to a circuit board; and a plurality of second connectors 200 arranged in a first array direction D2 along the circuit board, each connected to the first connector 100, wherein the first connector 100 has a plurality of connection slots 101 to which each of the plurality of second connectors 200 is connected; and a conductive side plate 110 extending around the plurality of connection slots 101 in the first array direction D2 and in an orthogonal direction D1 perpendicular to the circuit board, and each of the plurality of connection slots 101 has two or more conductive first contacts 120 arranged in a second array direction D3 intersecting the orthogonal direction D1 and the first array direction D2, and each of the plurality of second connectors 200 has two or more conductive second contacts that each contact the two or more first contacts 120; and a conductive shell 210 surrounding the two or more second contacts and in contact with the side plate 110. Signal resonance between the first contacts 120 and 250 that are in contact with each other and between other first contacts 120 and 250 can occur both between the second connectors 200 and within one second connector 200. It has been newly discovered that both signal resonance between the second connectors 200 and within one second connector 200 is amplified by the potential difference between the shells 210 and shells 210 between multiple second connectors 200. Even if the shells 210 and shells 210 are electrically connected via a circuit board, a potential difference can occur between the shells 210 and shells 210 at positions away from the circuit board, so signal resonance in the path to the circuit board may not be sufficiently suppressed. With this connector system 1, the shells 210 and shells 210 are electrically connected between the second connectors 200 by the side plates 110 of the first connector 100, so the potential difference between the shells 210 and shells 210 is suppressed. This makes it possible to suppress signal resonance both between the second connectors 200 and within the first second connector 200.

[0081] (2) The connector system 1 according to (1), wherein each of the multiple connection slots 101 further has two or more conductive first individual shells 130 that surround two or more first contacts 120, and the shell 210 has two or more conductive second individual shells 220 that surround two or more second contacts and that fit into two or more first individual shells 130, and a conductive shell plate 230 that extends in the second array direction D3 and the orthogonal direction D1 and is connected to the two or more second individual shells 220, and the shell plate 230 and the shell plate 230 are electrically connected when each shell 210 of the multiple second connectors 200 contacts the side plate 110. By individually surrounding two or more first contacts 120 with two or more first individual shells 130 and individually surrounding two or more second contacts with two or more second individual shells 220, signal resonance is suppressed. However, if the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 is not suppressed, signal resonance may not be sufficiently suppressed. According to this connector system 1, the shell plate 230 suppresses the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 within the second connector 200 1. Furthermore, the side plate 110 electrically connects the shell plate 230 to the shell plate 230, thereby suppressing the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 between the second connectors 200. Since the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 is suppressed both within the second connector 200 1 and between the second connectors 200 1, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0082] (3) The connector system 1 according to (2), wherein each of the two or more first individual shells 130 and the side plate 110 has connection portions 111, 131 that are connected to the ground pattern of the circuit board. By combining the suppression of the potential difference between the first individual shells 130 by the circuit board and the suppression of the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 by the shell plate 230 and the side plate 110, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0083] (4) The connector system 1 according to (2) or (3), wherein the first connector 100 has a first side plate 110A which is a side plate 110 and a conductive second side plate 110B which faces the first side plate 110A in the second arrangement direction D3, two or more first contacts 120 are located between the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B, and the shell 210 has a first contact portion 211A which contacts the first side plate 110A toward one side in the second arrangement direction D3 and a second contact portion 211B which contacts the second side plate 110B toward the other side in the second arrangement direction D3. By stabilizing the arrangement of each of the multiple second connectors 200 with respect to the first connector 100, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0084] (5) The connector system 1 according to (4), wherein the shell 210 further comprises a first elastic portion 212A that applies an elastic force to the first contact portion 211A toward one direction in the second alignment direction D3, and a second elastic portion 212B that applies an elastic force to the second contact portion 211B toward the other direction in the second alignment direction D3. By improving the stability of the contact resistance between the first contact portion 211A and the first side plate 110A and the contact resistance between the second contact portion 211B and the second side plate 110B, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0085] (6) The connector system 1 according to (4) or (5), wherein the first contact portion 211A contacts the first side plate 110A in the direction facing the second side plate 110B, and the second contact portion 211B contacts the second side plate 110B in the direction facing the first side plate 110A. By arranging the first side plate 110A and the second side plate 110B between the first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B, the first connector 100 can be made more compact.

[0086] (7) The connector system 1 according to any one of (4) to (6), wherein the shell 210 further comprises a conductive outer shell 240 that surrounds two or more second individual shells 220 and a shell plate 230 and is connected to the shell plate 230, and the first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B are provided on the outer shell 240. The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B can be easily provided.

[0087] (8) The connector system 1 described in (7), wherein the outer shell 240 is connected to both ends of the shell plate 230 in the second arrangement direction D3. By further suppressing the potential difference within the outer shell 240, the potential difference between the second individual shells 220 can be further suppressed.

[0088] (9) Connector system 1 according to (7) or (8), wherein the outer shell 240 has a surrounding portion 241 that surrounds two or more second individual shells 220 and a shell plate 230, and first protrusions 242A and second protrusions 242B that protrude toward the circuit board from both ends of the surrounding portion 241 in the second arrangement direction D3, the first contact portion 211A is provided on the first protrusion 242A and the second contact portion 211B is provided on the second protrusion 242B. The first contact portion 211A and the second contact portion 211B can be provided even more easily.

[0089] (10) The connector system 1 according to (9), wherein the first protrusion 242A faces the first side plate 110A toward the direction toward the second side plate 110B, the second protrusion 242B faces the second side plate 110B toward the direction toward the second side plate 110B, the first contact portion 211A contacts the first side plate 110A toward the direction toward the first side plate 110A, and the second contact portion 211B contacts the second side plate 110B toward the direction toward the second side plate 110B. A structure can be easily implemented in which the first contact portion 211A contacts the first side plate 110A as it faces the second side plate 110B, and the second contact portion 211B contacts the second side plate 110B as it faces the first side plate 110B.

[0090] (11) Connector system 1 according to any one of (2) to (10), wherein in the orthogonal direction D1, the area in which the side plate 110 and the shell 210 are connected and the area in which the shell plate 230 and two or more second individual shells 220 are in contact overlap at least partially. By further suppressing the potential difference between the second individual shells 220, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0091] (12) The connector system 1 according to (11), wherein the side plate 110 has a plurality of protrusions arranged in a first arrangement direction D2, each protruding away from the circuit board, and the shell plate 230 has a lug that fits between two adjacent protrusions, so that both of the two protrusions contact the lug. By making the shell plate 230 directly contact the side plate 110, signal resonance can be further suppressed. Space saving can also be achieved.

[0092] (13) The connector system 1 according to (12), wherein each of two adjacent protrusions has a contact portion that contacts a lug and an elastic portion that applies an elastic force toward the lug to the contact portion. By improving the stability of the contact resistance between the contact portion and the lug, signal resonance can be further suppressed.

[0093] (14) A connector connected to a mating connector connected to a circuit board, wherein the mating connector has a plurality of connection slots 101 to which a plurality of connectors including the connector are each connected, and a conductive side plate 110 that extends around the plurality of connection slots 101 in a first arrangement direction D2 in which the plurality of connection slots 101 are aligned and in an orthogonal direction D1 perpendicular to the circuit board, and each of the plurality of connection slots 101 has two or more first contacts 120 arranged in a second arrangement direction D3 that intersects the orthogonal direction D1 in which the side plate 110 extends and the first arrangement direction D2, and the connector has two or more conductive second contacts 250 that are each connected to the two or more first contacts 120, and a conductive shell 210 that surrounds the two or more second contacts 250 and contacts the side plate 110.

[0094] (15) A connector connected to a circuit board, comprising: a plurality of connection slots 101 to which a plurality of mating connectors arranged in a first arrangement direction D2 along the circuit board are each connected; a conductive side plate 110 extending around the plurality of connection slots 101 in the first arrangement direction D2 and in an orthogonal direction D1 perpendicular to the circuit board, wherein each of the plurality of connection slots 101 has two or more first contacts 120 arranged in an orthogonal direction D1 to which the side plate 110 extends and a second arrangement direction D3 intersecting the first arrangement direction D2; each of the plurality of mating connectors has two or more conductive second contacts connected to the two or more first contacts 120, and a conductive shell 210 surrounding the two or more second contacts, wherein the side plate 110 has a plurality of contact portions corresponding to each of the plurality of mating connectors, and each of the plurality of contact portions contacts the shell 210 of the corresponding mating connector.

[0095] 20...Cable, D1...Orthogonal direction, D2...First alignment direction, D3...Second alignment direction, 100...First connector, 120...First contact, 101...Connection slot, 200...Second connector, 210...Shell, 1...Connector system, 110...Side plate, 130...First individual shell, 110A...First side plate, 110B...Second side plate, 111, 131...Connection part, 140...First housing, 220...Second individual shell, 230...Shell plate, 211A...First contact part, 211B...Second contact part, 212A...First elastic part, 212B...Second elastic part, 240...Outer shell, 241...Enclosing part, 242A...First protrusion, 242B...Second protrusion.

Claims

1. A connector system comprising: a first connector connected to a circuit board; a plurality of second connectors arranged in a first arrangement direction along the circuit board, each connected to the first connector; the first connector having a plurality of connection slots to which the plurality of second connectors are each connected; a conductive side plate extending around the plurality of connection slots in the first arrangement direction and in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the circuit board; each of the plurality of connection slots having two or more conductive first contacts arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the orthogonal direction in which the side plate extends and the first arrangement direction; each of the plurality of second connectors having two or more conductive second contacts that each contact the two or more first contacts; and a conductive shell surrounding the two or more second contacts and in contact with the side plate.

2. Each of the plurality of connection slots further comprises two or more conductive first individual shells surrounding the two or more first contacts, each of which comprises two or more conductive second individual shells surrounding the two or more second contacts and fitting into the two or more first individual shells, and conductive shell plates extending in the second arrangement direction and the orthogonal direction and connected to the two or more second individual shells, wherein the shells of each of the plurality of second connectors are in contact with the side plates, thereby electrically connecting the shell plates.

3. The connector system according to claim 2, wherein each of the two or more first individual shells and the side plate has a connection portion that is connected to the ground pattern of the circuit board.

4. The connector system according to claim 2, wherein the first connector comprises a first side plate which is the side plate, and a conductive second side plate facing the first side plate in the second alignment direction, the two or more first contacts are located between the first side plate and the second side plate, and the shell comprises a first contact portion that contacts the first side plate toward one side in the second alignment direction, and a second contact portion that contacts the second side plate toward the other side in the second alignment direction.

5. The connector system according to claim 4, wherein the shell further comprises: a first elastic portion that applies an elastic force to the first contact portion toward one direction in the second alignment direction; and a second elastic portion that applies an elastic force to the second contact portion toward the other direction in the second alignment direction.

6. The connector system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first contact portion contacts the first side plate with the direction in which the first side plate faces the second side plate, and the second contact portion contacts the second side plate with the direction in which the second side plate faces the first side plate.

7. The connector system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the shell further comprises a conductive outer shell that surrounds the two or more second individual shells and the shell plate and is connected to the shell plate, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided on the outer shell.

8. The connector system according to claim 7, wherein the outer shell is connected to both ends of the shell plate in the second arrangement direction.

9. The connector system according to claim 7, wherein the outer shell has a surrounding portion that surrounds the two or more second individual shells and the shell plate, and a first convex portion and a second convex portion that protrude toward the circuit board from both ends of the surrounding portion in the second arrangement direction, the first contact portion is provided on the first convex portion and the second contact portion is provided on the second convex portion.

10. The connector system according to claim 9, wherein the first protrusion faces the first side plate in the direction in which the first side plate faces the second side plate, the second protrusion faces the second side plate in the direction in which the second side plate faces the first side plate, the first contact portion contacts the first side plate in the direction in which the first protrusion faces the first side plate, and the second contact portion contacts the second side plate in the direction in which the second protrusion faces the second side plate.

11. The connector system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in the orthogonal direction, the area in which the side plate and the shell are connected and the area in which the shell plate and the two or more second individual shells are in contact overlap at least partially.

12. The connector system according to claim 11, wherein the side plate has a plurality of protrusions arranged in the first arrangement direction, each protruding away from the circuit board, and the shell plate has a lug that fits between two adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions, and both of the two protrusions are in contact with the lug.

13. The connector system according to claim 12, wherein each of the two adjacent protrusions has a contact portion that contacts the lug and an elastic portion that applies an elastic force toward the lug to the contact portion.

14. A connector connected to a mating connector connected to a circuit board, wherein the mating connector has: a plurality of connection slots to which a plurality of connectors including the connector are each connected; a conductive side plate extending around the plurality of connection slots in a first arrangement direction in which the plurality of connection slots are aligned and in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the circuit board, and each of the plurality of connection slots has two or more first contacts arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the orthogonal direction in which the side plate extends and the first arrangement direction, and the connector has two or more conductive second contacts each connected to the two or more first contacts; and a conductive shell surrounding the two or more second contacts and in contact with the side plate.

15. A connector connected to a circuit board, comprising: a plurality of connection slots to which a plurality of mating connectors arranged in a first arrangement direction along the circuit board are each connected; a conductive side plate extending around the plurality of connection slots in the first arrangement direction and in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the circuit board, wherein each of the plurality of connection slots has two or more first contacts arranged in a second arrangement direction intersecting the orthogonal direction to which the side plate extends and the first arrangement direction; each of the plurality of mating connectors has two or more conductive second contacts connected to the two or more first contacts, and a conductive shell surrounding the two or more second contacts, wherein the side plate has a plurality of contact portions corresponding to each of the plurality of mating connectors, and each of the plurality of contact portions contacts the shell of the corresponding mating connector.

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