Connector system, connector unit, and unitized member
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- I PEX INC
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure JP2026000285_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Connector System, Connector Unit, and Unitizing Member
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector system, a connector unit, and a unitizing member.
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-unit electrical connector that enables a plurality of plug modules to be connected to or detached from a connector.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-092811
[0004] The present disclosure provides a system or the like that is effective for easily connecting and removing a plurality of second connectors to and from a first connector.
[0005] A connector system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first connector that is connected to a circuit board along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is formed with a plurality of slots arranged in a matrix in the first direction and the second direction; a plurality of second connectors each connected to an end of a plurality of cables along the first direction, and inserted into a plurality of slots of the first connector with a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction as an insertion direction; and a plurality of unitizing members that divide the plurality of second connectors into a plurality of groups arranged in the second direction and unitize the plurality of groups. Each of the plurality of unitizing members is detachably attached to two or more second connectors arranged in the first direction in a corresponding group, and enables the two or more second connectors to be collectively inserted into and removed from two or more slots in the plurality of slots of the first connector.
[0006] A connector unit according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes two or more connectors each connected to an end of two or more cables along the first direction and inserted into two or more slots arranged in the first direction provided in a mating connector; and a unitizing member that is detachably attached to the two or more connectors and enables the two or more connectors to be collectively inserted into and removed from the two or more slots of the mating connector.
[0007] A unitized member relating to yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a unitized member that makes two or more connectors, each connected to the ends of two or more cables along a first direction and each inserted into two or more slots arranged in a first direction provided on a mating connector, collectively insertable into and removable from two or more slots of a mating connector, comprising: a first member that arranges the two or more connectors so that they correspond to two or more slots of a mating connector; and a second member that is removablely attached to the first member to hold the two or more connectors in the arrangement by the first member, wherein the second member further holds the two or more cables such that at least one of the two or more cables is positioned between the mating connector and one of the two or more connectors.
[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a system that is effective for easily connecting and disconnecting multiple second connectors to a first connector.
[0009] This is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the connector system. This is a perspective view illustrating the connector unit with the removal tape attached. This is an exploded perspective view of the first connector. This is an exploded perspective view of the subconnector. This is a perspective view of the housing. This is a perspective view of the housing. This is a perspective view of the connecting member. This is a perspective view of the second connector. This is a perspective view of the end of the cable. This is an exploded perspective view of the second connector. This is a perspective view of the first member. This is a perspective view of the first member. This is a perspective view of the second member. This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the second connector is connected to the first connector. This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the second connector is connected to the first connector.
[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 a system that electrically connects multiple cables 20 to a circuit board 10 in a removable manner. The connector system 1 comprises a first connector 100 and multiple second connectors 200. The first connector 100 is electrically connected to the circuit board 10. The multiple second connectors 200 are electrically connected to the multiple cables 20. By connecting the multiple second connectors 200 to the first connector 100, the multiple cables 20 are electrically connected to the circuit board 10.
[0012] The first connector 100 has a plurality of slots 101 arranged in a matrix in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first connector 100 is connected to a circuit board 10 extending along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. For example, the first connector 100 is mounted on one side of the circuit board 10 extending along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 and is electrically connected to the signal pattern and ground pattern of the circuit board 10. The plurality of second connectors 200 are each connected to the ends of a plurality of cables 20 extending along the first direction D1. The plurality of second connectors 200 are each inserted into the plurality of slots 101 with the third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 as the insertion direction. For example, the plurality of second connectors 200 are each inserted into the plurality of slots 101 with the third direction D3 as the insertion direction. Multiple cables 20 are electrically connected to the circuit board 10 by arranging multiple second connectors 200 in multiple slots 101. For the sake of explanation, the direction in which the second connectors 200 move toward the first connector 100 along the third direction D3 will be referred to as "downward," and the direction in which the second connectors 200 move away from the first connector 100 along the third direction D3 will be referred to as "upward."
[0013] Each of the multiple cables 20 only needs to be aligned with the first direction D1 at least in the vicinity of the corresponding slot 101. Aligning with the first direction D1 includes the state in which, even if the cable 20 is inclined with respect to the first direction D1, the line obtained by orthogonally projecting the cable 20 onto the first direction D1 extends as it moves away from the second connector. Each of the multiple second connectors 200 may be connected to the ends of two or more cables 20. For example, each of the multiple second connectors 200 is connected to the ends of two or more (four in the illustration) cables 20 aligned in the second direction D2.
[0014] The cables 20 connected to each of the multiple second connectors 200 extend from the upper end (upper end and its vicinity) of the second connector 200 toward one direction in the first direction D1. For the sake of explanation, the direction in which the cables 20 extend from the second connectors 200 along the first direction D1 will be referred to as the "rear direction". Of the multiple second connectors 200, the cables 20 connected to the second connectors 200 other than the second connector 200 located furthest to the rear extend backward over the rearmost second connector 200.
[0015] The connector system 1 further comprises a plurality of unitization members 3. The plurality of unitization members 3 divide the plurality of second connectors 200 into a plurality of groups arranged in a second direction D2, and unitize each of the plurality of groups. Each of the plurality of groups includes two or more (four in the figure) second connectors 200 arranged in a first direction D1. Unitization means integrating them so that they displace together (displace each other in the same direction by the same amount).
[0016] Each of the multiple unitizing members 3 is detachably attached to two or more second connectors 200 (hereinafter referred to as "second connectors 200 in the group") arranged in a first direction D1 in a corresponding group, making the second connectors 200 in the group collectively insertable into and removable from two or more slots 101 of a plurality of slots 101 (two or more slots 101 arranged in the first direction D1). Being able to insert and remove them collectively means, for example, that when one second connector 200 is inserted into a corresponding slot 101, the other second connectors 200 are also inserted into the slots 101, and when one second connector 200 is removed from a corresponding slot 101, the other second connectors 200 are also removed from their corresponding slots 101. The unitizing members 3 constitute a connector unit 2 including two or more second connectors 200 arranged in a first direction D1. The connector unit 2 comprises two or more second connectors 200 and the unitizing members 3.
[0017] When inserting multiple second connectors 200, each connected to the end of multiple cables 20 along a first direction D1, into multiple slots 101, a cable 20 connected to one second connector 200 may obstruct the insertion of other second connectors 200 between two or more second connectors 200 aligned in the first direction D1. According to the connector system 1, in each group unitized by the unitization member 3, it becomes possible to insert and remove the second connectors 200 within the group into and out of two or more slots 101 together. When inserting and removing the second connectors 200 within a group into and out of two or more slots 101 together, it is possible to avoid a situation where a cable 20 connected to one second connector 200 obstructs the insertion and removal of other second connectors 200. For example, any of the connected second connectors 200 within a group can be removed from the first connector 100 by a certain operation of removing the second connectors 200 within the group from two or more slots 101 together and removing the second connectors 200 within the group from the unitization member 3. Since the insertion and removal are performed in groups, they can be inserted and removed with less force compared to inserting and removing all of the second connectors 200 at once. Therefore, this method is effective for easily inserting and removing multiple second connectors 200 from the first connector 100.
[0018] Each of the multiple unitized members 3 may have a first member 40 and a second member 50. The first member 40 arranges the second connectors 200 in the group so that they correspond to two or more slots 101. The second member 50 is attached to the first member 40 in a removable manner so as to hold the second connectors 200 in the group in the state arranged by the first member 40.
[0019] The second member 50 may be configured to further hold the cables 20 within the group such that at least one of the two or more cables 20 (hereinafter referred to as "cables 20 within the group") connected to the second connectors 200 within the group is positioned between the first connector 100 and the second connectors 200 within the group. When the second connectors 200 within the group are individually inserted and removed, the area that would hinder the insertion and removal of any of the second connectors 200 can be used as wiring space for the cables 20, thereby saving space in the connector system 1.
[0020] For example, the second member 50 holds the cables 20 in a group such that the cable 20 connected to the second connector 200 extends backward over another second connector 200 located behind it. The second member 50 may also hold the cables 20 in a group such that two or more cables 20 connected to two or more second connectors 200 arranged in order from front to back are arranged from top to bottom over the second connector 200 one position behind it (see Figure 15).
[0021] When two or more cables 20 (hereinafter referred to as "parallel cables 20") arranged in the second direction D2 are connected to each of the second connectors 200 in the group, the second member 50 may hold the cables 20 in the group such that the parallel cables 20 connected to the second connectors 200 pass over other second connectors 200 located behind them in the second direction D2 and extend backward. The second member 50 may also hold the cables 20 in the group such that two or more sets of parallel cables 20 connected to two or more second connectors 200 arranged in order from front to back are arranged from top to bottom over the second connector 200 one position behind.
[0022] The first member 40 has a pair of side plates 41 and a connecting plate 42, and the first member 40 may have two or more openings 43 formed therein. The pair of side plates 41 face each other in the second direction D2 and each extends perpendicular to the second direction D2. The connecting plate 42 extends in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to connect the pair of side plates 41. The two or more openings 43 are formed in the connecting plate 42 so as to be aligned in the first direction D1. Each of the two or more openings 43 penetrates the connecting plate 42 along the third direction D3.
[0023] The second connector 200 in the group is housed between a pair of side plates 41, and the connecting plate 42 is located below the second connector 200 in the group. The second connector 200 in the group is connected to two or more slots 101, each through two or more openings 43. The second member 50 is attached to the pair of side plates 41 so as to hold the second connector 200 in the group between the pair of side plates 41. A unitized member 3 can be easily constructed that allows the second connector 200 in the group to be easily inserted into and removed from two or more slots 101 together. For example, the second member 50 is attached to the pair of side plates 41 so as to be located above the second connector 200 in the group between the pair of side plates 41. The second connector 200 in the group is sandwiched between the pair of side plates 41 and also sandwiched between the connecting plate 42 and the second member 50.
[0024] The second member 50 may have a contact surface 53 and an opposite surface 54. The contact surface 53 contacts each of the two or more second connectors 200 toward the circuit board 10 between the pair of side plates 41 (see Figures 14 and 15). The opposite surface 54 faces away from the contact surface 53. The opposite surface 54 is a connecting surface that receives a force (downward force) for connecting the two or more second connectors 200 to the two or more slots 101, respectively. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, each of the pair of side plates 41 may have a removal opening 45. For example, the removal opening 45 penetrates the side plate 41 along the second direction D2. The side plate 41 forming the removal opening 45 receives a force for removing the second connectors 200 in the group from the two or more slots 101, respectively. More specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the side plate 41 receives a force (upward force) that removes two or more second connectors 200 from two or more slots 101.
[0025] By applying force to the opposite side 54, the second connector 200 within the group can be connected to two or more slots 101 more easily. Furthermore, by applying force to the inner circumferential surface forming the removal opening 45 on each of the pair of side plates 41, the second connector 200 within the group can be removed from two or more slots 101 more easily.
[0026] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second member 50 may further have a through hole 57 along the second direction D2. The through hole 57 communicates with the removal opening 45 of each of the pair of side plates 41. The second member 50 does not easily obstruct the application of force to the removal opening 45 in each of the pair of side plates 41. Therefore, the second connector 200 in the group can be removed even more easily from two or more slots 101. By passing, for example, an insulating tape 9 through the removal opening 45 of each of the pair of side plates 41 and the through hole 57, and pulling the tape 9, a force to remove the cable 20 in the group from two or more slots 101 can be applied to the inner circumferential surface forming the opening 45 and the wall surface forming the through hole 57 (see Figure 2).
[0027] As shown in Figure 10, each of the two or more second connectors 200 may have a base portion 201 and a mating portion 202. The base portion 201 is housed between a pair of side plates 41. The mating portion 202 protrudes downward from the base portion 201 so as to fit into the corresponding slot 101 through a corresponding opening 43 of two or more openings 43. The connecting plate 42 may face away from the first connector 100 (upwards) and face each of the base portions 201 of the second connectors 200 in the group. Forces for removing each of the second connectors 200 in the group from the two or more slots 101 can be easily applied from the first member 40 to the second connectors 200 in the group.
[0028] For example, the base portion 201 has a flange surface 243 around the mating portion 202 that faces the first connector 100 (see Figure 16). The connecting plate 42 faces upward and is opposite the flange surface 243 of the base portion 201.
[0029] The first connector 100 may further have a plurality of guide portions 153. As shown in Figure 7, the plurality of guide portions 153 are arranged in the second direction D2 so as to correspond to a plurality of groups. The plurality of guide portions 153 each guide the plurality of unitizing members 3 so that the second connector 200 in the group can be inserted into two or more slots 101. By using the unitizing members 3 as guides, the second connector 200 in the group can be inserted into and removed from two or more slots 101 even more easily. For example, each of the plurality of unitizing members 3 is in contact with the outer circumference of the unitizing member 3 arranged around the third direction D3 so as to guide the unitizing member 3 to a position where the second connector 200 in the group can be inserted into two or more slots 101. The unitizing member 3 moves downward while sliding against the guide portion 153, fitting the second connector 200 in the group into two or more slots 101.
[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first connector 100 may have a plurality of subconnectors 110 and a connecting member 150. Each of the plurality of subconnectors 110 has two or more slots 101 arranged in a first direction D1. The connecting member 150 connects the plurality of subconnectors 110 so that they are arranged in a second direction D2. The connecting member 150 may have the plurality of guide portions 153 described above. The plurality of guide portions 153 can be easily configured using the connecting member 150.
[0031] The first connector 100 may have a pair of connecting members 150. The pair of connecting members 150 are positioned at both ends of a plurality of subconnectors 110 in the first direction D1, and connect the plurality of subconnectors 110 so that they are aligned in the second direction D2. Each of the pair of connecting members 150 may have a plurality of guide portions 153 corresponding to a plurality of groups. By guiding the unitization member 3 at each of the pair of connecting members 150, the second connector 200 in the group can be inserted into and removed from two or more slots 101 more smoothly.
[0032] For example, each of the multiple unitized members 3 is guided by a pair of guide portions 153 provided on a pair of connecting members 150. The pair of guide portions 153 are in contact with the outer circumference of the unitized member 3 in opposite directions in the first direction D1.
[0033] As shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple subconnectors 110 may have a housing 120 made of a resin material. The connecting member 150 may be made of a metal material and connected to each of the housings 120 of the multiple subconnectors 110. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the unitization member 3 may have a guide receiving portion 46 made of a metal material. Each of the multiple guide portions 153 may guide the guide receiving portion 46 so that the second connectors 200 in the group can be inserted into two or more slots 101, respectively. As the guide portions 153 guide the unitization member 3, metal-on-metal sliding occurs, which can suppress wear on both the guide portions 153 and the unitization member 3.
[0034] The configurations of the first connector 100, the second connector 200, the first member 40 of the unitized member 3, and the second member 50 of the unitized member 3 will be illustrated in detail below.
[0035] [First Connector] As shown in Figure 3, the first connector 100 has a plurality of subconnectors 110 and a pair of connecting members 150. The pair of connecting members 150 are positioned at both ends of the plurality of subconnectors 110 in the first direction D1, and each connects the plurality of subconnectors 110 so that they are aligned in the second direction D2. For example, the pair of connecting members 150 are arranged front to back, with the front connecting member 150 connecting the front ends of the plurality of subconnectors 110 and the rear connecting member 150 connecting the rear ends of the plurality of subconnectors 110.
[0036] As shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple subconnectors 110 has an insulating housing 120, multiple conductive signal contacts 130, multiple conductive shielding plates 141, and multiple conductive shielding plates 142. The housing 120 is made of an insulating material such as a resin material. The housing 120 has two or more slots 121, each constituting two or more slots 101. The two or more slots 121 are arranged in a first direction D1. Each of the two or more slots 121 opens upward and partially downward.
[0037] The housing 120 has a pair of through holes 122 at each end in the first direction D1, and further has a pair of hooks 123 at each end in the first direction D1 (see Figures 5 and 6). Each of the pair of through holes 122 extends along the second direction D2 and penetrates the housing 120 along the third direction D3. The pair of hooks 123 protrude from the lower part of the housing 120 in opposite directions along the first direction D1.
[0038] As shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple subconnectors 110 has multiple signal contacts 130, one shielding plate 141, and multiple shielding plates 142 for each of the two or more slots 121. The multiple signal contacts 130 are held in the housing 120 so as to be aligned in a second direction D2 within the slots 121. The multiple signal contacts 130 each correspond to a plurality of cables 20. The multiple signal contacts 130 may include a plurality of pairs of signal contacts 130 each corresponding to a plurality of cables 20.
[0039] Each of the multiple signal contacts 130 is made of a conductive material such as metal and has a contact portion 131, a connecting portion 132, and a linking portion 133. The contact portion 131 contacts the signal contact 220 (described later) of the second connector 200 from the front. The connecting portion 132 is located behind the contact portion 131 and is electrically connected to the signal pattern of the circuit board 10. The linking portion 133 connects the contact portion 131 to the connecting portion 132 and is held in the housing 120. For example, the linking portion 133 is fixed to the housing 120 by press-fitting from below.
[0040] The shield plate 141 is formed of a conductive material such as metal, extends along the second direction D2 such that the second direction D2 is the longitudinal direction, and widens along the third direction D3 to form a surface. The shield plate 141 is held in the housing 120 so as to be positioned in front of the plurality of signal contacts 130 within the slot 121. The shield plate 141 extends along the second direction D2 so as to be positioned in front of each of the plurality of signal contacts 130.
[0041] Each of the multiple shielding plates 142 is made of a conductive material such as metal and extends to form a surface along the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The multiple shielding plates 142 are held in the housing 120 so as to be aligned in the second direction D2 within the slot 121. The multiple shielding plates 142 held in the housing 120 divide the slot 121 into multiple spaces corresponding to the multiple cables 20. The multiple signal contacts 130 corresponding to the multiple cables 20 are each housed in the multiple spaces. If the multiple signal contacts 130 include multiple pairs of signal contacts 130 corresponding to the multiple cables 20, the multiple pairs of signal contacts 130 are each housed in the multiple spaces.
[0042] As shown in Figure 7, each of the pair of connecting members 150 is made of a conductive material such as metal and has a connecting plate 151, a plurality of cutouts 152, and a plurality of guide portions 153. The connecting plate 151 extends along the second direction D2 such that the second direction D2 is the longitudinal direction and widens along the third direction D3 to form a surface. The plurality of cutouts 152 are formed in the connecting plate 151. The plurality of cutouts 152 are arranged in the second direction D2 so as to correspond to a plurality of subconnectors 110. Each of the plurality of cutouts 152 penetrates the connecting plate 151 and is open downwards. Each of the plurality of cutouts 152 hooks onto the hook 123 of the corresponding subconnector 110. This connects the plurality of subconnectors 110 to each other.
[0043] The plurality of guide portions 153 are arranged in the second direction D2 so as to correspond to the plurality of sub-connectors 110 respectively. Each of the plurality of guide portions 153 is continuous with the upper edge of the connection plate 151 and extends so as to form a surface along the second direction D2. Each of the plurality of guide portions 153 is bent around the second direction D2 and extends downward. Each of the plurality of guide portions 153 is inserted into the through hole 122 of the corresponding sub-connector 110. Thereby, the connection of the plurality of sub-connectors 110 is strengthened. As described above, the plurality of guide portions 153 are in contact with the outer periphery of the unitizing member 3 and guide the unitizing member 3. For example, the plurality of guide portions 153 of the connection member 150 located in the front contact the plurality of unitizing members 3 from the front respectively. The plurality of guide portions 153 of the connection member 150 located in the rear contact the plurality of unitizing members 3 from the rear respectively.
[0044] [Second Connector] As shown in FIG. 8, the second connector 200 is connected to the end of the parallel cable 20. Each of the parallel cables 20 extends obliquely upward rearward from the upper end of the second connector 200. As described above, the second connector 200 has a base portion 201 and a fitting portion 202. The fitting portion 202 projects downward from the base portion 201.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the cable 20 has a conductive signal conductor 21, an insulating inner sheath 22, a conductive outer conductor 23, and an insulating outer sheath 24. The signal conductor 21 is, for example, a single metal wire or a stranded wire and conducts an electrical signal. The inner sheath 22 is formed of an insulating material such as resin and covers the signal conductor 21. The outer conductor 23 is, for example, a metal braided shield, a foil shield, or a double shield and covers the inner sheath 22. The outer sheath 24 is formed of an insulating material such as resin and covers the outer conductor 23. At the end of the cable 20, a portion where the signal conductor 21 is exposed and a portion where the outer conductor 23 is exposed are formed in order from the tip.
[0046] Cable 20 may have a pair of signal conductors 21 that conduct differential electrical signals. Cable 20 may have a pair of inner sheaths 22 that each cover a pair of signal conductors 21. The pair of signal conductors 21 are arranged side by side in the second direction D2. The outer conductor 23 covers both of the pair of inner sheaths 22.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the second connector 200 has a main unit 210, a plurality of conductive individual shells 250, and a conductive outer shell 260. The main unit 210 has a plurality of conductive signal contacts 220, a conductive support member 230, and a housing 240. The plurality of signal contacts 220 are each electrically connected to the signal conductors 21 of the parallel cable 20. The plurality of signal contacts 220 each contact a plurality of signal contacts 130 of the slots 101 in a state where the second connector 200 is fitted to the first connector 100. Thereby, the signal conductors 21 are electrically connected to the signal patterns of the circuit board 10.
[0048] The plurality of signal contacts 220 are arranged side by side in the second direction D2 so as to respectively correspond to the parallel cable 20. When each of the parallel cables 20 has a pair of signal conductors 21, the plurality of signal contacts 220 may include a plurality of pairs of signal contacts 220 that respectively correspond to the plurality of cables 20.
[0049] Each of the plurality of signal contacts 220 is formed of a conductive material such as metal and has a contact portion 221, a connection portion 222, and a connecting portion 223. The contact portion 221 extends along the third direction D3 at the fitting portion 202 and contacts the contact portion 131 of the signal contact 130 from the rear. The connection portion 222 is located above and behind the contact portion 221 and extends along a fourth direction D4 that is inclined so as to intersect both the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The connecting portion 223 bends around the second direction D2 to connect the contact portion 221 to the connection portion 222. The connection portion 222 extends obliquely upward from the connecting portion 223 toward the rear. A signal conductor 21 along the fourth direction D4 is connected to the connection portion 222 from above by soldering or the like. The signal conductor 21 connected to the connection portion 222 extends obliquely upward toward the rear.
[0050] The support member 230 is made of a conductive material such as metal and supports the parallel cables 20 connected to each of the multiple signal contacts 220 from below. The support member 230 has a support plate 231 and a pair of arms 232. The support plate 231 is located below the portion of the parallel cable 20 where the outer conductor 23 is exposed, extends along the second direction D2 such that the second direction D2 is the longitudinal direction, and spreads out to form a surface along the fourth direction D4. The pair of arms 232 are connected to both ends of the support plate 231 in the second direction D2, and each protrudes diagonally downward toward the front. Each end of the pair of arms 232 is bent around the second direction D2 and extends upward.
[0051] The housing 240 is formed of an insulating material such as resin and holds the plurality of signal contacts 220 and the support member 230 in an insulated state from each other. The housing 240 has a base portion 241 corresponding to the base portion 201 and a mating portion 242 corresponding to the mating portion 202. The base portion 241 has a flange surface 243 that faces the first connector 100 around the mating portion 242. The housing 240 encloses and holds at least the connecting portion 223 of each of the plurality of signal contacts 220, and exposes the contact portion 221 forward at the mating portion 242. The housing 240 also exposes the connecting portion 222 upward. The housing 240 encloses and holds at least a pair of arms 232 of the support member 230, and exposes at least the portion of the support plate 231 that supports the parallel cable 20 upward. The main unit 210 is formed, for example, by arranging a plurality of signal contacts 220 and a support member 230 in a mold and insert molding the housing 240.
[0052] Each of the individual shells 250 corresponds to a parallel cable 20. Each of the individual shells 250 is made of a conductive material such as metal and surrounds the corresponding cable 20 around the fourth direction D4. For example, each of the individual shells 250 extends along the fourth direction D4 and covers the cable 20 from above and the side. For example, each of the individual shells 250 covers at least the portion where the outer conductor 23 is exposed and the signal conductor 21 connected to the connector 222. Each of the individual shells 250 is connected to the support plate 231 and the outer conductor 23 by soldering or the like. As a result, at least a portion of the cable 20 (for example, the portion where the outer conductor 23 is exposed) is surrounded all around by the individual shells 250 and the support plate 231.
[0053] The outer shell 260 is made of a conductive material such as metal and is attached to the top of the housing 240. For example, the outer shell 260 extends along the second direction D2 and covers the base portion 241 of the housing 240 from above, the front, and the rear.
[0054] [First Member of Unitized Component] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first member 40 has a pair of side plates 41, a connecting plate 42, a pair of catch holes 44, and a pair of guide receiving portions 46. The first member 40 also has two or more openings 43 and a pair of removal openings 45. The pair of side plates 41 face each other in the second direction D2, and each extends perpendicular to the second direction D2. For example, each of the pair of side plates 41 extends along the first direction D1 such that the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction, and extends along the third direction D3 to form a surface. The connecting plate 42 extends in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to connect the pair of side plates 41. For example, the connecting plate 42 extends along the first direction D1 such that the first direction D1 is the longitudinal direction, and extends along the second direction D2 to form a surface to connect the lower ends of the pair of side plates 41. Two or more openings 43 are formed in the connecting plate 42 so as to be aligned in the first direction D1, and each of them penetrates the connecting plate 42 along the third direction D3. Each of the two or more openings 43 has a shape and size that allows the mating portion 202 of the second connector 200 to pass through. The portion of the connecting plate 42 surrounding the two or more openings 43 faces upward toward the flange surface 243 of the second connector 200.
[0055] A pair of catch holes 44 are formed in each of the pair of side plates 41 and are used to attach the second member 50 as described below. Each of the pair of catch holes 44 penetrates the corresponding side plate 41 along the second direction D2. As described above, a pair of removal openings 45 are formed in each of the pair of side plates 41 and the inner circumferential surfaces of the side plates 41 forming the openings 45 receive forces to remove the second connectors 200 in the group from two or more slots 101, respectively. Each of the pair of removal openings 45 penetrates the corresponding side plate 41 along the second direction D2. With respect to the connecting plate 42, the pair of removal openings 45 are located distal to (e.g., above) the pair of catch holes 44. For example, the pair of removal openings 45 are located between the upper ends of the pair of side plates 41 and the pair of catch holes 44, and the pair of catch holes 44 are located between the connecting plate 42 and the pair of removal openings 45. The pair of guide receiving portions 46 are connected to both ends of the connecting plate 42 in the first direction D1. The pair of guide receiving portions 46 contact the pair of guide portions 153 described above when the second connector 200 is fitted into the first connector 100 (see Figure 7). The pair of guide portions 153 contact the pair of guide receiving portions 46, respectively, to guide the pair of guide receiving portions 46 so that the second connector 200 in the group is fitted into two or more slots 101. The pair of guide receiving portions 46 slide relative to the pair of guide portions 153, guiding the second connector 200 in the group into two or more slots 101.
[0056] The first member 40 is formed from a conductive material such as metal. For example, the first member 40 is formed by punching and bending a thin sheet of metal (e.g., copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.).
[0057] [Second Member of Unitization Component] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second member 50 has a block 51, a pair of lock tabs 52, a recess 55, a guide surface 56, and a through hole 57. The block 51 has an outer shape that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped with its longitudinal direction aligned with the first direction D1. The outer surface of the block 51 has a pair of end faces 51a perpendicular to the first direction D1, a pair of side faces 51b perpendicular to the second direction D2, and a pair of planes 51c perpendicular to the third direction D3. Of the pair of planes 51c, the lower plane 51c constitutes the contact surface 53 described above, and the upper plane 51c forms the opposite surface 54 described above. As described above, the contact surface 53 contacts each of the two or more second connectors 200 toward the circuit board 10 between the pair of side plates 41 (see Figure 15). The opposite side 54 is a connection surface that receives force for connecting two or more second connectors 200 to two or more slots 101, respectively.
[0058] The pair of side surfaces 51b each face the pair of side plates 41 of the first member 40. The pair of lock tabs 52 each protrude outward from the pair of side surfaces 51b. The protrusion height of each lock tab 52 decreases as it goes downward. The second member 50 is attached to the first member 40 from above. The pair of lock tabs 52 enter between the pair of side plates 41, moving them apart from each other, and move downward, passing through the pair of removal openings 45 to reach the pair of catch holes 44. When the pair of lock tabs 52 reach the pair of catch holes 44, the pair of side plates 41 elastically return to their original position and move closer to each other, and the pair of lock tabs 52 enter the pair of catch holes 44. This holds the second member 50 between the pair of side plates 41. In the third direction D3, the width of the openings of the pair of removal openings 45 may be smaller than the width of the openings of the pair of catch holes 44 so that the pair of lock tabs 52 can easily pass through the pair of removal openings 45. The through-hole 57 penetrates the block 51 along the second direction D2 so that it communicates with a pair of removal openings 45, with a pair of lock tabs 52 each inserted into a pair of catch holes 44.
[0059] The recess 55 is formed in the block 51 to accommodate the cable 20 in the group, with the contact surface 53 in contact with the second connector 200 in the group. The recess 55 opens downward to receive the cable 20 in the group. The recess 55 is also open towards the rear to allow the housed cable 20 in the group to extend backward. The guide surface 56 is formed on the upper surface inside the recess 55 and is inclined to move upward away from the contact surface 53 as it moves towards the rear. The guide surface 56 gently bends the cable 20 in the group housed in the recess 55 and guides it backward.
[0060] The second member 50 is formed from an insulating material such as resin. For example, the second member 50 is formed by injection molding of resin.
[0061] [Connection between the first and second connectors] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the second connector 200 within the unitized group by the unitized member 3 is fitted into two or more slots 101. When the connector unit 2 is positioned above two or more slots 101 in order to fit the second connector 200 within the group into two or more slots 101, the pair of guide portions 153 come into contact with the pair of guide receiving portions 46. In this state, the opposite surface 54 receives a downward force from the worker. As a result, the second member 50 moves downward, and the second connector 200 within the group also moves downward, pushed by the contact surface 53, and the first member 40 also moves downward, pushed by the flange surface 243, and the pair of guide receiving portions 46 slide against the pair of guide portions 153. The pair of guide receiving portions 46 contact the pair of guide portions 153 respectively, thereby suppressing the displacement of the second connector 200 within the group in the first direction D1, and allowing the second connector 200 within the group to be smoothly inserted into the two or more slots 101.
[0062] As shown in Figure 15, when the second connector 200 in the group is inserted into two or more slots 101, the contact portion 221 of the signal contact 220 of the second connector 200 contacts the contact portion 131 of the signal contact 130 of the first connector 100 facing forward. As a result, the signal conductor 21 of the cable 20 is electrically connected to the signal pattern of the circuit board 10 via the signal contacts 220 and 130. Also, as shown in Figure 16, the multiple individual shells 250 of the second connector 200 are each housed in multiple spaces partitioned by the shield plate 141 (see Figure 4) and multiple shield plates 142 of the first connector 100. Each of the multiple individual shells 250 contacts an adjacent pair of shield plates 142 from the inside. As a result, the outer conductor 23 of the cable 20 is electrically connected to the ground pattern of the circuit board 10.
[0063] When removing the second connector 200 within the group from two or more slots 101, as shown in Figure 16, the worker pulls the tape 9 that has been passed through the pair of removal openings 45 of the first member 40 and the through hole 57 of the second member 50. This causes the first member 40 and the second member 50 to move upward, and the second connector 200 within the group is pushed upward by the connecting plate 42 and removed from two or more slots 101. Note that the second connector 200 not housed in the unitization member 3 may be directly connected to the slot 101. Alternatively, the second connector 200 not housed in the unitization member 3 may be connected to each of the multiple slots 101. In this case, the unitization member 3 also helps prevent the misconnection of the second connector 200 to an unintended slot 101.
[0064] 〔summary〕
[0065] (1) A connector system 1 comprising: a first connector 100 connected to a circuit board 10 along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, having a plurality of slots 101 arranged in a matrix in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1; a plurality of second connectors 200 connected to the ends of a plurality of cables 20 along the first direction D1, respectively, and inserted into a plurality of slots 101 of the first connector 100 with a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 as the insertion direction; and a plurality of unitizing members 3 that divide the plurality of second connectors 200 into a plurality of groups arranged in the second direction D2, and unitize each of the plurality of groups, wherein each of the plurality of unitizing members 3 is detachably attached to two or more second connectors 200 arranged in the first direction D1 in the corresponding group, and two or more second connectors 200 can be collectively inserted into and removed from two or more slots 101 in the plurality of slots 101 of the first connector 100. When inserting multiple second connectors 200, each connected to the end of multiple cables 20 along a first direction D1, into multiple slots 101, a cable 20 connected to one second connector 200 may obstruct the insertion of other second connectors 200 between two or more second connectors 200 aligned in the first direction D1. With this connector system 1, in each group unitized by the unitization member 3, it becomes possible to insert and remove two or more second connectors 200 aligned in the first direction D1 into and into two or more slots 101 together. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where a cable 20 connected to one second connector 200 obstructs the insertion of other second connectors 200 between two or more second connectors 200. For example, any of the two or more inserted second connectors 200 can be removed from the first connector 100 by a certain operation of removing two or more second connectors 200 together from two or more slots 101, and then removing the two or more second connectors 200 from the unitization member 3. Since the plugging and unplugging are done in groups, they can be plugged and unplugged with less force and more easily compared to plugging and unplugging all of the multiple second connectors 200 at once.Therefore, it is effective for easily inserting and removing multiple second connectors 200 from the first connector 100.
[0066] (2) The connector system 1 according to (1), wherein each of the multiple unitized members 3 includes a first member 40 that arranges two or more second connectors 200 so that they correspond to two or more slots 101, and a second member 50 that is attached to the first member 40 in a removable manner so as to hold the two or more second connectors 200 in the arranged state by the first member 40, and the second member 50 further holds two or more cables 20 such that at least one of the two or more cables 20 connected to the two or more second connectors 200 is positioned between the first connector 100 and one of the two or more second connectors 200. When inserting and removing two or more second connectors 200 individually, the area that would hinder the insertion and removal of any of the second connectors 200 can be used as wiring space for the cables 20, thereby saving space in the connector system 1.
[0067] (3) The connector system 1 according to (2), wherein the first member 40 has a pair of side plates 41 that face each other in a second direction D2 and each extends perpendicular to the second direction D2, and a connecting plate 42 that extends in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 and connects the pair of side plates 41, and the first member 40 has two or more openings 43 formed in the connecting plate 42 so as to be aligned in the first direction D1, and two or more second connectors 200 are housed between the pair of side plates 41 and inserted into two or more slots 101 via the two or more openings 43, and the second member 50 is attached to the pair of side plates 41 so as to hold the two or more second connectors 200 between the pair of side plates 41. A unitized member 3 can be easily constructed in which two or more second connectors 200 can be inserted into and removed from two or more slots 101 together.
[0068] (4) The connector system 1 according to (3), wherein the second member 50 has a contact surface 53 that contacts each of the two or more second connectors 200 toward the circuit board 10 between the pair of side plates 41, and a connecting surface 54 that faces away from the contact surface 53 and receives force for connecting the two or more second connectors 200 to the two or more slots 101, and each of the pair of side plates 41 has a wall surface (inner circumferential surface of the side plate 41) that receives force for removing the two or more second connectors 200 from the two or more slots 101. By applying force to the connecting surface 54, the two or more second connectors 200 can be connected to the two or more slots 101 even more easily. By applying force to the wall surface of each of the pair of side plates 41, the two or more second connectors 200 can be removed from the two or more slots 101 even more easily.
[0069] (5) The connector system 1 according to (4), wherein each of the pair of side plates 41 has a removal opening 45 for removing two or more second connectors 200 from two or more slots 101, the inner circumferential surface of the removal opening 45 includes the wall surface, and the second member 50 further has a through hole 57 that communicates with each of the removal openings 45 of the pair of side plates 41. The second member 50 is less likely to get in the way when applying force to the removal opening 45 in each of the pair of side plates 41. Therefore, two or more second connectors 200 can be removed even more easily from two or more slots 101.
[0070] (6) Each of the two or more second connectors 200 has a base portion 201 housed between a pair of side plates 41 and a mating portion 202 protruding from the base portion 201 to fit into a corresponding slot 101 through a corresponding opening among two or more openings 43, and the connecting plate 42 faces away from the first connector 100 and opposite to the base portion 201 of each of the two or more second connectors 200, the connector system 1 according to (5). Forces for removing each of the two or more second connectors 200 from each of the two or more slots 101 can be easily applied to the two or more second connectors 200 from the first member 40.
[0071] (7) The connector system 1 according to (1), wherein the first connector 100 further has a plurality of guide portions 153 that guide a plurality of unitization members 3 so that two or more second connectors 200 are inserted into two or more slots 101, respectively. The unitization members 3 can be used as guides to make it even easier to insert and remove two or more second connectors 200 into two or more slots 101.
[0072] (8) The connector system 1 according to (7), wherein the first connector 100 comprises a plurality of subconnectors 110, each having two or more slots 101, and a connecting member 150 that connects the plurality of subconnectors 110 so as to be aligned in the second direction D2, and the connecting member 150 has a plurality of guide portions 153. The plurality of guide portions 153 can be easily configured using the connecting member 150.
[0073] (9) The connector system 1 according to (8), wherein the first connector 100 comprises a plurality of subconnectors 110, each having two or more slots 101, and a pair of connecting members 150, each positioned at both ends of the plurality of subconnectors 110 in a first direction D1, and connecting the plurality of subconnectors 110 so as to be aligned in a second direction D2, and each of the pair of connecting members 150 has a plurality of guide portions 153. By guiding the unitization member 3 at each of the pair of connecting members 150, two or more second connectors 200 can be inserted into and removed from two or more slots 101 even more smoothly.
[0074] (10) Each of the plurality of subconnectors 110 has a housing 120 made of resin material, a connecting member 150 made of metal material and connected to each of the housings 120 of the plurality of subconnectors 110, and the unitizing member 3 has a guide receiving portion 46 made of metal material, and each of the plurality of guide portions 153 guides the guide receiving portion 46 so that two or more second connectors 200 can be inserted into two or more slots 101, respectively, the connector system 1 as described in (8). Wear due to the guides can be suppressed.
[0075] (11) A connector unit 2 comprising: two or more connectors, each connected to the end of two or more cables 20 along a first direction D1 and each inserted into two or more slots 101 arranged in the first direction D1 on a mating connector; and a unitizing member 3, which is detachably attached to the two or more connectors and allows the two or more connectors to be inserted into and removed together from the two or more slots 101 of the mating connector.
[0076] (12) A unitized member 3 that allows two or more connectors, each connected to the ends of two or more cables 20 along a first direction D1 and each inserted into two or more slots 101 arranged in the first direction D1 on a mating connector, to be inserted and removed together into two or more slots 101 on a mating connector, comprising: a first member 40 that arranges the two or more connectors so that they correspond to two or more slots 101 on a mating connector; and a second member 50 that is attached to the first member 40 in a removable manner so as to hold the two or more connectors in the arrangement by the first member 40, wherein the second member 50 further holds the two or more cables 20 such that at least one of the two or more connectors is positioned between at least one of the cables 20 and the mating connector. The embodiments have been described above, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist thereof.
[0077] 1...Connector system, 100...First connector, D1...First direction, D2...Second direction, 101...Slot, 10...Circuit board, 20...Cable, D3...Third direction, 200...Second connector, 3...Unitized member, 2...Connector unit, 40...First member, 50...Second member, 41...Side plate, 42...Connecting plate, 43...Opening, 53...Contact surface, 54...Opposite surface (Surface for connection), 45...Opening for removal, 57...Through hole, 201...Base part, 202...Matching part, 153...Guide part, 110...Sub connector, 150...Connecting member, 120...Housing, 46...Guide receiving part.
Claims
1. A connector system comprising: a first connector having a plurality of slots arranged in a matrix in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and connected to a circuit board along the first and second directions; a plurality of second connectors, each connected to the end of a plurality of cables along the first direction, and inserted into the plurality of slots of the first connector with a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions as the insertion direction; and a plurality of unitizing members, each of which divides the plurality of second connectors into a plurality of groups arranged in the second direction and unitizes the plurality of groups, wherein each of the plurality of unitizing members is detachably attached to two or more second connectors arranged in the first direction in the corresponding group, and the two or more second connectors can be collectively inserted into and removed from two or more slots in the plurality of slots of the first connector.
2. Each of the plurality of unitized members comprises: a first member that arranges the two or more second connectors to correspond to the two or more slots, respectively; and a second member that is detachably attached to the first member to hold the two or more second connectors in the arranged state by the first member, wherein the second member further holds two or more cables such that at least one of the two or more cables connected to the two or more second connectors is positioned between the first connector and the two or more second connectors, the connector system according to claim 1.
3. The connector system according to claim 2, wherein the first member comprises a pair of side plates facing each other in the second direction and each extending perpendicularly to the second direction, and a connecting plate extending in the first and second directions and connecting the pair of side plates, wherein two or more openings are formed in the connecting plate so as to be aligned in the first direction, the two or more second connectors are housed between the pair of side plates and inserted into the two or more slots through the two or more openings, and the second member is attached to the pair of side plates so as to hold the two or more second connectors between the pair of side plates.
4. The connector system according to claim 3, wherein the second member has a contact surface between the pair of side plates that contacts each of the two or more second connectors toward the circuit board, and a connecting surface that faces away from the contact surface and receives force for connecting the two or more second connectors to the two or more slots, and each of the pair of side plates has a wall surface that receives force for removing the two or more second connectors from the two or more slots, 5. The connector system according to claim 4, wherein each of the pair of side plates has a removal opening for removing the two or more second connectors from the two or more slots, the inner circumferential surface of the removal opening includes the wall surface, and the second member further has through holes communicating with the removal openings of each of the pair of side plates.
6. Each of the two or more second connectors has a base portion housed between the pair of side plates and a mating portion protruding from the base portion so as to fit into a corresponding slot through a corresponding opening among the two or more openings, and the connecting plate faces away from the first connector and opposite the base portion of each of the two or more second connectors, the connector system according to claim 5.
7. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the first connector further comprises a plurality of guide portions that guide the plurality of unitized members so that the two or more second connectors are inserted into the two or more slots, respectively.
8. The connector system according to claim 7, wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of subconnectors, each having two or more slots, and a connecting member that connects the plurality of subconnectors so as to be aligned in the second direction, and the connecting member has the plurality of guide portions.
9. The connector system according to claim 8, wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of subconnectors, each having two or more slots, and a pair of connecting members, each positioned at both ends of the plurality of subconnectors in a first direction and connecting the plurality of subconnectors so as to be aligned in a second direction, and each of the pair of connecting members has the plurality of guide portions.
10. The connector system according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of subconnectors has a housing made of a resin material, the connecting member is made of a metal material and is connected to the housing of each of the plurality of subconnectors, the unitizing member has a guide receiving portion made of a metal material, and each of the plurality of guide portions guides the guide receiving portion so that the two or more second connectors can be inserted into the two or more slots, respectively.
11. A connector unit comprising: two or more connectors, each connected to the ends of two or more cables along a first direction and each inserted into two or more slots arranged in the first direction provided on a mating connector; and a unitizing member, which is detachably attached to the two or more connectors and enables the two or more connectors to be inserted into and removed together from the two or more slots of the mating connector.
12. A unitized member for making two or more connectors, each connected to the ends of two or more cables along a first direction and each inserted into two or more slots arranged in the first direction provided on a mating connector, collectively insertable into and removable from the two or more slots of the mating connector, comprising: a first member that arranges the two or more connectors so that they correspond to the two or more slots of the mating connector; and a second member that is removablely attached to the first member to hold the two or more connectors in the arrangement by the first member, wherein the second member further holds the two or more cables such that at least one of the two or more cables is positioned between the two or more connectors and the mating connector.