JP2025011730A - Connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector device capable of preventing malfunctions when inserting and removing a first connector and second connector.SOLUTION: A connector device 100 includes a first connector 5 and a second connector 1. When the first outer shield 81 is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 and separated from the other, and the second inner shield extension 453 and the first inner shield extension 853 are in contact with each other, a second specific terminal 31 and a first specific terminal 71 are spaced apart from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to a connector device, and more specifically to a connector device having a first connector and a second connector.

Patent document 1 describes a connector device. This connector device includes an outer shield, a terminal, and a housing. The outer shield has a cylindrical portion with both ends open in a predetermined direction. The terminal is surrounded by the outer shield and is electrically connected to a mating terminal of a mating connector. The housing is fixed to the outer shield and holds the terminal. The outer shield has a tip surface, an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The tip surface is provided along the inner edge of the cylindrical portion at one end of both ends of the cylindrical portion that is the mating connector side when the connector and the mating connector transition from a non-connected state to a connected state. At least one of the tip surface, the outer peripheral surface, and the inner peripheral surface is seamless around the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion in the circumferential direction.

JP 2021-111598 A

In connector devices such as those described above, it is desirable to prevent malfunctions from occurring when mating the connector with the mating connector.

The present disclosure aims to provide a connector device that can suppress the occurrence of malfunctions when mating a first connector and a second connector.

A connector device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector. The second connector is fitted to the first connector from above a first axis. The second connector has a second housing, a second terminal, and a second shield. The second terminal has a second specific terminal and a second connection terminal held in the second housing. The second shield has a second outer shield and a second inner shield. The second outer shield surrounds the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal in a rectangular shape. The second inner shield is disposed between the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal. The first connector has a first housing, a first terminal, and a first shield. The first terminal is held in the first housing and has a first specific terminal and a first connection terminal that contact the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively, in a fitted state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted. The first shield has a first outer shield and a first inner shield. The first outer shield surrounds at least one of the first specific terminal and the first connecting terminal. The first inner shield is disposed between the first specific terminal and the first connecting terminal. The second outer shield has a pair of second horizontal shields facing each other on a third axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a second vertical shield disposed at an end of the pair of second horizontal shields. The second inner shield has a second inner shield extension. The second inner shield extension has a second inner shield lower end located below the first axis, and a second inner shield upper end located above the second inner shield lower end. The second specific terminal has a second specific terminal connection piece, a second specific terminal contact piece, and a second specific terminal linking portion. The second specific terminal connection piece is disposed at an upper portion in the second connector. The second specific terminal contact piece has a curved second specific terminal curved portion, and when the first specific terminal contacts the convex surface of the second specific terminal curved portion, the second specific terminal contact piece is elastically deformed toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields. The second specific terminal linking portion links the second specific terminal connecting piece and the second specific terminal contact piece. The first inner shield has a first inner shield extension portion. The first inner shield extension portion has a first inner shield upper end and a first inner shield lower end. The first inner shield upper end is located upward in the mated state. The first inner shield lower end is located downward with respect to the first inner shield upper end. The second inner shield extension portion and the first inner shield extension portion contact each other on the third axis in the mated state. The second specific terminal is surrounded by the pair of second horizontal shields, the second vertical shield, and the second inner shield. The connector device has a first normal posture when the second connector and the first connector move relative to each other to be mated. In the first normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields contacts the first outer shield, the second inner shield extension and the first inner shield extension contact, and the second specific terminal and the first specific terminal are spaced apart. In the connector device, when the first outer shield is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields and spaced apart from the other, and the second inner shield extension and the first inner shield extension contact, the second specific terminal and the first specific terminal are spaced apart.

A connector device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector. The second connector is fitted to the first connector from above a first axis. The second connector has a second housing, a second terminal, and a second shield. The second terminal has a second specific terminal and a second connection terminal held in the second housing. The second shield has a second outer shield that surrounds the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal in a rectangular shape, and a second inner shield that is disposed between the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal. The first connector has a first housing, a first terminal, and a first shield. The first terminal is held in the first housing and has a first specific terminal and a first connection terminal that contact the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively, in a fitted state in which the first connector and the second connector are fitted. The first shield has a first outer shield and a first inner shield. The first outer shield surrounds at least one of the first specific terminal and the first connecting terminal. The first inner shield is disposed between the first specific terminal and the first connecting terminal. The second outer shield has a pair of second horizontal shields and a second vertical shield. The pair of second horizontal shields face each other on a third axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second vertical shield is disposed at an end of the pair of second horizontal shields. The second inner shield has a second inner shield extension. The second inner shield extension has a second inner shield lower end located below the first axis and a second inner shield upper end located above the second inner shield lower end. The second specific terminal has a second specific terminal connection piece, a second specific terminal contact piece, and a second specific terminal linking portion. The second specific terminal connection piece is disposed at an upper portion in the second connector. The second specific terminal contact piece has a curved second specific terminal curved portion, and when the first specific terminal contacts the convex surface of the second specific terminal curved portion, it elastically deforms toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields. The second specific terminal linking portion links the second specific terminal connecting piece and the second specific terminal contact piece. The first inner shield has a first inner shield extension portion. The first inner shield extension portion has a first inner shield upper end located above in the mated state, and a first inner shield lower end located below the first inner shield upper end. The second inner shield extension portion and the first inner shield extension portion contact each other on the third axis in the mated state. The second specific terminal is surrounded by the pair of second horizontal shields, the second vertical shield, and the second inner shield. The connector device has a second normal posture when the second connector and the first connector move relative to each other to be mated. In the second normal position, each of the pair of second lateral shields contacts the first outer shield, the second inner shield extension contacts the first inner shield extension, and the second specific terminal contacts the first specific terminal. In the connector device, when the first outer shield is in contact with one of the pair of second lateral shields and separated from the other, and in the inclined position in which the second inner shield extension contacts the first inner shield extension, the second specific terminal is separated from the first specific terminal. In the connector device, when moving from the inclined position to the second normal position, the first outer shield goes from a state in which it is in contact with one of the pair of second lateral shields and separated from the other to a state in which each of the pair of second lateral shields contacts the first outer shield, and at the same time, the second specific terminal contacts the first specific terminal.

The present disclosure has the advantage of being able to prevent problems occurring during mating.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the connector device in a mated state. Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a first terminal and a first shield provided in a first connector in the connector device, and Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a second terminal and a second shield provided in a second connector in the connector device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first connector in the connector device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first housing in the first connector. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first terminal and a first inner shield in the first connector. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first outer shield in the first connector. Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a first specific terminal in the first connector of the same, Fig. 8B is a perspective view of the first connector with a part broken away, Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the first connector of the same, Fig. 8D is a cross-sectional view of the first connector with a part broken away. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second connector in the connector device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second housing in the second connector. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second terminal and a second inner shield in the second connector. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second outer shield in the second connector. 13A and 13B are perspective views of a second specific terminal in the second connector. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views of the first connector taken along a second axis and a third axis, respectively. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device taken along a portion corresponding to line XX in FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device taken along a portion corresponding to line XI-XI in FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device taken along a portion corresponding to line XII-XII in FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device taken along the line VV in FIG. Fig. 19A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the connector device taken along a line XII-XII in Fig. 2. Fig. 19B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the connector device taken along a line XX in Fig. 2. 20A and 20B are cross-sectional views showing the first normal posture in the connector device of the above. 21A, 21B, and 21C are cross-sectional views showing an inclined posture in the connector device of the above. FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an inclined posture of the connector device. Fig. 23A is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device in a tilted position with a small inclination, and Fig. 23B is a cross-sectional view showing a part of Fig. 23A. Fig. 24A is a cross-sectional view showing the connector device in a large inclined position, and Fig. 24B is a cross-sectional view showing a part of Fig. 24A.

The connector device according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment described below can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. In addition, each figure described in the embodiment described below is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in the figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio.

(1) Overview As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device 100 of the present embodiment includes a first connector 5 and a second connector 1. The connector device 100 is used, for example, to electrically connect between a plurality of circuit boards mounted on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The first connector 5 is attached, for example, to a first circuit board 92 (see FIGS. 15 to 18) such as a printed wiring board or a flexible printed wiring board in an antenna module (AiP; Antenna in Package). The second connector 1 is attached, for example, to a second circuit board 91 (see FIGS. 15 to 18) such as a printed wiring board or a flexible printed wiring board. Note that the purpose of the connector device 100 is not limited to the purpose of electrically connecting between a plurality of circuit boards, and the connector device 100 may be used in electronic devices other than mobile terminals, such as a camera module. The purpose of the connector device 100 is not limited to the purpose of electrically connecting between a plurality of circuit boards, and may be any purpose of electrically connecting between a plurality of components, such as between a circuit board and a display, or between a circuit board and a battery. In the drawings other than FIG. 15 to FIG. 18, the first circuit board 92 and the second circuit board 91 are omitted for convenience.

1, the second connector 1 is configured to be mated with the first connector 5 by moving in one direction on the first axis A1 toward the first connector 5 relative to the first connector 5. In the following, the direction in which the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are mated (the direction along the first axis A1) may be referred to as the up-down direction. In addition, in the following, when the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are mated along the up-down direction, the side on which the first connector 5 is located may be referred to as the "bottom" and the side on which the second connector 1 is located may be referred to as the "top". In other words, the second connector 1 is configured to be connected to the first connector 5 from above along the first axis A1 toward the first connector 5 relative to the first connector 5. However, the definition of these directions is not intended to limit the use form of the connector device 100. In addition, in the following, the state in which the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are mated (see FIG. 2) is referred to as the "mated state".

In the following, the two axes perpendicular to the first axis A1 are referred to as the second axis A2 and the third axis A3. As shown in FIG. 1, the second axis A2 is an axis along the longitudinal direction of the connector device 100. The third axis A3 is an axis along the lateral direction of the connector device 100.

The connector device 100 of this embodiment includes a first connector 5 and a second connector 1.

The first connector 5 has a first housing 6, a first terminal 7, and a first shield 8. The first terminal 7 is held in the first housing 6. The first shield 8 is held in the first housing 6.

As shown in Figures 9 and 12, the second connector 1 has a second housing 9, a second terminal 3, and a second shield 4. The second terminal 3 has a second specific terminal 31 and a second connection terminal 32 held in the second housing 9. The second shield 4 has a second outer shield 41 and a second inner shield 45. The second outer shield 41 surrounds the second specific terminal 31 and the second connection terminal 32 in a rectangular shape. The second inner shield 45 is disposed between the second specific terminal 31 and the second connection terminal 32.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the first connector 5 has a first housing 6, a first terminal 7, and a first shield 8. The first terminal 7 is held in the first housing 6, and has a first specific terminal 71 and a first connection terminal 72 that contact the second specific terminal 31 and the second connection terminal 32, respectively, when the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are in a mated state. The first shield 8 has a first outer shield 81 and a first inner shield 85. The first outer shield 81 surrounds at least one of the first specific terminal 71 and the first connection terminal 72. The first inner shield 85 is disposed between the first specific terminal 71 and the first connection terminal 72.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second outer shield 41 has a pair of second horizontal shields 401 facing each other on a third axis A3 perpendicular to the first axis A1, and a second vertical shield 402 disposed at the ends of the pair of second horizontal shields 401. As shown in FIG. 11, the second inner shield 45 has a second inner shield extension 453. The second inner shield extension 453 has a second inner shield lower end 451 located below the first axis A1, and a second inner shield upper end 452 located above the second inner shield lower end 451.

As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the second specific terminal 31 has a second specific terminal connection piece 314, a second specific terminal contact piece 313, and a second specific terminal linking portion 312. The second specific terminal connection piece 314 is disposed at the upper part of the second connector 1. The second specific terminal contact piece 313 has a curved second specific terminal curved portion 316, and when the first specific terminal 71 contacts the convex surface of the second specific terminal curved portion 316, it elastically deforms toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401. The second specific terminal linking portion 312 links the second specific terminal connection piece 314 and the second specific terminal contact piece 313.

6, the first inner shield 85 has a first inner shield extension 853. The first inner shield extension 853 has a first inner shield upper end 851 and a first inner shield lower end 852. The first inner shield upper end 851 is located above in the mated state. The first inner shield lower end 852 is located below the first inner shield upper end 851. As shown in FIG. 16, the second inner shield extension 453 and the first inner shield extension 853 contact each other on the third axis A3 in the mated state. The second specific terminal 31 is surrounded by a pair of the second horizontal shield 401, the second vertical shield 402, and the second inner shield 45.

As shown in Figures 20A and 20B, the connector device 100 has a first normal position when the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 move relative to each other to mate. In the first normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 contacts the first outer shield 81, the second inner shield extension 453 contacts the first inner shield extension 853, and the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 are spaced apart.

As shown in Figures 21A, 21B, and 21C, in the connector device 100, when the first outer shield 81 is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 and spaced apart from the other, and the second inner shield extension 453 and the first inner shield extension 853 are in contact with each other, the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 are spaced apart.

In the connector device 100 of this embodiment, when the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 are mated, even if the first outer shield 81 is in an inclined position such that it contacts one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 and moves away from the other, the first inner shield 85 and the second inner shield 45 can come into contact before the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 come into contact. Therefore, even if one of the first specific terminal 71 and the second specific terminal 31 is more likely to undergo plastic deformation than the other terminal when mating, the plastic deformation of the one terminal due to the other terminal can be suppressed. Therefore, the occurrence of malfunctions when mating the first connector and the second connector can be suppressed.

(2) Details Hereinafter, the connector device 100 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

The connector device 100 includes a first connector 5 and a second connector 1. The second connector 1 fits into the first connector 5 from above the first axis A1.

(2.1) First Connector As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the first connector 5 has a first housing 6 , first terminals 7 , and a first shield 8 .

The first connector 5 is a socket (female connector) and, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, comprises a first housing 6, a plurality of (here, eight) first terminals 7, and a first shield 8. The first terminals 7 are held in the first housing 6.

(2.1.1) First Housing As shown in Fig. 5, the first housing 6 is made of an insulating resin material and is formed into a flat, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long along the second axis A2. In the first housing 6, both sides of the third axis A3 in the central portion of the second axis A2 are cut out in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the first axis A1. In addition, in the first housing 6, both sides of the third axis A3 in the central portion of the second axis A2 are cut out in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the first axis A1.

5, the first housing 6 has a first inner bottom wall 66, a first inner wall 67, a first outer bottom wall 60, a first outer peripheral wall 64, and a first wall portion 61. The first inner bottom wall 66, the first inner wall 67, the first outer bottom wall 60, the first outer peripheral wall 64, and the first wall portion 61 are integrally formed. The first wall portion 61 protrudes above the first axis A1 from the first outer bottom wall 60 and the first inner bottom wall 66. The first wall portion 61 has a pair of side surfaces 612 arranged on both sides of the upper surface 610 on the third axis A3 perpendicular to the first axis A1 and the second axis A2. At least one of the first inner bottom wall 66 and the first outer bottom wall 60 may be referred to as the first bottom wall.

The first inner bottom wall 66 is a rectangular plate that is long along the second axis A2.

The first inner wall 67 protrudes upward from the periphery of the first inner bottom wall 66. The first inner wall 67 is a pair of walls that are long along the second axis A2. The pair of first inner walls 67 are provided near the center of the second axis A2 at both ends of the first inner bottom wall 66 along the third axis A3.

The first outer bottom wall 60 is composed of four partial bottom walls that extend in a rectangular shape from each of the four corners of the first inner bottom wall 66 in a plane perpendicular to the first axis A1.

The first outer peripheral wall 64 protrudes upward from the periphery of the first outer bottom wall 60. When viewed from the first axis A1 (hereinafter also referred to as "planar view"), the first outer peripheral wall 64 has a rectangular frame shape with the center portion of each of the four sides cut out. The first outer peripheral wall 64 extends in the circumferential direction.

The first wall portion 61 is a rectangular parallelepiped elongated along the second axis A2, and protrudes upward from the center of the first inner bottom wall 66. The area surrounded by the inner bottom surface of the first inner bottom wall 66, the inner side surface of the first inner wall 67, and the outer surface of the first wall portion 61 forms a recess 601 into which the second connector 1 fits. Specifically, the second inner peripheral wall 902 of the second connector 1 is disposed in the recess 601.

The area surrounded by the end face of the first inner wall 67 on the second axis A2, the inner bottom surface of the first outer bottom wall 60, and the inner surface of the first outer peripheral wall 64 constitutes a recess 602. When the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are engaged, the second outer peripheral wall 905 of the second connector 1 is disposed in the recess 602.

The first housing 6 holds a plurality of first terminals 7 and a first shield 8.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, some (six) of the multiple (eight) first terminals 7 (first connection terminals 72) are arranged across the first inner wall 67 and the accommodating recess 615 (see FIG. 5) of the first wall portion 61. Specifically, three first connection terminals 72 are arranged on each of the pair of first inner walls 67. In this embodiment, the remaining first terminals 7 (first specific terminals 71) of the multiple (eight) first terminals 7 are arranged on the first wall portion 61 and held by the first housing 6. The first specific terminals 71 are arranged on the upper surface 610, end surface 611, and side surface 612 of the first wall portion 61 at both ends of the second axis A2 of the first wall portion 61.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the first outer shield 81 of the first shield 8 is adjacent along the first outer wall 64. Also, in this embodiment, the first inner shield 85 of the first shield 8 is disposed in a groove 69 (see FIG. 5) formed in the first housing 6.

(2.1.2) First Terminal The first terminal 7 has a terminal for transmitting a signal, and is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate. The first terminal 7 is gold-plated. The first terminals 7 come into contact with the second terminals 3 of the second connector 1, respectively, when the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are in a mated state.

The first terminal 7 has a first connection terminal 72 and a first specific terminal 71.

The multiple first terminals 7 include one or more first specific terminals 71. The multiple first terminals 7 also include one or more terminals (first connection terminals 72) other than the first specific terminals 71. Here, of the eight first terminals 7, two are first specific terminals 71 and the remaining six are first connection terminals 72.

The two first specific terminals 71 are arranged on both ends of the second axis A2 within the first connector 5. Each of the two first specific terminals 71 is arranged between both ends of the first wall portion 61.

The six first connection terminals 72 are arranged in a line on the second axis A2 in the region between the two first specific terminals 71, with three on each side of the third axis A3. The six first connection terminals 72 are held by three on each of the pair of first inner side walls 67.

The first specific terminal 71 is a terminal for transmitting a signal. The two first specific terminals 71 have the same shape.

The first connection terminal 72 has a terminal for transmitting a signal. Some or all of the multiple (e.g., six) first connection terminals 72 may be terminals for transmitting power. The six first connection terminals 72 have the same shape. The first connection terminals 72 may have terminals with different shapes.

The first specific terminal 71 is a terminal that transmits a signal. Specifically, a high-frequency signal having a higher frequency than the signal transmitted to the first connection terminal 72 is transmitted to the first specific terminal 71.

(2.1.2.1) First Specific Terminal The first specific terminal 71 comes into contact with the second specific terminal 31 in the mated state and is connected to the second specific terminal 31 .

8A, the first specific terminal 71 has a first specific terminal connection piece 714, a first specific terminal contact piece 713, and a first specific terminal linking portion 712, which are integrally formed. In this embodiment, the first specific terminal 71 has a pair of first specific terminal contact pieces 713 (first contact piece 7136 and second contact piece 7137). The first specific terminal connection piece 714 is disposed below the first axis A1 of the first connector 5. The first specific terminal contact piece 713 contacts the second specific terminal 31 when the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are mated. The first specific terminal linking portion 712 links the first specific terminal connection piece 714 and the first specific terminal contact piece 713 (first contact piece 7136 and second contact piece 7137).

Specifically, the first specific terminal contact piece 713 (the first contact piece 7136 and the second contact piece 7137) is connected to both ends of the third axis A3 of the first specific terminal linking part 712. The first specific terminal connection piece 714 is connected to the side end of the second axis A2 of the first specific terminal linking part 712.

The first specific terminal connecting portion 712 has a curved first specific terminal curved portion 716. The first specific terminal curved portion 716 is formed from the end of the first specific terminal connecting portion 712 along the third axis A3 to the first specific terminal contact piece 713.

The first specific terminal connection portion 712 has an upper portion 7120 and a terminal extension portion 7121. As shown in FIG. 8B, the upper portion 7120 is disposed on at least the upper surface 610 of the end portion of the second axis A2 of the first wall portion 61. The first specific terminal connection portion 712 is fixed to the first wall portion 61 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 18).

The terminal extension 7121 extends downward from the upper portion 7120 along one end face (outer surface) 611 of the end of the second axis A2 of the first wall portion 61. The terminal extension 7121 has a terminal end 7122 on the lower side.

The terminal extension 7121 has an outer surface 7124. As shown in FIG. 8B, the outer surface 7124 is provided on the same plane as the surface of the end of the first wall 61 or outward from the surface of the first wall 61. "The outer surface 7124 of the terminal extension 7121 is provided outward from the surface of the first wall 61" means, for example, that a part of the terminal extension 7121 protrudes from the first wall 61 on the second axis A2 when viewed along the third axis A3. At least one of the upper portion 7120 or the terminal extension 7121 (for example, the joint portion) has a curved surface 7123. The curved surface 7123 has an outer surface 7124 that is provided on the same plane as the surface of the first wall 61 or outward from the surface of the first wall 61.

As shown in FIG. 8D, the first specific terminal linking portion 712 has a main body portion 715 extending upward from the first specific terminal connection piece 714. The maximum distance P1 between the main body portion 715 and the first vertical shield 802 on the second axis A2 is greater than the minimum distance P2 between the terminal extension portion 7121 and the first vertical shield 802 on the second axis A2.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first specific terminal linking portion 712 has a main body portion 715 extending upward from the first specific terminal connection piece 714. In the mated state, the maximum distance P3 between the main body portion 715 and the second vertical shield 402 on the second axis A2 is greater than the minimum distance P4 between the terminal extension portion 7121 and the second vertical shield 402 on the second axis A2.

8A, the first specific terminal connection piece 714 is a substantially rectangular plate-like shape when viewed along the first axis A1. The first specific terminal connection piece 714 protrudes from the first specific terminal linking portion 712 along the second axis A2. The first specific terminal connection piece 714 is connected to the first specific terminal linking portion 712 between the portions where the pair of first specific terminal contact pieces 713 are connected (both ends on the third axis A3). The first specific terminal connection piece 714 has a substantially rectangular flat portion (flat portion) having a thickness on the first axis A1. The flat portion is connected to the main body portion 715. The main body portion 715 positions the lower surface of the flat portion of the first specific terminal connection piece 714 lower than the lower surface of the first specific terminal linking portion 712. The first specific terminal connection piece 714 (flat portion) is configured to be connected to the first circuit board 92.

The first specific terminal contact piece 713 is a portion of the first specific terminal 71 that comes into contact with the second specific terminal 31. The pair of first specific terminal contact pieces 713 (first contact piece 7136 and second contact piece 7137) protrude downward from both ends of the first specific terminal connecting portion 712 on the third axis A3. The first specific terminal contact piece 713 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having a thickness on the third axis A3. The pair of first specific terminal contact pieces 713 are arranged side by side on the third axis A3.

The first specific terminal contact piece 713 has a contact piece first surface 7131, a contact piece second surface 7132, and a contact piece side end surface 7133. The contact piece first surface 7131 is a surface that contacts the second specific terminal 31. The contact piece second surface 7132 is located on the opposite side to the contact piece first surface 7131 and adjacent to one of the pair of side surfaces 612 at the end of the first wall portion 61. The contact piece second surfaces 7132 of the pair of first specific terminal contact pieces 713 face each other on the third axis A3. The contact piece side end surface 7133 is a surface that connects the contact piece first surface 7131 and the contact piece second surface 7132.

The first specific terminal contact piece 713 has an end 7134 that is located on the same plane as the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 or on one side of the second axis A2 outside the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 when viewed along the third axis A3. "The end 7134 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 is located on one side of the second axis A2 outside the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 when viewed along the third axis A3" means, for example, that the end 7134 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 protrudes from the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 on the second axis A2 when viewed along the third axis A3. In this embodiment, the contact piece side end face 7133 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 is located on the same plane as the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 or on one side of the second axis A2 outside the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61.

The first specific terminal contact piece 713 has an end 7134 that is located on the same plane as the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 or on one side of the second axis A2 outside the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61, below the end 7122 of the terminal extension portion 7121, when viewed along the third axis A3. "The end 7134 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 is located on one side of the second axis A2 outside the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61, below the end 7122 of the terminal extension portion 7121, when viewed along the third axis A3" means that the end 7134 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 protrudes from the end face 611 of the first wall portion 61 on the second axis A2 at a position below the end 7122 of the terminal extension portion 7121, when viewed along the third axis A3. As shown in Figures 8C and 8D, the terminal extension 7121 and the first specific terminal contact piece 713 have overlapping portions when viewed along the third axis A3.

As described above, the first specific terminal contact piece 713 has a first contact piece 7136 and a second contact piece 7137 arranged along each of the pair of side surfaces 612 of the first wall portion 61. Each of the first contact piece 7136 and the second contact piece 7137 has an end portion 7134 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713.

As described above, the first specific terminal contact piece 713 has a first contact surface 7131 and a second contact surface 7132. The first contact surface 7131 is located on the same plane as the side surface 612 of the first wall portion 61 or on one side of the third axis A3 outside the side surface 612 of the first wall portion 61. "The first contact surface 7131 of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 is located on one side of the third axis A3 outside the side surface 612 of the first wall portion 61" means, for example, that a part of the first specific terminal contact piece 713 protrudes from the side surface 612 of the first wall portion 61 on the third axis A3 when viewed along the second axis A2.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the first specific terminal 71 is disposed in the first specific terminal region 722. The first specific terminal region 722 is surrounded by the first outer shield 81 and the first inner shield 85, and is adjacent to the first connection terminal region 721. Specifically, two first specific terminals 71 are disposed in each of the two first specific terminal regions 722 (one each). The two first specific terminal regions 722 are located at both ends of the second axis A2. The first connection terminal region 721 is disposed between the two first specific terminal regions 722.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first specific terminal 71 is connected to the conductor pattern 921 of the first circuit board 92. Specifically, the first specific terminal 71 is connected to the conductor pattern 921 of the first circuit board 92 on the lower surface (surface intersecting the thickness direction) of the first specific terminal connection piece 714.

6, the first connection terminal 72 has a contact piece 727, a spring piece 720, a rising piece 723, a falling piece 724, a connecting piece 725, and a terminal piece 726, which are integrally formed. The contact piece 727 and the rising piece 723 have contacts that come into contact with the second connection terminal 32 in the mated state.

The contact piece 727 is plate-like with a thickness along the third axis A3, and is curved in a C-shape when viewed from the second axis A2. The outer surface of the contact piece 727 on the third axis A3 is inclined so that both sides of the second axis A2 of the contact piece 727 become gradually thinner than the central portion. In the mated state, the contact piece 727 contacts the contact piece 321 of the second connection terminal 32.

The spring piece 720 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the second axis A2. The spring piece 720 elastically deforms on the third axis A3 so that the dimensions of the upper opening change. Due to the elastic force of the spring piece 720, the contact piece 727 elastically contacts the second connection terminal 32 in the mated state.

The rising piece 723 is a generally rectangular plate having a thickness on the third axis A3. The lower end of the rising piece 723 is connected to the upper end of the spring piece 720. In the mated state, the rising piece 723 comes into contact with the extension piece 322 of the second connection terminal 32.

The falling piece 724 is a roughly rectangular flat plate having a thickness along the third axis A3.

The connecting piece 725 is curved in an inverted U shape to connect the upper end of the rising piece 723 and the upper end of the falling piece 724.

The terminal piece 726 is a generally rectangular flat plate having a thickness along the first axis A1. The terminal piece 726 protrudes outward from the lower end of the falling piece 724 along the third axis A3. The lower surface of the terminal piece 726 is exposed to the lower surface of the first housing 6. The first connection terminal 72 is disposed in a first connection terminal area 721 surrounded by the first outer shield 81 and the first inner shield 85. In this embodiment, the first connection terminal area 721 is an area surrounded by the first outer shield 81 and the two first inner shields 85.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first connection terminal 72 is connected to a conductor pattern 922 (a conductor pattern different from the conductor pattern 921 to which the first specific terminal 71 is connected) of the first circuit board 92. Specifically, the first connection terminal 72 is connected to the conductor pattern 922 of the first circuit board 92 on the lower surface (surface intersecting the thickness direction) of the terminal piece 726.

(2.1.3) First Shield The first shield 8 is an electromagnetic shield for blocking electromagnetic waves. The first shield 8 reduces the leakage to the outside of noise (electromagnetic waves) caused by the signal current flowing through the second terminal 3 and the first terminal 7. Furthermore, the first shield 8 contacts the second shield 4 in the mated state. Furthermore, the first shield 8 reduces the effect of noise (electromagnetic waves) on the signal current flowing through the second terminal 3 and the first terminal 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first shield 8 surrounds at least one of the multiple first terminals 7. The first shield 8 surrounds at least the first specific terminal 71 of the multiple first terminals 7. Here, the first shield 8 surrounds the multiple first specific terminals 71 and surrounds the multiple first connection terminals 72. The first shield 8 is held by the first housing 6.

The material of the first shield 8 is selected from conductive metals such as, for example, phosphor bronze, copper alloys such as Corson copper, stainless steel, and nickel silver.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first shield 8 has a first outer shield 81 and a first inner shield 85.

(2.1.3.1) First Outer Shield As shown in Fig. 1, the first outer shield 81 is held by the first housing 6. The first outer shield 81 surrounds the multiple first terminals 7. As shown in Figs. 15 to 18, the first outer shield 81 is connected to a ground pattern 920 of a first circuit board 92.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the first shield 8 has a pair of first horizontal shields 801 arranged side by side on a third axis A3 perpendicular to the first axis A1, and a pair of first vertical shields 802 connecting the pair of first horizontal shields 801. The pair of first horizontal shields 801 and the pair of first vertical shields 802 extend in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of first lateral shields 801 extend along the second axis A2. The pair of first lateral shields 801 cover the outer surfaces of the side walls of the first outer peripheral wall 64 that are aligned along the second axis A2. The first outer peripheral wall 64 has two side walls that are aligned along the second axis A2. Each of the pair of first lateral shields 801 is provided so as to straddle the two side walls that are aligned along the second axis A2. The pair of first lateral shields 801 also cover the upper surfaces of the side walls of the first outer peripheral wall 64 that are aligned along the second axis A2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of first vertical shields 802 extend along the third axis A3. The pair of first vertical shields 802 cover the outer surface of the side wall of the first outer peripheral wall 64 that is aligned along the third axis A3. The first outer peripheral wall 64 has two side walls that are aligned along the third axis A3. Each of the pair of first vertical shields 802 is provided so as to straddle the two side walls that are aligned along the third axis A3. In addition, the pair of first vertical shields 802 cover the upper surface of the side wall of the first outer peripheral wall 64 that is aligned along the third axis A3.

The pair of first horizontal shields 801 and the pair of first vertical shields 802 are integrally formed to have a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The first outer shield 81 (the pair of first horizontal shields 801 and the pair of first vertical shields 802) is plate-shaped, and is formed, for example, by drawing a plate-shaped metal. The end of the first horizontal shield 801 on the second axis A2 and the end of the first vertical shield 802 on the third axis A3 are seamlessly connected. The first outer shield 81 seamlessly surrounds the first terminal 7 in the circumferential direction. A notch 83 (see FIG. 4) is formed on the inside of the corner where the first horizontal shield 801 and the first vertical shield 802 are connected.

3A and 7, the first shield 8 has a first sidewall portion 810 and a sidewall extension portion 820. The sidewall extension portion 820 extends in a curved manner from the first sidewall portion 810. That is, the sidewall extension portion 820 has a curved portion 828 that curves from the first sidewall portion 810. The sidewall extension portion 820 extends in a curved manner from one end (upper end) of the first sidewall portion 810.

As shown in FIG. 14B, the first side wall portion 810 has a pair of first lateral side wall portions 812, 813 arranged side by side on a third axis A3 perpendicular to the first axis A1. In this embodiment, one of the pair of first lateral side wall portions 812, 813 is arranged on one of the pair of first lateral shields 801, and the other of the pair of first lateral side wall portions 812, 813 is arranged on the other of the pair of first lateral shields 801.

The extension direction D1 of the sidewall extension 820 formed on one of the pair of first sidewalls 812, 813 is a direction extending toward the other of the pair of first sidewalls 812, 813. Specifically, an extension line of the extension direction D1 passing through the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 formed on one of the first sidewalls 812 intersects with the other of the first sidewalls 813 at a height equal to or higher than the center between the lower end and the upper end on the first axis A1. The extension direction D1 of the sidewall extension 820 formed on the other of the first sidewalls 813 is a direction extending toward the one of the first sidewalls 812. An extension line in the extending direction D1 passing through the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 formed on the other first lateral sidewall 813 intersects with the first lateral sidewall 812 at a height equal to or higher than the center between the lower end and the upper end on the first axis A1.

14A, the extension direction D1 of the sidewall extension 820 of the first vertical shield 802 is a direction extending toward the first inner shield 85 when viewed along the third axis A3. For ease of understanding, the first housing 6 is omitted in FIG. 14A, and only the first terminal 7 and the first shield 8 are shown. Specifically, an extension line of the extension direction D1 passing through the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 of the first vertical shield 802 intersects with the first inner shield 85 at a height equal to or higher than the center between the lower end (the lower end 852 of the first inner shield) and the upper end (the upper end 851 of the first inner shield) on the first axis A1 of the first inner shield 85. In particular, the extension line of the extending direction D1 passing through the tip 824 of the sidewall extension portion 820 of the first vertical shield 802 intersects the first inner shield 85 close to the first vertical shield 802 near the upper end on the first axis A1, and intersects the first inner shield 85 far from the first vertical shield 802 near the center on the first axis A1. Furthermore, the extension line of the extending direction D1 passing through the tip 824 of the sidewall extension portion 820 of the first vertical shield 802 also intersects the first vertical shield 802 on the opposite side facing the first vertical shield 802.

7, the first side wall portion 810 has a first side surface 811. The first side surface 811 is a surface perpendicular to a first straight line intersecting the first axis A1. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the side wall extension portion 820 has an extension first surface 821, an extension second surface 822, and an end surface 823. The extension first surface 821 is connected to the first side surface 811. The extension second surface 822 is on the opposite side to the extension first surface 821. The end surface 823 connects the extension first surface 821 and the extension second surface 822, and is a surface that develops so as to intersect with the extension first surface 821 and the extension second surface 822, which are the main surfaces of the plate-shaped side wall extension portion 820.

The end face 823 of the sidewall extension 820 includes a tip face 8230 of the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 in the extension direction D1. In the mated state, the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 in the extension direction D1 is in contact with the second side surface 412 of the second sidewall 410, and the tip face 8230 of the sidewall extension 820 in the extension direction D1 faces the second side surface 412 in the extension direction D1. In this way, in the mated state, the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 in the extension direction D1 is in contact with the second side surface 412 of the second sidewall 410, and the tip face 8230 of the sidewall extension 820 in the extension direction D1 faces the second side surface 412, making it difficult for a gap to occur between the first shield 8 of the first connector 5 and the second shield 4 of the second connector 1, thereby enabling radiation noise suppression (electromagnetic shielding).

As shown in FIG. 7, the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 is formed in a straight line along the second axis A2 that is perpendicular to the first axis A1 and the extension direction D1. This makes it difficult for a gap to form between the sidewall extension 820 and the second outer shield 41 along the second axis A2, and therefore makes it difficult for electromagnetic shielding to be impaired.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side wall extension 820 has an inclined surface 825 that is connected to a curved portion 828 that curves from the upper end of the first side wall portion 810 and extends diagonally downward along the extension direction D1.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the sidewall extension 820 has a first sidewall extension 830 and a second sidewall extension 840 arranged side by side on a second axis A2 perpendicular to the first axis A1 and the extension direction D1. In this embodiment, the first sidewall extension 830 faces the first connection terminal area 721, and the second sidewall extension 840 faces the first specific terminal area 722. That is, in this embodiment, the sidewall extension 820 has a first sidewall extension 830 facing the first connection terminal area 721 and a second sidewall extension 840 facing the first specific terminal area 722.

As shown in Figures 4, 19A, and 19B, the positions of the tips of the first sidewall extension 830 and the second sidewall extension 840 along the first axis A1 are different. Specifically, the sidewall extension 820 in Figure 19B shows the first sidewall extension 830. The sidewall extension 820 in Figure 19A shows the second sidewall extension 840. The height (position) of the tip 824 of the second sidewall extension 840 (see Figure 19A) from the lower end of the first connector is formed to be higher than the height of the tip 824 of the first sidewall extension 830 (see Figure 19B).

As shown in FIG. 4, the first sidewall extension 830 and the second sidewall extension 840 have different lengths along the second axis A2. Specifically, the length of the second sidewall extension 840 along the second axis A2 is longer than the length of the first sidewall extension 830.

The side wall extensions 820 are arranged on each side that constitutes the rectangular shape of the first outer shield 81.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first shield 8 further has a retaining portion 835 that is retained by the first housing 6 between the first sidewall extension portion 830 and the second sidewall extension portion 840. The tip of the retaining portion 835 is fixed in a groove formed in the first housing 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sidewall extension 820 has a pair of horizontal sidewall extensions 826 formed on the pair of first horizontal shields 801 and a vertical sidewall extension 827 formed on the first vertical shield 802. That is, in this embodiment, the sidewall extension 820 (horizontal sidewall extension 826 or first vertical shield 802) is provided on both the first horizontal shield 801 and the first vertical shield 802. By forming a pair of horizontal sidewall extensions 826 and vertical sidewall extensions 827 on the pair of first horizontal shields 801 and first vertical shields 802 surrounding the first specific terminal 71, respectively, it is possible to improve the electromagnetic shielding performance, particularly for the first specific terminal 71.

In the first shield 8 of the first connector 5 of this embodiment, the end surface 823 of the sidewall extension 820 includes a tip surface 8230. The tip surface 8230 of the sidewall extension 820 is, for example, a fracture surface (tip surface). The fracture surface of the sidewall extension 820 is formed, for example, by cutting a plate-shaped metal that becomes the first outer shield 81 with a mold or the like. In the connector device 100, the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 of the first shield 8 contacts the second side surface 412 of the second sidewall portion 410 of the second shield 4, and the tip surface 8230 of the sidewall extension 820 faces the second side surface 412. This makes it possible to reduce the gap between the first outer shield 81 and the second outer shield 41, thereby improving the electromagnetic shielding performance. Furthermore, compared to a case where the first outer shield 81 is shaped like an inverted U, which has a portion that curves further inward and downward from the sidewall extension 820, the width of the first outer shield 81 in the direction perpendicular to the first axis A1 can be reduced, thereby realizing a compact size. Furthermore, if a recess 413 is formed in the second outer shield 41, the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 can be inserted into the recess 413 (see FIG. 19B). This allows for further improvement in electromagnetic shielding performance.

(2.1.3.2) First Inner Shield The first inner shield 85 is disposed between two first terminals 7 of the multiple first terminals 7. Specifically, the first inner shield 85 is disposed between the first specific terminal 71 and the first connection terminal 72.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, in this embodiment, the first shield 8 includes two first inner shields 85. The two first inner shields 85 are arranged side by side on the second axis A2 so as to separate between one first specific terminal 71 and the multiple (six) first connection terminals 72, and between the multiple first connection terminals 72 and another one first specific terminal 71, respectively.

In this way, by disposing the first inner shield 85 between the two first specific terminals 71, it is possible to reduce the effect that noise caused by the signal current flowing through one of the first specific terminals 71 has on the signal current flowing through the other first specific terminal 71 and the first connection terminal 72. In other words, it is possible to improve the insulation (isolation) between the two first specific terminals 71.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first inner shield 85 has a main piece 854 and a pair of first inner shield extensions 853. In the mated state, the first inner shield extensions 853 have a first inner shield upper end 851 located above and a first inner shield lower end 852 located below the first inner shield upper end 851.

The main piece 854 is a rectangular plate having a thickness along the second axis A2 and a length along the third axis A3. Each of the pair of first inner shield extensions 853 is a plate having a thickness along the second axis A2. The pair of first inner shield extensions 853 are spaced apart from each other along the third axis A3 and extend upward from the upper end surface of the main piece 854.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the first inner shield 85 is fixed to the slot 69 of the first housing 6. The bottom surface of the main piece 854 is exposed from the bottom surface of the first housing 6, and the inner end surfaces of the pair of first inner shield extensions 853 on the third axis A3 are exposed in the recess 601.

In the first shield 8, the first inner shield 85 has a main piece 854 that is connected to the ground pattern 920 of the first circuit board 92. The main piece 854 is disposed below the lower end of the first outer shield 81. This facilitates the connection (e.g., soldering) of the first inner shield 85 to the ground pattern 920. The first inner shield 85 is electrically isolated from the first outer shield 81 before being connected to the first circuit board 92.

As shown in FIG. 16, the upper surface of the second inner shield 45 is connected to the ground pattern 910 of the second circuit board 91, and the lower surface of the main piece 854 of the first inner shield 85 is connected to the ground pattern 920 of the first circuit board 92. The first inner shield 85 may be configured to be electrically connected to the first outer shield 81 when not connected to the first circuit board 92.

(2.2) Second Connector The second connector 1 is a header (male connector) and, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, includes a second housing 9, a plurality of (here, eight) second terminals 3, and a second shield 4. For convenience, the second connector 1 is illustrated upside down in Figures 9 to 12.

(2.2.1) Second housing As shown in Fig. 10, the second housing 9 is made of an insulating resin material and has a flat shape that is long along the second axis A2. In the second housing 9, both sides of the third axis A3 in the central portion of the second axis A2 are cut out in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the first axis A1. The second housing 9 is formed in a substantially H-shape in a plan view.

As shown in FIG. 10, the second housing 9 has a second inner bottom wall 901, a second inner peripheral wall 902, a second outer bottom wall 906, and a second outer peripheral wall 905. The second inner bottom wall 901, the second inner peripheral wall 902, the second outer bottom wall 906, and the second outer peripheral wall 905 are integrally formed. At least one of the second inner bottom wall 901 and the second outer bottom wall 906 may be referred to as the second bottom wall.

The second inner bottom wall 901 is a rectangular plate that is long along the second axis A2.

The second inner peripheral wall 902 protrudes downward (upward in FIG. 10) from both ends of the third axis A3 of the second inner bottom wall 901. The area surrounded by the inner bottom surface of the second inner bottom wall 901 and the inner surface of the second inner peripheral wall 902 forms a recess 907 into which the first connector 5 enters when in a mated state. Specifically, the recess 907 accommodates the first wall portion 61 of the first connector 5.

The second outer bottom wall 906 is composed of two partial bottom walls that extend in a rectangular shape from both ends of the second inner bottom wall 901 toward the outside of the second axis A2.

The second outer peripheral wall 905 protrudes downward from the periphery of the second outer bottom wall 906.

The second outer bottom wall 906 is formed with a receiving hole 903 in which the second specific terminal 31 is disposed. The second outer bottom wall 906 is also formed with a groove hole 904 in which the second inner shield 45 is held.

The second housing 9 holds the multiple second terminals 3 and the second shield 4.

In this embodiment, the second inner wall 902 extends along the second axis A2 and has a pair of side walls that face each other along the second axis A2. Some (six) of the multiple (eight) second terminals 3 (second connection terminals 32) are provided on the pair of side walls of the second inner wall 902. Specifically, three second connection terminals 32 are held on each of the pair of side walls of the second inner wall 902. The second connection terminals 32 are arranged in recesses provided in the second inner wall 902. The remaining second terminals 3 (second specific terminals 31) of the multiple (eight) second terminals 3 are arranged in the accommodation holes 903.

In this embodiment, the second outer shield 41 is disposed along the second outer wall 905. Also, in this embodiment, the second inner shield 45 of the second shield 4 is disposed in a groove 904 formed in the second housing 9.

(2.2.2) Second Terminal The second terminal 3 has a terminal for transmitting signals and is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate. The second terminal 3 is gold-plated. The second terminal 3 is held in the second housing 9.

The multiple second terminals 3 include one or more second specific terminals 31. The multiple second terminals 3 also include one or more terminals (second connection terminals 32) other than the second specific terminals 31. Here, of the eight second terminals 3, two are second specific terminals 31 and the remaining six are second connection terminals 32. The two second specific terminals 31 are disposed on both sides of the second axis A2 within the second connector 1. The two second specific terminals 31 are each disposed on the projecting wall 990 that faces the receiving hole 903 on the third axis A3.

The six second connection terminals 32 are arranged in a line on the second axis A2 in the region between the two second specific terminals 31, with three on each side of the third axis A3. The six second connection terminals 32 are held by three on each of a pair of side walls of the second inner peripheral wall 902.

The second specific terminals 31 are terminals for transmitting signals. The two second specific terminals 31 have the same shape.

The second connection terminal 32 is a terminal for transmitting a relatively low-frequency signal. Some or all of the multiple (e.g., six) second connection terminals 32 may be terminals for transmitting power. Here, the six second connection terminals 32 have the same shape. The second connection terminals 32 may include terminals having different shapes.

The second specific terminal 31 is a terminal for transmitting a signal. Specifically, a high-frequency signal having a higher frequency than the signal transmitted to the second connection terminal 32 is transmitted to the second specific terminal 31.

(2.2.2.1) Second Specific Terminal As shown in Fig. 13, the second specific terminal 31 has a second specific terminal connection piece 314, a second specific terminal contact piece (first contact piece) 313, and a second specific terminal linking portion (first linking portion) 312, which are integrally formed. The second specific terminal contact piece 313 has a curved second specific terminal curved portion 316. When the first specific terminal contact piece 713 of the first specific terminal 71 contacts the convex surface 3160 of the second specific terminal curved portion 316, the second specific terminal contact piece 313 elastically deforms toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401.

The second specific terminal linking portion (first linking portion) 312 links the second specific terminal connection piece 314 and the second specific terminal contact piece (first contact piece) 313. The second specific terminal connection piece 314 is disposed above the first axis A1 of the second connector 1. The second specific terminal linking portion 312 further has a second specific terminal reverse curved portion 318 that is U-shaped and convex on the opposite side to the direction in which the second specific terminal curved portion 316 is U-shaped and convex. In other words, the second specific terminal curved portion 316 and the second specific terminal reverse curved portion 318 are connected in an S-shape.

The second specific terminal 31 further has a second specific terminal contact piece (second contact piece) 319, a second specific terminal connecting portion (second connecting portion) 3190, and a flat portion 317. The second specific terminal contact piece (second contact piece) 319 contacts the first specific terminal contact piece 713 of the first specific terminal 71. The second specific terminal contact piece 319 faces the second specific terminal contact piece 313 on the third axis A3. The second specific terminal connecting portion (second connecting portion) 3190 connects the second specific terminal connecting piece 314 and the second specific terminal contact piece (second contact piece) 319. The flat portion 317 is connected to one end of the second specific terminal contact piece 319 on the opposite side to the second specific terminal connecting portion 3190. The flat portion 317 is fixed to the second housing 9. The flat portion 317 has a surface 3170 that is perpendicular to the first axis A1.

The flat portion 317 and one end on the opposite side of the second specific terminal contact piece 319 are connected via a curved portion 315. It is preferable that the flat portion 317 has a surface 3170 formed from the curved portion 315 to the tip of the flat portion 317 in the extension direction. It is also preferable that the length of the flat portion 317 in the width direction perpendicular to the extension direction is greater than the length of the curved portion 315 in the width direction.

The second specific terminal 31 is, for example, fixed to the second outer bottom wall 906 of the second housing 9 at the second specific terminal connecting portion 312 (see Figures 1 and 17).

As shown in FIG. 18, the second specific terminal 31 is connected to the conductor pattern 911 of the second circuit board 91. Specifically, the second specific terminal 31 is joined by solder to the conductor pattern 911 of the second circuit board 91 on the upper surface (surface intersecting the thickness direction) of the second specific terminal connection piece 314.

11 , the second connection terminal 32 has a contact piece 321, an extension piece 322, a connecting piece 323, and a terminal piece 324, which are integrally formed. The contact piece 321 and the extension piece 322 have contacts that come into contact with the first connection terminal 72 in the mated state.

The contact piece 321 is a generally rectangular flat plate having a thickness on the third axis A3. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner surface of the contact piece 321 on the third axis A3 is exposed to the recess 907 of the second housing 9.

The extension piece 322 is a generally rectangular flat plate having a thickness on the third axis A3. As shown in FIG. 9, the outer surface of the extension piece 322 on the third axis A3 is exposed to the outer surface of the second housing 9.

The connecting piece 323 connects the lower end of the extension piece 322 to the lower end of the contact piece 321. The lower surface of the connecting piece 323 is exposed to the lower surface of the second inner bottom wall 901 of the second housing 9.

The terminal piece 324 is a generally rectangular flat plate having a thickness along the first axis A1. The terminal piece 324 protrudes outward from the upper end of the extension piece 322 along the third axis A3. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the terminal piece 324 is exposed on the upper surface of the second housing 9.

The second connection terminal 32 is formed integrally with the second housing 9, for example by simultaneous molding.

As shown in FIG. 15, the second connection terminal 32 is connected to a conductor pattern 912 (a conductor pattern different from the conductor pattern 911 to which the second specific terminal 31 is connected) of the second circuit board 91. Specifically, the second connection terminal 32 is connected to the conductor pattern 912 of the second circuit board 91 on the upper surface (surface intersecting the thickness direction) of the terminal piece 324.

(2.2.3) Second Shield The second shield 4 is an electromagnetic shield for blocking electromagnetic waves. The second shield 4 reduces the leakage to the outside of noise (electromagnetic waves) caused by the signal current flowing through the second terminal 3 and the first terminal 7. The second shield 4 also reduces the effect of noise (electromagnetic waves) on the signal current flowing through the second terminal 3 and the first terminal 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second shield 4 surrounds at least one of the multiple second terminals 3. The second shield 4 surrounds at least the second specific terminal 31 of the multiple second terminals 3. Here, the second shield 4 surrounds the multiple second specific terminals 31 and surrounds the multiple second connection terminals 32. The second shield 4 is held by the second housing 9.

The material of the second shield 4 is selected from conductive metals such as copper alloys such as phosphor bronze and Corson copper, stainless steel, and nickel silver.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second shield 4 has a second outer shield 41 and a second inner shield 45.

(2.2.3.1) Second outer shield As shown in Fig. 9, the second outer shield 41 is held by a second outer wall 905 of the second housing 9. The second outer shield 41 surrounds the multiple second terminals 3. As shown in Figs. 15 to 18, the second outer shield 41 is connected to a ground pattern 910 of the second circuit board 91.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the second outer shield 41 has a pair of second horizontal shields 401 and a pair of second vertical shields 402.

The pair of second lateral shields 401 extend along the second axis A2. As shown in FIG. 9, the second lateral shields 401 cover the outer surface of the second outer peripheral wall 905. Each of the pair of second lateral shields 401 is provided across the second outer peripheral wall 905 and the protruding wall 990 so as to span the gap between the second outer peripheral wall 905 and the protruding wall 990. The second lateral shields 401 also cover at least a portion of the lower surface of the second outer peripheral wall 905.

The pair of second vertical shields 402 extend along the third axis A3. As shown in FIG. 9, the second vertical shields 402 cover the outer surface of the second outer peripheral wall 905. The second vertical shields 402 also cover at least a portion of the lower surface of the second outer peripheral wall 905.

As shown in FIG. 3B, each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 is connected to both of the pair of second vertical shields 402. Therefore, the second outer shield 41 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The second outer shield 41 (the pair of second horizontal shields 401 and the pair of second vertical shields 402) is plate-shaped and is formed, for example, by drawing a plate-shaped metal. The end of the second horizontal shield 401 on the second axis A2 and the end of the second vertical shield 402 on the third axis A3 are connected without a joint (seamlessly). The second outer shield 41 seamlessly surrounds the second terminal 3 in the circumferential direction.

The second shield 4 has a second side wall portion 410. The second side wall portion 410 has a second side surface 412 that contacts the first shield 8 in the mated state. The second side surface 412 is perpendicular to a second straight line that intersects with the first axis A1. As shown in Figures 12 and 19B, the second side wall portion 410 preferably has a recess 413 on the second side surface 412. As shown in Figure 19B, a protrusion 414 corresponding to the recess 413 is formed on the side surface of the second side wall portion 410 opposite the second side surface 412.

The recess 413 is formed in a rectangular shape with a long side along the second axis A2 on the second side surface 412 so that the tip 824 of the first side wall extension 830 faces the recess 413 in the mated state (see FIG. 12).

As shown in Figures 12, 19A, and 19B, the second side wall portion 410 has a first portion 4101 that faces the first side wall extension portion 830 in the mated state, and a second portion 4102 that faces the second side wall extension portion 840 in the mated state. As shown in Figures 19A and 19B, in the mated state, the lower end of the first portion 4101 of the second side wall portion 410 is located above the lower end of the second portion 4102 of the second side wall portion 410. This makes it easier to obtain a clicking sensation due to the recess 413 formed in the first portion 4101.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second horizontal shield 401 has a second connecting portion 422, a curved portion 421, and a retaining portion 423. Each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 has two sets of the second connecting portion 422, the curved portion 421, and the retaining portion 423. The second connecting portion 422 extends from the upper end of the second side wall portion 410 toward the inside of the third axis A3. The retaining portion 423 is connected to the tip of the second connecting portion 422 via the curved portion 421. The second shield 4 is fixed to the second housing 9 by inserting the retaining portion 423 into a retaining hole provided on the lower surface of the second housing 9.

The second outer shield 41 also has a flange-shaped joint 415 at its upper end. The joint 415 is joined to the ground pattern 910 of the second circuit board 91.

(2.2.3.2) Second Inner Shield The second inner shield 45 is disposed between two second terminals 3 of the multiple second terminals 3. Here, the second inner shield 45 is disposed between the second specific terminal 31 and the second connection terminal 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the second shield 4 includes two second inner shields 45. The two second inner shields 45 are arranged side by side on the second axis A2 so as to separate between one second specific terminal 31 and the multiple (six) second connection terminals 32, and between the multiple second connection terminals 32 and another second specific terminal 31, respectively.

In this way, by disposing the second inner shield 45 between the two second specific terminals 31, it is possible to reduce the effect that noise caused by the signal current flowing through one of the second specific terminals 31 has on the signal current flowing through the other second specific terminal 31 and the second connection terminal 32. In other words, it is possible to improve the insulation (isolation) between the two second specific terminals 31.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second inner shield 45 has a main piece 454 and a second inner shield extension 453. The second inner shield extension 453 has a second inner shield lower end 451 located below the first axis A1, and a second inner shield upper end 452 located above the second inner shield lower end 451. The second inner shield extension 453 has a pair of second inner extensions 4530 arranged side by side along the third axis A3. The second lateral shield 401 and the second inner shield extension 453 are separated from each other along the third axis A3. As shown in FIG. 20A, the distance Q1 between the second lateral shield 401 and the second inner shield extension 453 on the third axis A3 is smaller than the width Q2 of the second inner shield extension 453 along the third axis A3. Therefore, the gap between the first shield 8 of the first connector 5 and the second shield 4 of the second connector 1 is reduced, and electromagnetic shielding of the second terminal 3 can be ensured. In addition, a gap Q1 is provided between the second horizontal shield 401 and the second inner shield extension 453, making assembly easy.

The main piece 454 is a rectangular plate having a thickness along the second axis A2 and a long length along the third axis A3. The pair of second inner shield extensions 453 are plate-shaped and extend downward from both sides of the third axis A3 at the lower end surface of the main piece 454.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second inner shield 45 is fixed to the second housing 9. The main piece 454 of the second inner shield 45 is disposed in a groove 904 formed in the second outer bottom wall 906, and the pair of second inner shield extensions 453 are housed in a groove formed in the second inner peripheral wall 902. The outer surfaces of the pair of second inner shield extensions 453 on the third axis A3 are exposed from the second housing 9.

Here, when the second shield 4 is not connected to the ground pattern 910 of the second circuit board 91, the second outer shield 41 and the second inner shield 45 are separated from each other and are not electrically connected to each other. Note that the second inner shield 45 may be formed so as to be electrically connected to the second outer shield 41 when it is not connected to the second circuit board 91.

(2.3) Connection Device As shown in Figures 15 to 18, the first connector 5 is connected to a first circuit board 92. The first connector 5 and the first circuit board 92 form a first connection device. That is, the first connection device includes the first connector 5 and the first circuit board 92 to which the first connector 5 is connected. Furthermore, the second connector 1 is connected to a second circuit board 91. The second connector 1 and the second circuit board 91 form a second connection device. That is, the second connection device includes the second connector 1 and the second circuit board 91 to which the second connector 1 is connected.

(2.4) Connector Device The structure of the connector device 100 in which the first connector 5 and the second connector 1 are mated will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 15 to 18. As shown in Figure 1, the second connector 1 is mated with the first connector 5 from above.

(2.4.1) Connection of Terminals In the mated state, the two first specific terminals 71 of the first connector 5 are in contact with and electrically connected to the two second specific terminals 31 of the second connector 1, respectively. This enables signals to be transmitted and received between the first circuit board 92 on which the first connector 5 is mounted and the second circuit board 91 on which the second connector 1 is mounted via the first specific terminals 71 and the second specific terminals 31. As shown in Fig. 17, in the mated state, the second specific terminal contact piece 319 of the second specific terminal 31 and the convex surface 3160 of the second specific terminal curved portion 316 come into contact with the first specific terminal contact piece 713 (the first contact piece 7136 and the second contact piece 7137) of the first specific terminal 71.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the mated state, the six first connection terminals 72 of the first connector 5 are in contact with and electrically connected to the six second connection terminals 32 of the second connector 1. This allows signals to be transmitted and received via the first connection terminals 72 and the second connection terminals 32 between the first circuit board 92 on which the first connector 5 is mounted and the second circuit board 91 on which the second connector 1 is mounted.

Specifically, the second connection terminal 32 contacts the first connection terminal 72 on the inner surface (surface intersecting with the thickness direction) of the third axis A3 of the contact piece 321 and the outer surface (surface intersecting with the thickness direction) of the third axis A3 of the extension piece 322. The first connection terminal 72 also contacts the second connection terminal 32 on the outer surface (surface intersecting with the thickness direction) of the third axis A3 of the contact piece 727 and the inner surface (surface intersecting with the thickness direction) of the third axis A3 of the rising piece 723.

(2.4.2) Shield connection In the mated state, the first outer shield 81 of the first connector 5 contacts and is electrically connected to the second outer shield 41 of the second connector 1. Also, in the mated state, the first inner shield 85 of the first connector 5 contacts and is electrically connected to the second inner shield 45 of the second connector 1. As a result, the potentials of the first shield 8 and the second shield 4 are the same ground potential.

15 to 18, in the mated state, the outer surface of the second outer shield 41 contacts the first outer shield 81. Here, as shown in FIG. 19B, at least a portion of the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 in the first outer shield 81 is disposed in the recess 413 in the mated state. Also, the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 contacts the recess 413 in the mated state. In this embodiment, the tip surface 8230 of the sidewall extension 820 in the extension direction D1 contacts the recess 413. However, this is not limited to this, and the extension first surface 821 or the extension second surface 822 of the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 may contact the recess 413. Also, at least a portion of the tip 824 of the sidewall extension 820 contacts the inner surface of the recess 413. In addition, of the side wall extensions 820, the first side wall extensions 830 face the recess 413 in the mated state. In addition, in the mated state, the side wall extensions 820 face the second side surface 412 from the outside of the second connector 1.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the second inner shield extension 453 and the first inner shield extension 853 contact each other at least on one side of the third axis A3 in the mated state.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the mated state, the first specific terminal 71 and the first vertical shield 802 face each other on the second axis A2. In the mated state, the first specific terminal 71 and the second vertical shield 402 are electrically isolated from each other.

To mate the first connector 5 with the second connector 1, the second connector 1 is positioned above the first connector 5 as shown in FIG. 1. When the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 move relative to each other to mate, the connector device 100 has a first normal position as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B.

The operation for the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 to mate is an operation in which the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 move relative to each other from the first normal position along a straight line parallel to the first axis A1 to transition to a mated state.

In the first normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 contacts the first outer shield 81. Also, in the first normal position, the second inner shield extension 453 and the first inner shield extension 853 contact each other. Furthermore, in the first normal position, the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 are spaced apart.

On the other hand, when the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 move relative to each other to mate, the connector device 100 may assume an inclined posture as shown in Figures 21A to 24B. Here, the inclination of the second connector 1 relative to the first connector 5 (θ1 in Figure 22) may be, for example, 5 to 20 degrees.

The inclined position is a position in which the first outer shield 81 is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 and spaced apart from the other (see Figures 21A to 21C), and the first inner shield extension 853 and the second inner shield extension 453 are in contact (see Figures 22 to 24B). In this inclined position, in the connector device 100, the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 are spaced apart, as shown in Figures 23B and 24B.

That is, in the connector device 100, the first inner shield extension 853 and the second inner shield extension 453 come into contact before the first specific terminal 71 and the second specific terminal 31 come into contact. This makes it possible to suppress plastic deformation of the terminal (the one of the first specific terminal 71 and the second specific terminal 31 that is more susceptible to plastic deformation, for example, the second specific terminal 31) when the terminal is inserted in an inclined position, and also ensures the contact reliability between the first specific terminal 71 and the second specific terminal 31.

As shown in FIG. 20B, in the connector device 100 of this embodiment, in the first normal position, the second specific terminal curved portion 316 and the first specific terminal curved portion 716 overlap on the first axis A1. This makes it possible to suppress plastic deformation of the terminal (e.g., the second specific terminal 31). In addition, in the mated state, the reliability of the contact between the first specific terminal 71 and the second specific terminal 31 is improved.

In the connector device 100, one of the second connection terminal 32 and the first connection terminal 72 (first connection terminal 72) has a curved portion 728 that elastically deforms when it comes into contact with the contact piece 321 of the other of the second connection terminal 32 and the first connection terminal 72 (second connection terminal 32). The minimum value of the radius of curvature of the curved portion 316 of the second specific terminal is smaller than the minimum value of the radius of curvature of the curved portion 728 of the one terminal (first connection terminal 72). This reduces the plastic deformation of the second connection terminal 32 and the first connection terminal 72, and increases the design freedom of the second connection terminal 32 and the first connection terminal 72.

In addition, in the connector device 100, the second inner shield extension 453 has a pair of second inner extensions 4530 arranged side by side along the third axis A3, as shown in FIG. 11.

21A shows a counterclockwise tilted position in which the first outer shield 81 is in contact with one of the pair of second lateral shields 401 and separated from the other. On the other hand, in the tilted position, the first outer shield 81 may also be in a clockwise position (not shown) in which the first outer shield 81 is in contact with the other of the pair of second lateral shields 401 and separated from the other.

The pair of second inner extensions 4530 can suppress plastic deformation of the terminal (second specific terminal 31) in both counterclockwise and clockwise tilt positions.

(Modification of connection form)
The connector device 100 may have a second normal posture when the second connector 1 and the first connector 5 move relative to each other to be fitted together. In the second normal posture, each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 is in contact with the first outer shield 81. Furthermore, each of the pair of second vertical shields 402 is in contact with the first outer shield 81. In addition, in the second normal posture, the second inner shield extension 453 is in contact with the first inner shield extension 853. Furthermore, in the second normal posture, the second specific terminal 31 is in contact with the first specific terminal 71. That is, the second normal posture differs from the first normal posture described in the embodiment in whether the second specific terminal 31 is in contact with the first specific terminal 71 or is separated from the second specific terminal 31.

In the modified connector device 100, when the connector device 100 transitions from the inclined posture to the second normal posture, the first outer shield 81 changes from a state in which it is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 and separated from the other to a state in which each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 is in contact with the first outer shield 81, and at the same time, the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 come into contact.

This makes it possible to suppress plastic deformation of the terminal (e.g., the second specific terminal 31) when it is inserted in an inclined position, and also ensures the contact reliability between the first specific terminal 71 and the second specific terminal 31.

Note that "the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 come into contact at the same time that each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 comes into contact with the first outer shield 81" does not necessarily mean that they come into contact simultaneously in the strict sense, and the second specific terminal 31 and the first specific terminal 71 may come into contact before each of the pair of second horizontal shields 401 comes into contact with the first outer shield 81 so as to prevent plastic deformation of the terminal (e.g., the second specific terminal 31).

(summary)
As described above, the connector device (100) according to the first aspect includes the first connector (5) and the second connector (1). The second connector (1) is fitted to the first connector (5) from above the first axis (A1). The second connector (1) has a second housing (9), a second terminal (3), and a second shield (4). The second terminal (3) has a second specific terminal (31) and a second connection terminal (32) held in the second housing (9). The second shield (4) has a second outer shield (41) and a second inner shield (45). The second outer shield (41) surrounds the second specific terminal (31) and the second connection terminal (32) in a rectangular shape. The second inner shield (45) is disposed between the second specific terminal (31) and the second connection terminal (32). The first connector (5) has a first housing (6), a first terminal (7), and a first shield (8). The first terminal (7) is held in the first housing (6), and has a first specific terminal (71) and a first connection terminal (72) that contact the second specific terminal (31) and the second connection terminal (32), respectively, in a mated state in which the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) are mated. The first shield (8) has a first outer shield (81) and a first inner shield (85). The first outer shield (81) surrounds at least one of the first specific terminal (71) and the first connection terminal (72). The first inner shield (85) is disposed between the first specific terminal (71) and the first connection terminal (72). The second outer shield (41) has a pair of second horizontal shields (401) facing each other on a third axis (A3) perpendicular to the first axis (A1), and a second vertical shield (402) disposed at the end of the pair of second horizontal shields (401). The second inner shield (45) has a second inner shield extension (453). The second inner shield extension (453) has a second inner shield lower end (451) located below the first axis (A1) and a second inner shield upper end (452) located above the second inner shield lower end (451). The second specific terminal (31) has a second specific terminal connection piece (314), a second specific terminal contact piece (319), and a second specific terminal linking portion (312). The second specific terminal connection piece (314) is disposed at the upper part of the second connector (1). The second specific terminal contact piece (319) has a curved second specific terminal curved portion (316), and when the first specific terminal (71) contacts the convex surface (3160) of the second specific terminal curved portion (316), it elastically deforms toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields (401). The second specific terminal connecting portion (312) connects the second specific terminal connecting piece (314) and the second specific terminal contact piece (319). The first inner shield (85) has a first inner shield extension portion (853). The first inner shield extension portion (853) has a first inner shield upper end (851) and a first inner shield lower end (852). The first inner shield upper end (851) is located upward in the mated state. The first inner shield lower end (852) is located downward with respect to the first inner shield upper end (851). In the mated state, the second inner shield extension (453) and the first inner shield extension (853) come into contact with each other along the third axis (A3). The second specific terminal (31) is surrounded by a pair of the second horizontal shield (401), the second vertical shield (402), and the second inner shield (45). The connector device (100) has a first normal position when the second connector (1) and the first connector (5) move relative to each other to be mated. In the first normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields (401) comes into contact with the first outer shield (81), the second inner shield extension (453) comes into contact with the first inner shield extension (853), and the second specific terminal (31) and the first specific terminal (71) are spaced apart. In the connector device, when the first outer shield (81) is in contact with one of a pair of second lateral shields (401) and spaced apart from the other, and when the second inner shield extension (453) and the first inner shield extension (853) are in contact with each other, the second specific terminal (31) and the first specific terminal (71) are spaced apart.

According to this aspect, when the connector is inserted in an inclined position, for example, plastic deformation of the second specific terminal (31) caused by the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and the occurrence of malfunctions when mating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed.

The second aspect is the connector device (100) of the first aspect, in which the first specific terminal (71) has a first specific terminal connection piece (714), a first specific terminal contact piece (713), and a first specific terminal linking portion (712). The first specific terminal connection piece (714) is disposed below the first axis (A1) in the first connector (5). The first specific terminal contact piece (713) is fixed to the first housing (6) and contacts the second specific terminal contact piece (319). The first specific terminal linking portion (712) links the first specific terminal connection piece (714) and the first specific terminal contact piece (713) and has a curved first specific terminal curved portion (716). In the first normal position, the second specific terminal curved portion (316) and the first specific terminal curved portion (716) overlap on the first axis (A1).

According to this aspect, when the connector is inserted in an inclined position, for example, plastic deformation of the second specific terminal (31) caused by the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and the occurrence of malfunctions when mating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed.

The third aspect is the connector device (100) of the first or second aspect, in which the second specific terminal connection portion (312) has a second specific terminal reverse curved portion (318) that is U-shaped and convex on the side opposite to the direction in which the second specific terminal curved portion (316) is U-shaped and convex. The second specific terminal curved portion (316) and the second specific terminal reverse curved portion (318) are connected in an S-shape.

According to this aspect, when the connector is inserted in an inclined position, for example, plastic deformation of the second specific terminal (31) caused by the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and the occurrence of malfunctions when mating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed.

The fourth aspect is a connector device (100) according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which one of the first and second connection terminals (72) has a curved portion (728) that elastically deforms when it comes into contact with a contact piece (second connection terminal contact piece 321) of the other of the first and second connection terminals (72) and (32). The minimum value of the radius of curvature of the second specific terminal curved portion (316) is smaller than the minimum value of the radius of curvature of the curved portion (728) of the one of the terminals (72).

According to this aspect, when the connector is inserted in an inclined position, for example, plastic deformation of the second specific terminal (31) caused by the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and the occurrence of malfunctions when mating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed.

The fifth aspect is a connector device (100) according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the second inner shield extension (453) has a pair of second inner extensions (4530) arranged side by side along the third axis (A3).

According to this aspect, when the connector is inserted in an inclined position, for example, plastic deformation of the second specific terminal (31) caused by the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and the occurrence of malfunctions when mating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed.

A sixth aspect is a connector device (100) according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the second specific terminal contact piece (313) is the first contact piece. The second specific terminal connecting portion (312) is the first connecting portion. The second specific terminal (31) further has a second contact piece (second specific terminal contact piece (319)), a second connecting portion (second specific terminal connecting portion 3190), and a flat portion (317). The second contact piece (second specific terminal contact piece 319) contacts the first specific terminal (71). The second connecting portion (second specific terminal connecting portion 3190) connects the second specific terminal connecting piece (314) and the second contact piece (second specific terminal contact piece (319)). The flat portion (317) is connected to one end of the second contact piece (second specific terminal contact piece (319)) opposite the second connecting portion (second specific terminal connecting portion 3190) and has a surface (3170) perpendicular to the first axis (A1).

According to this aspect, when the second specific terminal (31) is inserted in an inclined position, for example, plastic deformation of the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and the occurrence of defects when mating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed. In addition, electrical inspection of the second specific terminal (31) can be easily performed.

The seventh aspect is a connector device (100) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the second lateral shield (401) and the second inner shield extension (453) are spaced apart along the third axis (A3). The distance (Q1) between the second lateral shield (401) and the second inner shield extension (453) along the third axis (A3) is smaller than the width (Q2) of the second inner shield extension (453) along the third axis (A3).

This embodiment ensures electromagnetic shielding of the second terminal (3) and is easy to assemble.

The connector device (100) according to the eighth aspect includes a first connector (5) and a second connector (1). The second connector (1) is fitted to the first connector (5) from above the first axis (A1). The second connector (1) has a second housing (9), a second terminal (3), and a second shield (4). The second terminal (3) has a second specific terminal (31) and a second connection terminal (32) held in the second housing (9). The second shield (4) has a second outer shield (41) and a second inner shield (45). The second outer shield (41) surrounds the second specific terminal (31) and the second connection terminal (32) in a rectangular shape. The second inner shield (45) is disposed between the second specific terminal (31) and the second connection terminal (32). The first connector (5) has a first housing (6), a first terminal (7), and a first shield (8). The first terminal (7) is held in the first housing (6), and has a first specific terminal (71) and a first connection terminal (72) that contact the second specific terminal (31) and the second connection terminal (32), respectively, in a mated state in which the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) are mated. The first shield (8) has a first outer shield (81) and a first inner shield (85). The first outer shield (81) surrounds at least one of the first specific terminal (71) and the first connection terminal (72). The first inner shield (85) is disposed between the first specific terminal (71) and the first connection terminal (72). The second outer shield (41) has a pair of second horizontal shields (401) facing each other on a third axis (A3) perpendicular to the first axis (A1), and a second vertical shield (402) disposed at the end of the pair of second horizontal shields (401). The second inner shield (45) has a second inner shield extension (453). The second inner shield extension (453) has a second inner shield lower end (451) located below the first axis (A1) and a second inner shield upper end (452) located above the second inner shield lower end (451). The second specific terminal (31) has a second specific terminal connection piece (314), a second specific terminal contact piece (319), and a second specific terminal linking portion (312). The second specific terminal connection piece (314) is disposed at the upper part of the second connector (1). The second specific terminal contact piece (319) has a curved second specific terminal curved portion (316), and when the first specific terminal (71) contacts the convex surface (3160) of the second specific terminal curved portion (316), it elastically deforms toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields (401). The second specific terminal connecting portion (312) connects the second specific terminal connecting piece (314) and the second specific terminal contact piece (319). The first inner shield (85) has a first inner shield extension portion (853). The first inner shield extension portion (853) has a first inner shield upper end (851) and a first inner shield lower end (852). The first inner shield upper end (851) is located upward in the mated state. The first inner shield lower end (852) is located downward with respect to the first inner shield upper end (851). In the mated state, the second inner shield extension (453) and the first inner shield extension (853) come into contact with each other along the third axis (A3). The second specific terminal (31) is surrounded by a pair of second horizontal shields (401), a second vertical shield (402), and a second inner shield (45). The connector device has a second normal position when the second connector (1) and the first connector (5) move relative to each other to be mated. In the second normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields (401) comes into contact with the first outer shield (81), the second inner shield extension (453) comes into contact with the first inner shield extension (853), and the second specific terminal (31) comes into contact with the first specific terminal (71). In the connector device (100), when the first outer shield (81) is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields (401) and separated from the other, and in the inclined position where the second inner shield extension (453) and the first inner shield extension (853) are in contact, the second specific terminal (31) and the first specific terminal (71) are separated. When the connector device (100) transitions from the inclined position to the second normal position, the first outer shield (81) goes from a state in which it is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields (401) and separated from the other to a state in which each of the pair of second horizontal shields (401) is in contact with the first outer shield (81), and at the same time, the second specific terminal (31) and the first specific terminal (71) come into contact.

According to this aspect, when the connector is inserted at an angle, for example, plastic deformation of the second specific terminal (31) caused by the first specific terminal (71) can be suppressed, and malfunctions occurring when mating or unmating the first connector (5) and the second connector (1) can be suppressed.

1 Second connector 3 Second terminal 4 Second shield 5 First connector 6 First housing 7 First terminal 8 First shield 9 Second housing 31 Second specific terminal 32 Second connection terminal 41 Second outer shield 45 Second inner shield 71 First specific terminal 72 First connection terminal 81 First outer shield 85 First inner shield 100 Connector device 312 Second specific terminal connecting portion 313 Second specific terminal contact piece (first contact piece)
314 Second specific terminal connection piece 316 Second specific terminal curved portion 317 Flat portion 318 Second specific terminal reverse curved portion 319 Second specific terminal contact piece 401 Second horizontal shield 402 Second vertical shield 451 Second inner shield lower end 453 Second inner shield extension portion 610 Top surface 611 End surface 612 Side surface 712 First specific terminal connecting portion 713 First specific terminal contact piece 714 First specific terminal connecting piece 716 First specific terminal curved portion 728 Curved portion 853 First inner shield extension portion 851 First inner shield upper end 852 First inner shield lower end 3160 Convex surface 3170 Flat surface 3190 Second specific terminal connecting portion (second connecting portion)
4530 Second inner extension A1 First axis A2 Second axis A3 Third axis Q1 Interval Q2 Width

Claims (8)

A connector device including a first connector and a second connector that is fitted to the first connector from above a first axis,
The second connector is
A second housing;
a second terminal having a second specific terminal and a second connection terminal held by the second housing;
a second shield including a second outer shield that surrounds the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal in a rectangular shape, and a second inner shield that is disposed between the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal;
having
The first connector is
A first housing;
a first terminal held by the first housing, the first terminal having a first specific terminal and a first connecting terminal which come into contact with the second specific terminal and the second connecting terminal, respectively, in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated;
a first shield including a first outer shield surrounding at least one of the first specific terminal and the first connection terminal, and a first inner shield disposed between the first specific terminal and the first connection terminal;
having
the second outer shield includes a pair of second horizontal shields opposed to each other along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a second vertical shield disposed at an end of the pair of second horizontal shields,
the second inner shield has a second inner shield extension having a second inner shield lower end located below the first axis and a second inner shield upper end located above the second inner shield lower end,
The second specific terminal is
a second specific terminal connection piece disposed above the second connector;
a second specific terminal contact piece having a curved second specific terminal curved portion and elastically deforming toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields when the first specific terminal contacts a convex surface of the second specific terminal curved portion;
a second specific terminal connecting portion connecting the second specific terminal connecting piece and the second specific terminal contact piece;
having
the first inner shield has a first inner shield extension portion having a first inner shield upper end located above and a first inner shield lower end located below the first inner shield upper end in the fitted state,
the second inner shield extension and the first inner shield extension contact each other along the third axis in the fitted state,
the second specific terminal is surrounded by the pair of second horizontal shields, the second vertical shield, and the second inner shield,
the connector device has a first normal attitude when the second connector and the first connector move relative to each other for mating;
In the first normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields is in contact with the first outer shield, the second inner shield extension is in contact with the first inner shield extension, and the second specific terminal is spaced apart from the first specific terminal,
In the connector device, when the first outer shield is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields and spaced from the other, and when the second inner shield extension portion and the first inner shield extension portion are in contact with each other, the second specific terminal and the first specific terminal are spaced apart.
Connector device. The first specific terminal is
a first specific terminal connection piece disposed below the first axis of the first connector;
a first specific terminal contact piece fixed to the first housing and in contact with the second specific terminal contact piece;
a first specific terminal connecting portion that connects the first specific terminal connecting piece and the first specific terminal contact piece and has a curved first specific terminal curved portion;
having
When in the first normal position, the second specific terminal curved portion and the first specific terminal curved portion overlap with each other on the first axis.
The connector device of claim 1 . the second specific terminal connecting portion has a second specific terminal reverse curved portion that is convex in a U-shape on a side opposite to a direction in which the second specific terminal curved portion is convex in a U-shape,
The second specific terminal curved portion and the second specific terminal reverse curved portion are connected to each other in an S-shape.
The connector device of claim 1 . one of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal has a curved portion that is elastically deformed when it comes into contact with a contact piece of the other of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal;
The minimum value of the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the second specific terminal is smaller than the minimum value of the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the one terminal.
The connector device of claim 1 . The second inner shield extension includes a pair of second inner extensions arranged side by side along the third axis.
The connector device of claim 1 . the second specific terminal contact piece is a first contact piece,
the second specific terminal connection portion is a first connection portion,
The second specific terminal is
a second contact piece that contacts the first specific terminal;
a second connecting portion connecting the second specific terminal connecting piece and the second contact piece;
a flat portion connected to one end of the second contact piece opposite to the second connecting portion and having a surface perpendicular to the first axis;
Further comprising
The connector device of claim 1 . the second lateral shield and the second inner shield extension are spaced apart along the third axis;
a distance between the second lateral shield and the second inner shield extension along the third axis is smaller than a width of the second inner shield extension along the third axis;
2. The connector device according to claim 1 . A connector device including a first connector and a second connector that is fitted to the first connector from above a first axis,
The second connector is
A second housing;
a second terminal having a second specific terminal and a second connection terminal held by the second housing;
a second shield including a second outer shield that surrounds the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal in a rectangular shape, and a second inner shield that is disposed between the second specific terminal and the second connection terminal;
having
The first connector is
A first housing;
a first terminal held by the first housing, the first terminal having a first specific terminal and a first connecting terminal which come into contact with the second specific terminal and the second connecting terminal, respectively, in a mated state in which the first connector and the second connector are mated;
a first shield including a first outer shield surrounding at least one of the first specific terminal and the first connection terminal, and a first inner shield disposed between the first specific terminal and the first connection terminal;
having
the second outer shield includes a pair of second horizontal shields opposed to each other along a third axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a second vertical shield disposed at an end of the pair of second horizontal shields,
the second inner shield has a second inner shield extension having a second inner shield lower end located below the first axis and a second inner shield upper end located above the second inner shield lower end,
The second specific terminal is
a second specific terminal connection piece disposed above the second connector;
a second specific terminal contact piece having a curved second specific terminal curved portion and elastically deforming toward one of the pair of second horizontal shields when the first specific terminal contacts a convex surface of the second specific terminal curved portion;
a second specific terminal connecting portion connecting the second specific terminal connecting piece and the second specific terminal contact piece;
having
the first inner shield has a first inner shield extension portion having a first inner shield upper end located above and a first inner shield lower end located below the first inner shield upper end in the fitted state,
the second inner shield extension and the first inner shield extension contact each other along the third axis in the fitted state,
the second specific terminal is surrounded by the pair of second horizontal shields, the second vertical shield, and the second inner shield,
the connector device has a second normal attitude when the second connector and the first connector move relative to each other for mating;
In the second normal position, each of the pair of second horizontal shields is in contact with the first outer shield, the second inner shield extension is in contact with the first inner shield extension, and the second specific terminal is in contact with the first specific terminal,
In the connector device, when the first outer shield is in contact with one of the pair of second horizontal shields and spaced apart from the other, and when the second inner shield extension and the first inner shield extension are in contact with each other, the second specific terminal and the first specific terminal are spaced apart from each other,
In the connector device, when the inclined posture is shifted to the second normal posture, the first outer shield changes from a state in which the first outer shield is in contact with one of the pair of second lateral shields and separated from the other to a state in which each of the pair of second lateral shields is in contact with the first outer shield, and at the same time, the second specific terminal and the first specific terminal come into contact with each other.
Connector device.

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