JP7492449B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector used for signal transmission using a differential transmission method.

In recent years, signal transmission by a differential transmission method, in which signals of opposite phases (hereinafter referred to as "differential signals") are transmitted to each of a pair of signal lines, has come to be used in many fields. Since the differential signals of one type have opposite signal voltages, it is possible to obtain twice the voltage amplitude by taking the difference in the signal voltages at the receiving side. In addition, if the same noise occurs in each of the pair of differential signals, the noise is removed by taking the difference in the signal voltages at the receiving side. In this way, signal transmission by the differential transmission method is resistant to noise and is suitable for increasing the transmission speed. Connectors used for signal transmission by the differential transmission method include, for example, a housing fixed to a circuit board or the like and a plurality of contacts arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction on the housing, and are configured to transmit differential signals by pairs of adjacent contacts among the plurality of contacts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-130321 A

In a connector with this configuration, if the spacing between adjacent contacts is reduced, the electrical coupling of paired differential signals can improve the transmission characteristics (insertion loss, crosstalk, etc.) of the connector. However, if the spacing between adjacent contacts is reduced, it becomes difficult to electrically connect each contact to a circuit board, etc.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to improve the transmission characteristics of a connector configured to transmit differential signals through pairs of adjacent contacts.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction in the housing, the plurality of contacts including a plurality of pairs of contacts arranged adjacent to each other and each pair transmitting one type of differential signal, the contacts each having a base end portion (e.g., each of receptacle side joint portions 31A, 31B and each of plug side joint portions 71A, 71B in the embodiment) formed on the base end side of the contact, and a contact connection portion formed on the tip end side of the contact relative to the base end portion and connected to a contact provided in a mating connector. and a connecting portion, in each of the plurality of pairs of contacts, an adjacent distance between the contact connection portions is smaller than an adjacent distance between the base ends, the housing has a plurality of holding portions arranged along the predetermined arrangement direction and holding the plurality of contacts, the contact connection portions are formed in a plate shape extending connected to the base ends and have held portions pressed into the holding portions that hold the contacts, the held portions have protrusions formed to protrude in the plate thickness direction of the held portions, and the protrusions are pressed against the holding portions when the held portions are pressed into the holding portions.

In the above-mentioned connector, it is preferable that the housing has a clearance portion (for example, in the embodiment, the bottom side clearance portion 21C, the first receptacle side clearance groove portion 27A, and the second receptacle side clearance groove portion 27B, or the base side clearance portion 61C, the first plug side clearance groove portion 67A, and the second plug side clearance groove portion 67B) that is spaced apart from the portion of the contact excluding the retained portion.

In the above-mentioned connector, the contact connection portion is formed in a plate shape that is connected to and extends from the tip of the held portion, and has a contact portion (e.g., each plate-shaped contact portion 76A, 76B in the embodiment) that comes into contact with a contact provided on the mating connector, and it is preferable that the plate thickness of the contact portion is thinner than the plate thickness of the held portion.

In the above connector, it is preferable that the contact connection portion is curved at the tip of the contact portion, and has a curved portion that smoothly abuts when the contact provided in the mating connector contacts the contact portion.

According to the present invention, in each of a plurality of contact pairs, the adjacent distance between the contact connection parts is smaller than the adjacent distance between the base ends. As a result, even if the adjacent distance between the base ends in a contact pair is the distance required for electrical connection to a circuit board or the like, the adjacent distance between the contact connection parts can be made smaller. Therefore, the adjacent distance between the contact connection parts in a contact pair can be made smaller than before, and the transmission characteristics of the connector can be improved by electrical coupling of the paired differential signals. In addition, since the adjacent distance between the contact connection part in a certain contact pair and the contact connection part in another contact pair adjacent to that contact pair is increased, the air gap between the contact pairs can be increased, and crosstalk in the connector can be reduced.

In addition, since the held portion of the contact has a protrusion formed to protrude in the plate thickness direction of the held portion, the width of the contact does not increase at the protrusion portion. This makes it possible to reduce impedance mismatches caused by the contact width being partially increased, and improves the transmission characteristics of the connector.

It is also preferable that the housing has a recess that is spaced apart from the parts of the contacts other than the parts to be held. This allows the parts of the contacts other than the parts to be held to be exposed to air without touching the housing. In this way, by exposing the contacts to air as much as possible and reducing the effective dielectric constant of the transmission path of the differential signal, it is possible to minimize dielectric loss and improve the transmission characteristics of the connector.

In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the contact portion of the contact is thinner than the thickness of the held portion. This makes it possible to prevent localized impedance drops caused by an increase in the cross-sectional area of the transmission path of the differential signal at the portion where the contact provided on the mating connector comes into contact with the contact portion. In this way, by preventing localized impedance drops, it is possible to reduce impedance mismatch and improve the transmission characteristics of the connector.

It is also preferable that the tip of the contact portion of the contact is formed with a curved portion that smoothly abuts when the contact provided on the mating connector comes into contact with the contact portion. This allows for smooth mating with the mating connector and prevents the contact from buckling when mated with the mating connector.

1 is a front view showing a connector device in a state in which the receptacle connector and the plug connector are separated. 1 is a front view showing a connector device in a state in which the receptacle connector and the plug connector are mated with each other. 1 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a connector device in a state where the receptacle connector and the plug connector are separated from each other; 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a connector device in a state in which the receptacle connector and the plug connector are separated from each other. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a connector device in a state where a receptacle connector and a plug connector are close to each other; 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a connector device in a state in which a receptacle connector and a plug connector are in the middle of being mated with each other; 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the connector device in a state in which the receptacle connector and the plug connector are mated. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle connector as viewed from above. 2 is a plan view of the receptacle connector as viewed from above. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the receptacle connector as viewed from below. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plug connector as viewed from below. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the plug connector as viewed from below. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the plug connector as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the plug connector. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a receptacle contact and a plug contact are in contact with each other, as viewed from above. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a state in which the receptacle contact and the plug contact are in contact with each other. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which a receptacle contact and a plug contact are in contact with each other. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the receptacle contact. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a receptacle contact and a receptacle contact carrier. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the plug contact. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a plug contact and a plug contact carrier. 1A is a graph showing insertion loss, and FIG. 1B is a graph showing crosstalk.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A connector device 1 equipped with a connector according to this embodiment is shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and the overall configuration of the connector device 1 will be described with reference to these figures. Note that in the cross-sectional views, hatching of some components may be omitted in order to make it easier to understand.

The connector device 1 is composed of a receptacle connector 10 provided on a first circuit board 2 and a plug connector 50 provided on a second circuit board 3. The first circuit board 2 and the second circuit board 3 can be electrically connected by fitting the two connectors 10, 50 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the first circuit board 2 (or the second circuit board 3). In the following description, for convenience, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are defined based on the state shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and the fitting direction of each connector 10, 50 is referred to as the up-down direction, the terminal arrangement direction of each connector 10, 50 (i.e., the predetermined arrangement direction of the contacts constituting each connector 10, 50) is referred to as the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to these up-down and left-right directions is referred to as the front-rear direction. In Figs. 3 to 7, some of the contacts constituting each connector 10, 50 are omitted.

Next, the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 will be described with additional reference to Figures 8 to 24. As shown in Figures 1 and 8 to 11, the receptacle connector 10 is configured with a receptacle housing 20 fixed to the first circuit board 2, a plurality of receptacle contacts (first receptacle contacts 30A and second receptacle contacts 30B) arranged and held in the receptacle housing 20 along the left-right direction, and a receptacle fixing bracket 40 that fixes the receptacle housing 20 to the first circuit board 2. The plurality of receptacle contacts are made up of pairs of a plurality of first receptacle contacts 30A and second receptacle contacts 30B arranged adjacent to each other. The pair of first receptacle contact 30A and second receptacle contact 30B transmits one type of differential signal that is in opposite phase between the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B.

The receptacle housing 20 is integrally molded using an electrically insulating material such as resin. As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the receptacle housing 20 has a bottom 21 that is elongated in the left-right direction and disposed on the surface of the first circuit board 2, front and rear long sidewalls 22 that stand up from the front and rear edges of the bottom 21, and left and right short sidewalls 23 that stand up from the left and right edges of the bottom 21, and is formed into a generally rectangular box shape. The receptacle housing 20 also has a mating recess 24 that is surrounded by the bottom 21, the front and rear long sidewalls 22, and the left and right short sidewalls 23 and opens upward. The left and right ends of the mating recess 24 are formed with protrusion engagement portions 29 that can engage with the engagement protrusions 69 of the plug housing 60.

3, 4, 10 and 11, first receptacle side through-holes 25A through which the first receptacle contacts 30A are inserted and second receptacle side through-holes 25B through which the second receptacle contacts 30B are inserted are formed alternately in the left-right direction at the front and rear of the bottom 21. The first receptacle side through-holes 25A are formed as rectangular holes extending in the up-down direction through the bottom 21. First receptacle side holding portions 26A are formed on the left and right inner wall portions of the first receptacle side through-holes 25A. The first receptacle side holding portions 26A are formed as shallow grooves extending in the up-down direction and hold the first receptacle contacts 30A inserted into the first receptacle side through-holes 25A. The first receptacle side held portion 33A of the first receptacle contact 30A is press-fitted into the first receptacle side holding portion 26A. The front and rear inner wall portions of the first receptacle side insertion hole portion 25A are formed spaced apart in the front-rear direction from the first receptacle contact 30A. Therefore, the center portion of the first receptacle side held portion 33A of the first receptacle contact 30A is exposed to air inside the first receptacle side insertion hole portion 25A.

Second receptacle side through-hole 25B is formed in the shape of a rectangular hole extending in the up-down direction penetrating bottom 21. Second receptacle side through-hole 25B is formed symmetrically with adjacent first receptacle side through-hole 25A. Second receptacle side holding portion 26B is formed on the left and right inner wall portions of second receptacle side through-hole 25B. Second receptacle side holding portion 26B is formed in the same manner as first receptacle side holding portion 26A, and holds second receptacle contact 30B inserted into second receptacle side through-hole 25B. Second receptacle side held portion 33B of second receptacle contact 30B is press-fitted into second receptacle side holding portion 26B. Front and rear inner wall portions of second receptacle side through-hole 25B are formed in the same manner as first receptacle side holding portion 26A, and hold second receptacle contact 30B inserted into second receptacle side through-hole 25B. Second receptacle side held portion 33B of second receptacle contact 30B is press-fitted into second receptacle side holding portion 26B.
The second receptacle contact 30B is formed to be spaced apart in the front-rear direction from the second receptacle contact 30B. Therefore, the center of the second receptacle held portion 33B of the second receptacle contact 30B is exposed to air inside the second receptacle insertion hole 25B.

A bottom side escape portion 21C is formed on the underside of the bottom 21 that is connected to the lower ends of the first receptacle side insertion hole portion 25A and the second receptacle side insertion hole portion 25B. The bottom side escape portion 21C is recessed upward from the lower end of the bottom 21 and is spaced apart from the first receptacle side joint portion 31A of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle side joint portion 31B of the second receptacle contact 30B.

As shown in Figures 8 to 10, fixing bracket holding portions 28 are formed on the left and right ends of the bottom 21. The fixing bracket holding portions 28 are formed in a dovetail shape that can fit into the housing side fixing portion 41 of the receptacle fixing bracket 40. The fixing bracket holding portions 28, when fitted into the housing side fixing portion 41, fix and hold the receptacle fixing bracket 40.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, 9 and 11, the front and rear long side wall portions 22 are formed with a first receptacle side escape groove portion 27A facing the first receptacle contact 30A and a second receptacle side escape groove portion 27B facing the second receptacle contact 30B, which are alternately arranged in the left-right direction. The first receptacle side escape groove portion 27A is formed in a groove shape extending in the vertical direction according to the width of the first receptacle contact 30A, and is spaced apart from the first bent portion 36A and the first tip contact portion 37A of the first receptacle contact 30A. The second receptacle side escape groove portion 27B is formed in the same manner as the first receptacle side escape groove portion 27A, and is spaced apart from the second bent portion 36B and the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B.

As shown in Figures 16 to 20, the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B are formed into the predetermined shapes shown in the figures, which are bilaterally symmetrical, by pressing (punching and bending) using a thin flat plate of a conductive material such as metal. As described above, adjacent first receptacle contact 30A and second receptacle contact 30B form a pair of receptacle contacts that transmit differential signals. The pairs of first receptacle contact 30A and second receptacle contact 30B are arranged and held in a row of 15 pairs in the left-right direction on the front and rear sides of the receptacle housing 20.

The first receptacle contact 30A is configured with a first receptacle side joint 31A formed on the base end side (lower side) of the first receptacle contact 30A, and a first receptacle contact connection portion 32A formed on the tip side (upper side) of the first receptacle side joint 31A and connected to the first plug contact 70A (see Figures 16 to 18). The first receptacle contact connection portion 32A is configured with a first receptacle side held portion 33A formed connected to the tip side of the first receptacle side joint 31A, a first bent portion 36A formed connected to the tip portion of the first receptacle side held portion 33A, and a first tip contact portion 37A formed connected to the tip portion of the first bent portion 36A.

As shown in Figures 11 and 20, the first receptacle side joint 31A is formed in a plate shape that is bent at a substantially right angle in the front-rear direction from the base end (lower end) of the first receptacle side held portion 33A. The first receptacle side joint 31A is exposed below the bottom 21 of the receptacle housing 20 and is joined by soldering or the like to a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the first circuit board 2 (see Figures 1 and 2).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 20, the first receptacle side held portion 33A is formed in a plate shape extending in the vertical direction, and is connected to the first receptacle side holding portion 26A of the receptacle housing 20.
The first receptacle contact 30A is pressed into the first receptacle side holding portion 26A of the receptacle housing 20. The first receptacle side holding portion 26A of the receptacle housing 20 holds the first receptacle contact 30A while receiving the first receptacle side held portion 33A pressed into the first receptacle side holding portion 26A. First receptacle side protrusions 34A are formed on the upper left and right sides of the first receptacle side held portion 33A. The first receptacle side protrusions 34A are formed in a claw shape that protrudes in the plate thickness direction of the first receptacle side held portion 33A. When the first receptacle side held portion 33A is pressed into the first receptacle side holding portion 26A of the receptacle housing 20, the first receptacle side protrusions 34A are pressed into and hooked onto the first receptacle side holding portion 26A. First receptacle side protrusions 35A are formed on the left and right lower sides of first receptacle side held portion 33A. First receptacle side protrusions 35A are formed in the same boss shape as first receptacle side protrusions 34A and protrude in the plate thickness direction of first receptacle side held portion 33A. First receptacle side protrusions 35A are adapted to come into contact with first receptacle side holding portion 26A of receptacle housing 20.

11 and 20, the first bent portion 36A is formed in a plate shape that is bent obliquely in the front-rear direction from the tip (upper end) of the first receptacle side held portion 33A. The first bent portion 36A protrudes into the mating recess 24 above the bottom 21 of the receptacle housing 20. The first tip contact portion 37A is formed in an arc shape at the tip (upper end) of the first bent portion 36A and is adapted to contact the first plug contact 70A. The distance between the first receptacle side held portion 33A and the first tip contact portion 37A in the plate thickness direction of the first receptacle side held portion 33A (i.e., in the front-rear direction) is small enough that the tip side of the first plug contact 70A is located near the first bent portion 36A.

The second receptacle contact 30B, like the first receptacle contact 30A, is configured with a second receptacle side joint 31B and a second receptacle contact connection portion 32B that is formed on the tip side (upper side) of the second receptacle side joint 31B and is connected to the second plug contact 70B (see Figures 16 to 18). Also, like the first receptacle contact connection portion 32A, the second receptacle contact connection portion 32B is configured with a second receptacle side held portion 33B, a second bent portion 36B, and a second tip contact portion 37B. The second receptacle side joint portion 31B is formed like the first receptacle side joint portion 31A, and is joined by soldering or the like to a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the first circuit board 2 (see Figures 1 and 2).

The second receptacle side held portion 33B is formed in the same manner as the first receptacle side held portion 33A, and is press-fitted into the second receptacle side holding portion 26B of the receptacle housing 20. The second receptacle side holding portion 26B of the receptacle housing 20 holds the second receptacle contact 30B while receiving the second receptacle side held portion 33B press-fitted into the second receptacle side holding portion 26B. The second receptacle side held portion 33B is formed with a second receptacle side protrusion 34B and a second receptacle side protrusion 35B in the same manner as the first receptacle side held portion 33A. The second receptacle side protrusion 34B is formed in the same manner as the first receptacle side protrusion 34A. When the second receptacle side held portion 33B is pressed into the second receptacle side holding portion 26B of the receptacle housing 20, the second receptacle side protrusion 34B is pressed against and hooked onto the second receptacle side holding portion 26B. The second receptacle side protrusion 35B is formed in the same manner as the first receptacle side protrusion 35A, and is adapted to come into contact with the second receptacle side holding portion 26B of the receptacle housing 20.

The second bent portion 36B is formed similarly to the first bent portion 36A, and protrudes into the mating recess 24 above the bottom 21 of the receptacle housing 20. The second tip contact portion 37B is formed similarly to the first tip contact portion 37A, and is adapted to come into contact with the second plug contact 70B. The distance between the second receptacle side held portion 33B in the plate thickness direction (i.e., the front-rear direction) of the second receptacle side held portion 33B and the second tip contact portion 37B is small enough that the tip side of the second plug contact 70B is located in the vicinity of the second bent portion 36B.

17 and 19, the first receptacle contact connection portion 32A of the first receptacle contact 30A is formed to be offset in the left-right direction toward the second receptacle contact 30B relative to the first receptacle side joint portion 31A. The second receptacle contact connection portion 32B of the second receptacle contact 30B is formed to be offset in the left-right direction toward the first receptacle contact 30A relative to the second receptacle side joint portion 31B. Therefore, in each of the multiple pairs of first receptacle contacts 30A and second receptacle contacts 30B, the adjacent distance between the first receptacle contact connection portion 32A and the second receptacle contact connection portion 32B (the distance along the arrangement direction of the first receptacle contacts 30A and the second receptacle contacts 30B) is smaller than the adjacent distance between the first receptacle side joint portion 31A and the second receptacle side joint portion 31B. The adjacent distance between the first receptacle side joint portion 31A and the second receptacle side joint portion 31B is set to a constant distance according to the wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the first circuit board 2.

As shown in FIG. 21, the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B are attached to the receptacle housing 20 using a thin, flat receptacle contact carrier 39 that is integrally formed with them. Here, we will briefly describe a method for attaching the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B to the receptacle housing 20.

First, the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B aligned in the left-right direction along the upper edge of the receptacle contact carrier 39 are inserted from below into the first receptacle side insertion hole 25A and the second receptacle side insertion hole 25B of the receptacle housing 20. At this time, the first receptacle side held portion 33A of the first receptacle contact 30A is pressed into the first receptacle side holding portion 26A of the receptacle housing 20, and the first receptacle contact 30A is held by the first receptacle side holding portion 26A of the receptacle housing 20. At this time, the second receptacle side held portion 33B of the second receptacle contact 30B is pressed into the second receptacle side holding portion 26B of the receptacle housing 20, and the second receptacle contact 30B is held by the second receptacle side holding portion 26B of the receptacle housing 20. Then, the receptacle contact carrier 39 is broken off from the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B. In this way, a plurality of pairs of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B are attached to the receptacle housing 20 in a row symmetrically in the front and rear directions.

As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the receptacle fixing bracket 40 is formed into an L-shaped plate shape by pressing (punching and bending) using a thin flat plate such as a metal plate material. The receptacle fixing bracket 40 is configured to have a housing side fixing part 41 that extends in the vertical direction and a board side fixing part 42 that bends and extends in the left-right direction from the lower end (base end) of the housing side fixing part 41. The housing side fixing part 41 fits into the fixing bracket holding part 28 of the receptacle housing 20, and in this state, the receptacle fixing bracket 40 is fixed and held by the fixing bracket holding part 28 of the receptacle housing 20. The board side fixing part 42 is formed into a plate shape with a notch and is fixed to the first circuit board 2 by a fixing means such as soldering. As a result, the receptacle housing 20 is fixed to the first circuit board 2 via the receptacle fixing bracket 40 (see Figure 1). The width of the board side fixing part 42 is smaller than the width of the housing side fixing part 41 (the inner width of the fixing metal holder part 28 of the receptacle housing 20).

The receptacle fixing bracket 40 is attached to the receptacle housing 20 using a thin, flat receptacle fixing bracket carrier (not shown) that is connected to the upper end of the housing side fixing portion 41. Here, we will briefly describe the method of attaching the receptacle fixing bracket 40 to the receptacle housing 20.

First, the housing side fixing portion 41 connected to the lower edge of the receptacle fixing bracket carrier (not shown) is inserted from above into the fixing bracket holding portion 28 of the receptacle housing 20. At this time, the housing side fixing portion 41 fits into the fixing bracket holding portion 28 of the receptacle housing 20, and the receptacle fixing bracket 40 is fixed and held in the fixing bracket holding portion 28 of the receptacle housing 20. Then, the receptacle fixing bracket carrier is broken off from the receptacle fixing bracket 40. In this way, the receptacle fixing bracket 40 is attached to the left and right sides of the receptacle housing 20.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, the plug connector 50 is configured with a plug housing 60 fixed to the second circuit board 3, a plurality of plug contacts (first plug contacts 70A and second plug contacts 70B) arranged and held in the plug housing 60 along the left-right direction, and a plug fixing metal fitting 80 that fixes the plug housing 60 to the second circuit board 3. The plurality of plug contacts are made up of a plurality of pairs of first plug contacts 70A and second plug contacts 70B arranged adjacent to each other. The pair of first plug contacts 70A and second plug contacts 70B transmits one type of differential signal in opposite phase to each other between the first plug contacts 70A and the second plug contacts 70B.

The plug housing 60 is molded as a single unit using an electrically insulating material such as resin. As shown in Figures 12 to 15, the plug housing 60 is configured with a base 61 that is elongated in the left-right direction and disposed on the surface of the second circuit board 3, and a mating protrusion 64 that extends in the up-down direction from the underside of the base 61 and fits into the mating recess 24 of the receptacle housing 20.

3, 4, 14 and 15, a first plug side through hole 65A through which the first plug contact 70A is inserted and a second plug side through hole 65B through which the second plug contact 70B is inserted are formed alternately in the left-right direction in the front and rear of the base 61. The first plug side through hole 65A is formed as a rectangular hole extending in the up-down direction through the base 61. A first plug side holding portion 66A that holds the first plug contact 70A is formed on the left and right inner wall portions of the first plug side through hole 65A. The first plug side holding portion 66A is formed as a shallow groove extending in the up-down direction and holds the first plug contact 70A inserted in the first plug side through hole 65A. The first plug side held portion 73A of the first plug contact 70A is pressed into the first plug side holding portion 66A. The front and rear inner wall portions of the first plug side through-hole portion 65A are formed to be spaced apart from the first plug contact 70A in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the center portion of the first plug side held portion 73A of the first plug contact 70A is exposed to air inside the first plug side through-hole portion 65A.

The second plug side through-hole 65B is formed in a rectangular hole shape extending in the up-down direction through the base 61. The second plug side through-hole 65B is formed symmetrically with the adjacent first plug side through-hole 65A . Second plug side holding portions 66B for holding the second plug contacts 70B are formed on the left and right inner wall portions of the second plug side through-hole 65B. The second plug side holding portions 66B are formed in the same manner as the first plug side holding portions 66A, and hold the second plug contacts 70B inserted into the second plug side through-hole 65B. The second plug side held portions 73B of the second plug contacts 70B are press-fitted into the second plug side holding portions 66B. The front and rear inner wall portions of the second plug side through-hole 65B are formed to be spaced apart from the second plug contacts 70B in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the center portion of the second plug side held portion 73B of the second plug contact 70B is exposed to air inside the second plug side insertion hole portion 65B.

A base side escape portion 61C is formed on the upper surface of the base 61 that is connected to the upper ends of the first plug side insertion hole portion 65A and the second plug side insertion hole portion 65B. The base side escape portion 61C is recessed downward from the upper end of the base 61 and is spaced apart from the first plug side joint portion 71A of the first plug contact 70A and the second plug side joint portion 71B of the second plug contact 70B.

As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the left and right ends of the base 61 are formed with fixing fixture holders 68. The fixing fixture holders 68 are formed in a dovetail shape that can fit into the housing side fixing part 81 of the plug fixing fixture 80. The fixing fixture holders 68, when fitted into the housing side fixing part 81, fix and hold the plug fixing fixture 80.

3, 4, 13 and 15, the first plug side escape groove portion 67A facing the first plug contact 70A and the second plug side escape groove portion 67B facing the second plug contact 70B are formed alternately in the left-right direction on the front and rear sides of the mating protrusion 64. The first plug side escape groove portion 67A is formed as a groove extending in the up-down direction according to the width of the first plug contact 70A, and is spaced apart from the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A and the first curved portion 77A of the first plug contact 70A. The second plug side escape groove portion 67B is formed in the same manner as the first receptacle side escape groove portion 27A, and is spaced apart from the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B and the second curved portion 77B of the second plug contact 70B. As shown in FIG. 12, the left and right ends of the mating protrusion 64 are formed with engagement protrusions 69 that engage with the protrusion engagement portions 29 of the mating recess 24 when mating with the mating recess 24 of the receptacle housing 20.

As shown in Figures 22 and 23, the first plug contact 70A and the second plug contact 70B are formed into the predetermined shape shown in the figure, which is bilaterally symmetrical, by pressing (punching and bending) using a thin flat plate of a conductive material such as metal. As described above, adjacent first plug contact 70A and second plug contact 70B form a pair of plug contacts that transmit differential signals. The pairs of first plug contact 70A and second plug contact 70B are arranged and held in a row of 15 pairs in the left-right direction on the front and rear sides of the plug housing 60.

The first plug contact 70A is configured to have a first plug side joint 71A formed on the base end side (upper side) of the first plug contact 70A, and a first plug contact connection portion 72A formed on the tip side (lower side) of the first plug side joint 71A and connected to the first receptacle contact 30A (see Figures 16 to 18). In addition, the first plug contact connection portion 72A is configured to have a first plug side held portion 73A formed connected to the tip side of the first plug side joint 71A, a first plate-shaped contact portion 76A formed connected to the tip portion of the first plug side held portion 73A, and a first curved portion 77A formed connected to the tip portion of the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A.

As shown in Figures 15 and 23, the first plug side joint 71A is formed in a plate shape that is bent at a right angle in the front-rear direction from the base end (upper end) of the first plug side held portion 73A. The first plug side joint 71A is exposed above the base 61 of the plug housing 60 and is joined by soldering or the like to a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the second circuit board 3 (see Figures 1 and 2).

15 and 23, the first plug side held portion 73A is formed in a plate shape extending in the vertical direction and is pressed into the first plug side holding portion 66A of the plug housing 60. The first plug side holding portion 66A of the plug housing 60 holds the first plug contact 70A in a state in which the first plug side held portion 73A pressed into the first plug side holding portion 66A is received. A first plug side protrusion 74A is formed on the left and right lower sides of the first plug side held portion 73A. The first plug side protrusion 74A is formed in a claw shape protruding in the plate thickness direction of the first plug side held portion 73A. When the first plug side held portion 73A is pressed into the first plug side holding portion 66A of the plug housing 60, the first plug side protrusion 74A is pressed against and hooked onto the first plug side holding portion 66A. A first plug side protrusion 75A is formed on the left and right upper sides of the first plug side held portion 73A. The first plug side protrusion 75A is formed in a boss shape that protrudes in the plate thickness direction of the first plug side held portion 73A, the same as the first plug side protrusion 74A. The first plug side protrusion 75A is adapted to contact the first plug side holding portion 66A of the plug housing 60.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 23, the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A is formed in a plate shape extending downward from the tip (lower end) of the first plug-side held portion 73A. The first plate-shaped contact portion 76A protrudes downward from the base 61 of the plug housing 60 and is located near the mating protrusion 64. When the mating recess 24 of the receptacle housing 20 and the mating protrusion 64 of the plug housing 60 are mated, the first tip contact portion 37A of the first receptacle contact 30A comes into contact with the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A. In addition, the plate thickness of the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A is thinner than the plate thickness of the first plug-side held portion 73A.

The first curved portion 77A is formed by curving in an arc at the tip (lower end) of the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A. When the first tip contact portion 37A of the first receptacle contact 30A comes into contact with the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A, the first tip contact portion 37A of the first receptacle contact 30A smoothly abuts against the first curved portion 77A.

The second plug contact 70B, like the first plug contact 70A, is configured with a second plug side joint portion 71B and a second plug contact connection portion 72B that is formed further forward (lower) than the second plug side joint portion 71B and is connected to the second receptacle contact 30B (see Figures 16 to 18). Also, like the first plug contact connection portion 72A, the second plug contact connection portion 72B is configured with a second plug side held portion 73B, a second plate-shaped contact portion 76B, and a second curved portion 77B. The second plug side joint portion 71B is formed like the first plug side joint portion 71A, and is joined by soldering or the like to a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the second circuit board 3 (see Figures 1 and 2).

The second plug side retained portion 73B is formed in the same manner as the first plug side retained portion 73A, and is pressed into the second plug side retaining portion 66B of the plug housing 60. The second plug side retaining portion 66B of the plug housing 60 retains the second plug contact 70B while receiving the second plug side retained portion 73B pressed into the second plug side retaining portion 66B. The second plug side retained portion 73B is formed with a second plug side protrusion 74B and a second plug side protrusion 75B in the same manner as the first plug side retained portion 73A. The second plug side protrusion 74B is formed in the same manner as the first plug side protrusion 74A. When the second plug side retained portion 73B is pressed into the second plug side retaining portion 66B of the plug housing 60, the second plug side protrusion 74B is pressed against and hooked onto the second plug side retaining portion 66B. The second plug side protrusion 75B is formed in the same manner as the first plug side protrusion 75A and is adapted to contact the second plug side holding portion 66B of the plug housing 60.

The second plate-shaped contact portion 76B is formed similarly to the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A, and protrudes downward from the base portion 61 of the plug housing 60 to be located in the vicinity of the mating protrusion 64. When the mating recess 24 of the receptacle housing 20 and the mating protrusion 64 of the plug housing 60 are mated, the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B comes into contact with the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B. The plate thickness of the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B is thinner than the plate thickness of the second plug-side held portion 73B.

The second curved portion 77B is formed in the same manner as the first curved portion 77A. When the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B contacts the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B, the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B smoothly abuts against the second curved portion 77B.

17 and 22, the first plug contact connection portion 72A of the first plug contact 70A is formed offset in the left-right direction toward the second plug contact 70B with respect to the first plug side joint portion 71A. The second plug contact connection portion 72B of the second plug contact 70B is formed offset in the left-right direction toward the first plug contact 70A with respect to the second plug side joint portion 71B. Therefore, in each pair of a plurality of first plug contacts 70A and second plug contacts 70B, the adjacent distance between the first plug contact connection portion 72A and the second plug contact connection portion 72B (the distance along the arrangement direction of the first plug contacts 70A and the second plug contacts 70B) is smaller than the adjacent distance between the first plug side joint portion 71A and the second plug side joint portion 71B. The adjacent distance between the first plug side joint portion 71A and the second plug side joint portion 71B is set to a constant distance according to the wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the second circuit board 3.

As shown in FIG. 24, the first plug contact 70A and the second plug contact 70B are attached to the plug housing 60 using a thin, flat plug contact carrier 79 that is integrally formed with them. Here, we will briefly describe a method for attaching the first plug contact 70A and the second plug contact 70B to the plug housing 60.

First, the first plug contact 70A and the second plug contact 70B aligned in the left-right direction along the lower edge of the plug contact carrier 79 are inserted from above into the first plug side insertion hole 65A and the second plug side insertion hole 65B of the plug housing 60. At this time, the first plug side held portion 73A of the first plug contact 70A is pressed into the first plug side holding portion 66A of the plug housing 60, and the first plug contact 70A is held by the first plug side holding portion 66A of the plug housing 60. At this time, the second plug side held portion 73B of the second plug contact 70B is pressed into the second plug side holding portion 66B of the plug housing 60, and the second plug contact 70B is held by the second plug side holding portion 66B of the plug housing 60. Then, the plug contact carrier 79 is broken off from the first plug contact 70A and the second plug contact 70B. In this way, multiple pairs of first plug contacts 70A and second plug contacts 70B are attached to the plug housing 60 in a row symmetrically in the front and rear directions.

As shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the plug fixing metal fitting 80 is formed into an L-shaped plate shape by pressing (punching and bending) using a thin flat plate such as a metal plate material. The plug fixing metal fitting 80 is configured to have a housing side fixing part 81 extending in the vertical direction and a board side fixing part 82 extending from the upper end (base end) of the housing side fixing part 81 while bending in the left-right direction. The housing side fixing part 81 fits into the fixing metal fitting holding part 68 of the plug housing 60, and in this state, the plug fixing metal fitting 80 is fixed and held by the fixing metal fitting holding part 68 of the plug housing 60. The board side fixing part 82 is formed into a plate shape having a notch, and is fixed to the second circuit board 3 by a fixing means such as soldering. As a result, the plug housing 60 is fixed to the second circuit board 3 via the plug fixing metal fitting 80 (see Fig. 1). The width of the board side fixing part 82 is smaller than the width of the housing side fixing part 81 (the inner width of the fixing metal fitting holding part 68 of the plug housing 60).

The plug fixing metal fitting 80 is attached to the plug housing 60 using a thin, flat plug fixing metal fitting carrier (not shown) that is connected to the lower end of the housing side fixing part 81. Here, we will briefly describe the method of attaching the plug fixing metal fitting 80 to the plug housing 60.

First, the housing side fixing portion 81 connected to the upper edge of the plug fixing metal carrier (not shown) is inserted from below into the fixing metal holding portion 68 of the plug housing 60. At this time, the housing side fixing portion 81 fits into the fixing metal holding portion 68 of the plug housing 60, and the plug fixing metal 80 is fixed and held by the fixing metal holding portion 68 of the plug housing 60. Then, the plug fixing metal carrier is broken off from the plug fixing metal 80. In this way, the plug fixing metal 80 is attached to the left and right sides of the plug housing 60.

The process of mating the receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 50 in the connector device 1 configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. When the receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 50, which are arranged opposite each other, approach each other, as shown in Figure 5, the first tip contact portion 37A of the receptacle contact 30A abuts against the first curved portion 77A of the first plug contact 70A. Similarly, the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B abuts against the second curved portion 77B of the second plug contact 70B.

Furthermore, when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 approach each other, as shown in FIG. 6, the first tip contact portion 37A of the receptacle contact 30A is pressed against the first curved portion 77A and the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A of the first plug contact 70A in this order, and the first curved portion 36A of the receptacle contact 30A is elastically deformed so as to bend. Similarly, the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B is pressed against the second curved portion 77B and the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B of the second plug contact 70B in this order, and the second curved portion 36B of the second receptacle contact 30B is elastically deformed so as to bend. At this time, the first tip contact portion 37A of the receptacle contact 30A smoothly abuts against the first curved portion 77A of the first plug contact 70A. Similarly, the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B smoothly abuts against the second curved portion 77B of the second plug contact 70B.

Furthermore, when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 approach each other, as shown in FIG. 7, the mating recess 24 of the receptacle housing 20 and the mating protrusion 64 of the plug housing 60 are mated. Then, with the first bent portion 36A of the receptacle contact 30A elastically deformed, the first tip contact portion 37A of the receptacle contact 30A contacts the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A of the first plug contact 70A. Similarly, with the second bent portion 36B of the second receptacle contact 30B elastically deformed, the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B contacts the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B of the second plug contact 70B. In this way, the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 are mated and connected.

Next, the characteristics and effects of each of the connectors 10, 50 according to this embodiment will be described. As a first characteristic, in the receptacle connector 10 according to this embodiment, in each of the pairs of the first receptacle contacts 30A and the second receptacle contacts 30B, the adjacent interval between the first receptacle contact connecting portion 32A and the second receptacle contact connecting portion 32B is set to be equal to or larger than the adjacent interval between the first receptacle side joint portion 31A and the second receptacle side joint portion 31B.
As a result, even if the adjacent distance between first receptacle side joint portion 31A and second receptacle side joint portion 31B is set to the distance required for electrical connection with first circuit board 2, the adjacent distance between first receptacle contact connecting portion 32A and second receptacle contact connecting portion 32B can be made smaller.

In addition, in the plug connector 50 according to the present embodiment, in each of the pairs of the first plug contacts 70A and the second plug contacts 70B, the adjacent distance between the first plug contact connection portion 72A and the second plug contact connection portion 72B is smaller than the adjacent distance between the first plug side joint portion 71A and the second plug side joint portion 71B. This makes it possible to make the adjacent distance between the first plug contact connection portion 72A and the second plug contact connection portion 72B smaller even if the adjacent distance between the first plug side joint portion 71A and the second plug side joint portion 71B is set to the distance required for electrical connection with the second circuit board 3. In this way, the adjacent distance between the first receptacle contact connection portion 32A and the second receptacle contact connection portion 32B in the pair of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B can be made smaller than in the past. In addition, the adjacent distance between the first plug contact connection portion 72A and the second plug contact connection portion 72B in the pair of the first plug contact 70A and the second plug contact 70B can be made smaller than in the past. Therefore, it is possible to improve the transmission characteristics of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 (i.e., the connector device 1) by electrically coupling the pair of differential signals.

Here, the transmission characteristics of the connector device 1 (receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 50) according to this embodiment are shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 25(A) is a graph showing the insertion loss of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 25(A), curve LA1 shows the insertion loss of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment. Curve LA2 shows the insertion loss of a conventional type as a first comparative example in which the adjacent spacing between the receptacle contact connection parts is equal to the adjacent spacing between the receptacle side joint parts, and the adjacent spacing between the plug contact connection parts is equal to the adjacent spacing between the plug side joint parts. Curve LA3 shows the insertion loss of a second comparative example in which the adjacent spacing between the receptacle contact connection parts is greater than the adjacent spacing between the receptacle side joint parts, and the adjacent spacing between the plug contact connection parts is greater than the adjacent spacing between the plug side joint parts. From the graph shown in FIG. 25(A), it can be seen that, for example, in the band where the signal frequency of the differential signal is 10 to 15 GHz, the insertion loss of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment is reduced and the transmission characteristics are improved compared to the insertion loss in the first comparative example and the insertion loss in the second comparative example.

Figure 25 (B) is a graph showing the crosstalk (or crosstalk or induced noise) of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 25 (B), curve LB1 shows the crosstalk of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment. Curve LB2 shows the crosstalk of a conventional case in which the adjacent spacing between the receptacle contact connection parts is equal to the adjacent spacing between the receptacle side joint parts, and the adjacent spacing between the plug contact connection parts is equal to the adjacent spacing between the plug side joint parts, as a third comparative example. Curve LB3 shows the crosstalk of a fourth comparative example in which the adjacent spacing between the receptacle contact connection parts is greater than the adjacent spacing between the receptacle side joint parts, and the adjacent spacing between the plug contact connection parts is greater than the adjacent spacing between the plug side joint parts. From the graph shown in FIG. 25(B), it can be seen that, for example, in the band where the signal frequency of the differential signal is 10 to 15 GHz, the crosstalk of the connector device 1 according to this embodiment is reduced and the transmission characteristics are improved compared to the crosstalk of the third comparative example and the crosstalk of the fourth comparative example.

In the receptacle connector 10 according to the present embodiment, the adjacent distance between the first receptacle contact connecting portion 32A in a pair of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B and the second receptacle contact connecting portion 32B in another pair of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B adjacent to the first receptacle contact connecting portion 32A is large. Also, the adjacent distance between the second receptacle contact connecting portion 32B in a pair of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B and the first receptacle contact connecting portion 32A in the other pair of the first receptacle contact 30A and the second receptacle contact 30B adjacent to the second receptacle contact connecting portion 32B is large.

In addition, in the plug connector 50 according to this embodiment, the adjacent distance between the first plug contact connection portion 72A in a pair of a first plug contact 70A and a second plug contact 70B and the second plug contact connection portion 72B in another pair of a first plug contact 70A and a second plug contact 70B adjacent to the first plug contact connection portion 72A is increased. Also, the adjacent distance between the second plug contact connection portion 72B in a pair of a first plug contact 70A and a second plug contact 70B and the first plug contact connection portion 72A in another pair of a first plug contact 70A and a second plug contact 70B adjacent to the second plug contact connection portion 72B is increased. This makes it possible to increase the air gap between the pair of first receptacle contacts 30A and second receptacle contacts 30B, and between the pair of first plug contacts 70A and second plug contacts 70B, thereby reducing crosstalk in the receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 50 (connector device 1).

As a second characteristic configuration, in the receptacle connector 10 according to this embodiment, the first receptacle side held portion 33A of the first receptacle contact 30A is formed with a first receptacle side protrusion 34A that protrudes in the plate thickness direction of the first receptacle side held portion 33A. In addition, the second receptacle side held portion 33B of the second receptacle contact 30B is formed with a second receptacle side protrusion 34B that protrudes in the plate thickness direction of the second receptacle side held portion 33B. As a result, the width of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B does not increase at the portions of the receptacle side protrusions 34A, 34B, so that impedance mismatch caused by the contact width becoming partially larger can be reduced.

In the plug connector 50 according to this embodiment, the first plug-side held portion 73A of the first plug contact 70A is provided with a first plug-side protrusion 74A that protrudes in the thickness direction of the first plug-side held portion 73A. The second plug-side held portion 73B of the second plug contact 70B is provided with a second plug-side protrusion 74B that protrudes in the thickness direction of the second plug-side held portion 73B. This prevents the width of each plug contact 70A, 70B from increasing at the plug-side protrusions 74A, 74B, reducing impedance mismatching caused by partial increase in the width of the contact. In this way, the impedance mismatching caused by partial increase in the width of the contact can be reduced, thereby improving the transmission characteristics of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 (connector device 1).

As a third characteristic configuration, in receptacle connector 10 according to the present embodiment, receptacle housing 20 has bottom side escape portion 21C, first receptacle side escape groove portion 27A, and second receptacle side escape groove portion 27B that are formed spaced apart from receptacle side joint portions 31A, 31B, bent portions 36A, 36B, and tip contact portions 37A, 37B of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B (i.e., portions excluding receptacle side held portions 33A, 33B of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B). This allows portions of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B excluding receptacle side held portions 33A, 33B to be exposed to air without contacting receptacle housing 20. The front and rear inner wall portions of each receptacle side insertion hole 25A, 25B in receptacle housing 20 are formed to be spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction from each receptacle contact 30A, 30B. This allows the center portions of receptacle side held portions 33A, 33B of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B to be exposed to air inside each receptacle side insertion hole 25A, 25B in receptacle housing 20.

In the plug connector 50 according to this embodiment, the plug housing 60 has a base side escape portion 61C, a first plug side escape groove portion 67A, and a second plug side escape groove portion 67B that are formed at a distance from the plug side joint portion 71A, 71B, the plate-shaped contact portion 76A, 76B, and the curved portion 77A, 77B (i.e., the portion excluding the plug side held portion 73A, 73B of each plug contact 70A, 70B) of each plug contact 70A, 70B. As a result, the portion excluding the plug side held portion 73A, 73B of each plug contact 70A, 70B is exposed to air without contacting the plug housing 60. The front and rear inner wall portions of each plug side insertion hole portion 65A, 65B in the plug housing 60 are formed at a distance from each plug contact 70A, 70B in the front-rear direction. As a result, the center of the plug-side retained portion 73A, 73B of each plug contact 70A, 70B is exposed to air inside each plug-side insertion hole 65A, 65B of the plug housing 60. In this way, by exposing each receptacle contact 30A, 30B and each plug contact 70A, 70B to air as much as possible and lowering the effective dielectric constant of the transmission path of the differential signal, it is possible to minimize dielectric loss and improve the transmission characteristics of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 (connector device 1).

As a fourth characteristic configuration, in the plug connector 50 according to the present embodiment, the plate thickness of the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A in the first plug contact 70A is thinner than the plate thickness of the first plug side held portion 73A. This makes it possible to suppress a local decrease in impedance due to an increase in the cross-sectional area of the transmission path of the differential signal at the portion where the first tip contact portion 37A of the first receptacle contact 30A contacts the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A of the first plug contact 70A. In addition, the plate thickness of the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B in the second plug contact 70B is thinner than the plate thickness of the second plug side held portion 73B. This makes it possible to suppress a local decrease in impedance due to an increase in the cross-sectional area of the transmission path of the differential signal at the portion where the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B contacts the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B of the second plug contact 70B. In this way, by preventing localized impedance drops, it is possible to reduce impedance mismatch and improve the transmission characteristics of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 (connector device 1).

As a fifth characteristic configuration, in the plug connector 50 according to this embodiment, a first curved portion 77A is formed at the tip of the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A of the first plug contact 70A, against which the first tip contact portion 37A of the first receptacle contact 30A smoothly abuts when it contacts the first plate-shaped contact portion 76A of the first plug contact 70A. Also, a second curved portion 77B is formed at the tip of the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B of the second plug contact 70B, against which the second tip contact portion 37B of the second receptacle contact 30B smoothly abuts when it contacts the second plate-shaped contact portion 76B of the second plug contact 70B. This allows the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 to be smoothly mated, and also prevents the plug contacts 70A and 70B from buckling when the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 are mated.

As a sixth characteristic configuration, in receptacle connector 10 according to the present embodiment, the distance between first receptacle held portion 33A in the plate thickness direction (i.e., front-rear direction) of first receptacle contact 30A and first tip contact portion 37A is small enough that the tip side of first plug contact 70A (first plate-shaped contact portion 76A) is located near first bent portion 36A. Also, the distance between second receptacle held portion 33B in the plate thickness direction (i.e., front-rear direction) of second receptacle contact 30B and second tip contact portion 37B is small enough that the tip side of second plug contact 70B (second plate-shaped contact portion 76B) is located near second bent portion 36B. This reduces the gap between the tip end portion of the plate-like contact portion 76A, 76B of each plug contact 70A, 70B and the bent portion 36A, 36B of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary reflection of the differential signal at the tip end portion of the plate-like contact portion 76A, 76B of each plug contact 70A, 70B. In addition, since the length of the bent portions 36A, 36B of each receptacle contact 30A, 30B is shortened, the electrical length can be shortened, and the transmission characteristics of the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 (connector device 1) can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the pairs of the first receptacle contacts 30A and the second receptacle contacts 30B are arranged in 15 pairs in the left-right direction on the front and rear sides of the receptacle housing 20, and the pairs of the first plug contacts 70A and the second plug contacts 70B are arranged in 15 pairs in the left-right direction on the front and rear sides of the plug housing 60, but this is not limited to this. The number of pairs of the first receptacle contacts 30A and the second receptacle contacts 30B and the number of pairs of the first plug contacts 70A and the second plug contacts 70B can be changed to any number depending on the specifications.

1 Connector device 10 Receptacle connector 20 Receptacle housing 21 Bottom (21C Bottom side relief portion)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 25A, 25B First and second receptacle side insertion hole portions 26A, 26B First and second receptacle side holding portions 27A, 27B First and second receptacle side relief groove portions 30A, 30B First and second receptacle contacts 31A, 31B First and second receptacle side joining portions 32A, 32B First and second receptacle contact connecting portions 33A, 33B First and second receptacle side held portions 34A, 34B First and second receptacle side protrusion portions 36A, 36B First and second bent portions 37A, 37B First and second tip contact portions 50 Plug connector 60 Plug housing 61 Base portion (61C Base side relief portion)
65A, 65B First and second plug-side insertion hole portions 66A, 66B First and second plug-side holding portions 67A, 67B First and second plug-side relief groove portions 70A, 70B First and second plug contacts
7 1A, 71B First and second plug side joining portions 72A, 72B First and second plug contact connecting portions 73A, 73B First and second plug side held portions 74A, 74B First and second plug side protruding portions 76A, 76B First and second plate-shaped contact portions 77A, 77B First and second curved portions

Claims (4)

The connector comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction in the housing,
the plurality of contacts include a plurality of pairs of contacts arranged adjacent to each other and each pair transmitting one type of differential signal;
The contact has a base end formed on the base end side of the contact, and a contact connecting portion formed on the tip end side of the contact relative to the base end and adapted to be connected to a contact provided on a mating connector,
In each of the plurality of contact pairs, an adjacent distance between the contact connection portions is smaller than an adjacent distance between the base ends,
the housing has a plurality of holding portions arranged along the predetermined arrangement direction and holding the plurality of contacts,
the contact connection portion is formed in a plate shape extending from the base end portion, and has a held portion press-fitted into the holding portion that holds the contact,
The held portion has a protrusion formed to protrude in a plate thickness direction of the held portion,
A connector, characterized in that the protrusion is pressed into contact with the holding portion when the held portion is press-fitted into the holding portion . 2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a recess spaced from a portion of the contact excluding the held portion. the contact connection portion is formed in a plate shape connected to a tip end portion of the held portion and has a contact portion that comes into contact with a contact provided on the mating connector,
3. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the held portion. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact connection portion is curved at the tip of the contact portion, and has a curved portion that smoothly abuts when a contact provided on the mating connector comes into contact with the contact portion .

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