KR102623603B1 - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to provide a connector capable of more appropriately fitting the mating connector, the connector of the present invention fits the mating connector from an opening in the frame to the inside of the frame. The frame extends in the mating direction of the connector and the mating connector, and is provided with a side wall surrounding the mating connector in the mated state, and an end of the side wall that is on the opening side in the mating direction, and extends the mating connector to the inside of the frame. There is a guide to guide you. The side wall is continuous over the entire circumference of the frame, and the guide portion is provided at an end on the opening side of the side wall along the entire circumference of the frame.

Description

Connector{CONNECTOR}

The present invention relates to connectors, and more particularly to a connector that has a frame with an opening and is capable of fitting a mating connector to the inside of the frame through the opening.

As a conventional connector capable of fitting a mating connector, for example, the connector described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as connector 1) can be cited. The connector 1 is a receptacle connector and has a rectangular frame 3 as shown in FIG. 17. As can be seen from FIGS. 18 and 19, the mating connector 2, which is a plug connector, is fitted with the connector 1 by entering the inside of the frame 3 through the opening 4 of the frame 3.

In the connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the upper end of the frame 3 (the end on the side where the opening 4 is located) is bent toward the inside of the frame 3. As a result, as shown in Fig. 19, when the connector is mated, the mating connector 2 is appropriately guided inside the frame 3, and enters the inside of the frame 3 toward the normal arrangement position, which is easy to understand.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-12553

A structure for guiding the mating connector 2 to the inside of the frame 3 during connector mating is required to be superior to the structure used in conventional connectors such as the connector 1 described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, there is a demand for a connector with a structure that can guide the mating connector 2 to the inside of the frame 3 without trouble.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to solve the objectives set forth below. The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-described prior art and to provide a connector capable of more appropriately fitting a mating connector.

In order to achieve the above object, the connector of the present invention is a connector that has a frame having an opening and is capable of fitting a mating connector to the inside of the frame from the opening, wherein the frame extends in the fitting direction of the connector and the mating connector. It has a side wall surrounding the mating connector in a state of mating with the connector, and a guide part provided at an end of the side wall on the opening side in the mating direction and guiding the mating connector to the inside of the frame, and the side wall extends the entire circumference of the frame. It is continuous throughout, and the guide portion is provided at an end on the opening side of the side wall over the entire circumference of the frame.

According to the connector of the present invention, since the guide portion is provided along the entire circumference of the frame, the mating connector can be appropriately guided inside the frame when the connector is mated.

Additionally, in the connector of the present invention, the side wall is seamlessly continuous over the entire circumference of the frame, and the guide portion may be made of the same member as the side wall and integrated with the side wall.

According to the above configuration, since the side wall of the frame and the guide portion are composed of the same member, the number of parts is further reduced compared to the case where the side wall and the guide portion are composed of separate members.

Additionally, in the connector of the present invention, the guide portion may be formed by bending an end on the opening side of the side wall toward the outside of the frame.

According to the above configuration, the guide portion can be formed more easily by using part of the member constituting the side wall.

Additionally, in the connector of the present invention, the side wall and the guide portion may be formed of the same metal plate.

According to the above configuration, the guide portion can be formed using a part of the metal plate constituting the side wall.

In addition, in the connector of the present invention, the guide portion includes a curved portion of the side wall that is continuous with the portion extending along the fitting direction, and a flange portion extending from the bent portion toward the outside of the frame, and the opening is formed by the flange portion. It's okay to be surrounded.

According to the above configuration, since the guide portion includes a bent portion and a flange portion, it becomes easy to send the mating connector from the opening of the frame to the inside of the frame when the connector is mated.

Additionally, in the connector of the present invention, the surface facing the inside of the frame at the bent portion may be a surface curved in an arc shape.

According to the above configuration, it becomes easier to send the mating connector inside the frame when the connector is mated.

Additionally, in the connector of the present invention, each portion of the guide portion provided along the entire circumference of the frame may be disposed at the same position in the fitting direction.

According to the above configuration, since the positions of each part of the guide portion are aligned in the fitting direction, the mating connector can be more appropriately guided inside the frame when the connector is fitted. Specifically, in the above configuration, there are no irregularities in the guide portion, so it is possible to avoid a situation where the counterpart connector gets caught in such irregularities.

Additionally, in the connector of the present invention, when the mating connector is fitted to the connector, the inner peripheral surface of the side wall may be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector.

According to the above configuration, the state in which the counterpart connector is fitted to the connector can be stabilized.

In addition, in the connector of the present invention, the side wall is provided with a protruding portion in which the inner peripheral surface of the side wall protrudes inside the frame more than other portions of the side wall, and when the mating connector is fitted to the connector, the protruding portion is provided in the inner peripheral surface of the side wall. The area may be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart connector.

According to the above configuration, by providing the protrusion on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall, the frame can easily come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector. As a result, the state in which the mating connector is fitted to the connector can be more stably stabilized.

In addition, in the connector of the present invention, the side wall has a pair of long side portions arranged at intervals from each other and a pair of short side portions connecting the ends of the pair of long side portions, and each of the pair of long side portions , and the protruding portion may be provided on each of a pair of short side portions.

According to the above configuration, protruding portions are provided on each of the four sides of the side wall, thereby making it easier for the frame to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector. As a result, the state in which the mating connector is fitted to the connector can be further stabilized.

According to the present invention, a connector is realized that can properly guide the mating connector to the inside of the frame when the connector is mated.

1 is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a bottom view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a side view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the counterpart connector.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a connector fitted with a counterpart connector.
Figure 8 is a plan view of a connector fitted with a counterpart connector.
Figure 9 is a side view of the connector fitted with the counterpart connector.
Figure 10 is an exploded view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a plan view of the frame and blocking portion.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing section II of FIG. 5.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the cross section JJ of FIG. 9.
Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of drawing processing.
Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the connector and the mating connector in the middle of mating, and is a front view of the connector and the mating connector, respectively.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the connector and the mating connector at a stage during mating, and is a diagram showing a cross section corresponding to the JJ cross section in FIG. 9.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a connector according to one conventional example.
Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which a counterpart connector is fitted to a connector according to one of the prior art examples.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a cross section along KK in FIG. 18.

Hereinafter, the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is only an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed or improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. In addition, the material, shape, design dimensions, etc. of each part of the connector of the present invention can be set according to the purpose of the present invention and the level of technology at the time of implementation of the present invention. Additionally, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

In addition, hereinafter, the three directions orthogonal to each other are referred to as the X, Y, and Z directions, and the mating direction of the connector and the counterpart connector corresponds to the Z direction. Here, the Z direction is the vertical direction of the connector, the X direction is the horizontal width direction of the connector, and the Y direction is the front-back direction of the connector.

In addition, the shape and position of each part of the connector described below are assumed to be the shape and position when the connector is viewed with the +Z side as the upper side of the connector and the -Z side as the lower side of the connector. The +Z side (upper side) is the side where the mating connector is located when viewed from the connector in the Z direction, and the -Z side (lower side) is the side where the connector is located when viewed from the mating connector in the Z direction.

In addition, in this specification, “perpendicular” and “parallel” include the range of error generally allowable in the field of connectors, and are less than a few degrees (e.g., 2 to 3 degrees) relative to strictly perpendicular and parallel. It shall also include states that are out of range.

In addition, for convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the state in which the connector is mated with the mating connector will be referred to as “connector mating,” and the state in which the connector is mating with the mating connector will be referred to as “connector mating state.”

<<About connector configuration example>>

The configuration of a connector (hereinafter referred to as connector 10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. The cross sections shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 16 are cross sections (XZ plane) passing through the blocking portion 40, which will be described later.

The connector 10 is a receptacle connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and is mounted on a board (not shown) at the lower end of the connector 10. The connector 10 can be fitted with the mating connector 100, which is a plug connector shown in FIG. 6, in the vertical direction (Z direction).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connector 10 has a frame 11, a housing 20, and a plurality of contacts 31, 32, and 33. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mating connector 100 has a mating frame 102, a bottom wall 104, contact holding portions 106 and 108, and mating contacts 111, 112, and 113. .

The frame 11 forms the outer circumferential wall of the connector 10, and the mating frame 102 forms the outer circumferential wall of the mating connector 100. The frame 11 and the counterpart frame 102 are both hollow frames having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and are made of a conductive material such as a metal plate, for example. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 11 surrounds a concave space inside the frame 11. An opening 10A is provided at the upper end (one end in the Z direction) of the frame 11.

When fitting a connector, as shown in Figs. 7 and 16, the mating connector 100 fits into the concave space inside the frame 11 from the opening 10A. In the connector mating state, the frame 11 surrounds the mating connector 100 over the entire circumference of the mating connector 100, and in detail, the outer circumferential surface of the mating frame 102 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the frame 11.

In the connector 10, a housing 20 and contacts 31, 32, and 33 are arranged inside the frame 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. On the other hand, in the mating connector 100, as shown in FIG. 6, mating contacts 111, 112, and 113 are arranged inside the mating frame 102 at positions corresponding to the contacts 31, 32, and 33. there is. The opposing contacts 111, 112, and 113 are held by convex contact holding portions 106 and 108 protruding from the bottom wall 104.

The contacts 31, 32, and 33 are terminals for signal transmission or power supply, and are arranged inside the frame 11 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Among these, two contacts 31 and 32 are terminals for high frequency signal transmission, that is, terminals for RF (Radio Frequency). High frequency is, for example, a frequency band of 6 GHz or higher and includes frequency bands used in 5G (5th Generation), etc.

The contacts 31 and 32 form a pair and are arranged at different positions in the Y direction, and in detail, are arranged symmetrically with the center of the connector 10 as a boundary. The contact 31 placed on the +Y side corresponds to the first terminal, and the contact 32 placed on the -Y side corresponds to the second terminal. Each of the pair of contacts 31 and 32 may be arranged at the same position in the X direction, or may be arranged at different positions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of contacts 33 (six in the illustrated form) are arranged inside the frame 11. The plurality of contacts 33 include at least a terminal for low-frequency signal transmission, and may further include a terminal for power supply. Each of the plurality of contacts 33 corresponds to a third terminal and is arranged between the contact 31, which is the first terminal, and the contact 32, which is the second terminal, in the Y direction. The plurality of contacts 33 may be arranged regularly in each of the X and Y directions, for example, symmetrically around the center of the connector 10, or may be arranged randomly.

In the connector mating state, the contacts 31, 32, and 33 are electrically connected to the corresponding contacts among the counterpart contacts 111, 112, and 113. For example, the contact 31 corresponds to the counterpart contact 111, and the contact 32 corresponds to the counterpart contact 112. Additionally, each of the contacts 31, 32, and 33 has, for example, an arch-shaped portion with the +Z side open, and each of the mating contacts 111, 112, and 113 has a rod shape. Then, the corresponding counterpart contact is inserted inside the arch-shaped portion of each contact, so that the two contact and are electrically connected.

The housing 20 is an insulating component that holds the contacts 31, 32, and 33, and is disposed inside the frame 11, that is, in the recessed space. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 20 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and is divided into a plurality of parts.

Specifically, the housing 20 includes a portion forming the Y-direction central portion of the housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as the housing central portion 21) and portions forming both Y-direction ends of the housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as housing end portions 22). ))). As shown in FIG. 10, the housing central portion 21 has a convex portion (hereinafter referred to as the central convex portion 23) located at the center in the It is provided with a convex portion (hereinafter referred to as a lateral convex portion 24). The central convex portion 23 and the two lateral convex portions 24 each extend in the Y direction, and a concave fitting groove 25 is provided between the central convex portion 23 and the lateral convex portions 24. there is. A contact 33 is inserted into each fitting groove 25 (see Fig. 10).

The housing end 22 on the +Y side and the housing end 22 on the -Y side are symmetrical in the Y direction with the center of the connector 10 as a boundary. As shown in FIG. 1, each housing end 22 is a convex portion extending in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the outer end of the housing end 22 in the Y direction is provided with a concave portion (hereinafter referred to as the fitting concave portion 26) formed concavely on the inside of the Y direction. A contact 31 is provided in the fitting recess 26 provided in the housing end 22 on the +Y side, and a contact 32 is provided in the fitting recess 26 provided in the housing end 22 on the -Y side. It is press-fitted and inserted into the inner direction.

The housing central portion 21 and the housing end portion 22 are connected and integrated by a portion provided between them, specifically an inserted portion 27, which will be described later (see Fig. 10). The housing 20 is, for example, a resin molded product, and in one resin molding process, the housing 20 having the housing central portion 21 and the housing 22 end portions connected to each other is molded.

Additionally, the connector 10 is provided with a blocking portion 40 inside the frame 11, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the blocking portion 40 is disposed between a pair of contacts 31 and 32 in the Y direction (that is, the intersecting direction crossing the Z direction).

More specifically, in the Y direction, a blocking portion 40 is formed between the contact 31 on the +Y side and the plurality of contacts 33, and between the contact 32 on the -Y side and the plurality of contacts 33, respectively. ) are placed one at a time. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 1, etc., two blocking portions 40 are disposed between a pair of contacts 31 and 32 inside the frame. However, the number of blocking units 40 is not particularly limited, and at least one blocking unit 40 may be disposed between a pair of contacts 31 and 32.

The blocking portion 40 is connected to ground potential (ground potential). Specifically, a grounding conductive pattern (not shown) is formed on the board on which the connector 10 is mounted, and the blocking portion 40 is installed with its lower end in contact with the grounding conductive pattern. In addition, in the connector mating state, the blocking portion 40 engages with the mating blocking portion 114 of the mating connector 100, as shown in FIG. 13, to form an electromagnetic shield. This electromagnetic shield suppresses crosstalk of signals (particularly high-frequency signals) between the pair of contacts 31 and 32.

Next, the structure of the frame 11 will be described in detail. The frame 11 is conductive, and contacts 31, 32, and 33 are disposed inside the frame 11. That is, the contacts 31, 32, and 33 are surrounded by the conductive frame 11. Additionally, the frame 11 is in contact with a grounding conductive pattern (not shown) on the board on which the connector 10 is mounted, and is connected to a ground potential. Thereby, the frame 11 exerts shielding properties and blocks influence (electronic interference) from the outside on the contacts 31, 32, and 33.

The frame 11 has a side wall 12 and a bottom wall 17, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. The side wall 12 has a rectangular shape in plan view, as shown in FIG. 11, and surrounds the outer surface of the housing 20. In addition, in the connector mating state, the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 12 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector 100 (specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the mating frame 102).

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the side wall 12 has a pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and a pair of short side portions 15 and 16. A pair of long side portions 13 and 14 are arranged parallel to each other at intervals in the X direction and extend long in the Y direction. Each of the pair of short side parts 15 and 16 extends in the X direction and connects the longitudinal ends of the pair of long side parts 13 and 14. The length of each short side portion (15, 16) is shorter than the length of each long side portion (13, 14).

Each part of the side wall 12 (i.e., a pair of long side parts 13 and 14 and a pair of short side parts 15 and 16) is connected seamlessly and without short circuit, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. there is. That is, the side wall 12 is seamlessly continuous over the entire circumference of the frame 11. The entire circumference of the frame 11 is the entire area in the circumferential direction of the frame 11, and the circumferential direction of the frame 11 is the direction in which the frame 11 surrounds the concave space. In other words, the circumferential direction of the frame 11 is the direction in which the frame 11 surrounds the concave space. The direction is along the outer edge.

The pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and the pair of short side portions 15 and 16 each have a raised portion 51 that rises from the bottom wall 17 and extends toward the +Z side, as shown in FIG. 12. . 10 and 12, the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and the pair of short side portions 15 and 16 each have an upper end (that is, an opening 10A is located in the Z direction). It has a bent portion 52 and a flange portion 53 at the end of the side.

The bent portion 52 is continuous with the raised portion 51 and is a portion bent toward the outside of the frame 11. The flange portion 53 is continuous with the bent portion 52 and is a collar-shaped portion extending from the bent portion 52 to the outside of the frame 11.

The bent portion 52 and the flange portion 53 are provided to surround the opening 10A in the frame 11 and also constitute a guide portion 54. The guide portion 54 is provided at an end (i.e., upper end) of the side wall 12 on the side of the opening 10A in the Z direction, and a mating connector 100 is provided on the inside of the frame 11 from the opening 10A. This is the part that guides you. By providing the guide portion 54, the mating connector 100 can be properly guided inside the frame 11 so that the mating connector 100 is accurately positioned inside the frame 11 when the connector is mated. You can.

Additionally, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the guide portion 54 is provided at the upper end of the side wall 12 (the end on the side where the opening 10A is located) over the entire circumference of the frame 11. As a result, when fitting the connector, the mating connector 100 can be guided inside the frame 11 without difficulty. Specifically, for example, in a configuration in which the guide portion 54 is broken along the circumferential direction of the frame 11, there is a risk that the mating connector 100 may become caught at the location where the guide portion 54 is broken. In contrast, since the guide portion 54 is provided along the entire circumference of the frame 11, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided when fitting the connector.

10 and 12, in the curved portion 52 constituting the guide portion 54, the surface facing the inside of the frame 11 is curved into an R shape, that is, an arc shape. As a result, the mating connector 100 can be more smoothly guided inside the frame 11 when the connector is mated.

10 and 12, each portion of the guide portion 54 provided around the entire circumference of the frame 11 is arranged at the same position in the Z direction. Specifically, the upper surfaces of the flange portions 53 that extend over the entire circumference of the frame 11 are on the same plane in the Z direction. In this configuration, there are no irregularities in the guide portion 54, and it is possible to avoid a situation where the counterpart connector 100 gets caught in the irregularities. As a result, the mating connector 100 can be guided more appropriately inside the frame 11 when the connector is mated.

The frame 11 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart connector 100 when the connector is mated, and can maintain that state in good condition. In detail, as shown in FIG. 11, the Y-direction center portion of each of the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and the X-direction center portion of each pair of short side portions 15 and 16 have a protruding portion ( 55) is provided. As shown in FIG. 12, the protruding portion 55 is a portion that protrudes inside the frame 11 beyond other portions of the side wall 12 (parts other than the protruding portion 55). Additionally, the protruding portion 55 is provided at the upper end of the side wall 12 in the Z direction, more specifically, around the boundary between the raised portion 51 and the bent portion 52.

In the connector mating state, as shown in FIG. 8, the area provided with the protruding portion 55 of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 12 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector 100, and more specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the mating frame 102. In this way, the side wall 12 is provided with the protruding portion 55, which makes it easy for the side wall 12 to come into contact with the mating connector 100, and as a result, the connector mating state can be stabilized and maintained well.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the protruding portion 55 is formed by forming a frame ( It is formed by pushing it into the inside of 11) and curving it into an arch shape. In addition, the protruding portions 55 provided on each long side portion 13 and 14 have a length of 1/3 or more of the length of each long side portion 13 and 14 in the Y direction, and preferably 1/2 or more of the length. good night. The protruding portions 55 provided on each short side portion 15, 16 may have a length of 1/3 or more of the length of each short side portion 15, 16 in the X direction, and preferably 1/2 or more of the length.

The bottom wall 17 of the frame 11 extends from the lower end of the side wall 12 (an end opposite to the opening 10A in the Z direction) toward the inside of the frame 11. The bottom wall 17 is made of a flat plate along the XY plane, and as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, most of it is punched out. The bottom wall 17 has a narrow edge portion 18 provided to surround the outer edge of the concave space on the inside of the frame 11, and has a substantially rectangular fragment shape at the four corners of the concave space. It has each part 19 that does.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11, a blocking portion 40 is disposed between two adjacent corner portions 19 in the X direction. Two sets of two adjacent leg parts 19 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, between two leg parts 19 adjacent to each other on the +Y side, and between two leg parts adjacent to each other on the -Y side ( 19), a blocking portion 40 is disposed between the respective blocks.

Each blocking portion 40 is continuous with a portion of the bottom wall 17, specifically, each of the two adjacent corner portions 19. Additionally, as shown in Fig. 12, the blocking portion 40 protrudes toward the +Z side from the bottom wall 17, that is, the end of the frame 11 on the side opposite to the opening 10A in the Z direction. Additionally, the blocking portion 40 has an axisymmetric shape with the center of the frame 11 in the X direction as a boundary. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, in the It is provided.

As shown in Fig. 12, the attachment portion 44 forms an inverted U shape when viewed from the Y direction, and an insertion concave portion 45 is formed toward the +Z side at the end of the attachment portion 44 on the -Z side. has As shown in FIG. 12, the inserted portion 27, which is a part of the housing 20, is inserted into the insertion concave portion 45.

The inserted portion 27 is located between the housing center portion 21 and the housing end portion 22 in the Y direction, and is provided at two axisymmetric positions with the center of the housing 20 in the X direction as a boundary. Each inserted portion 27 is a column-shaped convex portion that is lower in height than the housing center portion 21 and the housing end portion 22 in the Z direction and has a slight width in the X direction.

The insertion concave portion 45 has a depth corresponding to the height of the inserted portion 27 and has a width slightly wider than the width of the inserted portion 27. Inside the insertion concave portion 45, a pair of inner surfaces arranged in the X direction are provided. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, of the pair of inner surfaces, the press-fitting part 46 protrudes from the inner surface on the side closer to the center of the Y-direction of the blocking part 40. When the insertion target 27 is inserted into the insertion recess 45, the press-fitting portion 46 is press-fitted into the insertion target 27, and more specifically, is encroached into the insertion target 27.

As described above, the inserted portion 27 is attached to the attachment portion 44 by being inserted into the insertion concave portion 45. As a result, the housing 20 is supported on the frame 11 through the blocking portion 40 on the inside of the frame 11.

As shown in Fig. 12, the fitting portion 41 is located between two attachment portions 44 in the It has a pair of protruding pieces 43 that protrude toward the +Z side from the center of the X-direction (42).

The connection portion 42 extends linearly in the X direction and connects the two attachment portions 44 to each other. The pair of protruding pieces 43 are arranged side by side in a substantially V shape when viewed from the Y direction. Each protruding piece 43 is made of, for example, a leaf spring and has elasticity, and can be elastically deformed so that the spacing between the protruding pieces 43 is narrowed. Additionally, the tip of each protruding piece 43 has a contact convex portion 47 that protrudes in a mountain shape toward the outside in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 12 .

In the connector mating state, as shown in FIG. 13, the mating portion 41 is fitted with the mating blocking portion 114 provided in the mating connector. To explain in detail, a concave portion (hereinafter referred to as a fitting concave portion 116) formed at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 41 is provided in the central portion of the counterpart blocking portion 114 in the X direction. The fitting concave portion 116 has a sufficient depth to receive the tip portions on both sides of the pair of protruding pieces 43 (i.e., the contact convex portions 47). Additionally, the width (length in the

When the connector is fitted, the pair of protruding pieces 43 of the fitting portion 41 are elastically deformed, as shown in FIG. 13, to narrow the gap between the protruding pieces 43 and to the inside of the fitting concave portion 116. Go into the side. Thereby, the fitting portion 41 is fitted with the fitting concave portion 116. In a state where the fitting portion 41 is recessed to the inside of the fitting concave portion 116, the tip of each pair of protruding pieces 43, that is, the contact convex portion 47, is on the inner surface of the fitting concave portion 116. Contact. Additionally, it is preferable if the inner surface of the fitting concave portion 116 is provided with a depression formed to correspond to the curved shape of the contact convex portion 47 so as to fit the contact convex portion 47.

In a state where the fitting portion 41 is fitted with the counterpart blocking unit 114, that is, in a connector mating state, the blocking unit 40 forms an electromagnetic shield together with the counterpart blocking unit 114. As described above, this electromagnetic shield suppresses signal crosstalk between the two contacts 31 and 32 for high-frequency signal transmission.

In each of the blocking portion 40 on the +Y side and the blocking portion 40 on the -Y side, each of the fitting portion 41 and the two attachment portions 44 is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, It is good if they are placed at the same position in the Y direction. Moreover, it is more preferable if the respective thicknesses (length in the Y direction) of the fitting portion 41 and the attachment portion 44 are substantially uniform. In other words, in the Y direction, the cross section of the fitting portion 41 and the cross section of the attachment portion 44 may be on the same plane. In this case, the blocking portion 40 can be compactized, and the space for arranging the blocking portion 40 within the frame 11 can be further reduced.

Additionally, for the purpose of reducing the number of parts, the side wall 12, bottom wall 17, and blocking portion 40 of the frame 11 are made of the same member and are integrated. In detail, the side wall 12 and the bottom wall 17 of the frame 11 are made of the same member, specifically, one metal plate M, and a part of the same metal plate M is used to form a blocking portion. (40) is formed. The material of the metal plate M is not particularly limited, but examples include copper alloys such as brass and bronze, or stainless steel. In addition, the plate thickness of the metal plate M is not particularly limited, but is set to, for example, 0.06 mm to 0.15 mm.

The frame 11 of the connector 10 of the present invention can be manufactured by applying drawing processing (strictly square barrel drawing processing) to the metal plate M as shown in FIG. 14, for example. Specifically, while holding the outer edge of the metal plate M with a die or the like, a pressing mechanism P, such as a punch, is pressed against a portion of the metal plate M located inside the outer edge. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, a rectangular cylindrical metal molded product (hereinafter referred to as frame base material F) having a drawn bottom portion is obtained. The drawing bottom portion is located at the innermost portion (bottom portion) among the portions formed by pushing the metal plate M during drawing processing.

An opening is formed in the frame base material F on the surface side (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface side) against which the pressing mechanism P is pressed, and this opening becomes the opening 10A at the time of completion of the frame 11. Additionally, the rectangular portion of the frame base material F becomes the side wall 12 at the time of completion of the frame 11. In addition, the outer edge portion of the metal plate M disposed during the drawing process remains as a collar-shaped edge portion on the upper surface side of the frame base material F, and is a flange portion at the time of completion of the frame 11. It becomes (53).

After performing the drawing process, the bottom portion of the frame base material F is punched into a predetermined shape. As a result, of the frame base material F, the drawn bottom portion includes a portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 (specifically, the edge portion 18 and the corner portion 19) of the frame 11 and the blocking portion 40. A significant portion remains. At this stage, the portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 (more specifically, the portion corresponding to the corner portion 19) and the portion corresponding to the blocking portion 40 are continuously connected.

Thereafter, the bottom of the drawing is bent at the boundary between the portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 and the portion corresponding to the blocking portion 40. More specifically, the part corresponding to the blocking portion 40 of the bottom of the drawing is bent at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the part corresponding to the bottom wall 17 and made to stand.

Through the above procedures, the frame 11 is manufactured from one metal plate M. In the frame 11 manufactured by the above procedure, the side wall 12 is seamlessly continuous over the entire circumference of the frame 11. This ensures the strength and barrier properties (shielding properties) of the frame 11.

Moreover, in each part of the side wall 12, the rising part 51 and the flange part 53 are seamlessly connected. A bent portion 52 is provided between the raised portion 51 and the flange portion 53, and the bent portion 52 and the flange portion 53 constitute a guide portion 54. In this way, in the process of manufacturing the frame 11 by performing drawing processing on one metal plate M, the guide portion 54 can be formed incidentally.

As described above, in the connector 10 of the present invention, the guide portion 54 is made of the same member as the side wall 12 (specifically, the same metal plate M) and is integrated with the side wall 12. As a result, compared to the case where the side wall 12 and the guide portion 54 are composed of separate members, the number of parts is further reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the connector 10 can be reduced. In particular, according to the above-described procedure, the guide portion 54 is formed by bending the upper end of the side wall 12 toward the outside of the frame 11. As a result, the guide portion 54 can be formed more easily using part of the member constituting the side wall 12.

Additionally, in the connector 10 of the present invention, a guide portion 54 is provided along the entire circumference of the frame 11. As a result, compared to a conventional connector having a portion corresponding to the guide portion 54 (for example, the connector 1 described in Patent Document 1), the mating connector 100 can be more appropriately positioned on the frame 11. It can be guided to the inside.

To explain in more detail, the frame 3 provided in the connector 1 described in Patent Document 1 is a rectangular frame, and as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, four corners of the frame 3 have bent portions. (5) is provided. The bent portion 5 is formed by bending the upper end of the frame 3 toward the inside of the frame 3. By providing the bent portion 5, as shown in FIG. 19, the mating connector 2 is appropriately guided inside the frame 3 when the connector is mated.

However, at the upper end of the frame 3, the bent portions 5 are provided only at the corners, and the portions where the bent portions 5 are not present are concave portions. Therefore, there is a possibility that the mating connector 2 gets caught in the recess in the frame 3 when the connector is mated. If the mating connector 2 that is caught in the recess is pushed strongly, there is a risk that the connector 1 or the mating connector 2 may be deformed or damaged.

On the other hand, in the connector 10 of the present invention, a guide portion 54 is provided at the upper end of the frame 11 over the entire circumference of the frame 11, and the above-described concave portion does not exist. Therefore, the mating connector 100 does not get caught in the recess when the connector is mated, and deformation and damage of the connector 10 or the mating connector 100 caused by this can be avoided.

Additionally, each portion of the guide portion 54 provided along the entire circumference of the frame 11 (each portion in the circumferential direction of the frame 11) is at the same position in the Z direction. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the mating connector 100 to get caught in the frame 11 when the connector is mated, and the mating connector 100 can be guided more appropriately inside the frame 11.

<<Other embodiments>>

Although the configuration of the connector of the present invention has been described above using specific examples, the above-described embodiment is only an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and embodiments other than the above can also be considered.

In the above-described embodiment, the side wall 12, the bottom wall 17, and the blocking portion 40 of the frame 11 are made of the same member and are integrated, and the blocking portion 40 extends from the bottom wall 17 to the +Z side. It protrudes. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the blocking portion 40 is continuous with the bottom wall 17, but it is not limited to this. For example, the blocking portion 40 is continuous with the side wall 12, and specifically, the blocking portion 40 is It may be extended in either direction.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example of manufacturing the frame 11 with a seamless structure by drawing processing has been described, but this is not limited to this, and other processing methods can be used as long as the frame 11 with a seamless structure can be manufactured. You may use it. For example, cutting and drawing processes may be used.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a protruding portion 55 is provided on each of the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and the pair of short side portions 15 and 16 constituting the side wall 12 of the frame 11. It was assumed that there was. However, it is not limited to this, and the protruding portion 55 may be provided at least at one location on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 12 of the frame 11. In addition, from the viewpoint of maintaining a good connector fit, as in the above-described embodiment, a protruding portion 55 is provided on each of the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and the pair of short side portions 15 and 16. It is desirable to have it in place.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the side wall 12 of the frame 11 is assumed to be seamlessly continuous (i.e., without joints or short circuits) over the entire circumference of the frame 11, but it is not limited to this. For example, the side wall 12 of the frame 11 with a slight joint may be formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a tubular shape and then welding the ends.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the side wall 12 and the guide portion 54 are assumed to be seamlessly connected, but this is not limited. For example, the side wall 12 and the guide portion 54 may be formed from separate members and then joined by welding or the like.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the side wall 12 of the frame 11 is assumed to have a rectangular shape in plan view. However, the shape of the side wall 12 may be a shape other than a rectangle in plan view, for example, a circle, oval, diamond, trapezoid or parallelogram, or a polygon other than a square.

One; connector 2; counterpart connector
3; frame 4; opening
5; bending part 10; connector
10A; opening 11; frame
12; side walls 13, 14; long side part
15, 16; short side part 17; low wall
18; edge 19; Each part
20; housing 21; Central part of housing
22; housing end 23; central convexity
24; lateral convexity 25; Insertion groove
26; insertion recess 27; Insertion area
31; Contact (first terminal) 32; Contact (2nd terminal)
33; Contact (third terminal) 40; Blocking part
41; Fitting portion 42; connection part
43; protruding piece 44; attachment part
45; Insertion recess 46; press-fitting part
47; contact convex portion 51; rising part
52; bend part 53; flange part
54; information department 55; protruding part
100; Counter connector 102; opponent frame
104; low wall 106,108; Contact maintenance part
111,112,113; Opposite contact 114; Opposite side blocking unit
116; Fitting recess F; frame material
M; metal plate P; pressing mechanism

Claims (10)

A connector comprising a frame having an opening, a terminal disposed inside the frame, a housing holding the terminal and disposed inside the frame, and capable of fitting a mating connector to the inside of the frame from the opening. ,
The frame is,
a side wall extending in a direction in which the connector and the mating connector are mated, and surrounding the mating connector with the connector;
a guide portion provided at an end of the side wall on the opening side in the fitting direction and guiding the mating connector to the inside of the frame;
the side walls are continuous over the entire circumference of the frame,
The guide portion is provided at an end of the side wall on the opening side along the entire circumference of the frame,
The side wall is provided with a protruding portion where the inner circumferential surface of the side wall protrudes more inside the frame than other portions of the side wall,
A connector in which the area provided with the protruding portion of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart connector in a state in which the counterpart connector is fitted to the connector. According to claim 1,
The side walls are seamlessly continuous over the entire circumference of the frame,
A connector in which the guide portion is formed by the same member as the side wall and is integrated with the side wall. According to claim 2,
The connector is formed by bending an end of the side wall on the opening side toward the outside of the frame. According to claim 2,
A connector wherein the side wall and the guide portion are formed of the same metal plate. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The guide portion includes a curved portion of the side wall that is continuous with a portion extending along the fitting direction, and a flange portion extending from the curved portion toward the outside of the frame,
A connector wherein the opening is surrounded by the flange portion. According to claim 5,
A connector in which the surface facing the inside of the frame at the curved portion is a surface curved in an arc shape. According to claim 1,
A connector in which each portion of the guide portion provided over the entire circumference of the frame is disposed at the same position in the fitting direction. According to claim 1,
A connector in which the inner peripheral surface of the side wall is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the counterpart connector in a state in which the counterpart connector is fitted to the connector. According to claim 8,
The side wall has a pair of long side portions spaced apart from each other and a pair of short side portions connecting ends of the pair of long side portions,
A connector wherein the protruding portion is provided on each of the pair of long side portions and each of the pair of short side portions. delete