阅读说明：本技术 连接器 (Connector with a locking member ) 是由 大坂纯士 横山阳平 于 2021-03-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能够使对方侧连接器更适当地嵌合的连接器。本发明的连接器使对方侧连接器从框架的开口嵌合到框架的内侧。框架具有：侧壁,在连接器和对方侧连接器的嵌合方向上延伸,包围与连接器嵌合的状态下的对方侧连接器；以及导向部,设置在侧壁中的、在嵌合方向上位于开口侧的端部,向框架的内侧引导对方侧连接器。侧壁遍及框架的整个周向连续,导向部遍及框架的整个周向设置在侧壁的位于开口侧的端部。(The invention provides a connector capable of more appropriately fitting a mating connector. The connector of the invention enables a counterpart connector to be embedded into the inner side of a frame from an opening of the frame. The frame has: a side wall extending in a fitting direction of the connector and the mating connector and surrounding the mating connector in a state of being fitted with the connector; and a guide portion provided at an end portion of the side wall located on the opening side in the fitting direction, for guiding the mating connector to the inside of the frame. The side wall is continuous over the entire circumference of the frame, and the guide portion is provided at an end portion of the side wall on the opening side over the entire circumference of the frame.)

1. A connector having a frame with an opening and capable of fitting a mating connector into the frame from the opening,

the frame has:

a side wall extending in a fitting direction of the connector and the mating connector and surrounding the mating connector in a state of being fitted with the connector; and

a guide portion provided at an end portion of the side wall located on the opening side in the fitting direction, the guide portion guiding the mating connector to an inside of the frame,

the side wall is continuous throughout the entire circumference of the frame,

the guide portion is provided at an end of the side wall on the opening side over the entire circumference of the frame.

2. The connector of claim 1,

the side wall is seamlessly continuous throughout the entire circumference of the frame,

the guide portion is formed of the same member as the side wall and is integrated with the side wall.

3. The connector of claim 2,

the guide portion is formed by bending an end portion of the side wall located on the opening side outward of the frame.

4. The connector of claim 2, wherein the side wall and the guide are formed from the same metal plate.

5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the guide portion includes: a bent portion continuous with a portion of the side wall extending in the fitting direction; and a flange portion extending from the bent portion to an outer side of the frame,

the opening is surrounded by the flange portion.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein a face toward an inner side of the frame in the bent portion is a face curved in a circular arc shape.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein portions of the guide portion provided over an entire circumference of the frame are arranged at the same position in the fitting direction.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the side wall is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the mating connector in a state in which the mating connector is fitted to the connector.

9. The connector of claim 8,

the side wall is provided with a protruding part which protrudes more towards the inner side of the frame than the other part of the side wall on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall,

in a state where the mating connector is fitted to the connector, a region of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall, which region includes the protruding portion, is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the mating connector.

10. The connector of claim 9,

the side wall has a pair of long side portions arranged at an interval from each other and a pair of short side portions connecting ends of the pair of long side portions to each other,

the protruding portion is provided on each of the pair of long side portions and each of the pair of short side portions.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector which includes a frame having an opening and which is capable of fitting a mating connector into the inside of the frame from the opening.

Background

As a conventional connector capable of fitting a mating connector, for example, a connector described in patent document 1 (hereinafter referred to as a connector 1) is cited. The connector 1 is a receptacle connector and includes a rectangular frame 3 as shown in fig. 17. As is apparent from fig. 18 and 19, the mating connector 2 as a plug connector is fitted to 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 fig. 17 and 19, an upper end portion (an end portion on the side having the opening 4) of the frame 3 is bent inward of the frame 3. Thus, as shown in fig. 19, the mating connector 2 is appropriately guided to the inside of the frame 3 at the time of connector fitting, and enters the inside of the frame 3 toward the normal arrangement position as can be easily understood.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-12553

As a structure for guiding the mating connector 2 to the inside of the frame 3 at the time of connector fitting, a structure more excellent than that used in a conventional connector such as the connector 1 described in patent document 1 is required. Specifically, a connector having a structure capable of guiding the mating connector 2 to the inside of the frame 3 without hindrance is desired.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to solve the problems described below. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and to provide a connector that can more appropriately mate a mating connector.

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention includes a frame having an opening, and a mating connector capable of being fitted into the frame from the opening, the connector including: a side wall extending in a fitting direction of the connector and the mating connector and surrounding the mating connector in a state of being fitted with the connector; and a guide portion provided at an end portion of the side wall located on the opening side in the fitting direction, for guiding the counterpart connector to the inside of the frame; the side wall is continuous over the entire circumference of the frame, and the guide portion is provided at an end portion of the side wall on the opening side over the entire circumference of the frame.

According to the connector of the present invention, since the guide portion is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the frame, the mating connector can be appropriately guided to the inside of the frame when the connectors are fitted.

In the connector of the present invention, the side wall may be seamlessly continuous over the entire circumferential direction of the frame, and the guide portion may be formed of the same member as the side wall and may be integrated with the side wall.

According to the above configuration, since the side wall of the frame and the guide portion are formed of the same member, the number of members is further reduced as compared with a case where the side wall and the guide portion are formed of different members.

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

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

Further, in the connector of the present invention, the side wall and the guide portion may be constituted by the same metal plate.

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

Further, in the connector of the present invention, the guide portion may include: a bent portion continuous with a portion of the side wall extending in the fitting direction; and a flange portion extending from the bent portion to an outside of the frame, the opening being surrounded by the flange portion.

According to the above configuration, since the guide portion includes the bent portion and the flange portion, the mating connector can be easily guided from the opening of the frame to the inside of the frame when the connectors are fitted.

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

According to the above configuration, the mating connector can be more easily guided to the inside of the frame when the connectors are fitted.

In the connector of the present invention, the respective portions of the guide portion provided over the entire circumference of the frame may be arranged at the same position in the fitting direction.

According to the above configuration, since the positions of the respective portions of the guide portion are aligned in the fitting direction, the mating connector can be more appropriately guided to the inside of the frame when the connectors are fitted. In detail, in the above configuration, since the guide portion has no irregularities, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the mating connector is hooked on such irregularities.

In the connector of the present invention, the inner peripheral surface of the side wall may be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector in a state in which the mating connector is fitted to the connector.

According to the above configuration, the mating connector can be stably fitted to the connector.

In the connector of the present invention, the side wall may include a protruding portion that protrudes inward of the frame from an inner peripheral surface of the side wall than other portions of the side wall, and a region of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall that includes the protruding portion may contact an outer peripheral surface of the mating connector in a state in which the mating connector is fitted to the connector.

According to the above configuration, the frame is easily brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector in a state of being fitted to the connector by providing the protruding portion on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall. As a result, the mating connector and the connector can be more stably fitted to each other.

Further, in the connector of the present invention, the side wall may have a pair of long side portions arranged at an interval from each other and a pair of short side portions connecting ends of the pair of long side portions to each other, and a protruding portion may be provided on each of the pair of long side portions and each of the pair of short side portions.

According to the above configuration, the frame is further easily brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector in a state of being fitted to the connector by providing the projecting portions on the four sides of the side wall. As a result, the mating connector and the connector can be more stably fitted to each other.

The invention has the following effects:

according to the present invention, a connector is realized that can properly guide a mating connector to the inside of a frame when the connectors are fitted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the mating connector.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the connector fitted to the mating connector.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the connector fitted to the mating connector.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the connector fitted to the mating connector.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the frame and the blocking portion.

Fig. 12 is a view showing an I-I section of fig. 5.

Fig. 13 is a view showing a J-J section of fig. 9.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram relating to drawing work.

Fig. 15 is a view showing the connector and the mating connector at a stage in the middle of fitting, and is a front view of each of the connector and the mating connector.

Fig. 16 is a view showing the connector and the mating connector at a stage during fitting, and is a view showing a cross section corresponding to the J-J section of fig. 9.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a connector according to a conventional example.

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which a mating connector is fitted to a connector of a conventional example.

Fig. 19 is a view showing a K-K section of fig. 18.

Reference numerals

Connector 2 to connector 2 and opening 5 of frame 4 of mating connector 3 bent part 10 connector

10A opening 11 side walls 13, 14 of frame 12 long side parts 15, 16 short side parts

17 bottom wall 18 edge 19 corner 20 housing 21 housing center 22 housing end

23 center convex portion 24 side convex portion 25 fitting groove 26 fitting concave portion 27 inserted portion

31 contact (first terminal) 32 contact (second terminal) 33 contact (third terminal)

40 blocking part 41 fitting part 42 connecting part 43 and mounting part of protruding piece 44

45 is inserted into the bent portion of the rising portion 52 of the concave portion 46, and the pressed portion 47 of the convex portion 51 is contacted

53 flange portion 54 guide 55 projection 100 to mating connector

102 contact holding part for bottom walls 106, 108 of the opposite side frame 104

111. 112, 113 mating side contact 114 mating side blocking portion 116 fitting recess

F frame base material M metal plate P pressing tool

Detailed Description

The connector of the present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples shown in the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention may be modified or improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. The material, shape, design size, and the like of each part of the connector of the present invention can be set according to the application of the present invention, the technical standard of the timing of carrying out the present invention, and the like. Further, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

Hereinafter, three directions orthogonal to each other are referred to as X, Y, Z directions, and the fitting direction of the connector and the mating connector corresponds to the Z direction. Here, the Z direction is the vertical direction of the connector, the X direction is the lateral width direction of the connector, and the Y direction is the front-rear direction of the connector.

The shape, position, and the like of each part of the connector described below are shapes, positions, and the like 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 a side where the mating connector is located when viewed from the connector in the Z direction, and the-Z side (lower side) is a side where the connector is located when viewed from the mating connector in the Z direction.

In the present specification, "orthogonal" and "parallel" include error ranges generally acceptable in the connector field, and also include a state shifted within a range of less than several degrees (for example, 2 to 3 °) with respect to strict orthogonal and parallel.

For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, fitting of the connector to the mating connector is referred to as "connector fitting", and a state in which the connector is fitted to the mating connector is referred to as "connector fitting state".

< constructional example of connector >)

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

The connector 10 is a receptacle connector shown in fig. 1 to 5, and is mounted on a substrate, not shown, via a lower end of the connector 10. The connector 10 can be fitted to a mating connector 100 as a plug connector shown in fig. 6 in the vertical direction (Z direction).

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

The frame 11 forms an outer peripheral wall of the connector 10, and the counterpart side frame 102 forms an outer peripheral wall of the counterpart side connector 100. The frame 11 and the opposite side frame 102 are both hollow frames formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and are made of a conductive material such as a metal plate. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the frame 11 surrounds a recess space on the inner side thereof. An opening 10A is provided at an upper end (one end in the Z direction) of the frame 11.

When the connectors are fitted, as shown in fig. 7 and 16, the mating connector 100 is fitted into the recess space inside the frame 11 from the opening 10A. In the connector fitting state, the frame 11 surrounds the mating connector 100 over the entire circumference of the mating connector 100, and specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the mating side frame 102 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the frame 11.

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

The contacts 31, 32, and 33 are terminals for signal transmission or power supply, and are disposed inside the frame 11 as shown in fig. 1 and 2. Of these contacts 31 and 32, terminals for transmitting high-Frequency signals, that is, terminals for RF (Radio Frequency). The high frequency is, for example, a frequency band of 6GHz or more, and includes a frequency band for 5G (5th Generation), etc.

The contacts 31 and 32 are paired and arranged at different positions in the Y direction, specifically, symmetrically with respect to the center of the connector 10. The contact 31 disposed on the + Y side corresponds to a first terminal, and the contact 32 disposed on the-Y side corresponds to a second terminal. 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 from each other.

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

In the connector fitting state, the contacts 31, 32, and 33 are in contact with and electrically connected to corresponding ones of the mating contacts 111, 112, and 113. For example, the contact 31 corresponds to the mating contact 111, and the contact 32 corresponds to the mating contact 112. 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. By inserting the corresponding mating contact into the inside of the arch portion of each contact, the two contacts come into contact with each other and are electrically connected.

The housing 20 is an insulating member that holds the contacts 31, 32, and 33, and is disposed inside the frame 11, i.e., in the recess space. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the housing 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and is divided into a plurality of portions.

Specifically, the housing 20 has a portion forming a Y-direction central portion of the housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as a housing central portion 21) and portions forming Y-direction both end portions of the housing 20 (hereinafter referred to as housing end portions 22). As shown in fig. 10, the case center portion 21 includes a convex portion (hereinafter, referred to as a center convex portion 23) located at the center portion in the X direction and convex portions (hereinafter, referred to as side convex portions 24) located on both sides of the center convex portion 23 in the X direction. The central convex portion 23 and the two side convex portions 24 extend in the Y direction, and a concave insertion groove 25 is provided between the central convex portion 23 and the side convex portions 24. The contacts 33 are fitted into the respective fitting grooves 25 (see fig. 10).

The + Y-side housing end 22 and the-Y-side housing end 22 are symmetrical in the Y direction with respect to the center of the connector 10. As shown in fig. 1, each case end 22 is a convex portion extending in the X direction. As shown in fig. 2, a recess (hereinafter referred to as an insertion recess 26) formed by being recessed inward in the Y direction is provided at the outer end in the Y direction of the case end 22. The contact 31 is press-fitted into the fitting recess 26 of the case end 22 provided on the + Y side by being pressed inward in the Y direction, and the contact 32 is press-fitted into the fitting recess 26 of the case end 22 provided on the-Y side by being pressed inward in the Y direction.

The case center portion 21 and the case end portion 22 are connected and integrated by a portion provided therebetween, specifically, an inserted portion 27 described later (see fig. 10). The case 20 is, for example, a resin molded product, and the case 20 having a case center portion 21 and a case end portion 22 coupled to each other is molded by a primary resin molding process.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and 10, the connector 10 includes a blocking portion 40 inside the frame 11. As shown in fig. 2, the blocking portion 40 is disposed between the pair of contacts 31 and 32 in the Y direction (i.e., the intersecting direction intersecting the Z direction).

More specifically, in the Y direction, one blocking portion 40 is provided between the + Y-side contact 31 and the plurality of contacts 33, and between the-Y-side contact 32 and the plurality of contacts 33, respectively. That is, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and the like, the two blocking portions 40 are disposed between the pair of contacts 31 and 32 inside the frame. However, the number of the blocking portions 40 is not particularly limited as long as at least one blocking portion 40 is disposed between the pair of contacts 31 and 32.

The blocking portion 40 is connected to a ground potential (ground potential). Specifically, a conductive pattern for grounding, not shown, is formed on the substrate on which the connector 10 is mounted, and the blocking portion 40 is provided in a state where the lower end thereof is in contact with the conductive pattern for grounding. In the connector fitting state, as shown in fig. 13, the shielding portion 40 is fitted to the mating shielding portion 114 of the mating connector 100 to form an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic shield suppresses crosstalk of signals (particularly, high-frequency signals) between the pair of contacts 31, 32.

Next, the structure of the frame 11 will be described in detail. The frame 11 has conductivity, and the contacts 31, 32, and 33 are disposed inside the frame 11. That is, the contacts 31, 32, and 33 are surrounded by the frame 11 having conductivity. The frame 11 is in contact with a conductive pattern for grounding, not shown, on the substrate on which the connector 10 is mounted, and is connected to a ground potential. This allows the frame 11 to exhibit shielding properties and shield the contacts 31, 32, and 33 from the outside (electromagnetic interference).

As shown in fig. 10 to 12, the frame 11 has a side wall 12 and a bottom wall 17. As shown in fig. 11, the side wall 12 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and surrounds the outer surface of the case 20. In the connector fitting state, the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 12 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector 100 (specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the mating side frame 102).

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, the side wall 12 has a pair of long side portions 13, 14 and a pair of short side portions 15, 16. The pair of long side portions 13 and 14 are arranged parallel to each other in the X direction with a gap therebetween, and extend long in the Y direction. The pair of short side portions 15, 16 extend in the X direction and connect the longitudinal ends of the pair of long side portions 13, 14 to each other. The short side portions 15, 16 are shorter than the long side portions 13, 14.

As shown in fig. 10 to 12, the respective portions of the side wall 12 (i.e., the pair of long side portions 13, 14 and the pair of short side portions 15, 16) are joined without seams and gaps. That is, the side wall 12 is seamlessly continuous over the entire circumference of the frame 11. The entire circumferential direction of the frame 11 is the entire range of 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 recess space, in other words, the direction along the outer edge of the recess space.

As shown in fig. 12, the pair of long side portions 13, 14 and the pair of short side portions 15, 16 respectively have rising portions 51 rising from the bottom wall 17 and extending to the + Z side. Further, as shown in fig. 10 and 12, the pair of long-side portions 13, 14 and the pair of short-side portions 15, 16 have bent portions 52 and flange portions 53 at respective upper end portions (i.e., end portions on the side where the opening 10A is located in the Z direction).

The bent portion 52 is continuous with the rising portion 51 and is bent toward the outside of the frame 11. The flange portion 53 is continuous with the bent portion 52, and is a flange-like 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 in the frame 11 so as to surround the opening 10A, and constitute a guide portion 54. The guide portion 54 is provided at an end portion (i.e., an upper end portion) of the side wall 12 on the opening 10A side in the Z direction, and is a portion that guides the mating connector 100 from the opening 10A to the inside of the frame 11. By providing the guide portion 54, the mating connector 100 can be appropriately guided to the inside of the frame 11 at the time of connector fitting so that the mating connector 100 can be accurately positioned inside the frame 11.

Further, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, the guide portion 54 is provided at the upper end portion (end portion on the side having the opening 10A) of the side wall 12 over the entire circumference of the frame 11. This allows the mating connector 100 to be guided to the inside of the frame 11 without hindrance when the connectors are mated. Specifically, for example, in a configuration in which the guide portion 54 is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the frame 11, there is a possibility that the mating connector 100 is hooked at a portion where the guide portion 54 is interrupted. In contrast, since the guide portion 54 is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the frame 11, the above-described problem can be avoided when the connectors are fitted.

As shown in fig. 10 and 12, the surface of the bent portion 52 constituting the guide portion 54 facing the inside of the frame 11 is curved in an R shape, i.e., an arc shape. This allows the mating connector 100 to be more smoothly guided to the inside of the frame 11 when the connectors are mated.

As shown in fig. 10 and 12, the guide portions 54 provided over the entire circumferential direction of the frame 11 are arranged at the same positions in the Z direction. Specifically, the upper surfaces of the flange portions 53, which are continuous over the entire circumference of the frame 11, are located on the same plane in the Z direction. In this configuration, the guide portion 54 has no irregularities, and a situation in which the mating connector 100 is hooked on the irregularities can be avoided. As a result, the mating connector 100 can be guided more appropriately to the inside of the frame 11 when the connectors are mated.

The frame 11 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector 100 in the connector fitting state, and this state can be maintained well. Specifically, as shown in fig. 11, a protruding portion 55 is provided at the Y-direction central portion of each of the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and at the X-direction central portion of each of the pair of short side portions 15 and 16. As shown in fig. 12, the protruding portion 55 is a portion that protrudes further toward the inside of the frame 11 than the other portion (portion other than the protruding portion 55) of the side wall 12. The protruding portion 55 is provided at the upper end of the side wall 12 in the Z direction, more specifically, at the boundary periphery of the rising portion 51 and the bent portion 52.

In the connector fitting state, as shown in fig. 8, the region of the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 12 provided with the protruding portion 55 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating connector 100, specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the mating side frame 102. Thus, by providing the protruding portion 55 on the side wall 12, the side wall 12 is easily brought into contact with the mating connector 100, and as a result, the connector fitting state can be stably and satisfactorily maintained.

For example, as shown in fig. 12, the protruding portion 55 is formed by: a part of a member (specifically, a metal plate M described later) constituting the side wall 12 where the projecting portion 55 is formed is pressed into the inside of the frame 11 and bent into an arch shape. The protruding portion 55 provided on each of the long side portions 13 and 14 has a length equal to or greater than 1/3, preferably equal to or greater than 1/2, of the length of each of the long side portions 13 and 14 in the Y direction. The protruding portion 55 provided in each of the short side portions 15, 16 has a length equal to or greater than 1/3, preferably equal to or greater than 1/2, of the length of each of the short side portions 15, 16 in the X direction.

The bottom wall 17 of the frame 11 extends from the lower end (end opposite to the opening 10A in the Z direction) of the side wall 12 toward the inside of the frame 11. The bottom wall 17 is formed of a flat plate along the XY plane, most of which is die-cut as shown in fig. 10 and 11. The bottom wall 17 has: a narrow edge portion 18 provided inside the frame 11 to trim an outer edge of the recess space; and corner portions 19 which are present in the shape of substantially rectangular segments at four corners of the recess space.

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 corner portions 19 are provided at positions separated from each other in the Y direction, and blocking portions 40 are provided between two adjacent corner portions 19 on the + Y side and between two adjacent corner portions 19 on the-Y side, respectively.

Each blocking portion 40 is continuous with a part of the bottom wall 17, specifically, with two adjacent corner portions 19. As shown in fig. 12, the blocking portion 40 protrudes from the bottom wall 17, that is, the end of the frame 11 opposite to the opening 10A in the Z direction, toward the + Z side. The blocking portion 40 is formed in a line-symmetrical shape with respect to the center of the frame 11 in the X direction. Specifically, as shown in fig. 12, the fitting portion 41 is provided at the center of the blocking portion 40 in the X direction, and the attachment portions 44 are provided at both ends of the blocking portion 40.

As shown in fig. 12, the mounting portion 44 is formed in an inverted U shape as viewed from the Y direction, with an insertion recess 45 formed from the end of the mounting portion 44 on the-Z side toward the + Z side. As shown in fig. 12, the inserted portion 27 as a part of the housing 20 is inserted into the insertion recess 45.

The inserted portions 27 are located between the case center portion 21 and the case end portion 22 in the Y direction, and are provided at two places in line symmetry with the center of the case 20 in the X direction as a boundary. Each inserted portion 27 is a columnar projection that is lower in height in the Z direction than the case center portion 21 and the case end portion 22 and has a slight width in the X direction.

The insertion recess 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. A pair of inner side surfaces aligned in the X direction are provided inside the insertion recess 45. As shown in fig. 12, a press-fitting portion 46 projects from one of the pair of inner surfaces that is closer to the Y-direction center of the blocking portion 40. When the inserted portion 27 is inserted into the insertion recess 45, the press-fitting portion 46 is pressed into the inserted portion 27, in detail, is depressed into the inserted portion 27.

As described above, the inserted portion 27 is inserted into the insertion recess 45, thereby being mounted to the mounting portion 44. As a result, the case 20 is supported by the frame 11 through the blocking portion 40 inside the frame 11.

As shown in fig. 12, the fitting portion 41 is located between two mounting portions 44 in the X direction, and includes a connecting portion 42 provided at the-Z-side end of the blocking portion 40, and a pair of projecting pieces 43 projecting from the X-direction center of the connecting portion 42 toward the + Z side.

The coupling portion 42 extends linearly in the X direction, coupling the two mounting portions 44 to each other. The pair of projecting pieces 43 are arranged in a substantially V-shape when viewed from the Y direction. Each of the projecting pieces 43 is formed of, for example, a leaf spring, and has elasticity, and can be elastically deformed so that the interval between the projecting pieces 43 becomes narrow. As shown in fig. 12, the tip of each projecting piece 43 has a contact projection 47 projecting in a mountain shape outward in the X direction.

In the connector fitting state, as shown in fig. 13, the fitting portion 41 is fitted to a mating side shielding portion 114 provided on the mating connector. Specifically, a recess (hereinafter referred to as a fitting recess 116) formed at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 41 is provided in the X-direction center portion of the counterpart blocking portion 114. The fitting recess 116 has a sufficient depth to accommodate both distal end portions (i.e., the contact protrusions 47) of the pair of projecting pieces 43. The width (length in the X direction) of the fitting recess 116 is slightly smaller than the interval between the projecting pieces 43, more precisely, the interval at the time before the elastic deformation of each projecting piece 43.

When the connectors are fitted, as shown in fig. 13, the pair of projecting pieces 43 of the fitting portion 41 enters the back side of the fitting recess 116 while elastically deforming to narrow the interval between the projecting pieces 43. Thereby, the fitting portion 41 is fitted to the fitting recess 116. In a state where the fitting portion 41 enters the fitting recess 116, the tip ends of the pair of projecting pieces 43, that is, the contact convex portions 47 contact the inner side surfaces of the fitting recess 116. Further, it is preferable that a recess formed corresponding to the curved shape of the contact convex portion 47 is provided on the inner surface of the fitting concave portion 116 so as to fit the contact convex portion 47.

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

In each of the + Y-side blocking portion 40 and the-Y-side blocking portion 40, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, the fitting portion 41 and the two mounting portions 44 may be arranged at the same position in the Y direction, respectively. Further, it is more preferable that the thickness (length in the Y direction) of each of the fitting portion 41 and the mounting portion 44 is substantially uniform. In other words, in the Y direction, the end face of the fitting portion 41 and the end face of the mounting portion 44 may be located on the same plane. In this case, the blocking portion 40 can be made compact, and the arrangement space of the blocking portion 40 in the frame 11 can be further reduced.

In order to reduce the number of components, the side wall 12, the bottom wall 17, and the blocking portion 40 of the frame 11 are formed of the same member and integrated. Specifically, the side wall 12 and the bottom wall 17 of the frame 11 are formed of the same member, specifically, one metal plate M, and the blocking portion 40 is formed by a part of the same metal plate M. The material of the metal plate M is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include copper alloys such as brass and bronze, stainless steel, and the like. The thickness of the metal plate M is not particularly limited, and is set to 0.06mm to 0.15mm, for example.

For example, as shown in fig. 14, the frame 11 included in the connector 10 of the present invention can be manufactured by applying drawing (strictly speaking, square tube drawing) to a metal plate M. Specifically, the outer edge portion of the metal plate M is clamped and held by a die or the like, and a pressing tool P such as a punch is pressed against a portion of the metal plate M located more inward than the outer edge portion. Thus, as shown in fig. 14, a square tubular metal molded article (hereinafter referred to as a frame base material F) having a drawn bottom portion was obtained. The drawing bottom is a portion located at the innermost side (bottom) of portions formed by press-fitting the metal plate M during drawing.

An opening is formed on a surface side (hereinafter referred to as an upper surface side) of the frame base material F to which the pressing tool P presses, and this opening becomes an opening 10A when the frame 11 is completed. The square tube portion of the frame base material F becomes the side wall 12 at the completion of the frame 11. The outer edge portion of the metal plate M, which is sandwiched during the drawing, remains as a flange-like edge portion on the upper surface side of the frame base material F, and becomes the flange portion 53 at the completion time of the frame 11.

After the drawing process is performed, the bottom portion of the frame base material F is punched out into a predetermined shape. Thus, in the drawn bottom portion of the frame base material F, a portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 (more specifically, the edge portion 18 and the corner portion 19) of the frame 11 and a portion corresponding to the blocking portion 40 are retained. At this stage, the portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 (specifically, the portion corresponding to the corner portion 19) and the portion corresponding to the blocking portion 40 are continuously connected.

Thereafter, the bottom portion is bent and drawn at the boundary between the portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 and the portion corresponding to the blocking portion 40. More specifically, the portion of the drawn bottom portion corresponding to the blocking portion 40 is bent by substantially 90 degrees with respect to the portion corresponding to the bottom wall 17 and is raised.

Through the above steps, the frame 11 is manufactured from one metal plate M. In the frame 11 manufactured through the above steps, the side wall 12 is seamlessly continuous throughout the entire circumference of the frame 11. This ensures the strength and shielding property (shielding property) of the frame 11.

Further, in each portion of the side wall 12, the rising portion 51 and the flange portion 53 are seamlessly connected. A bent portion 52 is provided between the rising portion 51 and the flange portion 53, and the bent portion 52 and the flange portion 53 constitute a guide 54. Thus, the guide portion 54 can be additionally formed in the process of manufacturing the frame 11 by drawing the single metal plate M.

As described above, in the connector 10 of the present invention, the guide portion 54 is formed of the same member (specifically, the same metal plate M) as the side wall 12 and is integrated with the side wall 12. This reduces the number of components, and reduces the manufacturing cost of the connector 10, as compared with the case where the side wall 12 and the guide portion 54 are formed of separate components. In particular, according to the above steps, the guide portion 54 is formed by bending the upper end portion of the side wall 12 to the outside of the frame 11. This makes it possible to more easily form the guide portion 54 by using a part of the member constituting the side wall 12.

Further, in the connector 10 of the present invention, the guide portion 54 is provided over the entire circumferential direction of the frame 11. This allows the mating connector 100 to be more appropriately guided to the inside of the frame 11 than in a conventional connector (for example, the connector 1 described in patent document 1) having a portion corresponding to the guide portion 54.

More specifically, the frame 3 of the connector 1 described in patent document 1 is a rectangular frame, and as shown in fig. 17 and 19, the frame 3 is provided with bent portions 5 at four corners. The bent portion 5 is formed by bending the upper end of the frame 3 inward of the frame 3. By providing the bent portion 5, the mating connector 2 is more appropriately guided to the inside of the frame 3 at the time of connector fitting, as shown in fig. 19.

However, in the upper end portion of the frame 3, the bent portion 5 is provided only at the corner portion, and a portion where the bent portion 5 is not present becomes a recess. Therefore, the mating connector 2 may be hooked in the recess in the frame 3 when the connectors are fitted. If the mating connector 2 hooked in the recess is strongly pressed, the connector 1 or the mating connector 2 may be deformed or damaged.

In contrast, in the connector 10 of the present invention, the guide portion 54 is provided in the upper end portion of the frame 11 over the entire circumferential direction of the frame 11, and the recess does not exist. Therefore, the mating connector 100 does not catch in the recess when the connectors are mated, and deformation, damage, or the like of the connector 10 or the mating connector 100 due to this can be avoided.

Further, each part of the guide portion 54 provided over the entire circumference of the frame 11 (each part in the circumference of the frame 11) is located at the same position in the Z direction. This makes it less likely that the mating connector 100 will catch on the frame 11 when the connectors are mated, and the mating connector 100 can be guided more appropriately to the inside of the frame 11.

< other embodiments >

Although the structure of the connector of the present invention has been described above with specific examples, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for easy understanding of the present invention, and other embodiments may be considered.

In the above embodiment, the side wall 12, the bottom wall 17, and the blocking portion 40 of the frame 11 are formed of the same member and integrated, and the blocking portion 40 protrudes from the bottom wall 17 to the + Z side. That is, in the above embodiment, the blocking portion 40 is continuous with the bottom wall 17, but is not limited thereto. For example, the blocking portion 40 may be continuous with the side wall 12, and specifically, the blocking portion 40 may extend in the X direction from one or both of the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 of the side wall 12.

In the above embodiment, the example of manufacturing the frame 11 having the seamless structure by drawing has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other processing methods may be used as long as the frame 11 having the seamless structure can be manufactured. For example, cutting, drawing, and the like may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the protruding portions 55 are provided on the pair of long side portions 13, 14 and the pair of short side portions 15, 16 constituting the side wall 12 of the frame 11, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protruding portion 55 may be provided at least one location in the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 12 of the frame 11. In addition, from the viewpoint of maintaining the connector fitting state satisfactorily, it is preferable to provide the protruding portions 55 on the pair of long side portions 13 and 14 and the pair of short side portions 15 and 16, respectively, as in the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the side wall 12 of the frame 11 is continuous seamlessly (i.e., without seams or gaps) throughout the entire circumference of the frame 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the side wall 12 of the frame 11 having a minute joint may be formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a cylindrical shape and then welding the end portions to each other.

In the above embodiment, the side wall 12 and the guide portion 54 are connected seamlessly, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the side wall 12 and the guide portion 54 may be formed of separate members and then joined by welding or the like.

In the above embodiment, the side wall 12 of the frame 11 has a rectangular shape in plan view. However, the shape of the side wall 12 may be other than a rectangle in a plan view, and may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a parallelogram, a polygon other than a quadrangle, or the like.