This application claims benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-012630, filed Jan. 31, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a connector.
For example, a receptacle connector described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679 is known as an disclosure related to an existing connector. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing, a plurality of receptacle contacts, and a receptacle member. The receptacle housing is a resin member. The receptacle housing includes a receptacle fitting portion and a receptacle outer wall portion. The receptacle fitting portion extends in a right and left direction. When viewed in an up and down direction, the receptacle outer wall portion surrounds the receptacle fitting portion. Each of the plurality of receptacle contacts is a signal terminal. The plurality of receptacle contacts is supported by the receptacle housing. The receptacle member is a ground terminal. The receptacle member includes a first supported portion supported by the left end of the receptacle fitting portion and a second supported portion supported by the left end of the receptacle outer wall portion. The first supported portion and the second supported portion are coupled to each other.
Incidentally, it is desired that the receptacle connector described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679 be used in a high frequency band.
The present disclosure provides a connector that can be used in a high frequency band.
A connector according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a resin body member, a plurality of signal terminals supported by the resin body member, a ground terminal supported by the resin body member, and a floating terminal supported by the resin body member. The resin body member includes a protruding portion extending in a right and left direction when viewed in an up and down direction, a frame portion having an annular shape surrounding the protruding portion when viewed in the up and down direction, and a coupling portion located between the protruding portion and the frame portion when viewed in the up and down direction, the coupling portion coupling the protruding portion to the frame portion. The plurality of signal terminals is supported by the frame portion so as to be arranged in the right and left direction in a region in front of or in back of the protruding portion. The floating terminal covers at least part of a left end of the protruding portion when viewed in the up and down direction and is not connected to any of terminals of the connector, including the plurality of signal terminals and the ground terminal. The ground terminal is supported by the frame portion so as to be opposed to the floating terminal in a front and rear direction or in the right and left direction.
Hereinafter, a positional relationship among members in the specification will be defined. A first member to a third member are components of a connector set. In the specification, the first member and the second member arranged in a front and rear direction represent the following state. This is a state where, when the first member and the second member are viewed in a direction perpendicular to the front and rear direction, both the first member and the second member are disposed on a selected straight line representing the front and rear direction. In the specification, the first member and the second member arranged in the front and rear direction when viewed in an up and down direction represent the following state. When the first member and the second member are viewed in the up and down direction, both the first member and the second member are disposed on a selected straight line representing the front and rear direction. In this case, when the first member and the second member are viewed in a right and left direction different from the up and down direction, any one of the first member and the second member does not need to be disposed on a selected straight line representing the front and rear direction. The first member and the second member may be in contact with each other. The first member and the second member may be separated from each other. The third member may be present between the first member and the second member. This definition also applies to directions other than the front and rear direction.
In the specification, a state where the first member is disposed on or over the second member means the following state. At least part of the first member is located just on or over the second member. Therefore, when viewed in the up and down direction, the first member overlaps the second member. This definition also applies to directions other than the up and down direction.
In the specification, a state where the first member is disposed on or above the second member includes a case where at least part of the first member is located just on or over the second member and a case where the first member is not located just on or over the second member and the first member is located obliquely above the second member. In this case, when viewed in the up and down direction, the first member does not need to overlap the second member. The term “obliquely above” includes, for example, upper left and upper right. This definition also applies to directions other than the up and down direction.
In the specification, unless otherwise specified, parts of the first member are defined as follows. A front part of the first member means a front half of the first member. A rear part of the first member means a rear half of the first member. A left part of the first member means a left half of the first member. A right part of the first member means a right half of the first member. An upper part of the first member means an upper half of the first member. A lower part of the first member means a lower half of the first member. A front end of the first member means a forward end of the first member. A rear end of the first member means a rearward end of the first member. A left end of the first member means a leftward end of the first member. A right end of the first member means a rightward end of the first member. An upper end of the first member means an upward end of the first member. A lower end of the first member means a downward end of the first member. A front end part of the first member means the front end of the first member and its neighborhood. A rear end part of the first member means the rear end of the first member and its neighborhood. A left end part of the first member means the left end of the first member and its neighborhood. A right end part of the first member means the right end of the first member and its neighborhood. An upper end part of the first member means the upper end of the first member and its neighborhood. A lower end part of the first member means the lower end of the first member and its neighborhood.
When selected two members in the specification are defined as the first member and the second member, the relationship between the selected two members means as follows. In the specification, a state where the first member is supported by the second member includes a case where the first member is attached to (that is, fixed to) the second member so as to be not movable with respect to the second member and a case where the first member is attached to the second member so as to be movable with respect to the second member. A state where the first member is supported by the second member includes both a case where the first member is directly attached to the second member and a case where the first member is attached to the second member via the third member.
In the specification, a state where the first member is held by the second member includes a case where the first member is attached to (that is, fixed to) the second member so as to be not movable with respect to the second member and does not include a case where the first member is attached to the second member so as to be movable with respect to the second member. A state where the first member is held by the second member includes both a case where the first member is directly attached to the second member and a case where the first member is attached to the second member via the third member.
In the specification, the phrase “the first member and the second member are electrically connected” means that the first member and the second member are electrically continuous. Therefore, the first member and the second member may be in contact with each other or the first member and the second member do not need to be in contact with each other. When the first member and the second member are not in contact with each other, the third member having electrical conductivity is disposed between the first member and the second member.
Hereinafter, a connector set 1 including a first connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
In the following description, as shown in
The connector set 1 is, for example, used to connect two circuit boards. The connector set 1 includes the first connector 10 and the second connector 110. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 110 are connected, the second connector 110 is located on or over the first connector 10.
Next, the structure of the first connector 10 will be described.
As shown in
As shown in
When viewed in the up and down direction, the frame portion 12b has an annular shape surrounding the protruding portion 12a. More specifically, when viewed in the up and down direction, the frame portion 12b has a rectangular outer edge and a rectangular inner edge. When viewed in the up and down direction, each of the outer edge of the frame portion 12b and the inner edge of the frame portion 12b has two long sides extending in the right and left direction and two short sides extending in the front and rear direction. When viewed in the up and down direction, the protruding portion 12a is located in a region surrounded by the inner edge of the frame portion 12b. The protruding portion 12a is not in contact with the frame portion 12b.
As shown in
A radio-frequency signal is input to and output from each of the signal terminals 13a to 13v. The signal terminals 13a to 13v are supported by the resin body member 12. More specifically, part of each of the signal terminals 13a to 13k is embedded in the rear side of the frame portion 12b. Thus, the signal terminals 13a to 13k are supported by the frame portion 12b so as to be arranged in the right and left direction in a region in back of the protruding portion 12a. The signal terminals 13a to 13k are arranged in a line in this order from the left to the right. Part of each of the signal terminals 13l to 13v is embedded in the front side of the frame portion 12b. The signal terminals 13l to 13v are supported by the frame portion 12b so as to be arranged in the right and left direction in a region in front of the protruding portion 12a. The signal terminals 13l to 13v are respectively located in front of the signal terminals 13a to 13k. The signal terminals 13l to 13v are arranged in a line in this order from the left to the right. Each of the signal terminals 13a to 13k is manufactured by bending a rod metal member. The material of the signal terminals 13a to 13k is, for example, a copper-based material, such as phosphor bronze.
The floating terminal 15l is not connected to any of the terminals of the first connector 10, including the signal terminals 13a to 13v and the ground terminals 14l, 14r (details will be described later). Therefore, the potential of the floating terminal 15l is a floating potential. The floating terminal 15l is supported by the resin body member 12. As shown in
Here, the first part 15la and the second part 15lb are coupled on the top surface of the protruding portion 12a. Therefore, the first part 15la and the second part 15lb are not coupled on the left surface or the front surface of the protruding portion 12a. The first part 15la and the third part 15lc are coupled on the top surface of the protruding portion 12a. Therefore, the first part 15la and the third part 15lc are not coupled on the left surface or the rear surface of the protruding portion 12a. In addition, the width of the first part 15la in the front and rear direction is greater than any of the width of the second part 15lb in the right and left direction and the width of the third part 15lc in the right and left direction.
The floating protrusion 15ld extends in the leftward direction from the lower end of the first part 15la. The width of the first part 15la in the front and rear direction is greater than the width of the floating protrusion 15ld in the front and rear direction. The floating terminal 15l is manufactured by bending a metal member. The material of the floating terminal 15l is, for example, a copper-based material, such as phosphor bronze. The structure of the floating terminal 15r and the structure of the floating terminal 15l are bilaterally symmetrical, so the description of the structure of the floating terminal 15r is omitted.
The ground terminal 14l is connected to a ground potential. The ground terminal 14l is supported by the resin body member 12. Specifically, the ground terminal 14l is supported by the frame portion 12b so as to be opposed to the floating terminal 15l in the front and rear direction and in the right and left direction. Hereinafter, the structure of the ground terminal 14l will be described.
As shown in
The connecting part 14ld couples the first part 14la to the second part 14lb. The connecting part 14le couples the first part 14la to the third part 14lc. The ground protrusion 14lf extends in the rightward direction from the lower end of the first part 14la. The ground terminal 14l is manufactured by bending a metal member. The material of the ground terminal 14l is, for example, a copper-based material, such as phosphor bronze. The structure of the ground terminal 14r and the structure of the ground terminal 14l are bilaterally symmetrical, so the description of the structure of the ground terminal 14r is omitted.
The ground terminal 16b is connected to a ground potential. The ground terminal 16b is supported by the resin body member 12. In the present embodiment, the ground terminal 16b is supported by the left front part of the resin body member 12. As shown in
The spring part 16bb is not supported by the resin body member 12. Therefore, the spring part 16bb is elastically deformable so as to deflect in the front and rear direction. The contact part 16ba extends in the rearward direction from the right end of the spring part 16bb. The ground terminal 16b is manufactured by bending a metal member. The material of the ground terminal 16b is, for example, a copper-based material, such as phosphor bronze. The structure of the ground terminal 16a and the structure of the ground terminal 16b are symmetrical in the front and back, so the description of the structure of the ground terminal 16a is omitted. The structure of the ground terminal 16d and the structure of the ground terminal 16b are bilaterally symmetrical, so the description of the structure of the ground terminal 16d is omitted. The structure of the ground terminal 16c and the structure of the ground terminal 16a are bilaterally symmetrical, so the description of the structure of the ground terminal 16c is omitted.
As shown in
The first connector 10 as described above is mounted on the circuit board. At this time, parts of the signal terminals 13a to 13v, ground terminals 14l, 14r, floating terminals 15l, 15r, and ground terminals 16a to 16d are exposed from the bottom surface of the resin body member 12. Solder is applied to each of these parts. Thus, the signal terminals 13a to 13v, the ground terminals 14l, 14r, the floating terminals 15l, 15r, and the ground terminals 16a to 16d are respectively connected to the electrodes of the circuit board.
Next, the structure of the second connector 110 will be described.
As shown in
The resin body member 112 includes a bottom portion 112a and a frame portion 112b. When viewed in the up and down direction, the frame portion 112b has an annular shape. More specifically, when viewed in the up and down direction, the frame portion 112b has a rectangular outer edge and a rectangular inner edge. When viewed in the up and down direction, each of the outer edge of the frame portion 112b and the inner edge of the frame portion 112b has two long sides extending in the right and left direction and two short sides extending in the front and rear direction. As shown in
A radio-frequency signal is input to and output from each of the signal terminals 113a to 113v. The signal terminals 113a to 113v are supported by the resin body member 112. More specifically, part of each of the signal terminals 113a to 113k is embedded in the rear side of the frame portion 112b. The signal terminals 113a to 113k are arranged in a line in this order from the left to the right. Part of each of the signal terminals 113l to 113v is embedded in the front side of the frame portion 112b. The signal terminals 113l to 113v are respectively located in front of the signal terminals 113a to 113k. The signal terminals 113l to 113v are arranged in a line in this order from the left to the right. Each of the signal terminals 113a to 113k is manufactured by bending a rod metal member. The material of the signal terminals 113a to 113k is, for example, a copper-based material, such as phosphor bronze.
The ground terminal 114l is connected to a ground potential. The ground terminal 114l is supported by the resin body member 112. Part of the ground terminal 114l is embedded in the left end of the front side of the frame portion 112b, the left end of the rear side of the frame portion 112b, and the left side of the frame portion 112b. The ground terminal 114l is manufactured by bending a metal member. The material of the ground terminal 114l is, for example, a copper-based material, such as phosphor bronze. The structure of the ground terminal 114r and the structure of the ground terminal 114l are bilaterally symmetrical, so the description of the structure of the ground terminal 114r is omitted.
Next, the structure of the connector set 1 will be described.
As shown in
However, the floating terminals 15l, 15r do not contact with the signal terminals 113a to 113v or the ground terminals 114l, 114r. Thus, in a state where the second connector 110 is connected to the first connector 10 as well, the potential of each of the floating terminals 15l, 15r remains at a floating potential.
With the first connector 10, the first connector 10 can be used in a high frequency band. More specifically, in the receptacle connector described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679, the receptacle member is a ground terminal. The receptacle member includes a first supported portion supported by the left end of the receptacle fitting portion and a second supported portion supported by the left end of the receptacle outer wall portion. The first supported portion and the second supported portion are coupled to each other. Therefore, the first supported portion corresponds to the floating terminal 15l. The second supported portion corresponds to the ground terminal 14l. Therefore, the receptacle connector described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679 has a structure in which the ground terminal 14l and the floating terminal 15l of the first connector 10 are coupled. In this case, a capacitance tends to be formed between the first supported portion and each signal terminal. As a result, a resonant frequency that is generated in the receptacle connector decreases. Therefore, it is difficult to use the receptacle connector described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-331679 in a high frequency band.
For this reason, in the first connector 10, the floating terminal 15l is not connected to any of terminals of the first connector 10 including the plurality of signal terminals 13a to 13v and the ground terminals 14l, 14r when viewed in the up and down direction. Thus, the potential of the floating terminal 15l is a floating potential. In this case, a capacitance is difficult to be formed between the floating terminal 15l and each of the signal terminals 13a to 13v. As a result, a resonant frequency that is generated in the first connector 10 tends to increase. Thus, with the first connector 10, the first connector 10 can be used in a high frequency band.
With the first connector 10, the floating terminal 15l covers at least part of the left end of the protruding portion 12a when viewed in the up and down direction. Thus, the left end of the protruding portion 12a is protected by the floating terminal 15l. As a result, when the second connector 110 is connected to the first connector 10, contact of the ground terminal 114l with the left end of the protruding portion 12a is suppressed. As described above, with the first connector 10, breakage of the protruding portion 12a is reduced.
With the first connector 10, the first connector 10 is usable in a high frequency band additionally depending on the following reason. More specifically, when viewed in the up and down direction, the through-hole H1 extending through the coupling portion 12c in the up and down direction is provided in at least part of a region between the first part 14la and the floating terminal 15l. Thus, air is present in the region between the first part 14la and the floating terminal 15l. Therefore, the dielectric constant of the region between the first part 14la and the floating terminal 15l decreases. Thus, a capacitance is difficult to be formed between the first part 14la and the floating terminal 15l. As a result, a resonant frequency that is generated in the first connector 10 tends to decrease. Thus, with the first connector 10, the first connector 10 can be used in a high frequency band.
With the first connector 10, a misalignment is difficult to occur in the positional relationship between the ground terminal 14l and the floating terminal 15l. More specifically, the ground terminal 14l includes the ground protrusion 14lf protruding into the through-hole H1 when viewed in the up and down direction. When viewed in the up and down direction, the floating terminal 15l includes the floating protrusion 15ld protruding into the through-hole H1. The ground protrusion 14lf and the floating protrusion 15ld are arranged in the right and left direction. Thus, the first connector 10 is able to be assembled by the following procedure. Initially, the ground terminal 14l and the floating terminal 15l are set in a state where the ground protrusion 14lf and the floating protrusion 15ld are coupled. Then, the ground terminal 14l and the floating terminal 15l are insert-molded to form the resin body member 12. After that, the ground protrusion 14lf and the floating protrusion 15ld are cut at the through-hole H1. In this way, the resin body member 12 is formed in a state where the ground terminal 14l and the floating terminal 15l are united, with the result that a misalignment is difficult to occur in the positional relationship between the ground terminal 14l and the floating terminal 15l.
In the first connector 10, the width of the first part 15la in the front and rear direction is greater than the width of the floating protrusion 15ld in the front and rear direction. In other words, the width of the floating protrusion 15ld in the front and rear direction is less than the width of the first part 15la in the front and rear direction. Therefore, a capacitance is difficult to be formed in the floating protrusion 15ld.
In the first connector 10, the first part 15la and the second part 15lb are not coupled on the left surface or the front surface of the protruding portion 12a. The first part 15la and the third part 15lc are not coupled on the left surface or the rear surface of the protruding portion 12a. An area in which the floating terminal 15l and the ground terminal 14l are opposed to each other reduces. As a result, a capacitance to be formed between the floating terminal 15l and the ground terminal 14l reduces.
In the first connector 10, the first part 15la provides a function to guide the ground terminal 114l, so it is desirable that the width of the first part 15la in the front and rear direction be large. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of reducing a capacitance to be generated in the first connector 10, it is desirable that the width of the second part 15lb in the right and left direction and the width of the third part 15lc in the right and left direction be small. For this reason, the width of the first part 15la in the front and rear direction is greater than any of the width of the second part 15lb in the right and left direction and the width of the third part 1c in the right and left direction. Here, the first part 15la and the second part 15lb are connected in series, and the first part 15la and the third part 15lc are connected in series. In this case, even when a capacitance that is generated in the first part 15la increases, a capacitance that is generated in the second part 15lb and a capacitance that is generated in the third part 15lc are small, so the resultant capacitance is suppressed to a smaller amount. Thus, with the first connector 10, while the floating terminal 15l functions to guide the ground terminal 114l, an increase in capacitance to be generated in the first connector 10 is suppressed.
The connector according to the present disclosure is not limited to the first connector 10 and may be changed within the scope of the purport of the present disclosure.
The ground terminals 14r, 16a to 16d, and the floating terminal 15r are not indispensable components.
In the specification, the annular shape is not limited to a complete ring and includes a partially cut-out ring. However, in the annular shape, the ratio of the cut-out part to the ring is lower than or equal to 20%.
The ground terminal 14l just needs to be opposed to the floating terminal 15l in the front and rear direction or in the right and left direction. Therefore, the ground terminal 14l may be configured so as to be opposed to the floating terminal 15l in the front and rear direction and not opposed to the floating terminal 15l in the right and left direction. The ground terminal 14l may be configured so as to be opposed to the floating terminal 15l in the right and left direction and not opposed to the floating terminal 15l in the front and rear direction.
The through-holes H1, Hr do not need to be provided.
The ground protrusion 14lf and the floating protrusion 15ld are not indispensable components.
The floating terminals 15l, 15r may be connected to the electrodes of the circuit board or may be configured not to be connected to the electrodes of the circuit board.
The first connector 10 may include any one of the set of signal terminals 13a to 13k and the set of signal terminals 13l to 13v.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2022-012630 | Jan 2022 | JP | national |