Multipolar plug

When a multipolar plug and a counter connector are fitted to each other, there is a possibility that a seam joint of a shell of the multipolar plug may coincide with that of a shell the counter connector, and high-frequency noises may leak through gaps of the coincident seam joints. The invention has been conducted in view of the problem, and provides a multipolar plug which can improve the EMI characteristics of a multipolar connector. According to the invention, when the multipolar plug 2 and the counter connector 4 are fitted to each other, the seam joint 9a of the shell 9 of the multipolar plug 2 is shifted from a seam joint 17a of a shell 17 of the counter connector 4.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a multipolar plug comprising a shield which functions as a countermeasure against EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference).

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is a countermeasure against EMI (hereinafter, referred to as “EMI countermeasure”) for a multipolar connector. In the EMI countermeasure, a shell of a cable-side connector which is configured as a multi-polar male connector (multipolar plug), and that of a board mounted (apparatus-side) connector which is configured as a multipolar female connector (multipolar receptacle) functioning as a fitting counter are used for covering circumferences of fitting portions of the connectors, and formed by metal plates to have a shielding property, respectively. When the cable-side connector and the board mounted connector are fitted to each other, the shells are electrically coupled to each other. In order to reduce the cost and size of the multipolar connector, each of the shells is formed into a tubular shape by applying a pressing process such as a punching process or a bending process on a metal plate. Therefore, the shell has a seam joint which is formed with being centered at the center line so that the strength balance of the shell is maintained (see. Literature 1).

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the above-described conventional art, when the cable-side connector and the board mounted connector are fitted to each other, there is a possibility that the seam joints of the shells may coincide with each other, and high-frequency noises may leak through gaps of the coincident seam joints.

The invention has been conducted in view of above-discussed problem. It is an object of the invention to provide a multipolar plug which can improve the EMI characteristics of a multipolar connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above-discussed problem, according to the invention, in a multipolar plug in which a tubular shell that is a cover for a circumference of a fitting portion for a counter connector is formed by applying a bending process on a metal plate, thereby providing the shell with a shielding property, and the shell has a seam joint, the seam joint is disposed in a position which is biased to one side of a center line of the shell. According to the configuration, when the multipolar plug and the counter connector are fitted to each other, seam joints of the shells are shifted from each other. Therefore, high-frequency noises hardly leak, and the EMI characteristics of a multipolar connector can be improved.

In the counter connector, a tubular shell which is a cover for a circumference of a fitting portion for the multipolar plug is formed by applying a bending process on a metal plate, thereby providing the sell with a shielding property, and the shell has a seam joint. Similarly with the conventional art, the seam joint can be disposed with being centered at the center line of the shell. In the counter connector, therefore, the strength of the shell against prying caused by the multipolar plug is not reduced.

According to the invention, a configuration may be employed where an engagement portion for the counter connector is formed in one face of the shell of the multipolar plug, and the seam joint is disposed in a face opposite to the one face of the shell in which the engagement portion is formed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with miniaturization of a multipolar connector.

According to the invention, a configuration may be employed where a plurality of contacts which are attached to a body made of an insulating material, and which are included in the shell of the multipolar plug contain a plurality of contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals, and the seam joint is disposed outside a region where the plurality of contact pairs are arranged. Therefore, the seam joint of the shell of the multipolar plug is, shifted from a line (the contact pairs) for transmitting high-speed differential signals. Consequently, high-frequency noises more hardly leak, and the EMI characteristics of a multipolar connector can be further improved.

According to the invention, a configuration may be employed where a tubular back shell that is a cover for a portion to which a cable is to be connected is disposed, the back shell is formed by a metal plate, thereby providing the shell with a shielding property, and the shell, the back shell, and a shield of the cable are electrically coupled to one another. In the case where the multipolar plug is configured as a cable-side connector, therefore, it is possible to configure a shield having excellent EMI characteristics.

Effect of the Invention

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a multipolar plug which can improve the EMI characteristics of a multipolar connector.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the invention will be described with reference to a multipolar connector for connecting a cable for a high-speed interface through which electric/electronic apparatuses are connected with each other, with an electric/electronic apparatus. As shown inFIGS. 10 to 14, the multipolar connector is configured by: a cable-side connector (the multipolar plug of the invention)2which is configured as a shielded multipolar male connector that is to be disposed in an end of a shielded composite cable (an example of a cable)1wherein lines for the power supply, video, audio, control, and the like are bundled; and a board mounted (apparatus-side) connector (a counter connector of the multipolar plug of the invention, a multipolar receptacle)4which is configured as a shielded multipolar female connector that is to be mounted on an edge of a board (printed circuit board)3of a digital camera or a portable telephone (an example of the electric/electronic apparatus).

First, the cable-side connector2will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6.FIG. 1is an external view of the cable-side connector2of the embodiment of the invention,FIG. 1Ais a front view of the cable-side connector2,FIG. 1Bis a plan view of the cable-side connector2,FIG. 1Cis a bottom view of the cable-side connector2, andFIG. 1Dis a right side view of the cable-side connector2.FIG. 2is a sectional view of the cable-side connector2shown inFIG. 1B, taken along Y1-Y1,FIG. 3is a perspective view of the body8of the cable-side connector2shown inFIG. 1B, as viewed from an obliquely upper side,FIG. 4is a perspective view of the cable-side connector2shown inFIG. 1Bin a state where a hood11and a back shell cover10are removed, as viewed from an obliquely upper side,FIG. 5is a perspective view of the cable-side connector2shown inFIG. 1Bin a state where the hood11is removed, as viewed from an obliquely upper side, andFIG. 6is an enlarged view of a fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2shown inFIG. 1A.

As shown inFIGS. 1A to 1D, the cable-side connector2has a connecting portion5with respect to the cable1, and the fitting portion6which is a connecting portion with respect to the board mounted connector4. The dash-dot chain line2ainFIGS. 1A to 1Cindicates the center line of the connecting portion5and fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2, i.e., the center line of the cable-side connector2.

As shown inFIGS. 2 to 6, the cable-side connector2is mainly configured by nineteen (an example of plurality) contacts7, the body8, a shell (front shell)9, the back shell cover10, and the hood11.

As shown inFIG. 2, each of the contacts7is configured by a slender electrode terminal which is formed by applying a pressing process such as a punching process or a bending process on a metal plate, and which is elongated in the anteroposterior direction, and is electrically conductive. In the contact7, an engagement portion7afor applying preload, a movable contact portion7bhaving a mountain-like shape, a spring portion7cfor urging a contact, and a fixed portion7dare formed in this sequence in the direction from the front end to the rear side. A soldering portion7eis formed in a rear end portion of the contact7.

As shown inFIGS. 2,3, and6, the body8is made of an insulating material such as plastic, and is electrically insulative. In the body8, a parallelepiped-like contact support basal portion8a, and a rectangular tubular contact support portion8bwhich is projected from the middle of the front face of the contact support basal portion8ain the forward direction (the direction along which the cable-side connector2is inserted to the board mounted connector4) are formed. A counter contact insertion hole8cwhich opens in the front face is formed by a front portion of the contact support portion8b. In the upper and lower opposite side walls of the contact support portion8b, ten contact housing grooves8dwhich are laterally arranged in one row, and which extend in parallel in the anteroposterior direction are formed on the inner surface of the upper side wall, and nine contact housing grooves8dwhich are laterally arranged in one row, and which extend in parallel in the anteroposterior direction are formed on the inner surface of the lower side wall. The upper contact housing grooves8dand the lower contact housing grooves8dare arranged in a zigzag manner so as not to overlap with each other in a plan view.

In the nineteen contacts7, ten contacts7are press inserted into the upper contact housing grooves8dso as to be attached to the upper side wall of the contact support portion8bwhile being laterally arranged in one row and extending in parallel in the anteroposterior direction. In each of the ten contacts7, in this attached state, the fixed portion7dis press inserted and fixed to a rear portion of the upper contact housing groove8d, and the spring portion7c, contact portion7b, and engagement portion7awhich are in front of the fixed portion7dare inserted and housed into a front portion of the upper contact housing groove8dso as to be vertically elastically displaceable. At this time, by a downward urging force of the spring portion7c, the engagement portion7ais engaged from the upper side with the upper side wall of the contact support portion8bin slightly front of the free return position of the spring portion7c, and, in a state where a preload is applied to the movable contact portion7b, the movable contact portion7bis downward projected from the front portion of the contact housing groove8dinto an upper portion of the counter contact insertion hole8c, and held therein. The soldering portion7eis projected to the rear side of the body8.

The remaining nine contacts7are press inserted into the lower contact housing grooves8dso as to be attached to the lower side wall of the contact support portion8bwhile being laterally arranged in one row and extending in parallel in the anteroposterior direction. In each of the nine contacts7, in this attached state, the fixed portion7dis press inserted and fixed to a rear portion of the lower contact housing groove8d, and the spring portion7c, movable contact portion7b, and engagement portion7awhich are in front of the fixed portion7dare inserted and housed into a front portion of the lower contact housing groove8dso as to be vertically elastically displaceable. At this time, by an upward urging force of the spring portion7c, the engagement portion7ais engaged from the lower side with the lower side wall of the contact support portion8bin slightly front of the free return position of the spring portion7c, and, in a state where a preload is applied to the movable contact portion7b, the movable contact portion7bis upward projected from the front portion of the contact housing groove8dinto a lower portion of the counter contact insertion hole8c, and held therein. The soldering portion7eis projected to the rear side of the body8.

In this way, the nineteen contacts7are attached and held to the body8, arranged in the two upper and lower rows, and arranged in a zigzag manner so that the upper contacts7do not overlap with the lower contacts7in a plan view.

As shown inFIGS. 2,4, and5, the shell9is configured by a rectangular metal-made tube which is formed by applying a pressing process such as a punching process or a bending process on a single metal plate, and which is elongated in the anteroposterior direction, and is electrically conductive. As shown also inFIGS. 1A to 1C, the rectangular tubular shape of the shell9is formed by joining the right and left edges of a rectangular metal plate (the shell9in a development state) to each other in the lower side of the shell9, without being centered at the center line2aof the shell9, and in a position which is biased toward the right side (an example of one side) from the center line2aof the shell9. In the shell9having a rectangular tubular shape, therefore, the lower side plate is formed by the right and left end portions of the rectangular metal plate, and a seam joint9abetween the right and left end portions of the rectangular metal plate is disposed in the lower side plate of the shell9, and in the position which is biased toward the right side from the center line2athe shell9. The shape of the seam joint9ais not linear, but formed into a convex and concave shape in which inverted trapezoidal convex concave portions are alternately continuous to one another.

Then, the shell9is fitted onto the contact support portion8bof the body8to which the nineteen contacts7are internally attached and held, to cover the outer surface of the contact support portion8b.

In this way, the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2is configured by the contact support portion8bof the body8to which the nineteen contacts7are internally attached and held, and in which the outer surface is covered by the metal-made shell9having a shielding property. In the fitting portion6, therefore, the seam joint9aof the shell9is disposed in the lower surface, and in the position which is biased toward the right side from the center line2aof the fitting portion6.

In order to enhance the pull-out force required to pull the cable-side connector2out of the board mounted connector4to improve the fitting reliability of the multipolar connector, a cutaway window9bwhich functions as an engagement portion with respect to the board mounted connector4is disposed in the upper side plate of the shell9. The cutaway window9bis disposed in each of two places which are bilaterally symmetric while setting the center line2aof the shell9as the axis of symmetry. In the fitting portion6, the cutaway windows9bwhich function as an engagement portion with respect to the board mounted connector4are disposed in the upper surface, and in the two places which are bilaterally symmetric while setting the center line2aof the fitting portion6as the axis of symmetry.

In this way, the seam joint9aof the shell9is disposed in the face (lower face) opposite to the one face (upper face) of the shell9in which the cutaway windows9bfunctioning as an engagement portion with respect to the board mounted connector4are disposed.

In rear of the shell9, moreover, a back shell body9chaving a U-like section shape which downward opens, and a positioning plate9dare disposed. The back shell body9cis formed integrally with the shell9by an extension portion of the upper side plate of the shell9. The positioning plate9dis formed integrally with the shell9by an extension portion of the lower side plate which is on the left side with respect to the seam joint9aof the shell9, and which has a large lateral width.

The back shell cover10is formed by applying a pressing process such as a punching process or a bending process on a single metal plate, and is electrically conductive. The back shell cover has a U-like section shape which upward opens, so as to cover the back shell body9c.

The back shell body9c, and the back shell cover10which covers the back shell body9cfrom the lower side configure a rectangular tubular back shell which is integrated with the shell9, which is elongated in the anteroposterior direction in rear of the shell9, which is made of a metal, and which has a shielding property.

In the back shell body9cand the back shell cover10, when the back shell cover10covers the back shell body9c, their left side plates overlap with each other, and their right side plates overlap with each other. Therefore, the back shell body9cand the back shell cover10are electrically coupled with each other, and coupled and integrated with each other by the convex-concave fitting of the overlapping side plates. The contact support basal portion8aof the body8is internally fitted to a front portion of the back shell, and the outer surface of the contact support basal portion8aof the body8is covered by the front portion of the back shell. When the contact support basal portion8aof the body8is internally fitted to the front portion of the back shell, the positioning plate9doverlaps with the lower surface of the contact support basal portion8a. By the convex-concave fitting between the lower surface of the contact support basal portion8aand positioning plate9dwhich overlap with each other, the body8and the shell9are positioned with respect to the back shell in the anteroposterior direction.

In rear of the back shell, a cable shield contact piece9ewhich is formed by an extension portion of the upper side plate of the back shell body9c, and a cable crimping piece10awhich is formed by an extension portion of the lower side plate of the back shell cover10are disposed.

The cable-sidle connector2comprises a board12which is used for electrical connection with the cable1, and which is configured by a printed circuit board. The soldering portions7eof the upper contacts7which are projected to the rear side of the body8are soldered to the upper surface of a front end portion of the board12, and the soldering portions7eof the lower contacts7which are projected to the rear side of the body8are soldered to the lower surface of the front end portion of the board12. On the other hand, the ends of the core lines for the power supply, video, audio, control, and the like in the cable1are distributedly soldered to the upper and lower surfaces of the board12, and the nineteen contacts7are electrically connected with the core lines for the power supply, video, audio, control, and the like in the cable1in the rear side of the body8, respectively.

The cable1comprises a cable shield1alocated inside a sheath. In a state where the cable shield1awhich is exposed by a peeling process applied on the sheath in the end of the cable1is contacted with the cable shield contact piece9e, and the cable crimping piece10aembraces the cable shield contact piece9efrom the upper side of the cable shield1a, the piece is crimped and fixed to the end of the cable1, whereby the shield of the cable-side connector2, i.e., the shell9and the back shell, and the cable shield1aare electrically connected to each other, and the back shell of the cable-side connector2is joined to the end of the cable1.

Then, the soldering portions7eof all the contacts7, the board12, and the ends of the core lines for the power supply, video, audio, control, and the like in the cable1are integrally enclosed and sealed by an insulating material such as plastic by means of inner mold. As a result of this sealing, a parallelepiped-like back body13which is in series placed in rear of the body8is formed. The back body13is internally fitted together with the contact support basal portion8aof the body8to the back shell, and the outer surface of the contact support basal portion8aof the body8, and that of the back body13are integrally covered by the back shell. Furthermore, the back shell is enclosed and sealed by an insulating material such as plastic by means of inner mold. As a result of this sealing, the hood11having a long parallelepiped shape is formed.

Therefore, the connecting portion5which functions as a holding portion of the cable-side connector2, and which is to be connected to the cable1is configured in rear of the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2by: the back body13in which the soldering portions7eof all the contacts7, the board12, and the ends of the lines for the power supply, video, audio, control, and the like in the cable1are integrally enclosed and sealed; the contact support basal portion8aof the body8; the back shell into which the back body13and the contact support basal portion8aof the body8are internally fitted, and the outer surface of the back body13, and that of the contact support basal portion8aof the body8are integrally covered, which is made of a metal, and which has a shielding property; and the hood11which embraces and seals the back shell. As a result, the cable-side connector2is completed. The hood11exceeds the crimping portion of the cable1to cover an end portion of the sheath which is not peeled. A cable bush11afor preventing the cable1from being bent is formed in a rear end portion of the hood11which covers the end portion of the sheath.

The nineteen contacts7of the cable-side connector2include a plurality of contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals, and contacts for electrical connection other than transmission of high-speed differential signals. For the sake of convenience, the nineteen contacts7are provided with contact numbers as shown inFIG. 6. Then, two adjacent contacts7Nos.1and3, two adjacent contacts7Nos.4and6, two adjacent contacts7Nos.7and9, and two adjacent contacts7Nos.10and12constitute the contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals, respectively. As described above, the four contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals are arranged while being biased toward the right side. As shown inFIG. 6, therefore, the seam joint9aof the shell9is disposed in a position which is biased to the left side of the center line2aof the shell9. Namely, the direction and distance by which the seam joint9ais biased to one side of the center line2aof the shell9are set so that the seam joint9aseparates from the contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals, and the seam joint9ado not overlap with the contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals in a plan view.

In this way, the seam joint9aof the shell9is disposed outside the region where the four contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals are arranged.

Next, the board mounted connector4which is the counter connector for the above-described cable-side connector2will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 9.FIG. 7is an external view of the board mounted connector4of the embodiment of the invention,FIG. 7Ais a front view of the board mounted connector4,FIG. 7Bis a plan view of the board mounted connector4,FIG. 7Cis a bottom view of the board mounted connector4, andFIG. 7Dis a left side view of the board mounted connector4.FIG. 8is a sectional view of the board mounted connector4shown inFIG. 7B, taken along Y2-Y2.FIG. 9is a perspective view of the body16of the board mounted connector4shown inFIG. 7B, as viewed from an upper oblique side.

As shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D, the board mounted connector4has a fitting portion14which is a connecting portion with respect to the cable-side connector2. The dash-dot chain line4ainFIGS. 7A to 7Cindicates the center line of the fitting portion14, i.e., the center line of the board mounted connector4.

As shown also inFIGS. 8 and 9, the board mounted connector4is configured by nineteen contacts15which are counter contacts with respect to the contacts7of the cable-side connector2, the body16, and a shell17,

Each of the contacts15is configured by an L-like electrode terminal which is formed by applying a pressing process such as a punching process and a bending process on a metal plate, and is electrically conductive. In the contact15, a stationary contact portion15awhich is elongated in the anteroposterior direction, a fixed portion15bwhich is downward elongated from a rear end portion of the stationary contact portion15a, and a soldering portion15cwhich is rearward elongated from a lower end portion of the fixed portion15bare formed.

The body16is made of an insulating material such as plastic, and is electrically insulative. In the body16, a parallelepiped-like contact support basal portion16a, and a rectangular plate-like contact support portion16bwhich is projected from the middle of the front face of the contact support basal portion16ain the forward direction (opposite to the direction along which the cable-side connector2is inserted to the board mounted connector4) are formed.

In ten of the nineteen contacts15, the fixed portions15bare fixed to the contact support basal portion16a, the stationary contact portions15aare fixed in parallel in the anteroposterior direction while being laterally arranged in one row on the upper surface of the contact support portion16b, and the soldering portions15care attached and held onto the body16in a state where the soldering portions15care projected to the lower side of a rear portion of the contact support basal portion16a.

In the remaining nine contacts15, the fixed portions15bare fixed to the contact support basal portion16a, the stationary contact portions15aare fixed in parallel in the anteroposterior direction while being laterally arranged in one row on the lower surface of the contact support portion16b, and the soldering portions15care attached and held onto the body16in a state where the soldering portions are projected to the lower side of a front portion of the contact support basal portion16a.

In this way, the nineteen contacts15are attached and held to the body16, arranged in the two upper and lower rows, and arranged in a zigzag manner so that the upper contacts15do not overlap with the lower contacts15in a plan view.

The shell17is configured by a rectangular metal-made tube which is formed by applying a pressing process such as a punching process and a bending process on a single metal plate, and which is elongated in the anteroposterior direction, and is electrically conductive. The rectangular tubular shape of the shell17is formed by joining the right and left edges of a punched metal plate (the shell17in a development state) to each other in the lower side of the shell17, with being centered at the center line4aof the shell17. In the shell17having a rectangular tubular shape, therefore, the lower side plate is formed by the right and left end portions of the punched metal plate, and a seam joint17abetween the right and left end portions of the punched metal plate is disposed in the lower side plate of the shell17, and centered at the center line4aof the shell17. The shape of the seam joint17ais not linear, but formed into a convex and concave shape in which inverted trapezoidal convex concave portions are alternately continuous to one another.

Then, the body16to which the nineteen contacts15are attached and held is internally fitted to the shell17, the outer surface (excluding the lower face) of the contact support basal portion16aof the body16is covered by a rear portion of the shell17, and the circumference of the contact support portion16bis surrounded by a front portion of the shell17. In the shell17, the rear opening is closed by the contact support basal portion16aof the body16, and the front face is opened.

In this way, the fitting portion14of the board mounted connector4is configured by the shell17that surrounds the circumference of the contact support portion16bof the body16on which the stationary contact portions15aof the nineteen contacts15are arranged, that is made of a metal, and that has a shielding property. In the fitting portion14, therefore, the seam joint17aof the shell17is disposed in the lower surface, and centered at the center line4aof the fitting portion14.

In order to enhance the pull-out force required to pull the cable-side connector2out of the board mounted connector4to improve the fitting reliability of the multipolar connector, a projection17bis disposed which functions as an engagement portion corresponding to one of the cutaway windows9bof the cable-side connector2, and which functions also as a pressing portion for causing the shell9of the cable-side connector2and the shell17of the board mounted connector4to be surely electrically contacted with each other, thereby improving the shielding property of the multipolar connector. The projection17bis formed by a free end portion of a cantilevered plate spring piece17cwhich is formed by partially cutting and raising the upper side plate of the shell17. The plate spring piece17cis elongated in the anteroposterior direction while the rear end is set as a fixed end, and the front end is set as a free end. A front end portion of the piece is bent to form the mountain-like projection17bwhich is downward projected from an inner upper portion of the shell17. The projection17band the plate spring piece17care disposed in two places which are bilaterally symmetric while setting the center line4aof the shell17as the axis of symmetry. In the fitting portion14, therefore, the projections17bwhich are engagement portions and pressing portions with respect the cable-side connector2are disposed on the inner upper surface of the portion, and in the two places which are bilaterally symmetric while setting the center line4aof the fitting portion14as the axis of symmetry.

A grounding terminal17dwhich functions as a mounting terminal with respect to the board3is disposed in the shell17. The grounding terminal17dis downward projected from a total of four places, i.e., middle and rear end portions of right and left side portions of the shell17. The two front and rear grounding terminals17dof the left side are formed by extending portions of the left side plate of the shell17, and the two front and rear grounding terminals17dof the right side are formed by extending portions of the right side plate of the shell17.

As shown inFIGS. 10 to 14, the thus configured board mounted connector4is mounted on an edge portion of the board3. In this mounting, the four grounding terminals17dare inserted and soldered to four grounding through holes3adisposed in the board3. Moreover, the soldering portions of all the contacts15are soldered to land portions (not shown) of the board3which are arranged in two front and rear rows in a zigzag manner.

Next, the function of the multipolar connector which is configured by the cable-side connector2and board mounted connector4that are described above will be described with reference toFIGS. 10 to 14.FIG. 10is a sectional view of the multipolar connector in a state where the cable-side connector2is fitted to the board mounted connector4,FIG. 11is a perspective view of the multipolar connector as viewed from an obliquely upper side, in a state before the cable-side connector2is fitted to the board mounted connector4,FIG. 12is a perspective view of the multipolar connector as viewed from an obliquely upper side, in the state where the cable-side connector2is fitted to the board mounted connector4,FIG. 13is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely upper side, in a state where the multipolar connector in which the cable-side connector2has not yet been fitted to the board mounted connector4is turned upside down, andFIG. 14is a perspective view as viewed from an obliquely upper side, in a state where the multipolar connector in which the cable-side connector2is fitted to the board mounted connector4is turned upside down.

As shown inFIGS. 11 and 13, when the cable-side connector2is to be fitted to the board mounted connector4, in a state where the connecting portion5of the cable-side connector2is held and the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2is butted against the fitting portion14of the board mounted connector4, the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2is inserted and fitted into the fitting portion14of the board mounted connector4. As a result of this insertion and fitting, the contact support portion16bof the board mounted connector4and the stationary contact portions15aof contact15which are arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the contact support portion are inserted into the counter contact insertion hole8cof the cable-side connector2, the movable contact portions7bof the upper contacts7which are projected and held in the upper portion of the counter contact insertion hole8cof the cable-side connector2are pressingly contacted with the stationary contact portions15aof the upper contacts15which are arranged on the upper surface of the contact support portion16b, and the movable contact portions7bof the lower contacts7which are projected and held in the lower portion of the counter contact insertion hole8cof the cable-side connector2are pressingly contacted with the stationary contact portions15aof the lower contacts15which are arranged on the lower surface of the contact support portion16b. As shown inFIGS. 10,12, and14, therefore, the cable1is connected to the board3physically and electrically through the cable-side connector2and the board mounted connector4.

In accordance with the insertion and fitting of the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2to the fitting portion14of the board mounted connector4, the right and left projections17bdisposed on the inner upper surface of the fitting portion14of the board mounted connector4override the upper surface of the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2, in a state where the plate spring piece17cis upward flexed. In accordance with the complete fitting of the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2to the fitting portion14of the board mounted connector4, the right and left cutaway windows9bdisposed on the upper surface of the fitting portion6of the cable-side connector2coincide with the right and left projections17b, and the right and left projections17bare engaged and held to the right and left cutaway windows9bby the urging forces of the plate spring pieces17c. Therefore, the pull-out force required to pull the cable-side connector2out of the board mounted connector4is enhanced, and the fitting reliability of the multipolar connector is improved.

When the right and left projections17bare fitted to the right and left cutaway windows9b, the projections butt against the upper surface of the contact support portion8bof the cable-side connector2to downward press the cable-side connector2by the urging forces of the plate spring pieces17c. Therefore, the lower surface of the shell9of the cable-side connector2is pressingly contacted with the inner lower surface of the shell17of the board mounted connector4, and the shells9,17of the cable-side connector2and the board mounted connector4are surely electrically contacted with each other. Furthermore, the shield (the shell9and the back shell) of the cable-side connector2and the cable shield1aare surely electrically contacted with each other. As a result, the cable shield1a, the shield (the shell9and the back shell) of the cable-side connector2, the shield (the shell17) of the board mounted connector4, the shield (the ground) of the board3are closely coupled to one another to configure a shield having excellent EMI characteristics.

The right and left cutaway windows9bof the cable-side connector2are disposed in the two places which are bilaterally symmetric while setting the center line2aof the fitting portion6as the axis of symmetry. When a pull-out force is applied to the cable-side connector2, therefore, it is possible to prevent the cable-side connector2from being inclined to cause prying. In the case where the right and left cutaway windows9bof the cable-side connector2are disposed in the two places which are asymmetric about the center line2aof the fitting portion6, when a pull-out force is applied to the cable-side connector2, by contrast, the cable-side connector2is inclined to cause prying.

In the board mounted connector4, the right and left projections17band the plate spring pieces17care formed on the side opposite to the board3of the shell17, i.e., the upper side plate of the shell17. Therefore, a countermeasure against high-frequency noises which may leak from cutaway grooves for forming the right and left projections17band the plate spring pieces17ccan be easily taken by using the case of an apparatus, an EMI suppressing sheet, or the like. In the case where the right and left projections17band the plate spring pieces17care formed on the side of the board3of the shell17, by contrast, the case of an apparatus, an EMI suppressing sheet, or the like cannot be used as a countermeasure against high-frequency noises which may leak from cutaway grooves for forming the right and left projections17band the plate spring pieces17c, and hence the countermeasure is hardly realized.

In the cable-side connector2, the seam joint9aof the shell9is disposed in the face (the upper side plate) opposite to the one face (the lower side plate) of the shell9where the cutaway windows9bare disposed. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with miniaturization of the multipolar connector, and, when a pull-out force is applied to the cable-side connector2, it is possible to prevent the seam joint9aof the shell9from being opened by the pull-out force. In the case where the seam joint9aof the shell9and the cutaway windows9bare disposed in the same face of the shell9, by contrast, it is difficult to cope with miniaturization of the multipolar connector, and, when a pull-out force is applied to the cable-side connector2, the seam joint9aof the shell9is opened by the pull-out force.

In the board mounted connector4, the seam joint17aof the shell17is disposed with being centered at the center line4aof the shell17. In the shell17, therefore, the right and left prying strengths caused by the cable-side connector2can be balanced with each other, and the prying resistance of the board mounted connector4is not reduced but can be improved. In the case where the seam joint17aof the shell17is disposed with being biased from the center line4aof the shell17, by contrast, the right and left prying strengths in the shell17caused by the cable-side connector2are made different from each other, and hence the prying resistance of the board mounted connector4is largely impaired.

From the above, the configuration where the cutaway windows9bof the cable-side connector2, and the projections17band plate spring pieces17cof the board mounted connector4are disposed in the upper side plates (opposite to the substrate3) of the shells9,17, that where the cutaway windows9b, and the projections17band the plate spring pieces17care disposed in the two places which are bilaterally symmetric while setting the center lines2a,4aof the shells9,17as the axis of symmetry, that where the seam joints9a,17aof the shells9,17of the cable-side connector2and the board mounted connector4are disposed in the lower side plates (on the side of the board3) of the shells9,17, and that where the seam joint17aof the shell17of the board mounted connector4is disposed with being centered at the center line4aof the shell17are effective.

In the case where the seam joint9aof the shell9of the cable-side connector2is disposed with being centered at the center line2aof the shell9, when the cable-side connector2is fitted to the board mounted connector4, there is a possibility that the seam joint9aof the shell9of the cable-side connector2coincides with the seam joint17aof the shell17of the board mounted connector4and high-frequency noises leak through gaps of the coincident seam joints9a,17a, thereby causing a problem in countermeasure against EMI. As shown inFIG. 13, the seam joint9aof the shell9of the cable-side connector2is disposed in a position which is biased toward the right side from the center line2aof the shell9. When the cable-side connector2is fitted to the board mounted connector4, therefore, the seam joint9aof the shell9of the cable-side connector2is shifted from the seam joint17aof the shell17of the board mounted connector4as shown inFIG. 14. Consequently, high-frequency noises hardly leak, and the EMI characteristics of the multipolar connector can be improved.

In the cable-side connector2, as shown inFIG. 6, the seam joint9aof the shell9is disposed outside the region where the four contact pairs for transmitting high-speed differential signals are arranged. Therefore, the seam joint9aof the shell9is shifted from the line for transmitting high-speed differential signals (the contact pairs of the cable-side connector2and the board mounted connector4). Consequently, high-frequency noises more hardly leak, and the EMI characteristics of the multipolar connector can be further improved. The seam joint9aof the shell9may not have a linear shape, but have a convex and concave shape having a width, and, in accordance with miniaturization of a multipolar connector, a part of the seam joint may overlap with the line for transmitting high-speed differential signals. When the most of the width of the convex and concave shape does not overlap with the line for transmitting high-speed differential signals, however, it is possible to achieve the effect that leakage of high-frequency noises is reduced.

Although the embodiment has been described with reference to a multipolar connector for connecting a cable for a high-speed interface through which electric/electronic apparatuses are connected with each other, with an electric/electronic apparatus, the invention is not limited thereto, and may be variously modified without departing the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS