Hybrid connector

A hybrid connector is disclosed. The hybrid connector comprises a cable, a plug and a connector housing. The cable has an optical waveguide and conductive wires disposed therein. The plug is connected to the cable. The connector housing is configured to mount on the plug. The connector housing is provided with a connector-side locking portion, an optical connection portion and an electrical connection portion.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The Present Application claims priority to prior-filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-173790, entitled “Hybrid Connector,” and filed 27 Jul. 2009, the contents of which is fully incorporated in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION

The Present Application relates generally to a hybrid connector, and more particularly, to a connector having a rigid optical connection area and a flexible electrical connection area.

In a conventional electronic device, such as a personal computer, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital or video camera, a music player, a game machine or a car navigation device, in order to realize both a decrease in the overall size of the casing and an increase in the size of the display screen, the casing may be preferably configured to be collapsible. In such a case, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and conductive wires such as a fine coaxial cable may be arranged to pass through the inside of a hinge portion, allowing a casing to be pivotably connected with another so that signals can be parallely transmitted.

Although an increased signal transmission speed is necessary to increase image resolution, there is a limit to increasing the inside dimension of the hinge portion. Thus, it is impractical to arrange a conductive wire having a large width and/or diameter. In addition, to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI), the conductive wire must become larger in width and/or diameter. In this regard, a method of optical transmission is preferred, capable of transmitting a large amount of signals and providing an excellent EMI countermeasure. An example is illustrated and described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-275717.

Another example is illustrated inFIG. 8. InFIG. 8, an opto-electrical hybrid board801includes a plurality of electrical terminals851arranged on a surface thereof, and an optical semiconductor device872(e.g., a light receiving element or a light emitting element). A plug of an opto-electrical hybrid connector920, connected to the board801, includes a plug housing930connected to an optical fiber901and an electrical wire951. An optical path conversion portion is mounted to the plug housing930, and is connected to an extreme end of a core portion911of the optical fiber901so as to change a direction of light transmitted thereto to about a right angle, and a connector terminal952which is connected to an extreme end of the electrical wire951.

When the board801is connected to the plug920, a lower end of the connector terminal952is brought into tight contact with an upper face of the electrical terminal851. At the same time, a lower surface of the optical path conversion portion961opposes the optical semiconductor device872. Thus, the electrical wire951is connected to the electrical terminal851and transmits/receives signals to/from the electrical terminal851, and the core portion911of the optical fiber901transmits/receives optical signals to/from the semiconductor device872.

However, since the conventional connector is not provided with any special mechanism for achieving a positioning of the plug920and the board801, it is difficult to perform a connecting operation. Usually, when the core portion911is optically connected to the optical semiconductor device872, regardless of the presence of the optical path conversion portion961, the positioning of the optical paths of the core portion911and the optical semiconductor device872require a high degree of precision. For this reason, connecting the plug920and the board801together without an appropriate mechanism for achieving positioning is extremely difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION

Therefore, it is an object of the Present Application to obviate the above-described problems encountered by the conventional hybrid connector, and to provide a hybrid connector having a configuration wherein a connector-side locking portion of a connector housing is engaged with a plug-side locking portion of a plug housing, to achieve a positioning of a plug relative to the connector housing; and wherein a plug-side optical connection portion has a higher rigidity than a plug-side electrical connection portion. As a result, errors of a lock mechanism may be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the positioning of the plug relative to the connector housing in an accurate and easy manner and to simplify the structure of the lock mechanism. Accordingly, the hybrid connector can be produced to have a small size and a simple structure at a low cost with high durability and good operability.

Therefore, a hybrid connector according to the Present Application includes a cable having formed therein an optical waveguide and conductive wires; a plug having the cable connected thereto; and a connector housing configured to mount thereon the plug, wherein: the connector housing is provided with a connector-side locking portion, an optical connection portion, and an electrical connection portion; the plug is provided with a plug-side locking portion, a plug-side optical connection portion, and a plug-side electrical connection portion, the plug-side optical connection portion having a higher rigidity than the plug-side electrical connection portion; and, when the plug-side locking portion is engaged with the connector-side locking portion so that the plug is mounted on the connector housing, the plug-side optical connection portion and the plug-side electrical connection portion oppose the optical connection portion and the electrical connection portion, respectively.

The hybrid connector according to another embodiment of the Present Application has a configuration such that the connector-side locking portion includes a first connector-side locking portion, which is arranged close to the optical connection portion, and a second connector-side locking portion, which is arranged close to the electrical connection portion; the plug-side locking portion includes a first plug-side locking portion, which is arranged close to the plug-side optical connection portion, and a second plug-side locking portion, which is arranged close to the plug-side electrical connection portion; and, when the first connector-side locking portion and the first plug-side locking portion are engaged together, and the second connector-side locking portion and the second plug-side locking portion are engaged together, the connector housing and the plug are locked.

The hybrid connector according to a further embodiment of the Present Application has a configuration in which the plug is provided with a plug housing which has formed therein the first plug-side locking portion, and a locking plate capable of being elastically deformed and attached to the plug housing and which has formed therein the second plug-side locking portion; the plug-side optical connection portion is included in a portion of the cable, which is fixed in a state of being positioned relative to the plug housing; and, the plug-side electrical connection portion is included in a portion of the cable, which opposes the locking plate.

The hybrid connector according to a still further embodiment of the Present Application has a configuration such that the first connector-side locking portion is configured to press the first plug-side locking portion in a direction towards a bottom surface of the connector housing; and, the second connector-side locking portion is configured to hold the second plug-side locking portion in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector housing.

The hybrid connector according to a still further embodiment of the Present Application has a configuration such that the position at which the second connector-side locking portion and the second plug-side locking portion are engaged together is located closer to the bottom surface of the connector housing than the position of an upper surface of the optical connection portion.

The hybrid connector according to a still further embodiment of the Present Application has a configuration such that the cable is provided with a cable-side guide portion; the plug housing is provided with a plug-side guide portion; the connector housing is provided with a connector-side guide portion; and, the plug-side guide portion is engaged with the cable-side guide portion to achieve a positioning of the cable and the plug housing and be engaged with the connector-side guide portion to achieve a positioning of the connector housing and the plug.

The hybrid connector according to a still further embodiment of the Present Application has a configuration such that two or more plug-side locking portions are provided so that at least one is formed on each of a front end and a rear end of the plug housing; and, two or more connector-side locking portions are provided so that at least one is formed on each of a front end and a rear end of the connector housing.

In accordance with the Present Application, the hybrid connector has a configuration in which the connector-side locking portion of the connector housing is engaged with the plug-side locking portion of the plug housing to achieve the positioning of the plug relative to the connector housing, and the plug-side optical connection portion has a higher rigidity than the plug-side electrical connection portion. Due to such a configuration, errors of the lock mechanism are absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the positioning of the plug relative to the connector housing in an accurate and easy manner and to simplify the structure of the lock mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a hybrid connector which can be produced to have a small size and a simple structure at a low cost with high durability and good operability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the Present Application may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Application, and is not intended to limit the Present Application to that as illustrated.

In the illustrated embodiments, directional representations—i.e., up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Application, are relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed accordingly.

InFIG. 1, a receptacle connector1, as one of a pair of hybrid connectors, is a board-side connector mounted on a non-illustrated board (e.g., a circuit board) and constitutes a part of an optical connector for establishing a connection to a cable101. In the Present Application, the cable101is a hybrid cable having integrated therewith an optical waveguide and conductive wires151. Specifically, the cable101may be one in which a flexible flat plate-like cable is laminated onto one surface of a strip-like optical waveguide to form an integrated body, and/or one in which a conductive pattern is formed on one surface of a strip-like optical waveguide. In addition, a plug housing130is attached to an end portion of the cable101, and a plug120, which is a counterpart hybrid connector, is formed in the end portion. Moreover, the plug120engages the receptacle connector1, whereby the cable101is connected to the receptacle connector1.

Although the purpose of the cable101is not limited, it may be used in a personal computer, a cellular phone, a PDA, a digital camera, a video camera, a music player, a game machine or a car navigation device. Specifically, it may be useful in an electronic device in which a casing is divided into a plurality of parts, and neighboring parts are rotatably connected with each other, so that the cable is wired to pass through an inside of a hinge portion that rotatably connects the neighboring division parts. Moreover, the cable101should be capable of transmitting signals through serial transmission via the optical waveguide, for example, is an excellent EMI countermeasure, and is thus suitably used for high-speed transmission of a large amount of signals. Furthermore, the receptacle connector1should be suitably mounted on a surface of a board arranged within a casing of the electronic device or apparatus.

The receptacle connector1is provided with a connector housing11, integrally formed of an insulating material, and a first connector-side locking portion22and a second connector-side locking portion23, which are integrally formed of an elastically deformable material and attached to the connector housing11. The first connector-side locking portion22and the second connector-side locking portion23constitute a part of a locking mechanism for locking the plug120and the connector housing11.

The connector housing11is a plate-like member having a generally rectangular shape. The connector housing11is provided with a pair of side wall portions12extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, a front-end wall portion13extending in the width direction in a front end thereof so as to connect the side wall portions12at both sides thereof, a rear-end wall portion15extending in the width direction in a rear end thereof so as to connect the side wall portions12at both sides thereof, and a partition wall portion35extending in the width direction between the front-end wall portion13and the rear-end wall portion15so as to connect the side wall portions12at both sides thereof. The side wall portions12, the front-end wall portion13, the rear-end wall portion15and the partition wall portion35have upper surfaces which are substantially even with each other. The connector housing11is further provided with an optical connection portion16and an electrical connection portion17arranged in tandem in the longitudinal direction from a front end toward a rear end. The optical connection portion16and the electrical connection portion17are concave and are downwardly depressed from the upper surfaces of the side wall portions12, the front-end wall portion13, the rear-end wall portion15and the partition wall portion35, and are partitioned by the partition wall portion35.

The front-end wall portion13has a concave front guide portion14formed therein, and the first connector-side locking portion22is arranged in a front lock accommodation-concave portion14aof the concave front guide portion14. A base end22bof the first connector-side locking portion22is attached to the front-end wall portion13such that the base end22bis embedded in the front-end wall portion13by a manufacturing method (e.g., over-molding).

The concave front guide portion14is configured to guide a front crossbar portion122formed in the front end of the plug120therein, and is provided with a first concave positioning portion14b. The first concave positioning portion14bengages a first convex positioning portion131aformed in the front crossbar portion122of the plug120, thereby achieving a positioning of the connector housing11relative to the plug120with high precision.

The rear-end wall portion15is provided with a cable accommodation-concave portion15athat accommodates a portion of the cable101, and a rear lock accommodation-concave portion15bformed adjacent to the front side of the cable accommodation-concave portion15a. The rear lock accommodation-concave portion15bhas a width slightly larger than that of the cable accommodation-concave portion15a, and a second connector-side locking portion23which constitutes a part of the lock mechanism for locking the plug120and the connector housing11and is attached to each of a pair of opposite inner side surfaces thereof. The second connector-side locking portions23have an approximate L-shape and have flat base ends which are attached to the rear-end wall portion15such that they are embedded in the rear-end wall portion15by a manufacturing method (e.g., over-molding). A concave locking portion23a, formed in the portion erected from each of the base ends, is configured to be engaged with a convex locking portion142cof a locking plate141of the plug120. The opposing surfaces of the left and right second connector-side locking portions23, having formed therein the concave locking portions23a, are preferably tapered so that the distance between the upper ends thereof is larger than the distance between the lower ends thereof.

The partition wall portion35is provided with a concave rear guide portion35athat is configured to accommodate therein a portion of the plug housing130and a second concave positioning portion35bthat is opened to the bottom surface of the concave rear guide portion35a. The second concave positioning portion35bis configured to be engaged with a second convex positioning portion131bthat is formed in the plug120, thereby achieving a positioning of the plug120relative to the connector housing11with high precision.

The plug housing130of the plug120is an approximately rectangular plate-like member, and a concave plug front end portion132configured to be engaged with the first connector-side locking portion22is formed at a front end thereof. The concave plug front end portion132constitutes a part of the lock mechanism for locking the plug120and the connector housing11and is provided with a later-described first plug-side locking portion132awhich is configured as a convex portion. The plug housing130is attached to a locking plate141that includes a second plug-side locking portion. The locking plate141is a member that is integrally formed of an elastically deformable material such as metal or synthetic resin and is attached to the connector housing11, and is provided with a later-described base portion144that is attached to the plug housing130and an actuation portion142that is connected to the base portion144so as to rearwardly extend from the rear end of the plug housing130.

The actuation portion142is connected to the base portion144via a curved portion143protruding upwardly from the base portion144and is configured to be inclined relative to the base portion144when seen from a lateral direction. The inclination angle of the actuation portion142relative to the base portion144can be changed by adjusting the shape of the curved portion143. Since the whole body of the locking plate141is formed of an elastically deformable material, the downward pressing force of the actuation portion142against the cable101can be adjusted by changing the inclination angle.

The actuation portion142is a member generally having a bifurcated fork-like or tuning fork-like shape from a top plan view thereof. The actuation portion142is provided with an actuator body portion142athat is connected to the curved portion143, a pair of actuator arms142bthat are extended rearwardly from the actuator body portion142a, a manipulation portion142dthat is formed at the rear end of each of the actuator arms142b, and a convex locking portion142cas the second plug-side locking portion, which is formed at the front side of the manipulation portion142dand constitutes a part of the lock mechanism for locking the plug120and the connector housing11. The manipulation portions142dare convex portions that are formed to protrude upwardly, and are configured to deform elastically the left and right actuator arms142bwhen the left and right manipulation portions142dare squeezed by an operator's fingers, thereby narrowing the gap between the actuator arms142b. The convex locking portions142care convex portions that protrude laterally outward from the left and right side surfaces of the actuation portion142, and are configured to protrude more than the side surfaces of the cable101in a non-operating state of the manipulation portions142dand be engaged with the concave locking portions23aof the second connector-side locking portions23.

Moreover, the plug120is thin, plate-like and has a rectangular shape from a top plan view thereof, and is configured such that when the plug120is mounted on the connector housing11, the plug120is accommodated in the concave front guide portion14, the optical connection portion16, the concave rear guide portion35a, the electrical connection portion17, and the cable accommodation-concave portion15aand positioned to be substantially even with the upper surfaces of the side wall portions12, the front-end wall portion13, the rear-end wall portion15, and the partition wall portion35. Due to such a configuration, the height of the hybrid connector will not increase even if the plug120and the receptacle connector1are engaged.

The optical connection portion16is a portion that transmits/receives light to/from an optical waveguide of the cable101and is configured as a concave portion capable of receiving therein an optical device such as a non-illustrated control IC or the like as a light receiving/emitting control device that is provided with a control circuit for controlling an optical semiconductor device72such as a light receiving element or a light emitting element72. In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, the optical connection portion16has a configuration such that an upper surface of the concave portion is at least partially sealed by a thin plate-like sealing plate41that is formed of a translucent material such as glass.

The optical connection portion16is configured to receive therein optical terminals61that are formed of a conductive material such as metal and connected to the optical semiconductor device72or the control IC. The optical terminals61are provided with tail portions63as a board connection portion connected, by soldering or the like, to connection pads formed on a surface of a board so that the tail portions63protrude outward from the side surfaces of the connector housing11.

The electrical connection portion17is a portion that is electrically connected to the conductive wires151of the cable101and is configured as a concave portion capable of receiving therein electrical connection terminals51formed of a conductive material such as metal. The electrical connection terminals51are provided with contact portions that are formed in the vicinity of free ends thereof and are curved so as to be convex toward the upper side and tail portions53as a board connection portion connected, by soldering or the like, to connection pads formed on a surface of a board, so that the tail portions53are projected outward from the side surfaces of the connector housing11.

Although the cable101is a thin-plate member having an elongated strip shape, only a portion in the vicinity of a front end thereof (the upper left end inFIG. 2B) is illustrated inFIGS. 2-3. Moreover, a connection end portion as a plug connection portion102is formed within a range of a predetermined length from a front end surface102bthereof.

On the lower surface of the cable101, a plurality of lines, e.g., six lines of foil-like conductive wires151formed of a conductive material such as metal is arranged in parallel with one another at a predetermined pitch on a non-illustrated insulating layer of the cable101. Furthermore, the insulating layer is removed in the connection end portion102so that the lower surface of the conductive wires151is exposed.

In addition, connection pad portions152having a large width are formed at distal ends of the respective conductive wires151. The respective connection pad portions152are formed at positions corresponding to the contact portions of the electric connection terminals51received in the electric connection portion17of the connector housing11in a state where the cable101is connected to the receptacle connector1. Moreover, a portion within the range, where the connection pad portions152are arranged, functions as a plug-side electric connection portion153. Although the connection pad portions152may be arranged in an arbitrary form, it is preferable that they are arranged in parallel, and arranged in tandem in an axial direction of the cable101, as illustrated in the drawing figures. Owing to this configuration, it is possible to arrange a number of connection pad portions152without needing to increase the width of the connection end portion102, and as a result, it is possible to suppress any increase in the width dimension of the plug120. When the conductive wires151have a sufficiently large width, it is not necessary to form large-width connection pad portions152, but it is possible to allow distal ends of the conductive wires151to function per se as the connection pad portions152.

In the present embodiment, the cable101has an optical waveguide laminated on the conductive wires151. The optical waveguide is provided with a core portion111serving as a light transmission path which extends in the axial direction of the cable101to transmit light therethrough and a plate-shaped clad portion which is configured to surround the core portion111. In the example illustrated in the drawing figure, although the number of core portions111is two, the number may be one or may be three or more and may be set arbitrarily.

Moreover, although a transmission mode of the optical waveguide may be any one of a single mode and a multi mode, in this example, it will be described as being a single mode. Furthermore, a refractive index of the clad portion is preferably set to a value lower than a refractive index of the core portion111. Furthermore, the core portion111and the clad portion may be formed of any kinds of materials as long as they can satisfy the above-mentioned refractive index requirements. For example, the core portion111and the clad portion may be formed of a silicon board, a glass board, or a flexible resin film. In this specification, a description of an example where the core portion111and the clad portion are formed of a flexible resin film will be provided.

The conductive wires151are conductive wires of a flexible circuit board, which is called FPC, for example, and are arranged on the lower surface (the upper surface inFIG. 2) of the optical waveguide in parallel with one another at a predetermined pitch so as to extend in the axial direction of the cable101. Moreover, in the connection end portion102, a plug-side optical connection portion163is defined in a portion of the core portion111disposed closer to the front end thereof than the connection pad portions152, where the plug-side optical connection portion161is formed. The optical path conversion portion161is provided with a later-described slope surface162functioning as a minor surface and is capable of changing a direction of light transmitted from the optical waveguide to about a right angle. That is, the optical path conversion portion161changes an optical path extending in an axial direction of the cable101to an optical path extending in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the cable101. Owing to this configuration, light transmitted through the optical waveguide can be emitted toward the lower side from the lower surface of the cable101, and light incident onto the lower surface of the cable101from the lower side can be introduced to the optical waveguide. The optical path conversion portion161is formed at a position corresponding to the optical semiconductor device72received in the optical connection portion16of the connector housing11in a state where the cable101is connected to the receptacle connector1.

The plug housing130includes a plug housing body121configured as a rectangular frame-like member extending in an axial direction of the cable101and a plug top plate126configured as a rectangular plate-like member extending in the axial direction of the cable101. The plug housing body121is a member integrally formed with the plug top plate126of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and is provided with a pair of sidewall portions124extending in the long-axis direction, and a front crossbar portion122configured to connect front ends of the sidewall portions124with each other.

The front crossbar portion122functions as a plug-side guide portion of the plug120, and is provided with a concave plug front end portion132and a first plug-side locking portion132awhich are engaged with the first connector-side locking portion22. When the plug120is mounted on the connector housing11, the front crossbar portion122is inserted into the concave front guide portion14. Then, the first connector-side locking portion22comes into the concave plug front end portion132engaged with the first plug-side locking portion132a.

Moreover, a first convex positioning portion131aas a plug-side guide portion is formed on the rear end surface of the front crossbar portion122so as to be engaged not only with a cable-side front concave portion102dwhich is formed in the front end surface102bof the connection end portion102of the cable101, but also with the first concave positioning portion14bof the concave front guide portion14. In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, the first convex positioning portion131ais a columnar member having a semi-circular shape that protrudes rearwardly from a top plan view thereof. However, the top view shape thereof is not necessarily the semi-circular shape, but may be any shape as long as it protrudes rearwardly and has such a shape as to be inserted into and engaged with the cable-side front concave portion102dand the first concave positioning portion14bto achieve the positioning. For example, the bottom view shape may be a trapezoidal or triangular shape. In the present embodiment, it will be described that the first convex positioning portion131ais a columnar member having such a shape that includes at least a circular arc-shaped portion from a top plan view thereof.

Moreover, cable-side front concave portions102dhave a rearwardly depressed shape are formed in the front end surface102bof the connection end portion102of the cable101. The cable-side front concave portions102dare concave portions formed by excising a portion of the flat plate-like cable101, and in which portions thereof close to the front end surface102bare open and portions thereof close to the rear end are closed. Moreover, the cable-side front concave portions102dare cable-side guide portions, and, as described above, are configured engage the first convex positioning portions131aof the plug housing130, thereby functioning as the cable-side guide portion for achieving the positioning of the cable101relative to the plug housing130. For this purpose, at least a portion of each of the side walls of the cable-side front concave portions102d, corresponding to the closed innermost portion has a circular arc shape which corresponds to the circular arc-like side view shape of the first convex positioning portions131a, from a side view thereof. That is to say, the cable-side front concave portions102dare concave portions having such a shape that includes at least a circular arc-shaped portion from a top plan view thereof. The top view shape of portions of the side walls of the cable-side front concave portions102dcorresponding to the innermost portion is not necessarily the circular arc shape, but may be any shape as long as it has such a shape as to be engaged with the first convex positioning portions131a. For example, the top view shape may be a triangular shape or generally a V shape that includes two oblique side portions being inclined in mutually opposite directions to the longitudinal direction of the cable-side front concave portions102d.

Furthermore, second convex positioning portions131bas plug-side guide portions are formed in the inner side surfaces of the left and right side wall portions124so as to be engaged not only with the cable-side laterally concave portions102cas cable-side guide portions which are formed to be laterally depressed from the side surfaces102aof the cable101, but also with the second concave positioning portions35bof the concave rear guide portion35a. In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, the second convex positioning portions131bare columnar members having a circular shape from a top plan view thereof, and half of the top view shape protrudes inwardly from each of the side wall portions124. The top view shape of the second convex positioning portions131bis not necessarily the circular shape, but may be any shape as long as it has such a shape that at least a portion thereof protrudes inwardly and is inserted and engaged with the cable-side laterally concave portion102cand the second concave positioning portion35b. For example, the top view shape may be a trapezoidal or triangular shape. In the present embodiment, it will be described that the second convex positioning portion131bis a columnar member having such a shape that includes at least a circular arc-shaped portion from a top plan view thereof.

Moreover, cable-side laterally concave portions102care formed on both side surfaces102aof the connection end portion102of the cable101so as to be depressed toward the center in the width direction of the cable101. The cable-side laterally concave portions102care concave portions which are formed by excising a portion of the flat plate-like cable101, and in which portions thereof near to the side faces102aare open and portions thereof near to the center in the width direction of the cable101are closed. Moreover, the cable-side laterally concave portions102care cable-side guide portions, and as described above, are configured to be engaged with the convex guide portions131bof the plug housing130, thereby functioning as a positioning guide portion for achieving positioning of the cable101relative to the plug housing130. For this purpose, at least a portion of each of the side walls of the cable-side laterally concave portions102c, corresponding to the closed innermost portion has a circular arc shape which corresponds to a circular arc shape of the second convex positioning portions131b, from a side view thereof. That is to say, the cable-side laterally concave portions102care concave portions having such a shape that includes at least a circular arc-like portion, from a top plan view thereof. The top view shape of portions of the side walls of the cable-side laterally concave portions102ccorresponding to the innermost portion is not necessarily the circular arc shape, but may be any shape as long as it has such a shape as to be engaged with the second convex positioning portions131b. For example, the top view shape may be a triangular shape or generally a V shape that includes two oblique side portions being inclined in mutually opposite directions to the longitudinal direction of the cable-side laterally concave portions102c.

The thickness dimension of the side wall portions124is equal to the thickness dimension of the connection end portion102of the cable101. Moreover, the front crossbar portion122, the first convex positioning portions131a, and the second convex positioning portions131bare configured to protrude downward from at least the lower surfaces of the side wall portions124. That is to say, as illustrated inFIG. 2D, in a state where the plug housing130is attached to the connection end portion102of the cable101, the front crossbar portion122, the first convex positioning portions131aand the second convex positioning portions131bprotrude downward from the lower surface of the connection end portion102.

Moreover, when the cable-side front concave portions102dand the cable-side laterally concave portions102care inserted into and engaged with the first convex positioning portions131aand the second convex positioning portions131b, respectively, the positioning in the width direction of the connection end portion102of the cable101relative to the plug housing130and the positioning in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the cable101relative to the plug housing130are achieved, respectively. The connection end portion102is preferably fixed to the plug housing130, and in this case, the connection end portion102may be fixedly secured to the plug housing130by securing means such as adhesive and may be integrated with the plug housing130by methods such as over-molding.

The base portion144of the locking plate141is attached to the plug housing130. In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, the base portion144has a body thereof having an approximately rectangular shape and is provided with rear-attachment leg portions144aconfigured to protrude laterally outward from the rear end of the body and front-attachment leg portions144bconfigured to protrude laterally outward from the front end of the body. The connection end portion102of the cable101is attached to the plug housing130so that an upper surface thereof makes abutting contact with the lower surface of the base portion144. That is to say, the base portion144is positioned in a state of being sandwiched between the plug top plate126and the connection end portion102of the cable101. The base portion144may be fixedly secured to the plug housing130by securing means such as adhesive and may be integrated with the plug housing130by methods such as over-molding.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, in a state where the manipulation portion142dis not operated by the operator, the convex locking portions142care in a state of protruding more than the side surfaces of the cable101. The portions of the locking plate141other than the convex locking portions142cpreferably do not protrude more than the side surfaces of the cable101in order to achieve miniaturization of the plug120. Moreover, as illustrated inFIGS. 3C and 3D, in a state where the operator operates manipulation portion142dto deform elastically the left and right actuator arms142b, thus narrowing the distance between them, the convex locking portions142cpreferably do not protrude more than the side surfaces of the cable101.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIGS. 2C and 2D, in a state where the plug housing130is attached to the connection end portion102of the cable101, the rear end of the plug housing130is positioned at a further rear side rather than the optical path conversion portion161and at a further front side rather than the plug-side electrical connection portion153. That is to say, the optical path conversion portion161is fixed to the plug housing130, and the plug-side electrical connection portion153is not fixed to the plug housing130. More specifically, the optical path conversion portion161is positioned between the first convex positioning portion131aand the second convex positioning portion131bin the axial direction of the cable101. The upper surface of the cable101corresponding to the optical path conversion portion161is supported by making abutting contact with the plug top plate126. On the contrary, the upper surface of the cable101corresponding to the optical path conversion portion161is in abutting or close contact with the actuation portion142of the locking plate141but is not supported.

Therefore, in the formed plug120in which the plug housing130is attached to the connection end portion102of the cable101, the portion which is included in the plug-side optical connection portion163and corresponds to the optical path conversion portion161has rigidity and is made solid. On the contrary, the portion of the cable101corresponding to the plug-side electrical connection portion153has flexibility and is made flexible. Therefore, since the portion of the plug120corresponding to the optical path conversion portion161is made solid, it is possible to perform the positioning relative to the connector housing11in an accurate and easy manner. Moreover, since the portion of the plug120corresponding to the plug-side electrical connection portion153is made flexible, it is possible to absorb the errors of the lock mechanism to lock certainly the plug120and the connector housing11.

First, as illustrated inFIG. 5A, the plug120is positioned above the connector housing11. In this case, the lower surface of the plug120; that is, the exposed surface of the connection pad portions152, opposes the upper surface of the connector housing11. At the same time, the front crossbar portion122which is disposed at the front end of the plug housing130is moved obliquely downward so as to be inserted into the rear end of the concave front guide portion14.

Subsequently, the plug120is moved so that the front crossbar portion122of the plug housing130is moved obliquely downward further, and as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 5B, the convex engagement portion22aof the first connector-side locking portion22is relatively inserted into the concave plug front end portion132to be engaged with the first plug-side locking portion132a. In this way, the front crossbar portion122of the plug housing130is guided by the concave front guide portion14, and the concave plug front end portion132is guided by the first connector-side locking portion22, whereby the rough positioning in the width direction of the connector housing11and the plug120is carried out.

Subsequently, the plug housing130is continuously pressed frontward so that the plug120is rotated clockwise about the first plug-side locking portion132awhile maintaining the engagement state between the first plug-side locking portion132aand the convex engagement portion22aof the first connector-side locking portion22, whereby the rear end of the plug120is lowered to come close to the connector housing11, as illustrated inFIGS. 4B and 5C.

Subsequently, the plug120is rotated further and the rear end of the plug120is lowered further so that, as illustrated inFIGS. 4C-Dand5D, the rear end portion of the plug housing130is received in the concave rear guide portion35aand the cable101is accommodated in the cable accommodation-concave portion15a. In this way, the optical path conversion portion161is positioned so as to oppose the optical connection portion16of the receptacle connector1, and the plug-side electrical connection portion153is positioned so as to oppose the electrical connection portion17of the receptacle connector1. Moreover, the first convex positioning portion131aof the plug housing130is engaged with the first concave positioning portion14bof the connector housing11, and the second convex positioning portion131bof the plug housing130is engaged with the second concave positioning portion35bof the connector housing11.

At this time, the operator squeezes the left and right manipulation portions142dwith the fingers, thus displacing the left and right actuator arms142bto narrow the distance between them, as illustrated inFIG. 4C. When the convex locking portions142care lowered so that the height position thereof reaches the height position of the concave locking portions23aof the second connector-side locking portions23, the operator releases the fingers from the left and right manipulation portions142d. Then, the left and right actuator arms142breturn to their original position by the restoring properties thereof so as to increase the distance between them, whereby the left and right convex locking portions142care inserted into and engaged with the concave locking portions23aof the second connector-side locking portions23.

In this way, the convex locking portions142care held by the concave locking portions23ain a state of being immovable in a direction, namely the vertical direction, perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector housing11. The concave locking portions23ahave a front-rear dimension thereof larger than that of the convex locking portions142cand are formed so as to allow the convex locking portions142cto be displaced in the front-rear direction, namely the axial direction of the cable101. In this way, the convex locking portions142cof the locking plate141are locked at the second connector-side locking portions23.

The opposing surfaces of the left and right second connector-side locking portions23, having formed therein the concave locking portions23amay be configured as tapered surfaces so that the distance between the upper ends thereof is larger than the distance between the lower ends thereof. In such a case, even when the operator squeezes the left and right manipulation portions142dso that the left and right actuator arms142bare not severely displaced, by lowering the convex locking portions142calong the surfaces of the second connector-side locking portions23, the distance between the left and right actuator arms142bcan be narrowed, as illustrated inFIG. 4C. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the operation of locking the convex locking portions142cand the second connector-side locking portions23.

As illustrated inFIG. 5D, the first plug-side locking portion132aand the convex engagement portion22aof the first connector-side locking portion22are maintained at their engagement state. Specifically, the first plug-side locking portion132awhich is a convex portion is pressed against and received below the convex engagement portion22aof the first connector-side locking portion22having elastic properties, and an engagement surface132cat the upper end of the first plug-side locking portion132ais in tight contact with and engaged with the lower surface of the convex engagement portion22a. Therefore, the first plug-side locking portion132ais locked in a state of being pressed toward an obliquely rear lower side by the spring force exerted by the first connector-side locking portion22. As a result, the front end of the plug120is locked at the connector housing11.

As illustrated inFIG. 5D, the first plug-side locking portion132a, which protrudes from the front end of the plug housing130and is not upwardly supported by the connector housing11, receives a downward force by the spring force exerted by the first connector-side locking portion22. Therefore, a rotation that causes the first plug-side locking portion132ato be displaced downward, namely a counterclockwise movement inFIG. 5D, is applied to the plug120. Thus, although the actuator arms142breceive a force in a direction where the actuator arms142bare displaced upwardly, since the distal ends thereof are engaged with the concave locking portions23aof the second connector-side locking portions23, they will not be displaced upwardly. On the contrary, since as a reaction, the actuator arms142breceive a force, namely a downward force, in a direction from the concave locking portions23ato the bottom surface of the connector housing11, the locking plate141generally exerts a force that downwardly presses the cable101, whereby the cable101is securely connected to the receptacle connector1.

In this way, when the plug120is positioned relative to the connector housing11so that their relative positions are fixed, the plug120is engaged with and locked at the receptacle connector1, whereby the cable101is securely connected to the receptacle connector1. When the engagement between the cable101and the receptacle connector1is released, an operation the reverse of the above-described operation is performed.

As described above, when the cable101is connected to the receptacle connector1, the operator frontwardly presses the plug housing130continuously so that the engagement state between the first plug-side locking portion132aand the convex engagement portion22aof the first connector-side locking portion22is maintained. Therefore, immediately after the plug120is positioned at such a state as illustrated inFIGS. 4D and 5D, the positioning of the plug120and the connector housing11is not yet completed, but the plug120and the connector housing11are positioned in such a state as illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6C.

That is to say, the front crossbar portion122of the plug120is inserted into and engaged with the concave front guide portion14of the connector housing11, and the first convex positioning portion131aof the front crossbar portion122is inserted into and engaged with the first concave positioning portion14bof the concave front guide portion14. However, the first convex positioning portion131aand the first concave positioning portion14bare not in abutting or interfering contact with each other. Therefore, the positioning in the axial and width directions of the plug120by the first convex positioning portion131aand the first concave positioning portion14bis not yet completed.

In the figures, the first concave positioning portion14bis a concave portion having a semi-circular shape that is depressed rearwardly from a top plan view thereof. However, the top view shape thereof is not necessarily the semi-circular shape, but may be any shape as long as it is depressed rearwardly and has such a shape as to be inserted into and engaged with the first convex positioning portion131ato achieve the positioning. For example, the top view shape may be a trapezoidal or triangular shape. In the present embodiment, it will be described that the first concave positioning portion14bis a concave portion having such a shape that includes at least a circular arc-shaped portion from a top plan view thereof.

Moreover, the second convex positioning portion131bis inserted into and engaged with the second concave positioning portion35bthat is opened to the bottom surface of the concave rear guide portion35aof the connector housing11. However, the positioning in the width direction of the plug120by the second convex positioning portion131band the second concave positioning portion35bis not yet completed. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in the drawing figures, the second concave positioning portion35bhas a generally rectangular or elliptical shape that is long in the axial direction of the plug120, from a top plan view thereof, and is configured to include a large-width portion35b1disposed at the vicinity of a front end thereof and a small-width portion35b2disposed at the vicinity of a rear end thereof.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6C, since the second convex positioning portion131bis positioned within the large-width portion35b1and thus does not interfere with the second concave positioning portion35b, the positioning in the width direction of the plug120by the second convex positioning portion131band the second concave positioning portion35bis not yet completed. However, since the front crossbar portion122is pressed rearwardly by the spring force exerted by the first connector-side locking portion22, when the operator stops the operation of frontwardly pressing the plug housing130, the plug120is displaced rearward relative to the connector housing11by the spring force. Therefore, as illustrated inFIGS. 6B and 6D, the positioning of the plug120and the connector housing11is completed.

That is to say, by the spring force, the first convex positioning portion131ais displaced rearward to be press-fitted into the first concave positioning portion14b, and the side surfaces of the first convex positioning portion131aand the side surfaces of the first concave positioning portion14bare pressed against each other to interfere with each other, whereby the positions of the first convex positioning portion131aand the first concave positioning portion14bare fixed relative to each other in the axial and width directions of the plug120. In this way, the positions of the plug120and the connector housing11are fixed relative to each other in the axial and width directions of the plug120.

Moreover, by the spring force, the second convex positioning portion131bis displaced rearward to be positioned within the small-width portion35b2. Therefore, the side surfaces of the second convex positioning portion131binterfere with the small-width portion35b2, the positions of the second convex positioning portion131band the second concave positioning portion35bare fixed relative to each other in the width direction of the plug120. In this way, the positions of the plug120and the connector housing11are fixed relative to each other in the width direction of the plug120.

In a state where the plug120is positioned relative to the connector housing11, the plug-side optical connection portion163and the optical path conversion portion161are positioned right above the optical semiconductor device72received in the optical connection portion16of the receptacle connector1, as illustrated inFIG. 7. Moreover, with respect to the width direction of the cable101, the plug-side optical connection portion163and the optical path conversion portion161are positioned right above the optical semiconductor device72. In this way, the cable101and the receptacle connector1are optically connected with each other.

That is to say, light emitted from a light emitting surface of the optical semiconductor device72is incident to the cable101from the lower side thereof, reflected from the slope surface162disposed close to the rear side of the optical path conversion portion161, introduced to the corresponding core portion111while changing a traveling direction thereof to about a right angle, and transmitted through the core portion111along the axial direction of the cable101. On the other hand, light transmitted through the core portion111along the axial direction of the cable101is reflected from the slope surface162disposed close to the rear side of the optical path conversion portion161, emitted toward the lower side from the lower surface of the cable101while changing a traveling direction thereof to about a right angle, and received by a light receiving surface of the optical semiconductor device72.

In addition, the plug-side electrical connection portion153of the plug120is disposed at a position right above the electrical connection portion17of the receptacle connector1, and the respective connection pad portions152are brought into electrical contact with the contact portions of the corresponding ones of the electrical connection terminals51received in the electrical connection portion17. However, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the cable accommodation-concave portion15aof the connector housing11is formed at a position lower than the sealing plate41of the optical connection portion16. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 7, it may be preferable that the position of the upper surface of the sealing plate41of the optical connection portion16, as an optical lock position at which the optical path conversion portion161included in the plug-side optical connection portion163is locked, is set to be lower than the position of the convex locking portions142cof the locking plate141, as an electrical lock position at which the plug-side electrical connection portion153is locked. It should be noted that the height difference between the optical lock position and the electrical lock position is drawn out of proportion inFIG. 7.

As described above, the position of the convex locking portions142cis lower than the position of the upper surface of the sealing plate41of the optical connection portion16, namely close to the bottom surface of the connector housing11. In such a case, the portion of the plug120disposed right above the optical connection portion16of the receptacle connector1receives a downward force at a front end thereof by the spring force exerted by the first connector-side locking portion22, as described above, while receiving a downward force at a rear end thereof from the convex locking portions142cvia the locking plate141. Therefore, the portion of the plug120disposed above the optical connection portion16of the receptacle connector1is pressed against the optical connection portion16. When an external force is applied to the cable101, for example, due to shaking of the rear portion of the cable101, the optical connection state between the optical path conversion portion161and the optical semiconductor device72can be maintained stably, and thus no optical transmission loss will occur.

On the contrary, if the position of the convex locking portions142cof the locking plate141is higher than the position of the engagement surface132cof the first plug-side locking portion132a, when an external force is applied to the cable101, for example, due to shaking of the rear portion of the cable101, the optical connection state between the optical path conversion portion161and the optical semiconductor device72will become unstable due to reasons such as distance, skew, or deformation, and thus an optical transmission loss will occur. Although the portion of the plug120disposed right above the electrical connection portion17of the receptacle connector1is sloped to some extent as illustrated inFIG. 7, since the electrical connection terminals51have elastic properties, the contact portions of the electrical connection terminals51will be elastically displaced vertically to be able to maintain their contacts with the connection pad portions152.

Since the locking plate141is generally formed of an elastically deformable material, and the actuation portion142is connected to the base portion144via the curved portion143configured to protrude upwardly, the actuation portion142disposed right above the electrical connection portion17can be freely inclined with respect to the plug housing130having the base portion144attached thereto. Although the actuation portion142is formed in an approximately straight-line shape, from a side view thereof to be inclined, the actuation portion142may have any shape as long as it is able to apply a pressing force towards the electrical connection terminals51. For example, the side view shape may be curved or rectangular.

When the locking plate141is formed of a conductive material, the second connector-side locking portions23configured to be engaged with the convex locking portions142care also formed of a conductive material, and a portion of each of the second connector-side locking portions23is connected to a ground line of a board mounting thereon the receptacle connector1. By doing so, it is possible effectively to shield the plug120from electromagnetic waves.

As described above, the hybrid connector according to the present embodiment includes the cable101having formed therein the optical waveguide and the conductive wires151; the plug120having the cable101connected thereto; and the connector housing11configured to mount thereon the plug120. The connector housing11is provided with the connector-side locking portion, the optical connection portion16, and the electrical connection portion17. The plug120is provided with the plug-side locking portion, the plug-side optical connection portion163, and the plug-side electrical connection portion153, and the plug-side optical connection portion163has a higher rigidity than the plug-side electrical connection portion153. When the plug-side locking portion is engaged with the connector-side locking portion so that the plug120is mounted on the connector housing11, the plug-side optical connection portion163and the plug-side electrical connection portion153oppose the optical connection portion16and the electrical connection portion17, respectively.

Due to such a configuration, the errors of the lock mechanism can be absorbed, and the positioning of the plug120relative to the connector housing11can be achieved in an accurate and easy manner. Moreover, it is possible to simplify the structure of the lock mechanism, thus simplifying the overall structure of the hybrid connector and decrease the manufacturing cost thereof. Furthermore, it is possible to miniaturize the overall size, to improve durability thereof, and to facilitate the operability thereof.

Moreover, the connector-side locking portion includes the first connector-side locking portion22, which is arranged close to the optical connection portion16, and the second connector-side locking portion23, which is arranged close to the electrical connection portion17. The plug-side locking portion includes the first plug-side locking portion132a, which is arranged close to the plug-side optical connection portion163, and the convex locking portion142cas the second plug-side locking portion, which is arranged close to the plug-side electrical connection portion153. When the first connector-side locking portion22and the first plug-side locking portion132aare engaged together, and the second connector-side locking portion23and the convex locking portion142care engaged together, the connector housing11and the plug120are locked. Due to such a configuration, it is possible to achieve the locking of the connector housing11and the plug120in an accurate and easy manner. Moreover, it is possible to maintain the connection between the optical connection portion16and the plug-side optical connection portion163and the connection between the electrical connection portion17and the plug-side electrical connection portion153with high precision and certainty.

Furthermore, the plug120is provided with the plug housing130which has formed therein the first plug-side locking portion132a, and the locking plate141which is configured to be capable of being elastically deformed and attached to the plug housing130and which has formed therein the convex locking portion142c. The plug-side optical connection portion163is included in a portion of the cable101, which is fixed in a state of being positioned relative to the plug housing130. The plug-side electrical connection portion153is included in a portion of the cable101, which opposes the locking plate141. Due to such a configuration, since the plug-side optical connection portion163has a high rigidity and solid, the positioning relative to the optical connection portion16can be performed accurately, and occurrence of an optical transmission loss can be prevented. Moreover, since the plug-side electrical connection portion153has flexibility and is flexible, the errors of the lock mechanism can be absorbed effectively while maintaining certainly the electrical connection state with the electrical connection portion17.

Furthermore, the first connector-side locking portion22is configured to press the first plug-side locking portion132ain a direction towards the bottom surface of the connector housing11, and the second connector-side locking portion23is configured to hold the convex locking portion142cin a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the connector housing11. Due to such a configuration, the cable101is pressed in a direction towards the bottom surface of the connector housing11and is thus securely connected to the receptacle connector1. Moreover, the connection state between the plug-side optical connection portion163and the optical connection portion16and the connection state between the plug-side electrical connection portion153and the electrical connection portion17can be maintained stably.

Furthermore, the position at which the second connector-side locking portion23and the convex locking portion142care engaged is located closer to the bottom surface of the connector housing11than the position of the upper surface of the optical connection portion16. Due to such a configuration, even when an unexpected external force is applied to the cable101, it is possible to maintain a stable connection between the plug-side optical connection portion163and the optical connection portion16, preventing the occurrence of an optical transmission loss.

Furthermore, the cable101is provided with the cable-side guide portion, the plug housing130is provided with the plug-side guide portion, the connector housing11is provided with the connector-side guide portion, and the plug-side guide portion is configured to be engaged with the cable-side guide portion to achieve the positioning of the cable101and the plug housing130and be engaged with the connector-side guide portion to achieve the positioning of the connector housing11and the plug120. Due to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce cumulative errors which result from various errors, such as, the dimensional errors of the guide members and the assembly errors of respective members such as the cable101, the plug housing130, or the connector housing11. As a result, it is possible to improve the precision of the operation of positioning the cable101relative to the connector housing11.

While a preferred embodiment of the Present Application is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.