Capacitively coupled connector for electronic device

An electrical connector is provided that includes a plug portion having an upper surface on which one electronic device is disposed, and a receptacle which is disposed on another electronic device. The plug portion has plug side contact conductors which are positioned separately from each other on a lower surface side of the plug portion. Between the plug side contact conductors which are positioned separately from each other, a capacitive coupling conductor is provided. The receptacle has a receptacle side contact conductors which are in contact with the plug side contact conductors. The plug side contact conductors and the receptacle side contact conductors have shapes corresponding to each other, and the receptacle side contact conductors retain the plug side contact conductors while the dielectric isinterposed between the capacitive coupling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical connector utilizing capacitive coupling and suitable for use with camera modules and other similar electronic devices.

Conventionally, a connector has been used for electrically connecting electronic devices including a circuit board with another circuit board or electrically connecting electronic components on the circuit board. For example, Japanese Patent Document No. JP 2006-310026 discloses a socket-style connector for receiving a camera module that has a built-in image sensor and the like and connecting the camera module to substrate such as a circuit board. In such conventional electronic devices, signal and power are transmitted by galvanic contact between two conductive terminals.

In recent years, the use of higher frequency signals in the electronic devices has prevailed, and in this context, connectors utilizing capacitive coupling are of interest. That is, a connector which is connected to two electronic devices and which has two conductors sandwiching a dielectric therebetween. In such a connector, it is necessary for the conductors and the dielectric to be held in close contact with each other in order to maintain proper transmission characteristics.

In the capacitive coupling connector, the conductors are not in contact with each other. However, in the case of providing the connector utilizing capacitive coupling in addition to the connector which has the contact terminals for transmitting power or the like, it is necessary to newly provide the connector utilizing capacitive coupling with a mechanism for ensuring close contact between the conductor and the dielectric. As a result, the number of components is increased.

The present invention is directed to a connector that overcomes the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object to provide an electrical connector which is capable of performing a transmission of signals and power with a reduced number of connector components.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, one embodiment of a connector connects two electronic devices with each other while being interposed between them and includes: a first connector member formed so that an electronic device is disposed on an upper surface side thereof and having first contact conductors provided in at least two positions and separated from each other on a lower surface side thereof; and a second connector member disposed on another electronic device and facing the lower surface of the first connecting member, and having second contact conductors which are in contact with the first contact conductors. The first connector member includes a capacitive coupling conductor positioned between the first contact conductors and it is positioned in opposition to a conductor provided on the other electronic device while having a dielectric interposed therebetween.

Furthermore, the first and second contact conductors have shapes which correspond to each other, and the first and second contact conductors reliably engage each other while the dielectric is sandwiched between the capacitive coupling conductor and the conductor on the other electronic device.

While the transmission of the power or the like can be performed through galvanic contact between the first and second contact conductors, the transmission of certain signals can be performed by way of a intermediation of the capacitive coupling conductor. Further, in the embodiment, the first and second contact conductors engage each other and retains the two connector members in place, while the dielectric is sandwiched between the capacitive coupling conductor and the conductor provided on the other electronic device. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the connector, while ensuring close contact between the conductor and the dielectric.

The capacitive coupling conductor provided in the first connector member is disposed so as to contact the dielectric, and the signals are directly transmitted from the capacitive coupling conductor is the conductor provided on the other electronic device. The dielectric may be disposed between the capacitive coupling conductor of the first coupling member and the conductor on the other electronic device. The dielectric may also be positioned between the conductor of the second coupling member and the conductor of the other electronic device. That is, both the conductor of the second connector member and the dielectric may be positioned between the conductor on the other electronic device and the capacitive coupling conductor. Yet further, the dielectric may be formed on the capacitive coupling conductor, or may be formed on the conductor of the other electronic device. In the case where the another conductor such as the conductor of the second connector member is disposed between the capacitive coupling conductor of the first connector member and the conductor on the other electronic device, the dielectric may be formed on the another conductor.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the other contact conductor may protrude toward the one contact conductor, and the one contact conductor may be formed so as to be capable of receiving the other contact conductor, and may hold the received other contact conductor. According to this aspect, with a simple structure, the one contact conductor is capable of retaining the other contact conductor. In addition, according to this aspect, the one contact conductor may be formed as an elastic member so as to elastically hold the other contact conductor. As described above, in the case where the one contact conductor is formed by an elastic member, the one contact conductor may have a pair of extending portions which extend toward a base portion side of the other contact conductor and catch the other contact conductor, and the pair of extending portions may respectively have contact portions which are pressed to the other contact conductor, and may be curved for reducing a clearance between the contact portions. With this structure, the other contact conductor can be further stably retained by the one contact conductor. In addition, as described above, in the case where the extending portions are curved for reducing the clearance between the contact portions, the other contact conductor may have a forward end portion which is thicker than the base portion of the other contact conductor. With this structure, the relative movement between the one contact conductor and the other contact conductor is further effectively restricted.

Still further, according to another aspect, the second connector member may be formed in a frame shape, and the capacitive coupling conductor may be positioned on an inside of the second connector member. According to this aspect, without the necessity of providing the conductor in the second connector member, both the capacitive coupling conductor and the conductor on the other electronic device can be in contact with the dielectric. Yet according to another aspect, a hole is provided that passes through the second connector member and the capacitive coupling conductor may be positioned on an inside of the hole. According to this aspect also, without the necessity of providing the conductor in the second connector member, both the capacitive coupling conductor and the conductor on the other electronic device can be in contact with the dielectric. According to those aspects, the dielectric may be formed on a surface of the capacitive coupling conductor. In further addition to the above, the first connector member may have a recess which extends downwardly, and the capacitive coupling conductor may be provided in a bottom plate portion which forms a bottom of the recessed portion. In this structure, it is possible to reduce the clearance between the capacitive coupling conductor and the conductor on the other contact conductor.

Yet further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the first connector member has a plurality of the first contact conductors which surround the capacitive coupling conductor on the lower surface of the first coupling member. Accordingly, the other contact conductor can be further stably retained by the one contact conductor.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention shall become more evident in a reading of the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. The electrical connector1is for electrically connecting the two electronic devices together while being interposed therebetween. Herein, the application of the electrical connector1which connects the circuit board100and the camera module200with each other while interposed therebetween is explained by way of example and it will be understood that other applications are possible. In particular, the electrical connector1is one which enables a transmission of low frequency signals and direct current power through galvanic contact between opposing conductors, or terminals, and which also enables transmission of high frequency signals through capacitive coupling between conductors out of contact with each other.

The electrical connector1can be seen to have a plug portion, or first connector member,10to which a camera module200is attached on an upper surface10aside thereof. The connector also includes a receptacle portion, or second connector member,30which is disposed on the circuit board100and disposed in opposition to a lower surface10bof the plug portion10, as shown inFIGS. 1 & 2).

The plug portion10is a member preferably formed from an insulative material such as a plastic resin, and has a generally quadrangular shape, with a square shape being shown in the preferred embodiment, when taken in a top plan view. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the camera module200is disposed on the upper surface10aof the plug portion10. A housing203of the camera module200is attached to the upper surface10aof the plug portion10by, for example, an adhesive. The width of the plug portion10is substantially equal to the width of the housing203of the camera module200.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5-9, a recess12is formed in the plug portion10and the recess12extends recessed downwardly toward the lower surface10bside. The plug portion10has a flat bottom plate portion12athat defines the bottom of the central recess12and a side wall portion12bextends upright from the edge of the bottom plate portion12aso as to form a wall of the recess12. In this example, the bottom plate portion12ahas a square shape, and four side wall portions12bare upright from the edge of the bottom plate portion12a. Further, the plug portion10has an upper plate portion11which expands sideward from the upper edge of the recess12to an edge10cof the plug portion10.

The electronic components of the camera module200are disposed on the inside of this recess12. In this example, the camera module200includes a circuit board201, an image sensor202and multiple integrated circuits (not shown) disposed on the circuit board201. These electronic components are disposed as one element, within the interior of the recess12, as shown best inFIG. 5. The camera module200also has a lens (not shown) for gathering the light incident from the outside to the image sensor202. The lens is positioned above the image sensor202and is separated therefrom by the focal distance of the lens. In this example, the bottom plate portion12ais formed in a square shape in conformity with the shape of the circuit board201. However, the bottom plate portion12amay be formed in a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or the like in conformity with the shape of the electronic component which is disposed on the inside of the recess12.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2,5and6, the plug portion10has multiple plate conductors50that serve as capacitive coupling conductors for the connector and which are provided on the bottom plate portion12a. Four such capacitive conductors50are shown in the illustrated embodiment. The capacitive coupling conductors50are positioned in alignment with and above a conductor, or contact pad101that is formed on the surface of the circuit board100. The thickness of each of the capacitive coupling conductors50is preferably substantially the same as the thickness of the bottom plate portion12a, and a upper surface50aand a lower surface50bof each conductor50is exposed on the top and bottom above and below, respectively. The capacitive coupling conductor50may be formed in the bottom plate portion12aby way of insert molding, for example. The capacitive coupling conductors50are positioned separately from each other along the bottom plate portion12aof the connector, preferably in the symmetrical manner shown inFIG. 2so as to exhibit the same shape in any of the side view and the front view thereof, and in two different directions, which are indicated by the arrows D1and D2ofFIGS. 1 & 2. As such, the conductors50are preferably parallel to the four outer edges10cof the plug portion10, as well as to the edges of the plug portion bottom plate portion12aand also orthogonal to each other.

The shape of the capacitive coupling conductor50is not limited to the plate shapes illustrated inFIG. 5&FIG. 6. The capacitive coupling conductors50may also be formed by a metal film which may be formed or otherwise deposited on outer surfaces of a substrate such as insulative ceramic. In this case, the metal film is disposed on the outer surfaces of the substrate so as to enable electrical conduction between the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate. The above-mentioned capacitive coupling conductor50and the substrate thereof are fixed to the bottom plate portion12aby, for example, being fitted in holes formed in the bottom plate portion12a.

A circuit board201of the camera module200is disposed in opposition to the bottom plate portion12a. An upper surface50aof the capacitive coupling conductor50is attached to the camera module, for example, by soldering it to a conductor201aprovided on the lower surface of the circuit board201, to thereby effect an electrical connection between the camera module and the connector plug portion.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, a thin-film dielectric60is disposed on the lower surface50bof the capacitive coupling conductor50. The dielectric60is constituted by high-dielectric ceramic such as barium titanate, for example. The dielectric60as described above is bonded to the lower surface50b, or formed in the lower surface50bthrough sputtering.

The capacitive coupling conductor50and the conductor101on the circuit board100are formed at positions corresponding to each other, and the capacitive coupling conductor50is positioned oppositely to the circuit board conductor101while interposing the dielectric60therebetween. The receptacle portion30is positioned below the plug portion10and also has a quadrangular frame shape to match the configuration of the plug portions. The receptacle portion30therefore has a quadrangular cavity30awhich extends vertically in the central portion thereof (FIG. 2.). The size of the cavity30acorresponds to the bottom plate portion12aof the recess12. Therefore, in the state in which the plug portion10and the receptacle portion30are coupled to each other, the bottom plate portion12aand the side wall portion12bof the recess12are positioned on the inside of the cavity30a. (FIG. 5.) As a result, as described below, the capacitive coupling conductor50and the circuit board conductor101directly sandwich the dielectric60so as to effect capacitive coupling. These two conductors50,101may function as a highpass filter for reducing the low-frequency noise. High-frequency signals are transmitted through the capacitive coupling conductor50and circuit board conductor101. The recess12, may, as shown in phantom inFIG. 2, include a base or floor member70that has one or more conductive contacts73supported thereby. These contacts extend through the floor member70and have exposed contact surfaces within the frame as shown inFIG. 2and beneath the frame.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS. 5,8&9, multiple protruding portions13which protrude downward are formed on the lower surface10bof the plug portion10. In an example described herein, each of the protruding portions13protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper plate portion11so as to be spaced apart (in the direction indicated by arrow DL ofFIG. 8) from the side wall portion12bof the recess12, and is preferably arranged parallel to the side wall portion12b. Each protruding portion13extends along the side wall portion12b, widthwise indicated by arrows D1and D2, and the ends of the four protruding portions13are connected with each other. In this regard, the protruding portions13cooperatively form a quadrangular wall that surrounds the bottom plate portion12aand the side wall portions12b. Therefore, the protruding portions13positioned on opposite sides are positioned from each other, widthwise as shown and the side wall portions12bare positioned each parallel pair of protruding portions13. In this manner, the protruding portions13are positioned on the inner side (side wall portion12bside) with respect to the edge10c, and are positioned below the camera module200which has the same width as that of the edge10cof the plug portion10. As described later, each protruding portion13is engaged with the attachment channel34of the receptacle30(FIGS. 6 & 12).

The plug portion10may be formed as a MID (Molded Interconnect Device) in which the contacts, or terminals are directly formed in or on the surface of the molded product. As illustrated in FIGS.1and7-9, the upper surface10aand the lower surface10bof the plug portion10is provided with multiple thin-film conductors20. The conductors20each extend from the inside of the recess12to the edges10cof the plug portion10on the upper surface of the upper plate portion11. After that, the conductors20are reversed at their edges10cto extend from the edges10cto the protruding portions13on the lower surface of the upper plate portion11. That is, each conductor20has an inner conductor20fformed on the inner surface of the side wall portion12band contacts the terminal of the circuit board201disposed in the recess12. Also, each of the conductors20has an upper conductor portion20aformed on the upper surface of the upper plate portion11, and a lower conductor portion20bformed on the lower surface thereof.

Further, the conductor20is formed also on the outer surface of the protruding portion13which protrudes downward, and the conductor20has plug side contact conductor20ewhich extends downward along the outer edges of the protruding portions13. The plug side contact conductors20eare positioned correspondingly to the positions of the receptacle side contact conductors42provided to the terminals40of the receptacle30, and protrude downward to the receptacle side contact conductors42(refer toFIG. 6). The receptacle side contact conductors42and the plug portion side contact conductors20ehave shapes corresponding to each other, and the receptacle side contact conductor42retains respectively the plug side contact conductor20e. As a result, the plug portion10and the receptacle30are reliably electrically coupled to each other. The receptacle side contact conductors42may correspond to one contact conductor and the plug side contact conductors20emay correspond to another other contact conductor.

The multiple upper conductors20aextend toward the same edge10cand the lower conductor20bextend from each of the upper conductors20ain parallel to each other at a preselected spacing. The multiple plug portion side contact conductors20eare preferably formed parallel to each other, similar to the upper conductors20aand the lower conductors20b, and are further arranged in the extending directions of the protruding portions13on the outer surface of the protruding portions13. Thus, the multiple plug portion side contact conductors20eare arranged also in a frame shape similar to the protruding portions13to surround the side wall portion12bof the recess12from four sides. Further, the plug side contact conductors20eformed in the two protruding portions13which face each other (multiple plug side contact conductors20eformed on one protruding portion13and multiple plug side contact conductors20eformed on the other protruding portion13) are positioned separately from each other along the bottom plate portion12a, and the bottom plate portion12aand the capacitive coupling conductor50are positioned between these plug side contact conductors20e.

The plug side contact conductors20eare formed with pairs of plug side contact portions20c,20d. The plug side contact portions20cextend from the lower conductors20bso as to be formed on the outer surfaces of the protruding portions13(surfaces on edges10cside). Further, the plug side contact portions20dextend from the plug side contact portions20cso as to be formed on the inner surfaces of the protruding portions13(surfaces which face side wall portions12b).

As illustrated inFIGS. 2,10&13, the connector receptacle portion30has multiple terminals40and a frame31for retaining the terminals40. The frame31is a quadrangular member formed by molding or the like. As shown, the frame31has a square shape similar to the bottom plate portion12aof the recess12. The frame31is arranged to face the lower surface of the upper plate portion11of the plug portion10in the vertical direction, and each side of the quadrangular frame31is arranged parallel to the side wall portions12b. That is, the frame31surrounds the side wall portions12band the bottom plate portion12a.

As illustrated inFIGS. 10,12&13, the frame31is provided with a recess, or channel, portion34that extends lengthwise along each of the four sides constituting the quadrangular frame31. Therefore, the attachment channel34exhibits a quadrangular groove configuration when viewed in a plan view of the frame31. That is, the frame31has a quadrangular outer frame portion32and an inner frame portion33positioned inside of the outer frame portion32, which are communicated with each other at bottom portions thereof through an intermediation of a bottom portion35. In this context, the gap between the outer frame portion32and the inner frame portion33constitutes the attachment channel34. The position of the attachment channel34which exhibits the quadrangular groove corresponding to the positions of the attachment members13formed in a quadrangular wall shape, which allows the attachment members13to be fitted in the attachment channel34from above (FIGS. 5-6).

The terminals40are formed using elastic, spring materials. As illustrated inFIGS. 10,11&13, the multiple terminals40are arranged at a certain spacing transverse to their longitudinal axes. The position of each of the terminals40corresponds to the positions of the conductors20.

As described above, the terminals40have the receptacle side contact conductors42(FIG. 12). The receptacle side contact conductors42are positioned on the inside of the attachment recesses34, and are formed to be capable of receiving the plug side contact conductors20ewhich extends downward. Specifically, the receptacle side contact conductors42open upward (plug side contact conductors20eside) so as to have substantially a U-shape. In this context, when the protruding portions13are fitted in the attachment channel34, the receptacle side contact conductors42catch and retain the plug side contact conductors20e(refer toFIG. 6). With this structure, the plug portion10and the receptacle30are reliably mated together.

The receptacle side contact conductor42has a bottom portion42awhich is disposed on a bottom portion35of the frame31, and a pair of extending portions42b,42cwhich extend upward from both end of the bottom portion42a. As illustrated inFIG. 10,FIG. 11, orFIG. 13, multiple wall portions32a,33aextending upward are formed on the inner surface of the attachment channel34(inner surface of outer frame portion32and outer surface of inner frame portion33). The multiple wall portions32a,33aare arranged at intervals, and the extending portions42c,42bare disposed between the multiple wall portions32a,33a.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, the extending portions42b,42chave, in the upper portions thereof, a pair of receptacle side contact portions42d,42efacing each other, respectively. The extending portions42b,42care curved toward the inside of the attachment channel34so that the clearance between the receptacle side contact portions42d,42ebecomes small. In this context, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the receptacle side contact portion42dprotrudes to the inside of the attachment channel34from between the wall portions33aadjacent to each other, and the receptacle side contact portion42eprotrudes to the inside of the attachment channel34from between the wall portions32aadjacent to each other. Further, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the extending portions42b,42chave upper ends (portion above receptacle side contact portions42d,42e)42f,42g, respectively, which expand outward so as to have the clearance therebetween larger than the clearance between the receptacle side contact portions42d,42e.

Further, the terminals40have leg portions41which extend downward on the outside of the outer frame portion32from one upper end42gof the receptacle side contact conductor42beyond the upper edge of the outer frame portion32. At the lower ends of the leg portions41, there are provided tail portions41ato be soldered to conductors on the circuit board100. On the outer surface of the outer frame portion32, there are formed the multiple wall portions32bwhich extend in the up-and-down direction and are arranged at intervals corresponding to the thickness of the leg portions41. The leg portions41are arranged between the wall portions32b. In this regard, as illustrated inFIG. 11, claw portions41bwhich are hooked to the wall portions32bsandwiching the leg portion41are formed on the side surfaces of each of the leg portions41, the claw portions41ballowing the terminals40to be attached to the frame31.

As the attachment members13of the plug portion10enter into the attachment channel34, the plug side contact conductors20eformed on the attachment member13enter to the inside of the receptacle side contact conductors42. In this case, the upper ends42f,42gare prevented from being collided against the plug side contact conductor20eat the forward end of the attachment member13because the respective upper ends42f,42gof the extending portions42b,42care widen. Further, as illustrated inFIG. 10orFIG. 13, multiple guide protruding portions32dwhich extend in the up-and-down direction are formed on the inner surface of the outer frame portion32(inner frame portion33side). Meanwhile, as illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 9, multiple guided grooves13bwhich extend in the vertical direction are formed on the outer surface of the attachment members13. The positions of the guided grooves13bcorrespond to the positions of the guide protruding portion32d. Therefore, when the attachment member13enters the attachment channel34, the guided grooves13bare guided by the guide protruding portions32d.

When the plug side contact conductors20eare fitted in the receptacle side contact conductors42, the plug side contact portions20care brought into contact with the receptacle side contact portions42e, and the plug side contact portions20dare brought into contact with the receptacle side contact portions42d. As a result, the conductor of the circuit board100and the circuit board201disposed in the recess12are electrically connected with each other through contact of the conductors20and the terminals40. Therefore, the conductors20and the terminals40having achieved the connection therebetween enable the transmissions of the low frequency signals and the direct current power.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 & 6, the frame31has substantially the same height as the side wall portion12band preferably equal to or slightly greater (as at F1) than it so that the bottom surface F2of the plug member is ensured of contacting the surface of the circuit board, if desired. Otherwise, in instances where it is desirable to space the bottom of the plug member from the circuit board, the height of the frame and the depth of plug recess may be modified to permit that to occur. Therefore, in the state in which the plug portion10and the receptacle portion30are mated together, the lower surface of the bottom plate portion12ais positioned at substantially the same height as a lower surface31aof the frame31, thereby being proximate to the circuit board100compared with the upper plate portion11.

As described above, the extending portions42b,42care curved toward the inside of the attachment channel34so that the clearance between the receptacle side contact portions42d,42ebecomes small. The clearance between the receptacle side contact portions42d,42eis smaller than the thickness (clearance between plug side contact portions20d,20c) of the attachment member13, when the receptacle side contact conductors42having elasticity are in a free state (state of free from load). That is, the receptacle side contact portions42d,42eare biased to the plug side contact conductors20eside (inside of attachment channel34). Thus, in a state in which the plug side contact conductors20eare positioned on the inside of the receptacle side contact conductors42, the receptacle side contact portions42d,42eare laterally pressed (in a direction orthogonal to entrance direction of attachment members13) on the plug side contact portions20d,20cowing to the elasticity of the terminals40. With this structure, the receptacle side contact conductors42are capable of stably retaining the plug side contact conductors20e. In addition, when the receptacle side contact conductors42retain the plug side contact conductors20eas described above, the plug portion10is restricted from moving in the direction of being separated from the receptacle30.

Further, as described above, the bottom plate portion12ais provided with the capacitive coupling conductor50which has the lower surface50bon which the dielectric60formed. The board side conductor101is positioned on the side opposite to the capacitive coupling conductor50with the dielectric60being interposed therebetween. Then, in this embodiment, the receptacle side contact conductors42retain the plug side contact conductors20ewhile the dielectric60is sandwiched between the capacitive coupling conductor50and the board side conductor101. With this structure, the dielectric60and the board side conductor101are brought into close contact with each other, whereby capacitive coupling is achieved between the board side conductor101and the capacitive coupling conductor50. Further, the receptacle side contact conductors42and the plug side contact conductors20eare positioned so as to surround the bottom plate portion12aand the capacitive coupling conductor50. Therefore, in the state in which the receptacle side contact conductors42retain the plug side contact conductors20e, a part of the dielectric60is prevented from being separated from the board side conductor101.

In the alternate embodiment shown in phantom inFIG. 2, the dielectric will be disposed on the bottom (mating) surfaces of the contacts73in the cavity30aand will be pressed against a conductive contact pad exposed on the circuit board to which the connector assembly is attached. In this instance, ordinary galvanic contact will be effect between the bottom surfaces of contacts50and the upper surfaces of contacts73.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 & 10, at each of the four corner portions of the outer frame portion32, there is formed an uppermost surface32cwhich is slightly higher than a midway portion (portion in which terminals40are arranged) of each of the sides of the outer frame portion32. The height of the frame31(height of uppermost surface32c) and the heights of the side wall portions12b(depth of recess12) are set such that the dielectric60is brought into close contact with the board side conductor101when the plug side contact conductors20eare fitted in the receptacle side contact conductors42so as to be retained by the receptacle side contact conductors42.

Further, the thickness of the forward end portion13aof the attachment member13is larger than those of the base portion and the midway portion of the attachment member13. The forward end portion13abulges in a direction of expanding the clearance between the extending portions42b,42c, and has a thickness larger than the clearance between the receptacle side contact portions42d,42e. Therefore, after the plug portion10is pressed from above and the forward end portion13aexpands the clearance between the receptacle side contact portions42d,42eso as to enter the inside of the receptacle side contact conductor42, the plug portion10is effectively prevented from being detached from the receptacle30thereafter. As a result, proper capacitive coupling is realized more effectively.

In the electrical connector1described above, the capacitive coupling conductors50are provided in addition to the plug side contact conductors20eand the receptacle side contact conductors42. Thus, while the transmission of power or the like can be performed through an intermediation of the plug side contact conductors20eand the receptacle side contact conductors42, the transmission of the high frequency signals can be performed through an intermediation of the capacitive coupling conductors50. Further, in the electrical connector1, the capacitive coupling conductors50are disposed between the plug side contact conductors20ewhich are positioned separately from each other in the width direction of the bottom plate portion12a. Therefore, the receptacle side contact conductors42which are positioned correspondingly to the plug side contact conductors20eretain the plug side contact conductors20ewhile the dielectric60is sandwiched between the capacitive coupling conductors50and the board side conductor101of the circuit board100. In the electrical connector1as described above, it is possible to suppress the increase of the components for ensuring close contact between the conductor and the dielectric.

Further, in the electrical connector1, the receptacle30is formed in a frame shape, and the capacitive coupling conductors50are positioned on the inside of the receptacle30. With this structure, the capacitive coupling conductors50and the board side conductors101can be directly brought into contact with the dielectric bodies60without providing the conductor with receptacle30.

Note that, the present invention is not limited to the electrical connector1described above, and various modifications can be made thereto. For example, the receptacle30is formed in a quadrangular frame shape in the above description. However, the shape of the receptacle30is not limited thereto. For example, there may be adopted a shape in which one of the four lines forming the quadrangular shape is omitted.

Further, the plug side contact conductors20eare provided on the lower surface of the plug portion10so as to surround the capacitive coupling conductors50from four sides. However, the positions of the plug side contact conductors20eare not limited thereto. For example, the plug side contact conductors20emay be provided only at two portions with the capacitive coupling conductors50being sandwiched therebetween. For example, it is possible to provide the plug portion10with only the two attachment members13which are positioned on the sides opposed to each other while sandwiching the recess12therebetween, and to form the plug side contact conductors20eon the two attachment members13.

Further, in the above description, the dielectric bodies60are formed on the lower surface50bof each of the capacitive coupling conductors50. However, the dielectric bodies60may be formed on the board side conductor101of the circuit board100.

Still further, in the above description, the receptacle30is formed in a quadrangular frame shape, and the cavity30ais formed on the inside thereof. However, the receptacle30may have the bottom, and be provided with the conductors at the positions thereof corresponding to the capacitive coupling conductors50. In addition, the dielectric may be provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the dielectric which is provided at the bottom of the receptacle30in this case.

Yet further, in the above description, the camera module200is disposed on the upper surface10aside of the plug portion10, and the circuit board201on which the image sensor202and the like mounted is disposed on the inside of the recess12. However, the electronic devices disposed on the upper surface10aside of the plug portion10are not limited thereto, and various electronic devices using the high frequency signals may be disposed on the upper surface10aside of the plug portion10.

Yet further, in the above description, the receptacle side contact conductors42provided in the receptacle30retain the plug side contact conductors20eprovided in the plug portion10. However, the plug side contact conductors and the receptacle side contact conductors may be formed such that the plug side contact conductor retains the receptacle side contact conductor.

Note that, the terms “up” and “down” defined in the above description refer to the directions which represent the positional relationships between the plug portion10, the receptacle30, and the like, and do not refer to the absolute directions.