Abstract:
An electrical connector to be detachably fitted with a mating connector, including a plurality of contacts, a housing for arranging and holding the contacts, and a shell covering the housing and forming with the housing a fitting opening for the mating connector. The shell has at least one engaging piece, and the housing has an anchoring portion at a location corresponding to the engaging piece to cause the anchoring portion to engage the engaging piece, thereby restraining the housing from being displaced in the direction opposite to the fitting direction upon fitting with the mating connector. Even being miniaturized, the electrical connector is securely positioned relative to the mating connector when fitting with it, and the housing is securely prevented from being displaced upon the mating connector abutting against the housing, thereby completely preventing any defective connection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to an electrical connector for use in electric and electronic appliances such as mobile phones, and more particularly to an electrical connector with a structure for preventing a housing from being pushed when fitting with a mating connector. 
   An electrical connector hitherto used will be explained. The electrical connector comprises at least a plurality of contacts to be connected to a substrate, a housing for arranging and holding said contacts, and a shell having holding means for covering and holding said housing. 
   Said housing is fitted into said shell by press-fitting (with crush ribs) so as to be held in (fixed to) said shell, and when a mating connector is being fitted with the electrical connector, the mating connector is positioned by its abutment against said housing. As examples of electrical connectors, incorporated herein are three patent literatures: Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Opened No. 2003-288,967), Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Opened No. H10-302,863/1998) and Patent Literature 3 (Japanese Patent Application Opened No. H11-26,105/1999) including applications proposed by the applicant of the present application. 
   Patent Literature 1 
   According to the abstract of the Japanese Patent Application Opened No. 2003-288,967, this invention has an object to provide a receptacle connector achieving its miniaturization by shortening its depth dimension and having a structure preventing foreign substances, dust, moisture and the like from entering the interior of the connector through its housing. Disclosed therein is a connector comprising a box-shaped insulating housing 10 having an insert end 11 to be inserted into the plug of a plug connector and a rear plate 12 formed at a location opposite to the insert end 11, a plurality of terminals 30 installed in the housing, a conductive metal shell 20 covering the housing, a plurality of inserting openings 17 provided in the bottom of the housing for inserting the respective terminals from the bottom into the housing when the respective terminals are installed into the housing, anchor portions 33 provided on the respective terminals for fixing the respective terminals to the housing, and a plurality of anchor grooves 18 formed in the housing for inserting the anchor portions of the respective terminals therein. 
   Patent Literature 2 
   According to the abstract of the Japanese Patent Application Opened No. H10-302,863/1998, this invention has an object to provide an electrical connector to be mounted on a circuit board, ensuring a wide space in front of the fitting portion of a mating electrical connector without decreasing the mounting area of the printed circuit board. Disclosed therein is an electrical connector 1 to be mounted on a circuit board, comprising an insulating housing 3 having a plurality of terminals 2 installed therein, and a metal shell 4 fitted on the housing 3 and having mounting legs 14 a  and  14   b  extending from the metal shell 4 for attaching the metal shell 4 to the printed circuit board 15, and the respective terminals 2 each having a tail 19 extending therefrom to a conductive circuit on the printed circuit board 15. The metal shell 4 forms a fitting portion 8 in front of the insulating housing 3 for receiving a mating electrical connector 21, and the fitting direction A of the fitting portion 8 is set to an upwardly inclined direction relative to the surface  15   a  of the printed circuit board 15 through the mounting legs  14   a  and  14   b.    
   Patent Literature 3 
   According to the abstract of the Japanese Patent Application Opened No. H11-26,105/1999, this invention has an object to provide an electrical connector 10 enabling stable contact pressure without contacts 14 being buckled, without the contacts 14 being raised from an insulator 12, without a shell 16 being deformed, and without being affected by noise effect even after the connector is repeatedly inserted into and removed from a mating connector 40 very many times. Disclosed therein is a connector comprising a shell 16 having on both sides in its width direction plate-shaped pieces 18 extending to the proximity of a fitting opening, the plate-shaped pieces 18 being provided in the proximity of their tips with fixing legs 20 extending in the same direction as fixing legs A30, and the plate-shaped pieces 18 on the side of the fixing legs 20 further being provided with anchoring portions 24, and further the shell 16 being provided with an engaging portions 22 at locations enabling the anchoring portions 24 to be fitted in the engaging portions 22, and an insulator 12 including a projection 50 having contact inserting grooves 52, on both sides of which protrusions 54 are provided, and in the proximity of the free end of the projection 50 a taper portion 56 being provided to be continuous with the protrusions 54. 
   Recently, as the electric and electronic appliances have been progressively miniaturized, the requirement for miniaturization of electrical connectors has become stronger. 
   A housing is frequently held (fixed) in a shell by press-fitting (with crush ribs) as described in the above paragraph of the prior art and as disclosed in the Patent Literatures 1 to 3. Moreover, with the miniaturization of the connectors, the interference (size of crush ribs) for press-fitting has become smaller. When an electrical connector and a mating connector are fitted with each other, positioning of one relative to the other is effected by the abutment of the mating connector against the housing of the electrical connector as described in the paragraph of the prior art. The contacts held in the housing are connected to a substrate by soldering. 
   With such a construction disclosed in the prior art, when the electrical connector is being fitted with the mating connector, the housing would be likely to move in the fitting direction of the mating connector (in the opposite direction of the fitting opening) by being pushed by the mating connector, thereby resulting in defective or failed connection between the electrical connector and the mating connector. This problem remains to be solved. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been completed in view of the problems of the prior art and has an object to provide an electrical connector which enables its positioning relative to a mating connector with great certainty when fitting with a mating connector even the electrical connector being miniaturized and whose housing is securely prevented from being displaced when the mating connector abuts against the housing, thereby completely preventing any defective or failed connection. 
   The object of the invention is achieved by the electrical connector  10  claimed in claim  1  to be detachably fitted with a mating connector, comprising a plurality of contacts  14 , a housing  12  for arranging and holding said contacts  14 , and a shell  16  covering said housing  12  and forming with said housing  12  a fitting opening  40  for said mating connector, wherein said shell  16  is provided with at least one engaging piece  42  and said housing  12  is provided with an anchoring portion  24  at a location corresponding to said engaging piece  42  to cause said anchoring portion  24  to engage said engaging piece  42 , thereby restraining said housing  12  from being displaced in the direction opposite to the fitting direction when the electrical connector is being fitted with the mating connector. 
   In the invention claimed in claim  2 , said shell  16  is provided with plate-shaped pieces  56  on both side in its width direction on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 , and said plate-shaped pieces  56  are each formed on the inner side with an oblique slit  58  so that said plate-shaped pieces  56  are bent along said oblique slits to push said housing  12  toward the fitting opening by said plate-shaped pieces  56  for pushing and holding said housing  12  toward the fitting opening. 
   In the invention claimed in claim  3 , said shell  16  is provided with at least one abutment face  52  and said housing  12  is brought into abutment against said abutment face  52 , thereby positioning said housing  12  in the fitting direction. 
   In the invention claimed in claim  4 , said shell  16  is provided with a projecting piece  60  formed integrally therewith on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 , and said projecting piece  60  is connected to a substrate  80 . 
   In the invention claimed in claim  5 , said shell  16  is provided on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40  with a static electricity countermeasure wall (EMI countermeasure wall)  54  covering the connecting side of said housing  12 , and said static electricity countermeasure (EMI countermeasure wall)  54  is provided with a projecting piece  60  formed integrally therewith, said projecting piece  60  being connected to a substrate  80 . 
   In the invention claimed in claim  6 , said plate-shaped piece  56  is further extended toward said substrate  80  to form said projecting piece  60 . 
   As can be seen from the above description, the electrical connector according to the invention brings about the following significant effects. 
   (1) According to the invention claimed in claim  1 , the electrical connector is constructed to be detachably fitted with a mating connector and comprises a plurality of contacts  14 , a housing  12  for arranging and holding said contacts  14 , and a shell  16  covering said housing  12  and forming with said housing  12  a fitting opening  40  for said mating connector, wherein said shell  16  is provided with at least one engaging piece  42  and said housing  12  is provided with an anchoring portion  24  at a location corresponding to said engaging piece  42  to cause said anchoring portion  24  to engage said engaging piece  42 , thereby restraining said housing  12  from being displaced in the direction opposite to the fitting direction when the electrical connector is being fitted with the mating connector. Therefore, even when the electrical connector  10  is miniaturized, the electrical connector is securely positioned relative to the mating connector when being fitted with it, and when the mating connector abuts against the electrical connector  10 , the housing  12  is securely prevented from being displaced, thereby preventing any defective or failed connection.
 
(2) According to the invention claimed in claim  2 , said shell  16  is provided with plate-shaped pieces  56  on both side in its width direction on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 , and said plate-shaped pieces  56  are each formed on the inner side with an oblique slit  58  so that said plate-shaped pieces  56  are bent along said oblique slits to push said housing  12  toward the fitting opening by said plate-shaped pieces  56  for pushing and holding said housing  12  toward the fitting opening. Consequently, when said housing  12  is installed and held in said shell  16 , said housing  12  is securely positioned relative to the shell  16 , and even when the electrical connector  10  is miniaturized, the electrical connector  10  is securely positioned relative to the mating connector when the electrical connector is being fitted with the mating connector, and upon the mating connector abutting against the electrical connector  10 , the housing  12  is prevented from being displaced so that no defective or failed connection occurs.
 
(3) According to the invention claimed in claim  3 , said shell  16  is provided with at least one abutment face  52  and said housing  12  is brought into abutment against said abutment face  52 , thereby positioning said housing  12  in the fitting direction. Therefore, even when the electrical connector  10  is miniaturized, the electrical connector  10  is securely positioned relative to the mating connector when the electrical connector is being fitted with the mating connector, and upon the mating connector abutting against the electrical connector  10 , the housing  12  is prevented from being displaced so that no defective or failed connection occurs.
 
(4) The invention claimed in claim  4 , said shell  16  is provided with a projecting piece  60  formed integrally therewith on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 , and said projecting piece  60  is connected to a substrate  80 . Accordingly, the electrical connector  10  can be securely positioned relative to the substrate  80  and further even when the mating connector abuts against the electrical connector  10 , the housing  12  is securely prevented from being displaced to enhance the strength of the electrical connector  10  and to prevent any defective or failed connection.
 
(5) The invention claimed in claim  5 , said shell  16  is provided on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40  with a static electricity countermeasure wall (EMI countermeasure wall)  54  covering the connecting side of said housing  12 , and said static electricity countermeasure (EMI countermeasure wall)  54  is provided with a projecting piece  60  formed integrally therewith, said projecting piece  60  being connected to a substrate  80 . Consequently, the electrical connector  10  can be securely positioned relative to a substrate  80  and further even when the mating connector abuts against the electrical connector  10 , the housing  12  is securely prevented from being displaced to enhance the strength of the electrical connector  10 , to prevent any defective or failed connection, and to effectively achieve a countermeasure against static electricity.
 
(6) The invention claimed in claim  6 , said plate-shaped piece  56  is further extended toward said substrate  80  to form said projecting piece  60 . Therefore, the electrical connector  10  can be securely positioned relative to a substrate  80 , and further even when the mating connector abuts against the electrical connector  10 , the housing  12  is securely prevented from being displaced to enhance the strength of the electrical connector  10  and to prevent any defective or failed connection.
 
   The invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following detailed specification and claims taken in connection with the appended drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the electrical connector connected to a substrate, viewed from its fitting side; 
       FIG. 2  (A) is a perspective view of a shell of the electrical connector viewed from its fitting opening side; 
       FIG. 2  (B) is a perspective view of the shell viewed from the connecting side; 
       FIG. 3  (A) is a perspective view of the housing of the electrical connector with contacts inserted, viewed from the fitting side; 
       FIG. 3  (B) is a perspective view of the housing in the same state in  FIG. 3  (A) viewed from the connecting side; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a contact used in the electrical connector according to the invention; 
       FIG. 5  (A) is a perspective view of a shell of the electrical connector according to the invention before the housing has been installed, viewed from the fitting opening side; 
       FIG. 5  (B) is a perspective view of the shell in the same state as shown in  FIG. 5  (A) viewed from the connecting side; 
       FIG. 6  (A) is a perspective view of the shell shown as a single member viewed from the connecting side for explaining the slits formed in the shell; 
       FIG. 6  (B) is a perspective view of the electrical connector whose housing is pushed by plate-shaped pieces, viewed from the connecting side; 
       FIG. 7  (A) is a perspective view of another electrical connector viewed from the side connecting to a substrate; 
       FIG. 7  (B) is a perspective view of a further electrical connector viewed from the side connecting to a substrate; 
       FIG. 7  (C) is a perspective view of an electrical connector viewed from the side connecting to a substrate; 
       FIG. 8  (A) is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 7  (A) connected to the substrate; 
       FIG. 8  (B) is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 7  (B) connected to the substrate; and 
       FIG. 8  (C) is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 7  (C) connected to the substrate. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The electrical connector  10  according to the invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5  (B).  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the electrical connector according to the invention connected to a substrate viewed from its fitting side.  FIG. 2  (A) is a perspective view of a shell of the electrical connector viewed from the fitting side, while  FIG. 2  (B) is a perspective view of the shell viewed from its connecting side.  FIG. 3  (A) is a perspective view of a housing of the electrical connector with contacts inserted, viewed from the fitting side, and  FIG. 3  (B) is a perspective view of the housing with the contacts inserted, viewed from the connecting side.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the contact.  FIG. 5  (A) is a perspective view of the shell viewed from the side of the fitting opening before the housing is inserted, while  FIG. 5  (B) is a perspective view of the shell viewed from the connecting side before the housing is inserted.  FIG. 6  (A) is a perspective view of the shell only viewed from the connecting side for explaining slits of the shell, and  FIG. 6  (B) is a perspective view of the electrical connector with its housing being pushed by plate-shaped pieces viewed from the connecting side.  FIG. 7  (A) is a perspective view of another electrical connector different from that shown in  FIG. 1 , viewed from the side connecting to a substrate, while  FIG. 7  (B) is a further electrical connector different from that shown in  FIG. 7  (A), viewed from the side connecting the electrical connector to a substrate, while  FIG. 7  (C) is an electrical connector different from those shown in  FIGS. 7  (A) and  7  (B), viewed from the side connecting the electrical connector to a substrate.  FIG. 8  (A) is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 7  (A) connected to the substitute; 
     FIG. 8  (B) is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 7  (B) connected to the substitute; and 
     FIG. 8  (C) is a perspective view of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 7  (C) connected to the substitute. 
   The electrical connector  10  according to the invention comprises at least a plurality of contacts  14 , a housing  12 , and a shell  16 . 
   First, the housing  12  will be explained, which is an important aspect of the invention. The housing  12  is formed from an electrically insulating plastic material by means of the injection molding of the known technique. The materials for the housing  12  may be suitably selected in consideration of dimensional stability, workability, manufacturing cost, and the like and generally include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (66PA or 46PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate (PC) and the like and combination thereof. Said housing  12  includes a main body  18 , a fitting portion  20  extending from said main body  18  in the fitting direction, and flanges  22  provided at longitudinal ends of the main body  18 . 
   In said housing  12 , said contacts  14  are held (fixed) by integral molding, press-fitting, hooking or the like. In the embodiment, the contacts are held in the housing by the integral molding (molding the housing in a mold in which the contacts have been previously arranged) in consideration of stability of connection, dimensional stability, miniaturization of the connector, and the like. Therefore, said housing  12  is formed in its fitting portion  20  with inserting grooves  28  for exposing contact portions  34  of said contacts  14  and holding holes  30  for positioning said contact portions  34  of said contacts  14  at predetermined positions. 
   The shape and size of said inserting grooves  28  may be any ones insofar as the inserting grooves  28  enable said contact portions  34  of said contacts  14  to be exposed to obtain stable connection between the contact portions  34  and mating objects, and may be suitably designed taking into account the stability of connection, strength of said housing  12 , contact positions with the mating objects, and the like. In the embodiment, the inserting grooves are substantially rectangular in consideration of the above. 
   The shape and size of said holding holes  30  may be any ones so long as the holding holes  30  enable said contact portion  34  of said contacts  14  to be positioned at the predetermined positions to obtain stable connection between the contact portions  34  and the mating objects and may be suitably designed in consideration of the stability of connection, strength of the housing  12 , contact positions with the mating objects, ease in production of dies and the like. In the embodiment, the holding holes are substantially rectangular in consideration of the above. 
   Further, said housing  12  is provided with anchoring portions  24  in said flanges  22  on the fitting side on the side of said holding holes  30 . Said anchoring portions  24  are adapted to engage engaging pieces  42  of said shell  16 , thereby ensuring the positioning and increasing the strength of the housing and shell upon fitting with the mating connector. The shape, size and positions of said anchoring portions  24  may be any ones insofar as the anchoring portions correspond to and engage the engaging pieces  42 , and may be suitably designed taking into account the positioning, strength, stability of connection and the like when fitting with a mating connector. In the embodiment, the anchoring portions  24  are recesses substantially bounded by rectangular faces in consideration of the workability of said engaging pieces  42  of said shell  16  and the functions described above. 
   Moreover, said housing  12  is provided with press-fitting portions (crush ribs)  32  at predetermined positions on said main body  18 , and said flanges  22  for press-fitting the housing  12  into said shell  16 , thereby securely positioning the housing  12  relative to the shell  16 . The sizes and positions of said press-fitting portions  32  may be suitably designed in consideration of the functions described above, holding force, and the like. In the embodiment, the three press-fitting portions  32  are provided, that is, one is provided on the upper surface of the main body  18  viewed in  FIG. 3  (A) and the remaining two are provided on the outer surfaces of both the longitudinal ends of the main body  18  of the housing  12 , respectively. 
   Further, said housing  12  is provided with anchoring grooves  26  in the flanges  22  on the side opposite from the fitting side on its upper side viewed in  FIG. 3  (B). Said anchoring grooves  26  are adapted to engage plate-shaped pieces  56  of said shell  16  so that said housing  12  is securely positioned in the shell  16 , thereby holding the housing  12  relative to the shell. The shape, size and positions of said anchoring grooves  26  may be any ones insofar as they correspond to and can engage the plate-shaped pieces  56  of said shell  16  and may be suitably designed taking into account the positioning and holding force for the housing  12  and stability of connection with a mating connector. In the embodiment, the anchoring grooves are recesses substantially bounded by rectangular faces in consideration of the workability of said plate-shaped pieces  56  of said shell  16  and the functions described above. 
   The shell  16  will then be explained, which is another important aspect of the invention. The shell  16  is made of a metal and formed by means of the press-working of the known technique. Preferred metals from which to form said shell  16  include brass, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze and the like which are suitably selected taking into account dimensional stability, workability, manufacturing cost, and the like. Said shell  16  is substantially box-shaped and forms with the housing  12  a fitting opening  40  for inserting the mating connector thereinto. The shape and size of said fitting opening  40  need only be able to receive the mating connector and may be suitably designed in consideration of the shape of the mating connector. 
   Said shell  16  is provided with the engaging pieces  42  at locations corresponding to said anchoring portions  24  of said housing  12 . The engaging pieces  42  are adapted to engage the anchoring portions  24  of said housing, thereby ensuring the positioning of the housing and increasing the strengths of the shell and housing upon fitting with the mating connector. The shape, size and positions of said engaging pieces  42  may be any ones so long as the engaging pieces  42  correspond to and can engage said anchoring portions  24 , and may be suitably designed in consideration of positioning, strengths, stability of connection and the like when fitting with the mating connector. In the embodiment, the engaging pieces  42  are bent into the form of an L-shape taking into account the function described above and workability. 
   Further, the shell  16  is provided with the plate-shaped pieces  56  at locations corresponding to said anchoring grooves  26  of said housing  12 . The plate-shaped pieces  56  are adapted to engage said anchoring grooves  26  of said housing  12 , thereby ensuring the positioning and holding of said housing  12 . 
   The shape, size and positions of said plate-shaped pieces  56  may be any ones insofar as the plate-shaped pieces  56  correspond to and can engage said anchoring grooves  26  of said housing  12 , and may be suitably designed taking into account the positioning and holding force for the housing and stability of connection with the mating connector. In the embodiment, the plate-shaped pieces  56  are substantially plate-shaped in consideration of the functions described above and the workability of the shell. The plate-shaped pieces  56  are bent inwardly when the housing  12  is held by the shell. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6A , said plate-shaped pieces  56  of said shell  16  are each formed with a slit  58  extending obliquely for pushing the housing inwardly when the plate-shaped pieces  56  are bent. The slits  58  serve to push said housing inwardly upon the plate-shaped pieces  56  being bent. The shape, size and positions of said slits  58  may be suitably designed in consideration of the function described above, and strength, workability and the like of the shell. In the embodiment, said slits  58  each extend over the whole plate-shaped piece obliquely toward said fitting opening  40 . 
   Moreover, said shell  16  is provided with abutment faces  52  against which said housing  12  abuts. Said flanges  22  of said housing  12  abut with their end faces against the abutment faces  52 , thereby ensuring the positioning of the housing relative to the shell  16  and preventing the housing from being displaced toward the fitting opening  40 . In other words, when said housing  12  is pushed inwardly upon said plate-shaped pieces  56  being bent, said flanges  22  of said housing  12  abut with their end faces against the abutment faces  52 , thereby positioning said housing  12  relative to the shell  16 . The abutment faces  52  may be suitably designed in consideration of the function described above and the strength of the shell  16 . 
   Further, said shell  16  is provided with guide portions  48  along the outer circumference of said fitting opening  40  for guiding the mating connector into the fitting opening  40 . The guide portions are provided so as to enable the mating connector to be guided. 
   Moreover, said shell  16  is provided with mating engaging portions  44  adapted to engage the mating connector. The mating engaging portions  44  engage the mating connector upon it being fitted to hold the electrical connector  10  and the mating connector securely. 
   Further, said shell  16  is provided with an EMI countermeasure wall  54  on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40  for measures against static electricity. Said housing  12  is covered by the shell of a metal for a countermeasure against the static electricity. As it is desirable to cover the housing in its entirety by a metal member, said EMI countermeasure wall  54  is provided on the opposite side of said fitting opening  40 . The shape and size of said EMI countermeasure wall  54  may be suitably designed in consideration of such a function, workability, strength, and the like. 
   Moreover, said shell  16  is provided with tabs  50  at predetermined positions for mounting the shell  16  on a substrate  80 . The tabs  50  serve to mount the electrical connector  10  on the substrate more strongly. The tabs  50  are of a surface mounting (SMT) type in the embodiment, but they may be of a dip type (not shown). The dip type is stronger than the surface mounting type so that the housing  12  is not moved even when a mating connector bumps against the electrical connector  10 . The positions, size and shape of said tabs  50  may be suitably designed taking into account the function of the tabs, circuits and occupied area of the substrate, workability, strength and the like of the shell. 
   Finally, the contacts  14  will be explained. The contacts  14  are made of a metal and formed by means of the press-working of the known technique. Preferred metals from which to form said contacts  14  include brass, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze and the like which comply with the requirements as to dimensional stability, electric conductivity, and the like. Said contact  14  mainly comprises a contact portion  34  adapted to contact a mating connector, a fixed portion  36  (which is to be embedded in the housing by the integral molding) held by said housing  12 , and a connection portion  38  to be connected to the substrate  80 , and is substantially in the form of a crank. Said contact portion  34  is adapted to contact a contact or the like of the mating connector, and the shape and size of the contact portion may be suitably designed taking into account the contact stability and pressure when contacting the mating contact, and workability and the like of the contact. The contact portion  34  is plate-shaped in the embodiment. Said fixed portion  36  is held in said housing  12 , and is held by integral molding with the housing in the embodiment. Said connection portion  38  is connected to the substrate  80 , and the shape of the connection portion  38  may be suitably designed in consideration of specifications, a mating object, connecting method, and the like. The connecting portion  38  is of a surface mounting type (SMT), and connected to the substrate by soldering such as reflow soldering. Although the surface mounting type is employed for the contacts  14  in the embodiment, the dip type may be employed depending upon specifications, required strengths and the like. 
   Another electrical connector will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 7  (A) and  8 (A). A housing  12  and contacts  14  will not be described because they are substantially similar to those described in the above embodiment. Only differences between a shell of this embodiment and the shells described above will be explained hereafter. The shell  16  in this embodiment is provided with projecting pieces  60  formed integrally therewith on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 . Said projecting pieces  60  are connected to a substrate  80  to increase the bonding strength of the shell to the substrate so that the housing  12  is prevented from being displaced when a mating connector bumps against the electrical connector  10 . In the embodiment, there are provided two projecting pieces  60  on both sides in the width direction on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 . The projecting pieces  60  are bent into substantially an L-shape as shown in  FIG. 7  (A). The positions, size, and shape may be suitably designed taking into account miniaturization of the connector, circuits of the substrate, increase in strength upon fitting, and the like. 
   A further electrical connector will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 7  (B) and  8  (B). A housing  12  and contacts  14  will not be described because they are substantially similar to those described in the above embodiments. Only differences between a shell of this embodiment and the shells described above will be explained. The shell  16  is provided with a static electricity countermeasure wall (EMI countermeasure wall)  54  on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40  for covering the connecting side of said housing  12 , and further the static electricity countermeasure wall  54  is provided with projecting pieces  60  integrally formed with the wall  54 . Said projecting pieces  60  are connected to a substrate  80  to increase the bonding strength of the shell to the substrate so that said housing  12  is prevented from being displaced when a mating connector bumps against the electrical connector  10  and the countermeasure against the static electricity is achieved. In the embodiment, there are provided two projecting pieces  60  on both sides in the width direction on the opposite side of the fitting opening  40 . The projecting pieces  60  extend vertically from said static electricity countermeasure wall (EMI countermeasure wall)  54  as shown in  FIG. 7  (B). The positions, size and shape of said projecting pieces  60  may be suitably designed taking into account the miniaturization of the connector, circuits of a substrate, increase in strength upon fitting, and the like. 
   An electrical connector will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 7  (C) and  8  (C), which is different from those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7  (A) and  7  (B). A housing  12  and contacts  14  will not be described because they are substantially similar to those described in the above embodiments. Only differences between a shell of this embodiment and the shells described above will be explained. The shell  16  is provided on the opposite side of its fitting opening  40  with projecting pieces  60  formed integrally with the shell  16 . Said projecting pieces  60  are connected to a substrate  80  to increase the bonding strength of the shell to the substrate so that said housing  12  is prevented from being displaced when a mating connector bumps against the electrical connector  10 . The projecting pieces  60  are formed by further extending parts of the plate-shaped pieces  56  toward the substrate  80 . The positions, size and shape of said projecting pieces  60  may be suitably designed in consideration of the function and positions of the plate-shaped pieces  56 , the miniaturization of the connector, circuit of the substrate, increase in strength upon fitting, and the like. 
   Examples of applications of the invention are electrical connectors for use in electric and electronic appliances such as mobile phones, and particularly electrical connectors with the structure preventing their housing from being pushed when being fitted with a mating connector. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.