Patent Publication Number: US-11381019-B2

Title: Connector and electronic device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to PCT international application PCT/JP2019/008425, filed on Mar. 4, 2019 and claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-058870 filed on Mar. 26, 2018, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector and an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As a technique for improving connection reliability with a connection object, connectors having, for example, a floating structure in which a deviation between circuit boards is accommodated by movement of a portion of the connector during and after fitting are known. 
     PTL 1 set forth below discloses an electrical connector that has a floating structure and enables high-speed transmission that meets the HDMI standard. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP-A-2015-035407 
     SUMMARY 
     A connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a connector to be fitted to a connection object and includes a first insulator, a second insulator that is movable relative to the first insulator, and a plurality of arranged contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator. Each of the contacts includes a wide portion located on at least one of a first insulator side and a second insulator side. The wide portion protrudes from another portion of each of the contacts that extends along one of the insulators where the wide portion is located toward the other insulator in a direction substantially orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the contacts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an external top perspective view illustrating a state in which a connector according to an embodiment and a connection object are connected to each other; 
         FIG. 2  is an external top perspective view illustrating a state in which the connector according to the embodiment and the connection object are separated from each other; 
         FIG. 3  is an external top perspective view illustrating the connector according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded top perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional perspective view taken from arrow V-V of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view, of a portion VI of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken from arrow V-V of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a pair of contacts; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion IX of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating a change in a characteristic impedance in each portion of the contact; 
         FIG. 11  is an external top perspective view of the connection object connected to the connector of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded top perspective view of the connection object of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken from arrow XIII-XIII of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of elastic deformation of a pair of contacts; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of elastic deformation of the pair of contacts; 
         FIG. 16A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of a shape of an intermediate portion of the contact; 
         FIG. 16B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of the intermediate portion of the contact; 
         FIG. 16C  is a schematic diagram illustrating a third example of the shape of the intermediate portion of the contact; and 
         FIG. 16D  is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth example of the shape of the intermediate portion of the contact; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 7  that illustrates a cross-sectional shape of a contact according to a first example variation; and 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged view corresponding to  FIG. 9  that illustrates an enlarged portion of a contact according to a second example variation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In recent years, increases in information amount and signal transmission speed have progressed at a remarkable rate. In connectors having floating structures, designs for supporting such high capacity and high speed transmission are desired. 
     According to the disclosure described in the PTL 1 set forth above, an example ideal value of a characteristic impedance is set to 100Ω. In some cases, however, an ideal value of the characteristic impedance needs to be lower than that to improve the transmission characteristics of high speed transmission. In such cases, the electrical connector described in PTL 1 cannot obtain satisfactory transmission characteristics. 
     A connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has excellent transmission characteristics for signal transmission. 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms such as “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, and “up-down direction” used herein correspond to the directions indicated by arrows in the drawings. The directions indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 16A  to  FIG. 16D  correspond with each other. Similarly, the directions indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  correspond with each other. In some figures, circuit boards CB 1  and CB 2  are omitted for the purpose of simplification. 
       FIG. 1  is an external top perspective view illustrating a state in which the connector  10  according to an embodiment and the connection object  60  are connected to each other.  FIG. 2  is an external top perspective view illustrating a state in which the connector  10  according to the present embodiment and the connection object  60  are separated from each other. 
     In the following description, it is assumed that the connector  10  according to the embodiment is a receptacle connector and the connection object  60  is a plug connector. In particular, the connector  10  is a receptacle connector in which contacts  50  elastically deform when the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are to be connected, and the connection object  60  is a plug connector in which contacts  90  do not elastically deform. Further variants of the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are not limited to this configuration. The connector  10  and the connection object  60  may function as the plug connector and the receptacle connector, respectively. 
     In the following description, it is assumed that the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are mounted on the circuit board CB 1  and the circuit board CB 2 , respectively, and connected to the circuit boards in a direction perpendicular thereto. In particular, the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are connected to each other along the up-down direction, by way of example. However, the manner by which the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are connected to each other is not limited thereto. The connector  10  and the connection object  60  may be connected parallel to the circuit board CB 1  and the circuit board CB 2 , respectively. Alternatively, one of the connector  10  and the connection object  60  may be connected perpendicular to the corresponding circuit board while the other is connected in parallel to the corresponding circuit board. 
     The circuit boards CB 1  and CB 2  may be rigid boards or any other circuit boards. For example, the circuit board CB 1  or the circuit board CB 2  may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). 
     The term “fitting direction” used in the following description refers to the up-down direction, by way of example. The term “fitting side” refers to an upper side, by way of example. The term “arrangement direction of contacts  50 ” refers to the left-right direction, by way of example. The term “direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 ” refers to the front-rear direction and a direction approximate thereto. 
     The connector  10  according to the present embodiment has a floating structure. The connector  10  allows relative movement of the connection object  60  connected thereto with respect to the circuit board CB 1 . The connection object  60  connected to the connector  10  may move within a predetermined range with respect to the circuit board CB 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an external top perspective view illustrating the connector  10  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 4  is an exploded top perspective view of the connector  10  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken from arrow V-V of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a portion VI of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken from arrow VI-VI of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a pair of contacts  50 .  FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion IX of  FIG. 8 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the connector  10  includes, as main constituent elements, a first insulator  20 , a second insulator  30 , fitting brackets  40   a , a shieling member  40   b , and the contacts  50 . The connector  10  is assembled in the following manner by way of example. The fitting brackets  40   a  are press-fitted into the first insulator  20  from below. The second insulator  30  is arranged within the first insulator  20  having the fitting brackets  40   a  press-fitted thereinto. The contacts  50  are press-fitted into the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30  from below. The shielding member  40   b  is press-fitted into the first insulator  20  from above. 
     A configuration of the connector  10  in a state in which the contacts  50  are not elastically deformed will be described with reference mainly to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 9 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the first insulator  20  is a rectangular tubular member obtained by performing injection molding of a synthetic resin material having insulating and heat-resistant properties. The first insulator  20  is hollow and has an opening  21   a  and an opening  21   b  on its top surface and bottom surface, respectively. The first insulator  20  includes an outer peripheral wall  22  constituted of four side surfaces surrounding the space therein. The first insulator  20  includes fitting bracket attachment grooves  23  recessed along the up-down direction at left and right end portions of the outer peripheral wall  22  within the first insulator  20 . The fitting brackets  40   a  are attached to the fitting bracket attachment grooves  23 . The first insulator  20  includes engaging portions  24  that protrude outward at the left and right end portions of the outer peripheral wall  22 . The shielding member  40   b  is attached to the engaging portions  24 . 
     The first insulator  20  includes a plurality of contact attachment grooves  25  formed in the lower edge portions of the front and rear surfaces of the outer peripheral wall  22  across the bottom surface and the inner surface. The plurality of contact attachment grooves  25  are formed as recesses arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The contact attachment grooves  25  extend in the up-down direction on the inner surface of the first insulator  20 . The plurality of contacts  50  are respectively attached to the plurality of contact attachment grooves  25 . 
     The second insulator  30  is a member obtained by performing injection molding of a synthetic resin having insulating and heat-resistant properties. The second insulator  30  is formed in an approximate convex shape in an elevation view from the front direction. The second insulator  30  includes a bottom portion  31  that constitutes a lower portion, and a fitting projection  32  that protrudes upward from the bottom portion  31  to be fitted into the connection object  60 . The bottom portion  31  is longer than the fitting projection  32  in the left-right direction. That is, the left and right end portions of the bottom portion  31  protrude outward from the left and right end portions of the fitting projection  32 . The second insulator  30  also includes a fitting recess  33  formed in a recessed manner on the top surface of the fitting projection  32 . The second insulator  30  further includes a guiding portion  34  that extends on an upper edge portion of the fitting projection  32  and surrounds the fitting recess  33 . The guiding portion  34  is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined obliquely inward in the upward direction. 
     The second insulator  30  includes a plurality of contact attachment grooves  35  formed side by side in the left-right direction. The plurality of contact attachment grooves  35  extend in the up-down direction. The lower portions of the contact attachment grooves  35  are formed in the lower portions of the front and rear surfaces of the second insulator  30  formed in a recessed manner. The central portions of the contact attachment grooves  35  are formed within the second insulator  30 . The upper portions of the contact attachment grooves are formed in the front and rear inner surfaces of the fitting recess  33  in a recessed manner. The plurality of contact attachment grooves  35  allow the respective plurality of contacts  50  to be fitted thereto. 
     The second insulator  30  includes a wall  36  that extends downward within the second insulator  30  from the bottom surface of the fitting recess  33  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . The wall  36  is located between a pair of contacts  50  which is arranged in the front-rear direction and attached to the second insulator  30 . The wall  36  opposes each of the pair of contacts  50 . The wall  36  is formed to be widest in its top portion. The central portion and the lower portion of the wall  36  are formed to be narrower than the upper portion. The front and rear surfaces of the wall  36  constitute portions of the contact attachment grooves  35 . The central portions of the contact attachment grooves  35  formed within the second insulator  30  are tapered with respect to the front-rear direction toward their tops, following the change in the widths of the central portion and the upper portion of the wall  36 . 
     The fitting brackets  40   a  are obtained by shaping thin plates made of any metallic material into the shape as illustrated in  FIG. 4  by using a progressive die (stamping). The fitting brackets  40   a  are press-fitted into the respective fitting bracket attachment grooves  23  and located on the left and right end portions of the first insulator  20 . Each of the fitting brackets  40   a  is formed as an approximate H-shape in an elevation view in the left-right direction. The fitting brackets  40   a  include respective mounting portions  41   a  that extend outward in an approximate U-shape at the lower end portion in the front or rear surface of the fitting bracket  40   a . The fitting brackets  40   a  include respective connection portions  42   a  that extend in the front-rear direction at the approximately central portion of the fitting bracket  40   a  with respect to the up-down direction. The fitting brackets  40   a  include respective retainer portions  43   a  that extend inward in the left-right direction from the lower edge portion of the approximately central portion of the connection portion  42   a . The retainer portions  43   a  inhibit displacement of the second insulator  30  with respect to the first insulator  20 . Each of the fitting brackets  40   a  further includes latches  44   a  that are formed in the upper end portions thereof on the front-rear sides and configured to latch to the first insulator  20 . 
     The shielding member  40   b  is obtained by shaping any appropriate material having electrical conductivity into a shape as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The shielding member  40   b  may be made of metal or may include a resin material and have electrical conductivity on its surface. The shielding member  40   b  is constituted of a pair of members having the same shape. The shielding member  40   b  constituted of a pair of members is press-fit into the engaging portion  24  and surrounds the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30  in the front-rear and left-right directions. 
     The shielding member  40   b  includes first shielding portions  41   b  each of which has a width in the up-down direction and linearly extends in the left-right direction. The first shielding portions  41   b  cover substantially the entire outer surface of the first insulator  20  in the front-rear direction. The shielding member  40   b  includes second shielding portions  42   b  that extend inward in the front-rear direction while bending from the left and right side edges of the first shielding portions  41   b . Each of the second shielding portions  42   b  has a width in the front-rear direction. The second shielding portions  42   b  partially cover the left and right side outer surfaces of the first insulator  20 . 
     The shielding member  40   b  includes first bending portions  43   b  bent inward in an approximate inverted U-shape from the entire central portions of the upper edge portions of the first shielding portions  41   b . The first bending portions  43   b  extend in the left-right direction at the upper edge portions of the first shielding portions  41   b . The shielding member  40   b  includes second bending portions  44   b  bent outward in an approximate inverted U-shape from substantially the entire upper edge portions of the second shielding portions  42   b . The second bending portions  44   b  extend in the front-rear direction at the upper edges of the second shielding portions  42   b.    
     The shielding member  40   b  includes engaging portions  45   b  that linearly extend downward at the inner end portions of the second shielding portions  42   b . When the engaging portions  45   b  engage with the engaging portions  24  of the first insulator  20 , the shielding member  40   b  is fixed to the first insulator  20 . The shielding member  40   b  includes mounting portions  46   b  that extend outward in an approximate L-shape from each of the left and right end portions of the bottom edges of the first shielding portions  41   b . The shielding member  40   b  includes protruding portions  47   b  formed by the outer surfaces of the first shielding portions  41   b  protruding linearly along the left-right direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 9 , each of the contacts  50  is obtained by shaping thin plate made of, for example, a copper alloy having spring elasticity such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson type copper alloy into the shape as illustrated in the figures by using the progressive die (stamping). The contacts  50  are formed only by punching. The contacts  50  are made of a metallic material having a small elastic modulus, so as to be largely deformed by elastic deformation. The surfaces of the contacts  50  are plated with gold or tin after forming a nickel plate base. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the plurality of contacts  50  are arranged in the left-right direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 , the contacts  50  are fitted to the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30 . Pairs of contacts  50  arranged in the same positions on the left and right sides are symmetrically formed and arranged along a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 . In particular, the pairs of contacts  50  are formed and arranged so as to be substantially linearly symmetric with respect to a vertical axis passing through the center between the pairs of contacts  50 . 
     The contacts  50  include respective bases  51  that extend in the up-down direction and are supported by the first insulator  20 . The contacts  50  include respective latches  52  that are formed at the top portion of the base  51  and configured to latch to the first insulator  20 . The latches  52  are formed further on the fitting side than first wide portions  51   a , which will be described later. The latches  52  are formed continuously with the lower end portions of the bases  51  and latch to the first insulator  20 . The bases  51  and the latches  52  are accommodated in the contact attachment grooves  25  of the first insulator  20 . The contacts  50  include respective mounting portions  53  that extend outward in an approximate L-shape from the lower end portions of the outer surfaces of the latches  52 . 
     The contacts  50  include respective first wide portions  51   a  that constitute a portion of the base  51  and are located on the first insulator side. The first wide portions  51   a  are located along the inner surfaces of the outer peripheral wall  22  inside the first insulator  20 . The first wide portions  51   a  do not directly latch to the first insulator  20  and are supported by the latches  52  which latch to the first insulator  20 . The first wide portions  51   a  are formed continuously with first elastic portions  54   a  described later. The first wide portions  51   a  are formed adjacent to the first elastic portions  54   a  in the vicinity of the outer end portions of the first elastic portion  54   a.    
     The first wide portions  51   a  protrude further toward the second insulator  30  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50  than the other portions of the contacts  50  along the first insulator  20 . In particular, the first wide portions  51   a  protrude further to the inner side as a step in the front-rear direction than the other portions of the bases  51 . The first wide portions  51   a  are wider in the front-rear direction than the other portions of the bases  51 . Similarly, the first wide portions  51   a  are wider than the first elastic portions  54   a . As described above, the first wide portions  51   a  have cross-sections larger than the other portions of the bases  51  and the first elastic portions  54   a  as a whole. Thus, the first wide portions  51   a  have an electrical conductivity that is higher than those of the other portions of the bases  51  and the first elastic portions  54   a . In particular, the first wide portions  51   a  have a characteristic impedance that is lower than those of the other portions of the bases  51  and the first elastic portions  54   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the contacts  50  include respective concave-convex portions  51   b  that are formed on the surface of the first wide portions  51   a . On one of the left-side or right-side of the outer surface, the concave-convex portions  51   b  are formed such that concave portions formed in the center are surrounded by the convex portions on the front and rear sides. On the other hand, on the other side of the outer surface, the concave-convex portions  51   b  are formed so that the convex portions formed in the center are surrounded by the concave portions on the front and rear sides. The concave-convex portions  51   b  contact the surfaces of the contact attachment grooves  25  in a state where the contacts  50  are attached to the first insulator  20 . Thus, twisting of the contacts  50 , formed to be narrow in the left-right direction by punching, along the left-right direction is suppressed. This enables stable attachment of the contacts  50  having a narrow width in the left-right direction to the first insulator  20 . Even when the second insulator  30  moves relative to the first insulator  20  in the state in which the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are fitted to each other, the twisting in the left-right direction applied to the contacts  50  is suppressed. 
     The contacts  50  include respective first elastic portions  54   a  that are elastically deformable and extend inward along the front-rear direction from the respective bases  51 . The first elastic portions  54   a  extend obliquely downward from the bases  51  in the inward direction and then bend obliquely upward and linearly extend in that state. The first elastic portions  54   a  bend downward again at the inner end portion thereof and are connected to the upper end portions of respective intermediate portions  54   b , which will be described later. The first elastic portions  54   a  are formed to be narrower than the bases  51  and the first wide portions  51   a . Thus, the first elastic portions  54   a  can adjust portions to be elastically displaced. 
     The contacts  50  include the respective intermediate portions  54   b  formed continuously with the first elastic portions  54   a . The intermediate portions  54   b  are formed to be wider than the first elastic portions  54   a  as a whole; that is, have a larger cross-sectional area and thus have higher electrical conductivity than the first elastic portions  54   a . The intermediate portions  54   b  extend in the fitting direction in a state in which the contacts  50  are not elastically deformed. 
     The intermediate portions  54   b  include respective first adjustment portions  54   b   1 , second adjustment portions  54   b   2 , and third adjustment portions  54   b   3  that constitute upper portions, central portions, and lower portions of the intermediate portions  54   b , respectively. The upper end portions of the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  are connected to the first elastic portions  54   a . The first adjustment portions  54   b   1  have cross-sectional areas larger than those of the first elastic portions  54   a . The first adjustment portions  54   b   1  protrude from the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  as a step along the front-rear direction. The second adjustment portions  54   b   2  have cross-sectional areas smaller than those of the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and larger than those of the first elastic portions  54   a . For example, the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  are formed to be narrower than the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and wider than the first elastic portions  54   a , with respect to the front-rear direction. The third adjustment portions  54   b   3  have cross-sectional areas larger than those of the second adjustment portions  54   b   2 . The third adjustment portions  54 B 3  protrude from the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  as a step along the front-rear direction. In the intermediate portions  54   b , thus, each of the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  have high electric conductivities, and the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  have electric conductivities lower than those of the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and the third adjustment portions  54   b   3 . The first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  are symmetrically formed. In particular, the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  are formed to be substantially point-symmetrical with respect to the centers of the intermediate portions  54   b.    
     The contacts  50  include respective second elastic portions  54   c  that are elastically deformable and extend from the bottom portions of the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  to the second insulator  30 . The second elastic portions  54   c  bend obliquely upward from the bottom portions of the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  and then linearly extend in that state. Then, the second elastic portions Mc bend again obliquely downward and are connected to the outer end portions of second wide portions  55 , which will be described later. The second elastic portions  54   c  are formed to be narrower than the intermediate portions  54   b , in a manner similar to the first elastic portions  54   a . Thus, the second elastic portions  54   c  can adjust portions to be elastically displaced. 
     The first elastic portion  54   a , the intermediate portion  54   b , and the second elastic portion  54   c  are integrally formed in an approximate crank shape. The first elastic portion  54   a , the intermediate portion  54   b , and the second elastic portion  54   c  are sequentially located from a fitting side along the fitting direction. The first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  are symmetrically formed with respect to the intermediate portions  54   b . In particular, the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  are formed to be substantially point-symmetrical with respect to the centers of the intermediate portions  54   b.    
     The first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  extend from the opposite end portions of the intermediate portion  54   b  in the fitting direction. In particular, the first elastic portions  54   a  extend from the upper end portions of the first adjustment portion  54   b   1  on the inner side. On the other hand, the second elastic portions  54   c  extend from the lower end portions of the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  on the outer side. Thus, contact points between the first elastic portions  54   a  and the intermediate portions  54   b  and contact points between the second elastic portions  54   c  and the intermediate portions  54   b  are in symmetrical positions with respect to the centers of the intermediate portions  54   b . The first elastic portion  54   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c  are continuous with the intermediate portion  54   b  at the end portion opposite to the end portion continuous with the first wide portion  51   a  and at the end portion opposite to the end portion continuous with the second wide portion  55  described later, respectively. In particular, the first elastic portion  54   a  is continuous with the first wide portion  51   a  at the outer end portion and continuous with the intermediate portion  54   b  at the inner end portion. Similarly, the second elastic portion  54   c  is continuous with the second wide portion  55  at the inner end portion and continuous with the intermediate portion  54   b  at the outer end portion. 
     The contacts  50  include respective second wide portions  55  that are continuous with the second elastic portions  54   c , as illustrated in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . The second wide portions  55  are formed adjacent to the second elastic portions  54   c  in the vicinity of the inner end portions of the second elastic portions  54   c . The second wide portions  55  are located on the second insulator side. The second wide portions  55  are located within the contact attachment grooves  35  of the second insulator  30 . The second wide portions  55  do not directly latch to the second insulator  30  and are supported by the latches  58  which latch to the second insulator  30 . 
     The second wide portions  55  protrude toward the first insulator  20  in the direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50  from other portions of the contacts  50  along the second insulator  30 . In particular, the second wide portions  55  protrude outward as a step in the front-rear direction from third elastic portions  56 , latches  58 , and elastic contact portions  59 , which will be described later. The second wide portions  55  are formed to be wider in the front-rear direction than the third elastic portions  56 , the latches  58 , and the elastic contact portions  59 . Similarly, the second wide portions  55  are formed to be wider than the second elastic portions  54   c . Thus, the second wide portions  55  have the respective cross-sectional areas larger than those of the second elastic portions  54   c , the third elastic portions  56 , the latches  58 , and the elastic contact portions  59  as a whole. Accordingly, the second wide portions  55  have higher electrical conductivity than the second elastic portions  54   c , the third elastic portions  56 , the latches  58 , and the elastic contact portions  59 . In particular, the second wide portions  55  have lower characteristic impedance than the second elastic portions  54   c , the third elastic portions  56 , the latches  58 , and the elastic contact portions  59 . 
     The contacts  50  include the third elastic portions  56  that are elastically deformable, extend upward from the second wide portions  55 , and arranged along the inner wall of the second insulator  30 . The third elastic portions  56  extend in the fitting direction when not elastically deformed. The third elastic portions  56  in their entirety oppose the wall  36  of the second insulator  30  formed on the inner side. The contacts  50  include notches  57  formed on the surface of the third elastic portion  56  to constitute a bending point of elastic deformation of the third elastic portions  56 . The notches  57  are formed as a cut off on the outer surface at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the third elastic portion  56 . The contacts  50  include the latches  58  that are formed at the upper portions of the third elastic portions  56  in a manner continuous therewith and latch to the second insulator  30 . The latches  58  are formed to be wider than the third elastic portions  56 . The contacts  50  include respective elastic contact portions  59  that are formed at the upper portions of the latches  58  in a manner continuous therewith and come into contact with the contacts  90  of the connection object  60  in the fitting state in which the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are fitted to each other. In the contacts  50 , the elastic contact portions  59  are formed at, for example, distal ends that are continuous from the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  on an opposite side from the first adjustment portions  54   b   1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 , the second wide portions  55 , the third elastic portions  56 , the notches  57 , and the latches  58  are accommodated in the contact attachment grooves  35  of the second insulator  30 . The second wide portions  55 , the third elastic portions  56 , and the latches  58 , in substantially their entirety, oppose the wall  36  of the second insulator  30  formed on the inner side. The second wide portions  55  connecting the second elastic portions  54   c  and the third elastic portions  56  together are arranged at positions facing the lower end portion of the wall  36 . 
     The second wide portions  55  and the lower half portions of the third elastic portions  56  are accommodated in the lower portions of the contact attachment grooves  35  formed as recesses on the front and rear surfaces of the second insulator  30 . The upper half portions of the third elastic portions  56  and the latches  58  are accommodated in the central portions of the contact attachment grooves  35  formed by the inside of the second insulator  30 . The notches  57  are formed on the surfaces of the third elastic portions  56  in the vicinity of boundaries between the lower portions and the central portions of the contact attachment grooves  35 . 
     The elastic contact portions  59  are substantially accommodated in the upper portions of the contact attachment grooves  35  configured as recesses formed on the inner surfaces of the fitting recess  33  of the second insulator  30 . The distal ends of the elastic contact portions  59  are exposed to the fitting recess  33  from the contact attachment grooves  35 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating a change in the characteristic impedance in portions of each of the contacts  50 . Functions of the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 10 , the vertical axis indicates the magnitude of the impedance. The horizontal axis indicates a position on a contact  50 . The solid lines represent a measured value of the impedance. The two-dot chain lines represent a theoretical value of the characteristic impedance. Each of the measured value and the theoretical value is indicated by a thick line and a thin line. The thick line indicates a change in the characteristic impedance when the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  are formed in a manner similar to the contacts  50  according to the present embodiment. On the other hand, the thin line represents a change in the characteristic impedance in an assumed case in which the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  are not formed. The broken line represents an ideal value of the characteristic impedance. The change in the characteristic impedance when the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  are not formed will be described with reference to the thin line, for comparison with the function of the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  of the contacts  50  according to the present embodiment. 
     The overall characteristic impedance of the first elastic portion  54   a , the intermediate portion  54   b , and the second elastic portion  54   c  is adjusted by the intermediate portion  54   b . Theoretically, the characteristic impedance in each of the portions changes discretely according to the widths, i.e., cross-sectional areas, of the portions but, in fact, it is considered that the characteristic impedance changes continuously. In each of the contacts  50 , the first elastic portion  54   a  is formed to be narrow (has a narrow cross-sectional area) in order to obtain a large elastic deformation amount. Thus, the characteristic impedance adjusted to the ideal value increases in the first elastic portion  54   a . Because the intermediate portion  54   b  formed continuously with the first elastic portion  54   a  is formed to be wide (has a large cross-sectional area), it is intended to cause the characteristic impedance increased in the first elastic portion  54   a  to fall below the ideal value in the intermediate portion  54   b . Because the second elastic portion  54   c  formed continuously with the intermediate portion  54   b  is formed to be narrow (has a narrow cross-sectional area) in a manner similar to the first elastic portion  54   a , the characteristic impedance which has fallen below the ideal value rises above the ideal value again in the second elastic portion  54   c . In this manner, the intermediate portion  54   b  plays a role of canceling the increase in the characteristic impedance in the first elastic portion  54   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c  such that the characteristic impedance overall approaches the ideal value. 
     More specifically, the characteristic impedance is further reduced in the upper part of the intermediate portion  54   b  by the first adjustment portion  54   b   1  formed wider than the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 . Thus, the characteristic impedance, having been increased to be higher than the ideal value in the first elastic portion  54   a , is intentionally caused to fall below the ideal value at an early stage. In other words, an increase range of the characteristic impedance in the first elastic portion  54   a  is intentionally suppressed. In each of the contacts  50 , the characteristic impedance is slightly increased in the central portion of the intermediate portion  54   b , i.e., in the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 . This inhibits an excessive reduction of the characteristic impedance in the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 , i.e., an extreme deviation between the ideal value and the actual measured value. In each of the contacts  50 , the characteristic impedance is further reduced in the lower portion of the intermediate portion  54   b  by the third adjustment portion  54   b   3  that is formed to be wide in a manner similar to the first adjustment portion  54   b   1 . Thus, the characteristic impedance, lower than the ideal value in the intermediate portion  54   b , is intentionally caused to exceed the ideal value at a late stage in the second elastic portion  54   c . In other words, the increase width of the characteristic impedance in the second elastic portion  54   c  is intentionally suppressed. By subdividing the intermediate portion  54   b  into three components for adjusting the characteristic impedance, i.e., the electrical conductivity as described above, the intermediate portion  54   b  can cancel the increase in the characteristic impedance in the first elastic portion  54   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c  such that the characteristic impedance approaches the ideal value. 
     The change in the characteristic impedance in the case where the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  are formed in a manner similar to the contacts  50  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the thick line, as compared with the thin line. In each of the contacts  50  according to the present embodiment, the first wide portion  51   a  having a wide width (a large cross-sectional area) is formed adjacent to the first elastic portion  54   a  on the opposite side of the intermediate portion  54   b . Thus, it is intended that the characteristic impedance having been increased is reduced in the first elastic portion  54   a  on the opposite side in a manner similar to the intermediate portion  54   b . As a result, the range of increase of the characteristic impedance in the first elastic portion  54   a  is suppressed overall as compared to the thin line. In each of the contacts  50 , similarly, the second wide portion  55  having a wide width (a large cross-sectional are) is formed adjacent to the second elastic portion  54   c  on the opposite side of the intermediate portion  54   b . Thus, it is intended that the characteristic impedance having been increased is reduced in the second elastic portion  54   c  on the opposite side in a manner similar to the intermediate portion  54   b . As a result, the range of increase of the characteristic impedance in the second elastic portion  54   c  is suppressed overall, as compared with the thin line. As described above, because the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  further adjust the characteristic impedance, the characteristic impedance having been increased in the first elastic portion  45   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c  is cancelled such that the characteristic impedance approaches the ideal value. 
     In the connector  10  configured as described above, the mounting portions  53  of the contacts  50  are soldered to the circuit pattern formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB 1 . The mounting portions  41   a  of the fitting brackets  40   a  and the mounting portions  46   b  of the shielding member  40   b  are soldered to the ground pattern or the like formed on the mounting surface. In this way, the connector  10  is mounted on the circuit board CB 1 . On the mounting surface of the circuit board CB 1 , electronic components other than the connector  10  such as, for example, a CPU, a controller, a memory, and the like are mounted. 
       FIG. 11  is an external top perspective view illustrating the connection object  60  to be connected to the connector  10  in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 12  is an exploded top perspective view of the connection object  60  of  FIG. 11 . 
     A configuration of the connection object  60  to be connected to the connector  10  according to the present embodiment will be mainly described with reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the connection object  60  includes an insulator  70 , fitting brackets  80   a , shielding member  80   b , and the contacts  90 , as main constituent elements. The connection object  60  is assembled by press-fitting the contacts  90  into the insulator  70  from therebelow and press-fitting the fitting brackets  80   a  and the shielding member  80   b  from above the insulator  70 . 
     The insulator  70  is a rectangular columnar member obtained by performing injection molding of a synthetic resin material having insulating and heat-resistant properties. The insulator  70  includes a fitting recess  71  formed on the top surface of the insulator  70 . The insulator  70  includes a fitting projection  72  formed within the fitting recess  71 . The insulator  70  includes a guiding portion  73  surrounding the fitting recess  71  across the entire upper edge of the fitting recess  71 . The guiding portion  73  is formed as an inclined surface inclined obliquely outwardly in the upward direction at the upper edge portion of the fitting recess  71 . The insulator  70  includes engaging portions  74  that protrude outward at the left and right end portions of the bottom portion. The metal brackets  80   a  are attached to the engaging portions  74 . The insulator  70  includes attachment grooves  75  that are recessed at the top end portions of the left and right end portions. The shielding member  80   b  is attached to the engaging portions  74 . 
     The insulator  70  has a plurality of contact attachment grooves  76  formed on the front side of the bottom portion, on the inner side thereof, and the front surface of the fitting projection  72 . The insulator  70  includes a plurality of contact attachment grooves  76  that are recessed across the rear side of the bottom portion, on the inner side thereof, and the rear surface of the fitting projection  72 . The plurality of contact attachment grooves  76  are formed in a recessed manner and arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The contact attachment grooves  76  extend in the up-down direction on each of the front and rear surfaces of the fitting projection  72 . The plurality of contacts  90  are attached to the respective contact attachment grooves  76 . 
     Each of the fitting brackets  80   a  is obtained by forming a thin plate made of any metallic material into a shape as illustrated in the figure using a progressive die (stamping). The fitting brackets  80   a  are press-fitted into the engaging portions  74  and arranged in the left and right end portions of the insulator  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Each of the fitting brackets  80   a , in the lower portion thereof, includes a mounting portion  81   a  that is formed in a substantially L-shape and extends outward. Each of the fitting brackets  80   a  includes a latch  82   a  that is formed continuously with the upper portion of the mounting portion  81   a  and latches to the insulator  70 . 
     The shielding member  80   b  is formed into the shape illustrated in  FIG. 12  by using any metal material having electrical conductivity. The shielding member  80   b  may be made of metal, or may contain a resin material and have electrical conductivity on the surface. The shielding member  80   b  is constituted of a pair of members having the same shape. The shielding member  80   b  constituted of a pair of members is press-fit into the attachment grooves  75  and surrounds the insulator  70  in the front-rear and left-right directions. 
     The shielding member  80   b  includes a first shielding portion  81   b  which has a width in the up-down direction and linearly extends in the left-right direction. The first shielding portion  81   b  covers substantially the entire outer surface in the front-rear direction of the insulator  70 . The shielding member  80   b  includes second shielding portions  82   b  that bend from the left and right edges of the first shielding portions  81   b  and extend inward in the front-rear direction. The second shield portions  82   b  have widths in the front-rear direction. The second shielding portions  82   b  partially cover the outer side of left and right side surfaces of the insulator  70 . 
     The shielding member  80   b  includes latches  83   b  that extend inward in a substantially inverted U-shape from the upper edge of the second shielding portions  82   b . By the latches  83   b  latching to the attachment grooves  75  of the insulator  70 , the shielding member  80   b  is fixed to the insulator  70 . The shielding member  80   b  includes mounting portions  84   b  that extend outward in a substantially L-shape from the left and right ends of the lower edge portions of the first shielding portions  81   b . The shielding member  80   b  includes protruding portions  85   b  formed by the outer surface of the first shielding portion  81   b  protruding linearly along the left-right direction. 
     The contacts  90  are obtained by shaping a thin plate made of, for example, a copper alloy having spring elasticity such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, or a Corson type copper alloy into the shape as illustrated in the figure using a progressive die (stamping). The surfaces of the contacts  90  are plated with gold or tin after forming a nickel plate base. 
     The plurality of contacts  90  are arranged along the left-right direction. Each of the contacts  90  includes a mounting portion  91  that is formed in an approximate L-shape and extends outward. Each of the contacts  90  includes a contact portion  92  that is formed at the upper end portion thereof and comes into contact with the elastic contact portion  59  of the contact  50  of the connector  10  when the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are to be fitted together. 
     In the connection object  60  having the above structure, the mounting portion  91  of each of the contacts  90  is soldered to the circuit pattern formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB 2 . The mounting portion  81   a  of each of the fitting brackets  80  and the mounting portions  84   b  of the shielding member  80   b  are soldered to the ground pattern or the like formed on the mounting surface. In this way, the connection object  60  is mounted on the circuit board CB 2 . On the mounting surface of the circuit board CB 2 , electronic components other than the connection object  60  including, for example, a camera module, a sensor, and the like are mounted. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken from arrow XIII-XIII of  FIG. 1 . 
     Operation of the connector  10  having the floating structure when the connection object  60  is fitted to the connector  10  will be described with reference mainly to  FIG. 13 . 
     The contacts  50  of the connector  10  support the second insulator  30  in a state in which the second insulator  30  is spaced apart from the first insulator  20  and floating within the second insulator  30 . At this time, the lower portion of the second insulator  30  is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall  22  of the first insulator  20 . The upper portion of the second insulator  30  including the fitting recess  33  protrudes upward from the opening  21   a  of the first insulator  20 . 
     When the mounting portions  53  of the contacts  50  are soldered to the circuit board CB 1 , the first insulator  20  is fixed to the circuit board CB 1 . The second insulator  30  is movable relative to the fixed first insulator  20  by virtue of elastic deformation of the first elastic portion  54   a , the second elastic portion  54   c , and the third elastic portion  56  of each of the contacts  50 . 
     At this time, the peripheral edge portion of the opening  21   a  of the first insulator  20  regulates excessive movement of the second insulator  30  in the front-rear and left-right directions with respect to the first insulator  20 . When the second insulator  30  moves in the front-rear and left-right directions by a large amount and exceeds the design value due to elastic deformation of the contacts  50 , the fitting projection  32  of the second insulator  30  comes into contact with the peripheral edge portion of the opening  21   a . This inhibits the movement of the second insulator  30  further outward in the front-rear and left-right directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in a state in which the connection object  60  is flipped over relative to the connector  10  having such a floating structure, the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are brought to oppose each other in such a manner that the front-rear positions and the left-right positions of the connector  10  and the connection object  60  substantially meet one another. Then, the connection object  60  is moved downward. At this time, even when the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are displaced from each other in the front-rear direction and the right-left direction, the guiding portion  34  of the connector  10  and the guiding portion  73  of the connection object  60  come into contact with each other. Thus, the second insulator  30  moves relative to the first insulator  20  due to the floating structure of the connector  10 . In particular, the fitting projection  32  of the connector  10  is guided into the fitting recess  71  of the connection object  60 . 
     When the connection object  60  is further moved downward, the fitting projection  32  of the connector  10  and the fitting recess  71  of the connection object  60  are fitted together. At this time, the fitting recess  33  of the connector  10  and the fitting projection  72  of the connection object  60  are fitted together. The contacts  50  of the connector  10  and the contacts  90  of the connection object  60  come into contact with one another in a state in which the second insulator  30  of the connector  10  and the insulator  70  of the connection object  60  are fitted together. In particular, the elastic contact portions  59  of the contacts  50  and the contact portions  92  of the contacts  90  come into contact with one another. At this time, the distal ends of the elastic contact portions  59  of the contacts  50  elastically deform towards the outside slightly and are elastically displaced towards the inside of the contact attachment grooves  35 . 
     In this way, the connector  10  and the connection object  60  are fully connected to each other. At this time, the circuit board CB 1  and the circuit board CB 2  are electrically connected to each other via the contacts  50  and the contacts  90 . 
     In this state, the pair of elastic contact portions  59  of the contacts  50  clamps the pair of contacts  90  of the connection object  60  from both front and rear sides by applying an inward elastic force along the front-rear direction. By virtue of the reaction of the pressing force to the contact  90  applied by the connection object  60  thus generated, the second insulator  30  receives a force acting in a removal direction, i.e., the upward direction, via the contacts  50  when the connection object  60  is removed from the connector  10 . Accordingly, when the second insulator  30  is moved upward, the retainer portions  43   a  of the fitting brackets  40   a  press-fitted into the first insulator  20  illustrated in  FIG. 4  inhibit upward displacement of the second insulator  30 . The retainer portions  43   a  of the fitting brackets  40   a  press-fitted into the first insulator  20  are positioned directly above the left and right end portions of the bottom portion  31  of the second insulator  30  inside the first insulator  20 . Thus, when the second insulator  30  is moved upward, the left and right end portions of the bottom portion  31  protruding outward come into contact with the retainer portions  43   a . Thus, the second insulator  30  does not move further outward. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of elastic deformation of a pair of contacts  50 .  FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of elastic deformation of the pair of contacts  50 . 
     An operation performed by each constituent element when the pair of contacts  50  is elastically deformed will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 . For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the contact  50  disposed on the right side in each of the drawings is referred to as a contact  50   a , and the contact  50  disposed on the left side in each of the drawings will be described as a contact  50   b . The two-dot chain lines in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  indicate a state where the contacts  50   a  and  50   b  are not elastically deformed. 
     In  FIG. 14 , it is assumed that the second insulator  30  is moved to the right by some external factor, by way of example. 
     When the second insulator  30  is moved to the right, the latch  58  of the contact  50   a  is pushed to the right by the wall  36  of the second insulator  30 . At this time, the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   a  is bent inward from the vicinity of the notch  57 . The third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   a  is elastically deformed more inward in the lower portion from the vicinity of the notch  57  than the upper portion. The relative position of the latch  58  of the contact  50   a  in contact with the wall  36  of the second insulator  30  is hardly changed. On the other hand, a relative position of the second wide portion  55  of the contact  50   a  changes inward. 
     When the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   a  is moved to the right, the second elastic portion  54   c  is elastically deformed, and a connection point between the second elastic portion  54   c  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is also moved to the right. On the other hand, a connection point between the first elastic portion  54   a  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is slightly moved in left-right direction. Thus, the first elastic portion  54   a  is elastically deformed in such a manner that a bent portion at the inner end portion is bent outward, and the intermediate portion  54   b  is inclined obliquely rightward from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     When the second insulator  30  is moved to the right, the latch  58  of the contact  50   b  is pushed to the right by the inner wall of the second insulator  30 . At this time, the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   b  is bent outward from the vicinity of the notch  57 . The third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   b  is elastically deformed more outward in the lower portion from the vicinity of the notch  57  than the upper portion. A relative position of the latch  58  of the contact  50   b  in contact with the inner wall of the contact attachment groove  35  with respect to the second insulator  30  is hardly changed. On the other hand, a relative position of the second wide portion  55  of the contact  50   b  is moved outward. 
     When the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   b  is moved to the right, the second elastic portion  54   c  is elastically deformed, and the connection point between the second elastic portion  54   c  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is also moved to the right. On the other hand, the connection point between the first elastic portion  54   a  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is slightly moved in the left-right direction. Thus, the first elastic portion  54   a  is elastically deformed such that the bent portion at the inner end portion is bent inward, and the intermediate portion  54   b  is inclined obliquely rightward from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     In  FIG. 15 , it is assumed that the second insulator  30  is moved to the left by some external factor, by way of example. 
     When the second insulator  30  is moved to the left, the latch  58  of the contact  50   a  is pushed to the left by the inner wall of the second insulator  30 . At this time, the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   a  is bent outward from the vicinity of the notch  57 . The third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   a  is elastically deformed more outward in the lower portion from the vicinity of the notch  57  than the upper portion. A relative position of the latch  58  of the contact  50   a  in contact with the inner wall of the contact attachment groove  35  with respect to the second insulator  30  is hardly changed. On the other hand, a relative position of the second wide portion  55  of the contact  50   a  is changed outward. 
     When the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   a  is moved to the left, the second elastic portion  54   c  is elastically deformed, and the connection point between the second elastic portion  54   c  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is also moved to the left. On the other hand, the connection point between the first elastic portion Ma and the intermediate portion  54   b  is slightly moved in the left-right direction. Thus, the first elastic portion  54   a  is elastically deformed such that the bent portion at the inner end portion is bent inward, and the intermediate portion  54   b  is inclined obliquely leftward from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     When the second insulator  30  is moved to the left, the latch  58  of the contact  50   b  is pushed to the left by the wall  36  of the second insulator  30 . At this time, the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   b  is bent inward from the vicinity of the notch  57 . The third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   b  is elastically deformed more inward in the lower portion from the vicinity of the notch  57  than the upper portion. A relative position of the latch  58  of the contact  50   b  in contact with the wall  36  of the second insulator  30  with respect to the second insulator  30  is hardly changed. On the other hand, a relative position of the second wide portion  55  of the contact  50   b  is changed inward. 
     When the third elastic portion  56  of the contact  50   b  is moved to the left, the second elastic portion  54   c  is elastically deformed, and the connection point between the second elastic portion  54   c  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is also moved to the left. On the other hand, the connection point between the first elastic portion  54   a  and the intermediate portion  54   b  is slightly moved in the left-right direction. Thus, the first elastic portion  54   a  is elastically deformed such that the bent portion at the inner end portion is bent outward, and the intermediate portion  54   b  is inclined obliquely leftward from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     The connector  10  according to the present embodiment configured as described above has good transmission characteristics for signal transmission. In the connector  10 , because each of the contacts  50  includes the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55 , the characteristic impedance is adjusted according to the width, i.e., the cross-sectional area of each transmission path. For example, the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  are formed to be wide by protruding in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 . Thus, the characteristic impedance of corresponding positions of the contacts  50  approaches the ideal value. The connector  10  can contribute to characteristic impedance matching. Therefore, according to the connector  10 , desired transmission characteristics can be obtained for a large capacity and high speed transmission, and transmission characteristics can further improved as compared to conventional electrical connectors that do not include the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55 . 
     Because each of the wide portions protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 , the pitch between the adjacent contacts  50  is not affected in the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 . In particular, when each of the wide portions protrudes in the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 , the pitch between the adjacent contacts  50  increases. However, because each of the wide portions protrudes in the direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 , enlargement of the connector  10  in the arrangement direction of the contacts  50  can be avoided. In the connector  10 , desired transmission characteristics can be obtained in this state. Thus, the connector  10  can be miniaturized along the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 . In addition, because each of the wide portions protrudes toward the other insulator, each of the wide portions fits within the area in which the intermediate portion  54   b  is elastically displaced. This inhibits an unnecessary increase in the front-rear direction width of the contacts  50 . Accordingly, the connector  10  can be miniaturized also along the direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 . 
     Because the contacts  50  are designed so that each of the wide portions protrudes in the direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50 , the entire shape of the contacts  50  can be shaped simply by punching. This improves the productivity of the contacts  50 . Even when the contacts  50  are designed to have a complicated shape, the contacts  50  can be easily manufactured. Thus, the contact  50  can be manufactured in a state in which the optimum shape according to the desired transmission characteristics is accurately maintained. In this way, the productivity of the contacts  50  is improved and, as a result, the productivity of the connector  10  is improved. 
     Because the first wide portion  51   a  and the second wide portion  55  are formed continuously with the first elastic portion  54   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c , respectively, influence by each wide portion on each elastic portion formed to be narrow is more emphasized. This reduces the characteristic impedance of each of the elastic portions more effectively. Thus, an increase of characteristic impedance in each of the elastic portions is effectively cancelled as described with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     Because the contacts  50  include the respective first adjustment portions  54   b   1 , second adjustment portions  54   b   2 , and third adjustment portions  54   b   3 , the characteristic impedance in the corresponding portions of the contacts  50  can be adjusted to approach the ideal value of the characteristic impedance. In the connector  10 , thus, desired transmission characteristics can be more easily obtained even in a large capacity and high speed transmission. The transmission characteristics are further improved as compared with that of the conventional electrical connectors that do not have the adjustment portions. 
     As will be described below, the connector  10  can realize an excellent floating structure in addition to excellent transmission characteristics for signal transmission as described above. 
     In the connector  10 , because the contacts  50  includes the respective second elastic portions  54   c , the moving amount of the second insulator  30  relative to the first insulator  20  can be further increased. In particular, in addition to elastic deformation of the first elastic portion  54   a , elastic deformation of the second elastic portion  54   c  occurs. This increases the moving amount of the second insulator  30  relative to the first insulator  20 . 
     In the connector  10 , because the contacts  50  include the respective third elastic portions  56 , the moving amount of the second insulator  30  relative to the first insulator  20  can be further increased. In particular, in addition to elastic deformation of the first elastic portion  54   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c , elastic deformation of the third elastic portion  54   c  occurs. This increases the moving amount of the second insulator  30  relative to the first insulator  20 . Conversely, because the connector  10  can allocate a part of the elastic deformation amounts of the contacts  50  necessary to obtain a predetermined movement amount to the third elastic portion  56  and thus reduce the elastic deformation amounts of the first elastic portion  54   a  and the second elastic portion  54   c . As a result, the overall lengths of the first elastic portion  54   a , the intermediate portion  54   b , and the second elastic portion  54   c  are reduced, and the front-rear direction width of the connector  10  is reduced. This enables the connector  10  to contribute to the miniaturization thereof while securing the necessary moving amount of the second insulator  30 . 
     Because the total length of the first elastic portion  54   a , the intermediate portion  54   b , and the second elastic portion  54   c  is reduced, the transmission characteristics of the connector  10  is further improved. Because of the reduction in the signal transmission path, the connector  10  can transmit high frequency signals with less transmission loss. 
     Because the connector  10  includes the wall  36  at a position where the second insulator  30  opposes the second wide portions  55 , the pair of contacts  50  arranged symmetrically in the front-rear direction in  FIG. 7  can be prevented from coming into contact with each other. As described above, the second wide portions  55  connecting the second elastic portions  54   c  and the third elastic portions  56  together are moved, for example, in the front-rear direction of  FIG. 7  in accordance with elastic deformation of the second elastic portions  54   c  and the third elastic portions  56 . At this time, in a case where the second insulator  30  does not include the wall  36 , the second wide portions  55  of the pair of contacts  50  arranged in the front-rear direction potentially come into contact with each other, depending on their respective elastic deformation states. By formation of the wall  36 , the connector  10  can prevent the second wide portions  55  from coming into contact with each other, and thus reduce electrically-induced defects such as short circuiting and mechanically-induced defects such as breakage. In other words, by virtue of the wall  36 , the connector  10  can regulate excessive elastic deformation of the third elastic portions  56 . Even in situations where the second wide portions  55  are moved in accordance with elastic deformation of the second elastic portions  54   c  and the third elastic portions  56 , the connector  10  can secure its reliability as a product. 
     In the connector  10 , the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  protrude outward from the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  as a step in the front-rear direction, and the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  protrude inward from the second adjustment portions  54   b   2  in the front-rear direction. This configuration prevents the first adjustment portions  54   b   1  and the third adjustment portions  54   b   3  from coming into contact with other portions of the contacts  50  and the second insulator  30  when the contacts  50  are elastically deformed, as illustrated in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 . Thus, the protruding portions of the first adjustment portion  54   b   1  and the third adjustment portion  54   b   3  of the connector  10  do not interfere with elastic deformation of the contacts  50 , and the connector  10  can realize smooth movement of the second insulator  30  and contribute to an excellent floating structure. 
     In the connector  10 , because the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  extend from both fitting-direction ends of the intermediate portion  54   b , necessary moving amounts of the intermediate portions  54   b  can be secured. Thus, the connector  10  can secure the necessary moving amount of the second insulator  30 . In the connector  10 , the integral formation of the first elastic portions  54   a , the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  in an approximate crank shape can contribute to a reduction in the front-rear length in  FIG. 7  while exerting the aforementioned effect. For example, the first elastic portions  54   a  extend from the inner end portions of the upper edge portions of the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  extend from the outer end portions of the lower edge portions of the intermediate portions  54   b . Thus, the front-rear length of the connector  10  in its entirety is reduced. Also, this configuration enables extension of the elastically deforming portions of the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  within the limited areas in the first insulator  20 , and thus can realize an excellent floating structure. 
     Because the first elastic portions  54   a , the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  are sequentially arranged from the fitting side along the fitting direction, the second wide portions  55  connected to the second elastic portions  54   c  are located in the lowest position. This enables extension of the third elastic portion  56  and larger elastic deformation. Consequently, the moving amount of the second insulator  30  relative to the first insulator  20  is increased. 
     In the connector  10 , because the contacts  50  further include the respective notches  57 , the force applied to the latches  58  in contact with the inner wall of the second insulator  30  when the second insulator  30  is moved can be reduced. Similarly, the connector  10  can reduce the force applied to the elastic contact portions  59  located in the upper portions of the contact attachment grooves  35 . The connector  10  can bend the third elastic portions  56  below the vicinity of the notches  57 . In particular, in the third elastic portions  56  of in the connector  10 , the elastic deformation amounts in the lower half portions are larger than those of the upper half portions between the lower end portions of the latches  58  and the vicinities of the notches  57 . Thus, in a state in which the locking of the latches  58  to the second insulator  30  and the contact of the elastic contact portions  59  with the contact portions  92  are stable, the third elastic portions  56  can contribute to the movement of the second insulator  30  relative to the first insulator  20 . 
     Because the contacts  50  are made of a metallic material having a small elastic modulus, the necessary moving amount of the second insulator  30  can be secured in response to a small force applied to the second insulator  30 . The second insulator  30  can smoothly move with respect to the first insulator  20 . Thus, the connector  10  can easily accommodate a positional deviation when being fitted to the connection object  60 . In the connector  10 , each of the elastic portions of the contacts  50  absorbs vibrations caused by some external factor. This inhibits application of a large force to the mounting portion  53  and damage to a connection portion between the connector  10  and the circuit board CB 1 . The occurrence of cracks in the solder at the connection portion between the circuit board CB 1  and the mounting portion  53  can be suppressed. In this way, when the connector  10  is connected to the connection object  60 , the connector  10  can maintain reliable connection. 
     Because the connector  10  includes the second wide portions  55  configured as wide portions of the contacts  50 , the connector  10  can improve product assembly. Because the second wide portions  55  are formed to be wide, the rigidity of the second wide portions  55  is increased. This enables the contacts  50  to be stably inserted from below into the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30  by an assembling machine or the like, with the second wide portions  55  serving as supports. 
     The fitting brackets  40   a  are press-fitted into the first insulator  20 , and the mounting portions  41   a  are soldered to the circuit board CB 1 , whereby the fitting brackets  40   a  can stably fix the first insulator  20  to the circuit board CB 1 . The fitting brackets  40   a  improve the mounting strength of the first insulator  20  on the circuit board CB 1 . 
     By attaching the shielding member  40   b  to the first insulator  20 , the strength of the connector  10  in the front-rear and left-right directions is increased. Because the shielding member  40   b  includes the raised portions  47   b , the rigidity of the shielding member  40   b  itself is increased and, as a result, the strength of the connector  10  in the front-rear and left-right directions is also increased. 
     By attaching the shielding member  40   b  to the first insulator  20 , an electrical adverse effect caused by external noise in the front-rear and left-right directions of the connector  10  is suppressed. For example, because noise such as magnetism flowing from the outside to the connector  10  is reduced, an electrical adverse effect on a large capacity and high speed signal transmitted by the contacts  50  is suppressed. Conversely, because noise such as magnetism flowing out of the connector  10  to the outside is reduced, an electrical adverse effect on the electronic components mounted in the vicinity of the connector  10  by the signal transmitted by the contact  50  is suppressed. For example, malfunction of the electronic components in the vicinity of the connector  10  is suppressed. 
     It will be apparent to those who are skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be realized in forms other than the embodiment described above, without departing from the spirit and the fundamental characteristics of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not limiting in any manner. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, not by the foregoing description. Among all modifications, those within a range of the equivalent to the present disclosure shall be considered as being included in the present disclosure. 
     For example, the shape, the arrangement, the orientation, and the number of each of the constituent elements described above are not limited to the above description and illustrated in the drawings. The shape, arrangement, orientation, and the number of each of the constituent elements may be appropriately determined to be able to realize its function. 
     The assembly method of the connector  10  and the connection object  60  is not limited to the above description. Any assembly method of the connector  10  and the connection object  60  that enables the connector  10  and the connection object  60  to realize the respective functions may be employed. For example, at least one of the fitting brackets  40   a , the shielding member  40   b , and the contacts  50  may be integrally formed with the first insulator  20  or the second insulator  30  by insert molding, instead of press-fitting. 
     Although it has been described that the first wide portions  51   a  and the second wide portions  55  are formed along the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30 , respectively, this is not restrictive. As long as the transmission characteristic of the connector  10  is maintained, the wide portions may be formed along the corresponding one of the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30 . 
     Although it has been described that in the intermediate portion  54   b  the width of the transmission path, i.e., the cross-sectional area of the transmission path is increased and the characteristic impedance is reduced and whereby the electrical conductivity is improved, the configuration of the intermediate portion  54   b  for improving the electrical conductivity is not limited thereto. The intermediate portion  54   b  may have any configuration that improves the electrical conductivity. For example, the intermediate portion  54   b  may be formed thicker than the first elastic portion  54   a  while maintaining the same width. For example, the intermediate portion  54   b  may be made of a material having higher electrical conductivity than the first elastic portion  54   a  while maintaining the same cross-sectional area. For example, the intermediate portion  54   b  may have the surface plated for improving the electrical conductivity while maintaining the same cross-sectional area as the first elastic portion  54   a.    
     Although it has been described that in the intermediate portion  54   b  the cross-sectional areas of the first adjustment portion  54   b   1 , the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 , and the third adjustment portion  54   b   3  are sequentially varied in order to adjust the electrical conductivity, the configuration of the intermediate portion  54   b  is not limited thereto. The intermediate portion  54   b  may have any configuration that includes a high electrical conductivity portion, a low electrical conductivity portion, and a high electrical conductivity portion arranged sequentially from the fitting side. For example, in the intermediate portion  54   b , as described above, the electrical conductivity may be adjusted by varying at least one of the width, the thickness, the cross-sectional area, the material, and the type of plating. 
       FIG. 16A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of a shape of the intermediate portion  54   b  of each of the contacts  50 .  FIG. 16B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of the shape of the intermediate portion  54   b  of each of the contacts  50 .  FIG. 16C  is a schematic diagram illustrating a third example of the shape of the intermediate portion  54   b  of each of the contacts  50 .  FIG. 16D  is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth example of the shape of the intermediate portion  54   b  of each of the contacts  50 . 
     The shape of the intermediate portion  54   b  is not limited to those illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The intermediate portion  54   b  may have any shape capable of realizing the function described above. For example, the intermediate portion  54   b  may have the shapes as illustrated in  FIG. 16A  to  FIG. 16D . In the intermediate portion  54   b  illustrated in  FIG. 16A , the first adjustment portion  54   b   1  protrudes upward from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 , and the third adjustment portion  54   b   3  protrudes downward from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 . In the intermediate portion  54   b  illustrated in  FIG. 16B , the first adjustment portion  54   b   1  protrudes upward from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2  and, simultaneously, protrudes as a step along the front-rear direction from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 . The third adjustment portion  54   b   3  protrudes downward from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2  and, simultaneously, protrudes as a step along the front-rear direction from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2 . In  FIG. 16C , the intermediate portion  54   b  is formed in a rectangular shape in its entirety and has an opening at the center thereof. In  FIG. 16D , the intermediate portion  54   b  tapers from the first adjustment portion  54   b   1  to the second adjustment portion  54   b   2  and becomes wider from the second adjustment portion  54   b   2  toward the third adjustment portion  54   b   3 . 
     It has been described that the intermediate portions  54   b  extend in the fitting direction to be fitted to the connection object  60  in a state in which the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  are not elastically deformed, and the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  extend from the respective fitting-direction end portions. However, this is not restrictive. The first elastic portions  54   a , the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  can be in any shape overall that can contribute to the miniaturization of the connector  10  while securing the necessary moving amount of the second insulator  30 . For example, the intermediate portions  54   b  may extend in a manner that deviates from the fitting direction. For example, the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  may extend from the respective end portions of the intermediate portions  54   b  in the front-rear direction of  FIG. 7 . For example, the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  may have any shapes with more bent portions. For example, the first elastic portions  54   a , the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  may form an approximate U-shape overall, instead of an approximate crank-shape. 
     Although it has been described that the first elastic portions  54   a , the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  are sequentially arranged from the fitting side along the fitting direction as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , this is not restrictive. The first elastic portions  54   a , the intermediate portions  54   b , and the second elastic portions  54   c  may be sequentially arranged from the opposite side when they can contribute to the miniaturization of the connector  10  while securing the necessary moving amount of the second insulator  30 . 
     Although it has been described that the first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  are formed to be narrower than the bases  51 , this is not restrictive. The first elastic portions  54   a  and the second elastic portions  54   c  may have any configuration that can secure the respective necessary elastic deformation amounts. For example, the first elastic portions  54   a  or the second elastic portions  54   c  may be made of a metal material having a smaller elastic modulus than the other portions of the contacts  50 . 
     Provided that the connector  10  is able to contribute to the miniaturization of the connector  10  while securing a necessary moving amount of the second insulator  30 , the connector  10  does not need to include the second elastic portions  54   c  and the third elastic portions  56 . 
     Although it has been described that the wall  36  extends downward from the bottom surface of the fitting recess  33  within the contacts  50 , this is not restrictive. For example, provided that the wall  36  is able to prevent contact between the pair of contacts  50 , the wall  36  may be formed at a position facing the second wide portions  55  alone. 
     In a case where the third elastic portions  56  can contribute to the movement of the second insulator  30  in a state in which the engagement of the latches  58  and the contact of the elastic contact portions  59  are stable, the connector  10  does not need to include the notches  57 . 
     Although the contacts  50  have been described as being made of a metal material having a small elastic modulus, this is not restrictive. The contacts  50  may be made of any metal material having any elastic modulus that can secure the necessary elastic deformation amount. 
     Although the contacts  50  have been described as including the concave-convex portions  51   b  including the concave portion and the convex portion, this is not restrictive. The contacts  50  may include a convex portion alone instead of the concave-convex portions  51   b.    
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional diagram corresponding to  FIG. 7  that illustrates a cross-sectional shape of the contacts  50  according to a first example variation.  FIG. 18  is an enlarged view corresponding to  FIG. 9  that illustrates an enlarged portion of the contact  50  according to a second example variation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the second wide portions  55  of the contacts  50  may further protrude toward the second insulator  30  in the direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50  from the other portion of the contacts  50  along the second insulator  30 . In particular, the second wide portions  55  may further protrude inward in the front-rear direction from the third elastic portion  56  over a wide region in the up-down direction. 
     Consequently, the second wide portions  55  become wider in the front-rear direction, and the characteristic impedance of the second elastic portion  54   c  is more effectively lowered. Thus, the increase in the characteristic impedance in the second elastic portion  54   c  is more effectively suppressed as described with reference to  FIG. 10 . Further, the strength of the second wide portions  55  is further enhanced as the second wide portions  55  become wider, facilitating the product assembly. For example, when the contacts  50  are inserted from the bottoms of the first insulator  20  and the second insulator  30  by an assembling device or the like having the second wide portion  55  serving as a support, stable insertion is realized by the enhancement of the strength of the second wide portions  55 . Accordingly, the workability in assembling the connector  10  is improved. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , in addition to the configuration of the second wide portions  55  of  FIG. 17 , the first wide portions  51   a  of the contacts  50  can further protrude toward the first insulator  20  in the direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the contacts  50  from the other portions of the contacts  50  arranged along the first insulator  20 . In particular, the first wide portions  51   a  may further protrude outward as a step in the front-rear direction from the other portions of the bases  51 . 
     As a result, the first wide portions  51   a  become wider in the front-rear direction, and the characteristic impedance of the first elastic portions  54   a  is more effectively lowered. Thus, the increase in the characteristic impedance in the first elastic portions  54   a  is more effectively cancelled as described with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
     As described above, at least one of the first wide portions  51   a  and the second wide portions  55  may further protrude toward the insulator on which each wide portion is located, as illustrated in  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  by way of example. 
     The concave-convex portions  51   b  of the contacts  50  are not limited to the configuration described above. The concave-convex portions  51   b  may have any configuration that can suppress the twisting of the contacts  50  in the left-right direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , for example, the concave-convex portions  51   b  may be formed by subdividing a portion of the surface of the first wide portion  51   a  into four regions in the front-rear and left-right directions and arranging the concave and convex region alternately in the front-rear and up-down directions. 
     Although the connection object  60  has been described as a receptacle connector connected to the circuit board CB 2 , this is not restrictive. The connection object  60  may be any object other than a connector. For example, the connection object  60  may be an FPC, a flexible flat cable, a rigid board, or a card edge of any circuit board. 
     The connector  10  described above is mounted in an electronic device. The electronic device includes, for example, any in-vehicle device such as a camera, a radar, a drive recorder, or an ECU (engine control unit). The electronic device includes any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system such as a GPS navigation system, an advanced driving support system, or a security system. The electronic device includes, for example, any information device such as a personal computer, a copy machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine. The electronic equipment also includes any industrial equipment. 
     Electronic devices as described above have excellent transmission characteristics for signal transmission. Because the floating structure of the connector  10  accommodates the positional displacement between the circuit boards in an excellent manner, the workability at the time of assembling the electronic devices is improved. The electronic devices can be easily manufactured. Because the connector  10  inhibits damage to the connection portion between the connector  10  and the circuit board CB 1 , the reliability of the electronic device as a product is improved. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               10  connector 
               20  first insulator (insulator) 
               21   a ,  21   b  opening 
               22  outer peripheral wall 
               23  fitting bracket attachment groove 
               24  engaging portion 
               25  contact attachment groove 
               30  second insulator (insulator) 
               31  bottom portion 
               32  fitting projection 
               33  fitting recess 
               34  guiding portion 
               35  contact attachment groove 
               36  wall 
               40   a  fitting bracket 
               41   a  mounting portion 
               42   a  continuous portion 
               43   a  retainer portion 
               44   a  latch 
               40   b  shielding member 
               41   b  first shielding portion 
               42   b  second shielding portion 
               43   b  first bending portion 
               44   b  second bending portion 
               45   b  engaging portion 
               46   b  mounting portion 
               47   b  protruding portion 
               50 ,  50   a ,  50   b  contact 
               51  base 
               51   a  first wide portion (wide portion) 
               51   b  concave-convex portion 
               52  latch 
               53  mounting portion 
               54   a  first elastic portion (elastic portion) 
               54   b  intermediate portion 
               54   b   1  first adjustment portion 
               54   b   2  second adjustment portion 
               54   b   3  third adjustment portion 
               54   c  second elastic portion (elastic portion) 
               55  second wide portion (wide portion) 
               56  third elastic portion 
               57  notch 
               58  latch 
               59  elastic contact portion 
               60  connection object 
               70  insulator 
               71  fitting recess 
               72  fitting projection 
               73  guiding portion 
               74  engaging portion 
               75  attachment groove 
               76  contact attachment groove 
               80   a  fitting bracket 
               81   a  mounting portion 
               82   a  latch 
               80   b  shielding member 
               81   b  first shielding portion 
               82   b  second shielding portion 
               83   b  engaging portion 
               84   b  mounting portion 
               85   b  protruding portion 
               90  contact 
               91  mounting portion 
               92  contact portion 
             CB 1 , CB 2  circuit board