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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A high-speed transmission connector comprising an insulating connector
housing, a plurality of contacts fixed to said connector housing at
positions forming a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns in a
matrix arrangements, and a shield attached to said connector housing,
wherein:
said shield comprises a plurality of first ground plates extending in
parallel to the columns of said contacts and a plurality of second ground
plates extending in parallel to the rows of said contacts;
at least either one ground plates of said first ground plates and said
second ground plates being provided with contacting portions to be
connected to the other ground plates, one of each of said first ground
plates and each of said second ground plates having at least one ground
terminal to be connected to an external circuit;
said first ground plates being arranged at an outside of opposite outermost
ones of and between every two adjacent ones of the columns of said
contacts, said second ground plates being arranged at the outside of
opposite outermost ones of and between every two adjacent one of the rows
of said contacts, said first and second ground plates surrounding said
contacts and forming a grid structure.
2. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 1, wherein
said connector is a plug connector in which each of said contacts has a
socket contact portion to be brought into contact with a pin contact of a
mating connector.
3. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 1, wherein
said connector is a receptacle connector in which each of said contacts
has a pin contact portion to be brought into contact with a socket contact
of a mating connector.
4. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 1, wherein
said connector is a board connector to be mounted on a circuit board, each
of said contacts having a contact lead terminal to be connected to a
circuit pattern on said circuit board, said at least one ground terminal
being connected to a ground pattern on said circuit board.
5. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 4, wherein
said circuit board has a through hole in said ground pattern, said ground
terminal being a press-fit terminal to be press-fitted into said through
hole.
6. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 4, wherein
said contact lead terminals are arranged to form a plurality of columns
and a plurality of rows in a matrix arrangement, a plurality of said
ground terminals being formed in each of said first ground plates, said
ground terminals being arranged between every two adjacent ones of the
columns of said contact lead terminals and between every two adjacent ones
of the rows of said contact lead terminals.
7. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 6, wherein
each of said second ground plates has a contacting portion to be brought
into contact with a shield of a mating connector.
8. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 6, wherein
each of said first ground plates is integrally coupled with an insulator
by press-fitting or insert-molding to form a ground plate module, said
ground plate modules being inserted in said connector hosing at the
outside of opposite outermost ones of and between every two adjacent ones
of the columns of said contacts to be incorporated into said connector
housing.
9. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 8, wherein
each of said contact lead terminals of said contacts and said ground
terminals of said first ground plates is formed into a press-fit portion,
said ground plate modules being pressed onto said circuit board to thereby
press-fit said press-fit portion to said circuit board to attach said
connector to said circuit board.
10. A high-speed transmission connector as described in any one of claims 1
through 9, said high-speed transmission connector being for use in
connecting a signal circuit of a differential signal transmission system
in which a single differential signal is transmitted through each pair of
two adjacent ones of said contacts, wherein each pair of two adjacent ones
of said contacts are surrounded by said first and said second ground
plates.
11. A high-speed transmission connector for use in connecting a signal
circuit of a differential signal transmission system in which a single
differential signal is transmitted through each pair of two adjacent ones
of a plurality of contacts, and wherein said connector is a board
connector to be mounted on a circuit board, said connector comprising:
an insulating connector housing provided with a plurality of contact
holding holes arranged in a matrix fashion to form a plurality of columns
and a plurality of rows including two upper rows and two lower rows, a
plurality of first slits formed between every two adjacent ones of and at
an outside of opposite outermost ones of the columns of said holding holes
and extending in parallel to the columns, and a second slit formed between
the two upper rows and the two lower rows of said holding holes and
extending in parallel to the rows;
a plurality of contacts fixed to said contact holding holes, respectively;
a plurality of first ground plates inserted into said first slits,
respectively; and
a second ground plate inserted into said second slit and brought into
contact with said first ground plates;
each of said contacts having a contact lead terminal to be connected to a
circuit pattern on said circuit board, each of said first ground plates
having first, second, and third ground terminals to be connected to a
ground pattern on said circuit board, said contact lead terminals being
arranged to form a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows in a
matrix arrangement, said first, said second, and third ground terminals
being arranged at the outside of opposite outermost ones of and between
every two adjacent ones of the columns of said contact lead terminals in a
direction parallel to the columns, said first ground terminals of said
first ground plates being arranged at an outside of the first row of said
contact lead terminals in parallel to the first row, said second ground
terminals being arranged between second and third rows of said contact
lead terminals in parallel to the second and the third rows, said third
ground terminals being arranged at an outside of a fourth row of said
contact lead terminals in parallel to the fourth row.
12. A high-speed transmission connector as described in paragraph 11,
wherein the second ground plate has, an insulating block formed at its
rear end and a plurality of slits for receiving the first ground plates.
13. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 12, wherein
each of said first ground plates is integrally coupled with an insulator
by press-fitting or insert-molding to form a ground plate module, said
ground plate modules being inserted said connector housing at outside of
the opposite outermost ones of and between every two adjacent ones of the
columns of said contacts to be incorporated into said connector housing.
14. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 13, wherein
each of said contact lead terminals of said contacts and said ground
terminals of said first ground plates is formed into a press-fit portion,
said ground plate modules being pressed onto said circuit board to thereby
press-fit said press-fit portion to said circuit board to attach said
connector to said circuit board.
15. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 11, wherein
said connector is a board connector to be mounted on a circuit board, each
of said contacts having a contact lead terminal to be connected to a
circuit pattern on said circuit board, each of said first ground plates
having first and second ground terminals to be connected to a ground
pattern on said circuit board, said second ground plate having a plurality
of third ground terminals to be connected to a ground pattern on said
circuit board, said contact lead terminals and said first and said third
ground terminals being arranged to form a plurality of columns and a
plurality of rows in a matrix arrangement, said first ground terminals of
said first ground plates being arranged at the outside the first row of
said contact lead terminals in parallel to the first row, said third
ground terminals of said second ground plate being arranged between the
second and the third rows of said contact lead terminals in parallel to
the second and the third rows, said second ground terminals of said first
ground plates being arranged at the outside of the fourth row of said
contact lead terminals in parallel to the fourth row and at positions
shifted from the columns of said contact lead terminals.
16. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 15, wherein
each of said third ground terminals of said second ground plate is
provided with a pair of wing portions formed at its base to protrude
towards adjacent columns of said contact lead terminals on opposite sides,
each of said contact lead terminals of said contacts and said ground
terminals of said first ground plates being formed into a press-fit
portion, each of said first ground plates being integrally coupled with an
insulator by press-fitting or insert-molding to form a ground plate
module, said ground plate modules being inserted into said connector
housing at the outside of the opposite outermost ones of and between every
two adjacent ones of the columns of said contacts, said connector being
attached to said circuit board by incorporating said ground plate modules
into said connector housing in a state where lower ends of said insulators
of said ground plate modules are brought into contact with upper ends of
said wing portions and then pressing said ground plate modules to said
circuit board.
17. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 15, wherein
said second ground plate has an insulating block formed at its rear end
and a plurality of slits for receiving said first ground plates.
18. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 17, wherein
each of said first ground plates is integrally coupled with an insulator
by press-fitting or insert-molding to form a ground plate module, said
ground plate modules being inserted in said connector housing at the
outside of opposite outermost ones of and between every two adjacent ones
of the columns of said contacts to be incorporated into said connector
housing.
19. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 18, wherein
each of said contact lead terminals of said contacts and said ground
terminals of said first ground plates is formed into a press-fit portion,
said ground plate modules being pressed to said circuit board to thereby
press fit said press-fit portion to said circuit board to attach said
connector to said circuit board.
20. A high-speed transmission connector for use in connecting a signal
circuit of a differential signal transmission system in which a single
differential signal is transmitted through each pair of two adjacent ones
of a plurality of contacts, said connector comprising:
an insulating connector housing having a plurality of contact holding holes
arranged in a matrix fashion to form a plurality of columns and a
plurality of rows including two upper rows and two lower rows, a plurality
of first slits formed between every two adjacent ones of and at an outside
of opposite outermost ones of the columns of said holding holes and
extending in parallel to the columns, and a second slit formed between the
two upper rows and the two lower rows of said holding holes and extending
in parallel to the rows;
a plurality of contacts fixed to said contact holding holes, respectively;
a plurality of first ground plates inserted into said first slits,
respectively; and
a second ground plate inserted into said second slit and brought into
contact with said first ground plates;
wherein each of a plurality of third ground terminals of said second ground
plate has a pair of wing portions formed at its base to protrude towards
adjacent columns of contact lead terminals on opposite sides, each of said
contact lead terminals of said contacts and said ground terminals of said
first ground plates being formed into a press-fit portion, each of said
first ground plates being integrally coupled with an insulator by
press-fitting or insert-molding to form a ground plate module, said ground
plate modules being inserted into said connector housing at the outside of
the opposite outermost ones of and between every two adjacent ones of the
columns of said contacts, said connector being attached to a circuit board
by incorporating said ground plate modules into said connector housing in
a state where lower ends of said insulators of said ground plate modules
are brought into contact with upper ends of said wing portions and then
pressing said ground plate modules to said circuit board.
21. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 20, wherein
said connector is a board connector to be mounted on a circuit board, each
of said second contacts having a contact terminal to be connected to a
circuit pattern on said circuit board, each of said third ground plates
having fourth, fifth, and sixth ground terminals to be connected to a
ground pattern on said circuit board, said contact terminals being
arranged to form a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows in a
matrix arrangement, said fourth, said fifth, and said sixth ground
terminals being arranged at the outside of opposite outermost ones of and
between every two adjacent ones of the columns of said contact terminals
in a direction parallel to the columns, said fourth ground terminals of
said third ground plates being arranged at the outside of the first row of
said contact terminals in parallel to the first row, the fifth ground
terminals being arranged between the second and the third rows of said
contact terminals in parallel to the second and the third rows, said sixth
ground terminals being arranged at the outside of the fourth row of said
contact terminals in parallel to the fourth row.
22. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 20, wherein
said connector is a board connector to be mounted on a circuit board, each
of said second contacts having a contact terminal to be connected to a
circuit pattern on said circuit board, each of said third ground plates
having fourth, fifth, and sixth ground terminals to be connected to a
ground pattern on said circuit board, said contact terminals and said
fourth, said fifth, and said sixth ground terminals of said third ground
plates except an outermost one of said third ground plates on one side
being arranged to form a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows in a
matrix arrangement, said fourth ground terminals of said third ground
plates being arranged at the outside of the first row of said contact
terminals in parallel to the first row, said fifth ground terminals being
arranged between the second and the third rows of said contact terminals
in parallel to the second and the third rows, said sixth ground terminals
being arranged at the outside of the fourth row of said contact terminals
in parallel to the fourth row, said fourth, said fifth, said sixth ground
terminals of the outermost one of said third ground plates being arranged
at the outside of an outermost one of the columns of said contact
terminals on the one side in parallel to the outermost column.
23. A high-speed transmission connector as described in claim 20, wherein
said connector is a receptacle connector in which each of said contacts
has a pin contact portion to be connected to a socket portion of said
first contact of said mating connector. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a high-speed transmission connector and, in
particular, to a ground structure of the high-speed transmission
connector.
An electrical connector is used to connect two electrical apparatuses.
Particularly when a signal is transmitted at a high speed, shielding is
required for preventing leakage of the signal and entrance of noise. In
case of a connector for connecting two circuit boards to each other, a
simple ground structure as a shield is important.
Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1F, description will be made of an assembling
process of an existing high-speed transmission connector having a
shielding ground structure. In the illustrated example, the high-speed
transmission connector is a plug connector having socket contacts for
transmitting signals therethrough, which will be referred to as signal
socket contacts.
At first referring to FIG. 1A, a plurality of sets of four signal socket
contacts 42A through 42D for use in the plug connector (41 in FIG. 1F) are
connected to a plurality of arms 43A protruding from a carrier 43,
respectively. Each of the signal socket contacts 42A through 42D has a
substantially L shape. Such a plurality of sets of the signal socket
contacts 42A through 42D connected to the carrier 43 are prepared by
pressing a single metal plate.
Next referring to FIG. 1B, the signal socket contacts 42A through 42D in
each set are subjected to insert-molding by the use of an insulating resin
material to form a contact module 44.
Subsequently, the signal socket contacts 42A through 42D in each contact
module 44 are separated from the arm 43A of the carrier 43. As illustrated
in FIG. 1C, four ground plates 45A through 45D are incorporated into the
contact module 44 on opposite sides thereof, two on one side and two on
the other side. Specifically, the ground plates 45A through 45D are
press-fitted into grooves formed in the contact module 44. The ground
plates 45A through 45D correspond to the signal socket contacts 42A
through 42D, respectively. The ground plates 45A through 45D are
alternately arranged on the opposite sides of the contact module 44.
Specifically, the ground plates 45A and 45C corresponding to the signal
socket contacts 42A and 42C are arranged on one side of the contact module
44 while the ground plates 45B and 45D corresponding to the signal socket
contacts 42B and 42D are arranged on the other side of the contact module
44.
Turning to FIG. 1D, a shield plate 46 bent into a generally L shape is
prepared. Into the shield plate 46, the contact modules 44 with the ground
plates 45A through 45D incorporated therein are provisionally inserted one
by one. After the contact modules 44, six in total, are inserted, they are
collectively press fitted. Then, an assembly illustrated on a left-hand
side in FIG. 1E is obtained.
Finally, the assembly including the six contact modules 44 and the shield
plate 46 are press fitted into a housing 47 to complete the socket
connector 41 as illustrated in FIG. 1F.
Thus, the socket connector 41 includes the six sets of the signal socket
contacts 42A through 42D as the six contact modules 44. Among the six sets
of the signal socket contacts 42A through 42D, the four sets located
inside are shielded by the ground plates on both of the left and the right
sides. However, the signal socket contacts 42B and 42D of the leftmost set
are not shielded on the left side by the ground plates. Likewise, the
signal socket contacts 42A and 42C of the rightmost set are not shielded
on the right side by the ground plates. Therefore, the leftmost and the
rightmost sets are not practically used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a high-speed
transmission connector in which all of signaling contacts including
outermost ones are shielded by grounding plates so as to reliably transmit
a high-speed signal.
According to this invention, the following structures are provided:
1. A high-speed transmission connector comprising an insulating connector
housing, a plurality of contacts fixed to the connector housing at
positions forming a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns in a
matrix arrangement, and a shield attached to the connector housing,
wherein:
the shield comprises a plurality of first ground plates extending in
parallel to the columns of the contacts and a plurality of second ground
plates extending in parallel to the rows of the contacts;
at least either one ground plates of the first ground plates and the second
ground plates being provided with contacting portions to be connected to
the other ground plates, one of each of the first ground plates and each
of the second ground plates having at least one ground terminal to be
connected to an external circuit;
the first ground plates being arranged at an outside of opposite outermost
ones of and between every two adjacent ones of the columns of the
contacts, the second ground plates being arranged at an outside of
opposite outermost ones of and between every two adjacent one of the rows
of the contacts, the first and the second ground plates surrounding the
contacts and forming a grid structure.
2. A board connector to be mounted on a circuit board, the connector being
a high-speed transmission connector for use in connecting a signal circuit
of a differential signal transmission system in which a single
differential signal is transmitted through each air of two adjacent ones
of a plurality of contacts, the connector comprising:
an insulating connector housing provided with a plurality of contact
holding holes arranged in a matrix fashion to form a plurality of columns
and a plurality of rows including two upper rows and two lower rows, a
plurality of first slits formed between every two adjacent ones of and at
the outside of opposite outermost ones of the columns of the holding holes
and extending in parallel to the columns, and a second slit formed between
the two upper rows and the two lower rows of the holding holes and
extending in parallel to the rows;
a plurality of contacts fixed to the contact holding holes, respectively;
a plurality of ground plates inserted into the first slits, respectively;
and
a second ground plate inserted into the second slit and brought into
contact with the first ground plates.
Each of the contacts has a contact lead terminal to be connected to a
circuit pattern on the circuit board. Each of the first ground plates has
first, second, and third ground terminals which are to be connected to a
ground pattern of the circuit board. The contact lead terminals are
arranged to form a plurality of columns and plurality of rows in a matrix
arrangement. The first, the second, and the third ground terminals are
arranged at the outside of opposite outermost ones of and between every
two adjacent ones of the columns of the contact lead terminals in a
direction parallel to the columns. The first ground terminals of the first
ground plates are arranged at the outside of the first row of the contact
lead terminals in parallel to the first row. The second ground terminals
are arranged between the second and the third rows of the contact lead
terminals in parallel to the second and the third rows. The third ground
terminals are arranged at the outside of the fourth row of the contact
lead terminals in parallel to the fourth row.
3. A high-speed transmission connector for use in connecting a signal
circuit of a differential signal transmission system in which a single
differential signal is transmitted through each pair of two adjacent ones
of a plurality of contacts. The connector comprises:
an insulating connector housing having a plurality of contact holding holes
arranged in a matrix fashion to form a plurality of columns and a
plurality of rows including two upper rows and two lower rows. A plurality
of first slits are formed between every two adjacent ones of and at the
outside of opposite outermost ones of the columns of the holding holes and
extending in parallel to the columns. A second slit is formed between the
two upper rows and the two lower rows of the holding holes and extending
in parallel to the rows.
A plurality of contacts are fixed to the contact holding holes,
respectively.
A plurality of first ground plates are inserted into the first slits,
respectively.
A second ground plate is inserted into the second slit and brought into
contact with the first ground plates.
Each of third ground terminals of the second ground plate has a pair of
wing portions formed at its base to protrude towards adjacent columns of
the contact lead terminals on opposite sides. Each of the contact lead
terminals of the contacts and the ground terminals of the first ground
plates is formed into a press-fit portion. Each of the first ground plates
is integrally coupled with an insulator by press-fitting or insert-molding
to form a ground plate module. The ground plate modules are inserted into
the connector housing at the outside of the opposite outermost ones of and
between every two adjacent ones of the columns of the contacts. The
connector is attached to the circuit board by incorporating the ground
plate modules into the connector housing in a state when lower ends of the
insulators of the ground plate modules are brought into contact with upper
ends of the wing portions and then pressing the ground plate modules to
the circuit board.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1A through 1F are perspective views showing an assembling process of
a socket connector as an existing high-speed transmission connector;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a receptacle connector and a plug
connector as high-speed transmission connectors according to a first
embodiment of this invention, respectively;
FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing contacts and a ground plate when the
receptacle connector in FIG. 2A and the plug connector in FIG. 2B are
fitted to each other;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector
illustrated in FIG. 2A;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded perspective views of the plug connector
illustrated in FIG. 2B;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a front view of a receptacle connector
and a plug connector as high-speed transmission connectors according to a
second embodiment of this invention, respectively, when they are fitted to
each other;
FIG. 5C is a sectional view taken along a line 5C--5C in FIG. 5B;
FIG. 5D is a perspective view showing contacts and a ground plate in FIG.
5C;
FIG. 6A is a partially-cutaway perspective view of the plug connector
illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5C;
FIGS. 6B and 6C are exploded perspective views of the plug connector
illustrated in FIG. 6A;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of
the receptacle connector illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5C, respectively;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a receptacle connector and a plug
connector as high-speed transmission connectors according to a third
embodiment of this invention, respectively, when they are not fitted to
each other;
FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the receptacle connector and the plug
connector illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B when they are fitted to each
other;
FIG. 9B is a partially-cutaway perspective view of a part of the receptacle
connector and the plug connector in FIG. 9A;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second ground plate module of the plug
connector illustrated in FIG. 8B;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views of a receptacle connector and a
plug connector as high-speed transmission connectors according to a fourth
embodiment of this invention, respectively, when they are not fitted to
each other;
FIG. 12A is a sectional view of the receptacle connector and the plug
connector illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B when they are fitted to each
other;
FIG. 12B is a partially-cutaway perspective view of a part of the
receptacle connector and the plug connector illustrated in FIG. 12A; and
FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway perspective view for describing an internal
structure of the plug connector illustrated in FIGS. 11B.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, description will be made of a high-speed transmission connector
according to this invention in conjunction with several preferred
embodiments of this invention with reference to the drawing.
At first referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, 3, and 4A to 4C, description will be
made of a receptacle connector 1 and a plug connector 11 as high-speed
transmission connectors to be fitted or connected to each other.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C and 3, the receptacle connector 1 comprises an
insulating receptacle housing 2 having a generally U-shaped section, a
plurality of signal pin contacts 3 for transmitting signals held by the
receptacle housing 2 and arranged in a matrix fashion, a plurality of
first ground plates 4 extending in a first direction or a column
direction, and a plurality of second ground plates 5 extending in a second
direction or a row direction perpendicular to the column direction. More
in detail, the pin contacts 3, twenty in number, are arranged in five
columns and four rows. In other words, four pin contacts are arranged in
each of the columns while five pin contacts are arranged in each of the
rows. The first ground plates 4, six in number, are arranged between every
two adjacent ones of and at the outside of opposite outermost ones of the
columns of the pin contacts 3. The second ground plates 5, five in number,
are arranged between every two adjacent ones of and at the outside of
opposite outermost ones of the rows of the pin contacts 3.
Each of the first ground plates 4 has two terminal portions 4A which are
connected to a carrier 6 depicted by a two-dot-and-dash line in FIG. 3.
The four pin contacts 3 in each column have terminal portions as contact
lead terminals 3A, respectively, which are connected to a carrier 7
depicted by a two-dot-and-dash line in FIG. 3.
The carriers 6 and 7 are cut off after the first ground plate 4 and the
contacts 3 are incorporated into the receptacle housing 2.
Each of the second ground plates 5 is provided with six contacting portions
5A formed on one side and three terminal portions (butt leads) 5B formed
on the other side. The first ground plates 4 intersect with the second
ground plates 5 to be perpendicular thereto and are electrically connected
to the second ground plates 5 through the contacting portions 5A and the
terminal portions 5B.
Each of the first ground plates 4 is press-fitted or insert-molded into the
receptacle housing 2. Each of the second ground plates 5 is press-fitted
into the receptacle housing 2. Then, the first and the second ground
plates 4 and 5 are connected to each other.
Specifically, the first ground plates 4, six in number, and the second
ground plates 5, five in number, are combined with each other to form a
grid structure. Each pin contact 3 is located in each grid cell and
surrounded by the first and the second ground plates 4 and 5.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C and 4, the plug connector 11 comprises an
insulating plug housing 12, a plurality of signal socket contacts 13 held
by the plug housing 12 and arranged in a matrix fashion, a plurality of
ground modules 14 each of which has a first ground plate 16 extending in
the column direction, and a plurality of second ground plates 17A through
17E extending in the row direction. More in detail, the socket contacts
13, twenty in number, are arranged in five columns and four rows. In other
words, four socket contacts are arranged in each of the columns while five
socket contacts are arranged in each of the rows. The ground modules 14,
six in number, are arranged between every two adjacent ones of and at the
outside of opposite outermost ones of the columns of the socket contacts
13. The second ground plates 17A through 17E, five in number, are arranged
between every two adjacent ones of and at the outside of opposite
outermost ones of the rows of the socket contacts 13.
Each of the ground modules 14 comprises an insulator 15 and the first
ground plate 16 insert-molded into the insulator 15. The first ground
plate 16 is provided with a plurality of contacting portions 16A through
16H formed at its forward end to be connected to the second ground plates
17A through 17E. The first ground plate 16 is provided with three
terminals 16I formed at its lower end.
The second ground plate 17A has a plurality of slits (four of six slits are
shown) 17A1 into which first ground plates 16 are inserted to be combined
with the second ground plate 17A, while the second ground plates 17A is
fitted and connected to the contacting portion 16A of each of the first
ground plates 16. Similarly, the second ground plate 17B has a plurality
of slits 17B1 into which the first ground plates 16 are fitted, and the
second ground plate 17B is fitted between the contacting portions 16B and
16C to be connected thereto. The second ground plate 17C has a plurality
of slits 17C1 into which the first ground plates 16 are also fitted, and
the second ground plate 17C is fitted between the contacting portions 16D
and 16E to be connected thereto. The second ground plate 17D has a
plurality of slits 17D1 into which the first ground plates 16 are fitted,
and the second ground plates 17D is fitted between the contacting portions
16F and 16G to be connected thereto. The second ground plate 17E has a
plurality of slits 17E1 into which the first ground plates 16 are fitted,
and the second ground plate 17E is fitted and connected to the contacting
portion 16H.
Each of the second ground plates 17A through 17E is press-fitted into the
plug housing 12. Each of the ground modules 14 is press-fitted into the
plug housing 12. Then, the second ground plates 17A through 17E and the
first ground plates 6 of the ground modules 14 are connected to each
other.
Thus, the first ground plates 16, six in number, and the second ground
plates 17A through 17E, five in number, are combined with each other to
form a grid structure. Each socket contact 13 is located in each grid cell
and surrounded by the first and the second ground plates 16 and 17.
Each of the terminal portions 16I is driven or press-fitted into a through
hole formed in a circuit board (not shown) to be connected and fixed to a
ground pattern on the circuit board.
When the plug connector 11 is fitted to the receptacle connector 1, the
signal pin contacts 3, twenty in number, and the signal socket contacts
13, twenty in number, are connected to each other. Simultaneously, the
second ground plates 17A through 17E of the plug connector 11 and the
first ground plates 4 of the receptacle connector 1 are connected to each
other.
In the foregoing embodiment, the contacts, twenty in number, are arranged
in a 5.times.4 matrix arrangement. However, as will readily be understood
for those skilled in the art, the numbers of the rows and the columns in
the matrix arrangement may be increased or decreased as desired. In this
event, the number of the ground plates will be increased or decreased
correspondingly.
Next referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, 6A to 6C, and 7A and 7B, description will
be made of a second embodiment of this invention.
In this embodiment, high-speed transmission connectors are used to connect
a signal circuit of a differential signal transmission system in which one
information signal is transmitted as a differential signal by the use of a
pair of two signal lines.
Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D and FIGS. 6A to 6C, a plug connector 31 as one
of the high-speed transmission connectors comprises a plug housing 32 made
of an insulating plastic material, a plurality of signal socket contacts
33 held by the plug housing 32, a plurality of ground modules 34 each of
which has a first ground plate 36 extending in a first direction or a
column direction, and a second ground plate 37 extending in a second
direction or a row direction perpendicular to the column direction. More
in detail, the socket contacts 33, twenty in number, are arranged in five
columns and four rows. In other words, four socket contacts are arranged
in each of the columns while five socket contacts are arranged in each of
the rows. The ground modules 34, six in number, are arranged between every
two adjacent ones of and at the outside of opposite outermost ones of the
columns of the socket contacts 33. The second ground plate 37 is arranged
between two upper rows and two lower rows of the socket contacts 33. The
plug connector 31 further comprises a plurality of insulator blocks 38,
five in number, each of which covers two lower ones of the socket contacts
33 in each column to support the two lower socket contacts 33. The
insulator blocks 38 also support the second ground plate 37 placed
thereon.
In each column, the two upper socket contacts 33 are paired into an upper
contact pair while the lower two socket contacts 33 are paired into a
lower contact pair. The upper and the lower contact pairs are adapted to
transmit differential signals different and independent from each other.
The second ground plate 37 serves to shield the upper and the lower
contact pairs from each other. Thus, the second ground plate 37 is
combined with the first ground plates 36, six in number, to intersect
therewith so that the upper and the lower contact pairs in the respective
columns are individually partitioned by the first and the second ground
plates 36 and 37. As a consequence, the contact pairs for differential
signal transmission are shielded from one another.
Each of the ground modules 34 comprises an insulator 35 and the first
ground plate 36 insert-molded or press-fitted into the insulator 35. The
first ground plate 36 is provided with a pair of contacting portions 36A
formed at its forward end to be inserted into each of a plurality of slits
37A of the second ground plate 37 to be connected thereto. The first
ground plate 36 is provided with three ground terminal portions 36B formed
at its lower end. Each of the ground terminal portions 36B is press-fitted
into a through hole of a circuit board or a daughter board 39 to connect
and fix the first ground plate 36 to a ground pattern on the daughter
board 39.
The second ground plate 37 is bent into a generally L shape and has the
slits 37A formed on one side and a plurality of contacting portions 37B
formed on the other side to be connected to a plurality of first ground
plates 24 of a receptacle connector 21 which will later be described,
respectively.
Upon assembling, the second ground plate 37 is press-fitted into the plug
housing 32. Each of the ground modules 34 is press-fitted into the plug
housing 32. Then, the first ground plates 36 in the ground modules 34 and
the second ground plate 37 are connected to each other.
As illustrated in FIG. 5C, each of the insulator blocks 38 holds the two
lower socket contacts 33. Furthermore, the insulator blocks 38 support a
lower surface of the second ground plate 37 and opposite side surfaces of
the first ground plates 36.
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the receptacle connector 21 as the other of
the high-speed transmission connectors comprises a generally U-shaped
receptacle housing 22, a plurality of signal pin contacts 23 held by the
receptacle housing 22, a plurality of the first ground plates 24 extending
in the column direction, and a second ground plate 25 extending in the row
direction. More in detail, the pin contacts 23, twenty in number, are
arranged in five columns and four rows. In other words, four pin contacts
are arranged in each of the columns while five pin contacts are arranged
in each of the rows. The first ground plates 24, six in number, are
arranged between every two adjacent ones of and at the outside of opposite
outermost ones of columns of the pin contacts 23. The second ground plate
25 is arranged between two upper rows and two lower rows of the pin
contacts 23.
Thus, the second ground plate 25 is combined with the first ground plates
24, six in number, to intersect therewith so that upper and lower pairs of
the pin contacts 23 in the respective columns are individually partitioned
by the first and the second ground plates 24 and 25. As a consequence, the
contact pairs for differential signal transmission are shielded from one
another.
The receptacle connector 21 is mounted to a mother board 28 as a circuit
board.
Each of the first ground plates 24 has two terminal portions 24A to be
connected to a ground pattern on the mother board 28. The terminal
portions 24A are connected to a carrier 26 depicted by a two-dot-and-dash
line in FIG. 7B.
The four pin contacts 23 in each column have terminal portions 23A,
respectively, to be connected to a circuit pattern on the mother board 28.
The terminal portions 23A are connected to a carrier 27 depicted by a
two-dot-and-dash line in FIG. 7B.
The second ground plate 25 is provided with six contacting portions 25A
formed on its one side and three terminal portions 25B formed on the other
side. The first ground plates 24 are connected through the contacting
portions 25A to the second ground plate 25. The terminal portions 25B are
to be brought into press contact with the ground pattern on the mother
board 28. The terminal portions 25B may be omitted.
Each of the first ground plates 24 is press-fitted or insert-molded into
the receptacle housing 22. The second ground plate 25 is press-fitted into
the receptacle housing 22. Then, the first and the second ground plates 24
and 25 are connected to each other.
When the receptacle connector 21 and the plug connector 31 are fitted to
each other as illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5D, the signal pin contacts
23, twenty in number, and the signal socket contacts 33, twenty in number,
are connected to each other. Simultaneously, the first ground plates 24,
six in number, of the receptacle connector 21 are connected to the second
ground plate 37 of the plug connector 31 through the contacting portions
37B.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second
ground plate is not arranged at the outside of the opposite outermost ones
of the rows of the contacts. Since the differential signal is transmitted,
signal currents flowing through the contacts are cancelled by each other
so that little influence is given to the outside. Therefore, the second
ground plate is arranged only between the adjacent contact pairs in order
to avoid occurrence of cross talk therebetween. Thus, the connector is
simplified in structure and reduced in size. If desired, however, the
second ground plates may be arranged at the outside of the opposite
outermost ones of the rows of the contacts.
In the foregoing embodiment, two contact pairs for differential signals are
arranged in each single column. However, as will readily be understood for
those skilled in the art, the number of the contact pairs may be increased
as desired. In this event, the second ground plate will be added
correspondingly. Furthermore, the number of columns may be increased or
decreased as desired.
Next referring to FIGS. 8A-8B to 10, description will be made of high-speed
transmission connectors acc | | |
