Connector device and plug connector

A connector device comprising a plug connector and a receptacle connector which are mateable with each other along a mating direction, wherein:

• the plug connector comprises a cable-holding portion, an optical module, and a first lock portion;
• the cable-holding portion holds an optical fiber cable which transmits an optical signal;
• the optical module comprises a small form-factor pluggable module including a photoelectric conversion portion and a first electric connector;
• the first electric connector inputs and outputs electric signals into and from the photoelectric conversion portion;
• the photoelectric conversion portion converts the optical signal and the electric signal to each other;
• the receptacle connector comprises a second lock portion and a second electric connector;
• the second lock portion engages with the first lock portion when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated with each other;
• the second electric connector comprises a contact;
• the first electric connector comprises a contact pad contactable with the contact;
• the second electric connector is connected to the first electric connector when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated with each other;
• the contact pad has a contactable range for being in contact with the contact;
• the contactable range has a front end in the mating direction;
• the first lock portion and the front end of the contactable range are apart from each other by a first distance in the mating direction;
• the second lock portion and the contact of the second electric connector are apart from each other by a second distance in the mating direction;
• the first electric connector and the second electric connector have an effective contact length therebetween in the mating direction;
• the effective contact length represents a distance over which the contact is contactable with the contact pad;
• a difference between the first distance and the second distance is equal to or less than the effective contact length;
• the plug connector comprises an optical connector and a first shell;
• the optical connector is attached to a distal end of the optical fiber cable;
• the optical module is mated with the optical connector;
• the first shell holds the optical connector and the optical module and covers the optical connector and the optical module at least in part;
• within the first shell, movement of the optical module in the mating direction is regulated;
• the first lock portion is provided to the first shell;
• the first shell surrounds an entire circumference of the optical module in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction;
• the first shell and the optical module form a cage accommodation portion therebetween;
• the cage accommodation portion extends in the mating direction;
• the receptacle connector has a cage;
• and
• when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated with each other, the cage is accommodated in the cage accommodation portion in part.

A plug connector mateable, along a mating direction, with a receptacle connector which comprises a mating lock portion and a mating electric connector, the plug connector comprising a cable-holding portion, an optical module, and a lock portion, wherein:

• the cable-holding portion holds an optical fiber cable which transmits an optical signal;
• the optical module comprises a small form-factor pluggable module including a photoelectric conversion portion and an electric connector;
• the electric connector inputs and outputs electric signals into and from the photoelectric conversion portion;
• the photoelectric conversion portion converts the optical signal and the electric signal to each other;
• the lock portion engages with the mating lock portion when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated with each other;
• the electric connector comprises a contact pad contactable with a contact of the mating electric connector;
• the electric connector is connected to the mating electric connector when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated with each other;
• the contact pad has a contactable range for being in contact with the contact;
• the contactable range has a front end in the mating direction;
• the lock portion and the front end of the contactable range are apart from each other by a first distance in the mating direction;
• the electric connector and the mating electric connector have an effective contact length therebetween in the mating direction;
• the effective contact length represents a distance over which the contact is contactable with the contact pad;
• when the mating lock portion and the contact of the mating electric connector have a second distance therebetween in the mating direction, a difference between the first distance and the second distance is equal to or less than the effective contact length;
• the plug connector comprises an optical connector and a first shell;
• the optical connector is attached to a distal end of the optical fiber cable;
• the optical module is mated with the optical connector;
• the first shell holds the optical connector and the optical module and covers the optical connector and the optical module at least in part;
• within the first shell, movement of the optical module in the mating direction is regulated;
• the lock portion is provided to the first shell;
• the optical module has a protruding portion which protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction;
• the first shell has a first regulating portion and a second regulating portion;
• and
• the first regulating portion and the second regulating portion sandwich the protruding portion therebetween in the mating direction.