Flat cable assembly

Abstract

To reduce noise in a communication line having a flat cable.SOLUTION: A flat cable assembly comprises a flat cable and at least one noise filter. The flat cable constitutes a balanced communication line of differential transmission, and includes a first communication line and a second communication line extending in a lengthwise direction. At least one noise filter is constituted to attenuate a signal component of a frequency band of a reflection wave generated in at least one communication line of the first communication line or second communication line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this application relates to a flat cable assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technique of installing a filter circuit in an in-vehicle branch connector to remove noise in CAN (Controller Area Network) communication (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). There is also known a technique of removing noise in CAN (Controller Area Network) communication by placing a ferrite core on a communication node or communication line (see, for example, Patent Document 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-41287 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-41274 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-201697 [Patent Document 4] Special Publication No. 7-500463 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not disclose the problems that arise when performing CAN communication over a communication line having a flat cable.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the technique disclosed in this application is to provide a technique for effective communication over a communication line having a flat cable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A flat cable assembly according to a first aspect of the present application includes a flat cable that forms a balanced communication line for differential transmission and includes a first communication line and a second communication line extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least one noise filter configured to attenuate signal components in a frequency band of a reflected wave generated in at least one of the first communication line and the second communication line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Flat cables used in vehicles have a variety of conductor configurations. In particular, flat cables may include wide conductors used to connect heater wires. This tends to increase capacitance and reduce characteristic impedance. This makes it difficult to match the characteristic impedance of a flat cable assembly including a flat cable with the characteristic impedance of a transmission cable connected to the assembly that complies with the CAN communication standard. This results in noise due to signal reflection between the assembly and the transmission cable. However, the technology disclosed in this application can effectively eliminate noise generated during communication via a flat cable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a rotary connector device including a flat cable assembly according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a group of flexible flat cables housed in a first space of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a flat cable assembly provided in the rotary connector device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4A] 4 is a side view of a stator-side primary mold in the flat cable assembly of FIG. 3. [Figure 4B] 4 is a plan view of a stator-side primary mold in the flat cable assembly of FIG. 3. [Figure 4C]4 is a plan view of one end of a flat cable in the flat cable assembly of FIG. 3. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a side view of a rotator-side primary mold in the flat cable assembly of FIG. 3. [Figure 5B] 4 is a plan view of a rotator-side primary mold in the flat cable assembly of FIG. 3. [Figure 5C] 4 is a plan view of the other end of the flat cable in the flat cable assembly of FIG. 3. [Figure 6A] This is an example of a noise filter that uses a ferrite core surrounding a flat cable or primary mold. [Figure 6B] This is an example of a noise filter that uses a split ferrite core that surrounds a flat cable or primary mold. [Figure 6C] This is an example of a noise filter using a ferrite core that surrounds multiple conductors of a flat cable or multiple conductive plates of a primary mold. [Figure 6D] This is an example of a noise filter using a split ferrite core that surrounds multiple conductors of a flat cable or multiple conductive plates of a primary mold. [Figure 6E] This is an example of a noise filter using multiple ferrite cores that surround multiple conductors of a flat cable or multiple conductive plates of a primary mold. [Figure 6F] This is an example of a noise filter using multiple half-split ferrite cores that surround multiple conductors of a flat cable or multiple conductive plates of a primary mold. [Figure 6G] This is an example of a noise filter using a ferrite core that surrounds the conductor part of the flat cable or the joint part with the terminal part of the primary mold. [Figure 6H] This is an example of a noise filter using a split ferrite core that surrounds the conductor part of the flat cable or the joint part with the terminal part of the primary mold. [Figure 7A] This is an example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit installed midway through a flat cable or on the primary mold. [Figure 7B] This is another example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit provided midway along a flat cable. [Figure 7C] This is an example of a noise filter using an LR low-pass filter installed midway along a flat cable. [Figure 7D] This is an example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter installed midway along a flat cable. [Figure 7E] This is another example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter provided midway along a flat cable. [Figure 7F] This is an example of a noise filter that uses an LC low-pass filter installed midway along a flat cable. [Figure 8A] This is an example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit provided in the conductor part of a flat cable. [Figure 8B] This is another example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit provided in the conductor portion of a flat cable. [Figure 8C] This is an example of a noise filter using an LR low-pass filter provided on the conductor part of a flat cable. [Figure 8D] This is an example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter attached to the conductor of a flat cable. [Figure 8E] This is another example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter provided in the conductor portion of a flat cable. [Figure 8F] This is an example of a noise filter that uses an LC low-pass filter provided on the conductor part of a flat cable. [Figure 9A] This is an example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit provided on a conductive plate. [Figure 9B] 10 is another example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit provided on a conductive plate. [Figure 9C] This is an example of a noise filter using an LR low-pass filter provided on a conductive plate. [Figure 9D]This is an example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter attached to a conductive plate. [Figure 9E] 10 is another example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter provided on a conductive plate. [Figure 9F] This is an example of a noise filter using an LC low-pass filter provided on a conductive plate. [Figure 10A] This is an example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit that is provided on a conductive plate and is composed of passive elements that are detachable from the primary mold. [Figure 10B] This is another example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit that is provided on a conductive plate and is configured with passive elements that are detachable from the primary mold. [Figure 10C] This is an example of a noise filter using an RC low-pass filter that is provided on a conductive plate and is composed of passive elements that are detachable from the primary mold. [Figure 10D] This is an example of a noise filter that uses an LR low-pass filter, an RC low-pass filter, and an LC low-pass filter that are configured with passive elements attached to a conductive plate and detachable from the primary mold. [Figure 11] 10 is an example of a noise filter using a ferrite core provided in an external terminal insertion hole of the first terminal mounting space and surrounding the first terminal mounting space. [Figure 12] 10 is an example of a noise filter using a half-split ferrite core that is provided in an external terminal insertion hole of the second terminal mounting space and surrounds the second terminal mounting space. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sliding door harness including a flat cable assembly according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first connector portion as viewed from diagonally above the front side. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the first connector portion. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the second connector portion. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit. [Figure 18] 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a flat cable assembly included in the sliding door harness of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 19A] This is an example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit that is provided in a connector and is configured with passive elements that are detachable from the connector. [Figure 19B] This is another example of a noise filter using an RL parallel circuit that is provided in a connector and is configured with passive elements that are detachable from the connector. [Figure 19C] This is an example of a noise filter that is an RC low-pass filter that is provided in a connector and is composed of passive elements that are detachable from the connector. [Figure 19D] This is an example of a noise filter that is provided in a connector and is made up of passive elements that are detachable from the connector, such as an LR low-pass filter, an RC low-pass filter, and an LC low-pass filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate corresponding or identical components.

[0010] First Embodiment <Overview of the rotating connector device> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a rotary connector device according to a first embodiment. The rotary connector device shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the configuration of the rotary connector device according to the present invention is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1.

[0011] 1, the rotary connector device 1 includes a stator 11, a rotator 12 rotatably provided around a rotation axis x relative to the stator 11, and a group of flat cables (hereinafter referred to as an FC group 13) accommodated in an annular space (hereinafter referred to as a first space S1) around the rotation axis x formed between the stator 11 and the rotator 12 so as to be capable of being wound and unwound. In a vehicle, the stator 11 is attached to the vehicle body, and the rotator 12 is attached to the steering wheel.

[0012] The stator 11 has a stator housing 21 having an annular or substantially annular shape centered on the rotation axis x and a circular engagement hole (not shown) centered on the rotation axis x. A first connector part 22 that forms a second space S2 therein is connected to the stator 11 (stator housing 21). The second space S2 communicates with the first space S1.

[0013] The engagement hole formed in the stator housing 21 is formed to accommodate and engage with the lower end (direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) of a cylindrical portion 31b (described later) of the rotator 12. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator 12 is rotatably engaged with the engagement hole of the stator housing 21 of the stator 11, and is thereby rotatably held by the stator 11.

[0014] The rotator 12 has an annular rotator housing 31 disposed around the rotation axis x (the directions of arrows C and D in FIG. 1). A second connector part 32, which forms a third space S3 therein, is connected to the rotator 12 (rotator housing 31). The third space S3 communicates with the first space S1. The second connector part 32 is configured to be connected to a movable member (rotator 12) that is movable relative to the first connector part 22.

[0015] The rotator housing 31 has a top plate portion 31a that is hollow disk-shaped or approximately hollow disk-shaped and centered on the rotation axis x, and a cylindrical portion 31b that extends from the inner peripheral end of the top plate portion 31a toward the first space S1 along the rotation axis x. The top plate portion 31a defines a portion of the rotary connector device 1 that faces upward (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1). The cylindrical portion 31b is formed to be rotatably engaged with a corresponding portion of the stator 11 about the rotation axis x.

[0016] As described above, when the rotator 12 is attached to the stator 11, a first space S1 is defined by the top plate portion 31a and the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator 12 and the stator housing 21 of the stator 11. In other words, the first space S1 is surrounded by the stator housing 21 and the rotator housing 31.

[0017] Within this first space S1, an FC group 13 consisting of multiple flat cables is wound with an appropriate amount of slack, and the slack length changes as 312 rotates relative to the stator 11. The flat cables of the FC group 13 can be kept aligned within the first space S1 to accommodate changes in the slack length. This flat cable is called a flexible flat cable and has a structure that allows it to bend easily in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the conductors (e.g., 41, 42, 43, and 44 in Figure 3 described below) inside the flat cable. In other words, the flat cable can be freely bent in the first space S1 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis x.

[0018] The second space S2 of the first connector portion 22 receives the end of the FC group 13 drawn out from the first space S1. The first connector portion 22 also has a first terminal mounting space 22a into which an external terminal of a predetermined shape electrically connected to a wire harness (which may be referred to as a relay wire hereinafter) constituting an electric circuit on the vehicle body side can be inserted. Within the first terminal mounting space 22a, a hole into which the external terminal can be inserted is referred to as an external terminal insertion hole 24a (see FIG. 11). In the first terminal mounting space 22a, the terminal and the conductor portion of the FC 13 are electrically connected by a first primary molding 50 disposed in the first connector portion 22. That is, the first connector portion 22 includes the first primary molding 50. The second space S2 includes the first terminal mounting space 22a.

[0019] Similar to the second space S2, the third space S3 of the second connector portion 32 receives the end of the FC group 13 drawn out from the first space S1. The second connector portion 32 also includes a second terminal mounting space 32a into which an external terminal of a cable (which may be referred to as a relay cable hereinafter) drawn out from an electrical component (e.g., a horn switch, an airbag module, etc.) provided in the steering wheel can be inserted. The hole in the second terminal mounting space 32a into which the external terminal can be inserted is referred to as an external terminal insertion hole 34a (see FIG. 12). In the second terminal mounting space 32a, the terminal of the cable and the conductor portion of the FC group 13 are electrically connected by a second primary mold 60 in a mold holder (not shown) disposed in the second connector portion 32. The third space S3 includes the second terminal mounting space 32a. With the above configuration, the electrical components on the steering wheel side and the electrical circuit on the vehicle body side are electrically connected via the first primary mold 50, the FC group 13, and the second primary mold 60.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the FC group 13 housed in the first space S1 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the FC group 13 includes a first FC 40 wound on the inner periphery of the first space S1, a second FC 47 wound more radially outward than the first FC 40 and having a length in the first space S1 longer than the first FC 40, a third FC 48 wound more radially outward than the second FC 47 and having a length in the first space S1 longer than the second FC 47, and a dummy cable 49 wound more radially outward than the third FC 48 and having a length in the first space S1 longer than the third FC 48. In this embodiment, the four cables are arranged in the first space S1 with approximately 90-degree rotational symmetry.

[0021] Additionally, in the overlapping portion of the first FC40, the second FC47, and the third FC48, the second FC47 is disposed between the first FC40 and the third FC48. The second space S2 includes a first communication portion 23. The three cables, the first FC40, the second FC47, and the third FC48, arranged in this order, are led from the first space S1 to the first terminal mounting space 22a via the first communication portion 23. The first communication portion 23 is configured to guide the flat cables (the first FC40, the second FC47, and the third FC48) in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis x (the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2 or the opposite direction). The first communication portion 23 is, for example, a notch formed in the outer periphery of the stator housing 21 and provided between the first space S1 and the first terminal mounting space 22a. The first connector portion 22 has a first connector housing 24 for forming the second space S2 (the first terminal mounting space 22a and the first communicating portion 23). In other words, the first connector portion 22 has the second space S2 therein. The first connector housing 24 and the stator housing 21 may be molded integrally.

[0022] The third space S3 also includes a second communication portion 33. The three flat cables (first FC40, second FC47, and third FC48) arranged in this order are led from the first space S1 to the second terminal mounting space 32a via the second communication portion 33. The second communication portion 33 is configured to guide the flat cables (first FC40, second FC47, and third FC48) in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis x (the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2 or the opposite direction). The second communication portion 33 is, for example, formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator housing 31 and is a notch provided between the first space S1 and the second terminal mounting space 32a. The second connector portion 32 has a second connector housing 34 for forming the third space S3 (the second terminal mounting space 32a and the second communication portion 33). In other words, the second connector portion 32 has the third space S3 therein. The second connector housing 34 and the rotator housing 31 may be integrally formed.

[0023] In the first space S1, the first FC 40 has an inner peripheral portion 40a wound one or more times around the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator 12, a folded-back portion 40b that is curved and folded back in the middle portion of the longitudinal direction of the first FC 40, and an outer peripheral portion 40c that is folded back at the folded-back portion 40b and arranged to face a part of the inner peripheral portion 40a. When the rotator 12 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the first FC 40 is wound up or unwound while maintaining the bend at the folded-back portion 40b.

[0024] Similar to the first FC 40, the second FC 47 has, in the first space S1, an inner peripheral portion 47a wound one or more times around the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator 12, a folded-back portion 47b curved and folded back in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the second FC 47, and an outer peripheral portion 47c folded back at the folded-back portion 47b and positioned opposite a part of the inner peripheral portion 47a. When the rotator 12 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the second FC 47 is wound up or unwound while maintaining the bend at the folded-back portion 47b.

[0025] Similar to the first FC 40, the third FC 48 also has, in the first space S1, an inner peripheral portion 48a wound one or more times around the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator 12, a folded-back portion 48b that is curved and folded back in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the third FC 48, and an outer peripheral portion 48c that is folded back at the folded-back portion 48b and arranged opposite a part of the inner peripheral portion 48a. When the rotator 12 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the third FC 48 is wound up or unwound while maintaining the bend at the folded-back portion 48b.

[0026] Similarly to the first FC 40, the dummy cable 49 also has, in the first space S1, an inner circumferential portion 49a wound one or more times around the cylindrical portion 31b of the rotator 12, a folded-back portion 49b that is curved and folded back in the middle portion of the longitudinal direction of the dummy cable 49, and an outer circumferential portion 49c that is folded back at the folded-back portion 49b and arranged opposite a part of the inner circumferential portion 49a. When the rotator 12 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the dummy cable 49 is wound or unwound at the folded-back portion 49b while maintaining its bend.

[0027] The first FC 40, the second FC 47, and the third FC 48 each have multiple conductors, each of which constitutes an electrical circuit for various devices. The dummy cable 49 is made of a flexible, long, thin plate member without conductors, and is provided to maintain the alignment of the first FC 40, the second FC 47, and the third FC 48. This long, thin plate member is made of resin, such as plastic.

[0028] The rotary connector device 1 includes a flat cable assembly 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the flat cable assembly 2 provided in the rotary connector device 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the flat cable assembly 2 includes a first FC 40. The first FC 40 includes a communication line configured to transmit signals conforming to the CAN, CAN FD, CAN SIC, CAN XL, 100BASE-T1, and 10BASE-T1S communication protocols. Note that the first FC 40 may also be configured to transmit signals conforming to other communication protocols. In the following embodiments, the first FC 40 may simply be referred to as a flat cable 40. The flat cable 40 includes a first end 40A and a second end 40B that is opposite in the length direction (the direction toward arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 3). The flat cable assembly 2 includes a first primary mold 50 that electrically connects the first end 40A to the outside and a second primary mold 60 that electrically connects the second end 40B to the outside.

[0029] The first primary mold 50 is accommodated in the first connector portion 22 and is connectable to an electrical circuit on the vehicle body side D1. That is, the flat cable assembly 2 may include the first connector portion 22. That is, the first connector portion 22 is provided at the first end portion 40A and includes the first primary mold 50. The second primary mold 60 is accommodated in the second connector portion 32 and is connectable to an electrical circuit on the vehicle steering wheel side D2. That is, the flat cable assembly 2 may include the second connector portion 32. That is, the second connector portion 32 is provided at the second end portion 40B and includes the second primary mold 60. In the following embodiments, the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 32 may be collectively referred to simply as connector portions. In other words, the flat cable assembly 2 can be said to include connector portions (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32) provided at one end (first end portion 40A, second end portion 40B) of the flat cable 40 in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] The flat cable 40 includes a conductor group 45 consisting of conductors 41, 42, 43, and 44, and two insulating films 46 sandwiching the conductor group 45 via an adhesive layer (not shown). The number of conductors in the flat cable 40 is four, but this is merely an example. The flat cable 40 may include conductors other than conductors 41, 42, 43, and 44, or may not include at least one of conductors 41 and 44. The conductors 41 to 44 are, for example, a single layer made of copper or a copper alloy, or a multi-layer structure including a copper or copper alloy layer and a plated layer, and are arranged side by side so that the in-plane directions of the rolled surfaces are substantially the same. The conductors can be manufactured by slitting rolled copper foil or by rolling a rod-shaped member, and the rolled surface (front or back) during manufacturing constitutes the rolled surface.

[0031] The conductors 42 and 43 form a balanced communication line for differential transmission. One of the conductors 42 and 43 is referred to as the first communication line, and the other is referred to as the second communication line. That is, the flat cable 40 (first FC40) includes the first and second communication lines (conductors 42 and 43), a first end 40A, and a second end 40B. The first and second communication lines are configured to transmit signals of communication protocols such as CAN, CAN FD, CAN SIC, CAN XL, 100BASE-T1, and 10BASE-T1S. The first and second communication lines (conductors 42 and 43) extend in the length direction (directions toward arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 3). The first connector portion 22 is electrically connected to the first and second communication lines. The second connector portion 32 is electrically connected to the first and second communication lines.

[0032] At least one of the conductors 41 and 44 is preferably a ground line maintained at a reference potential. In other words, the flat cable 40 (first FC 40) includes at least one ground line. However, in some circuit configurations, the conductors 41 and 44 may be wiring such as an AUX line, and in such cases, the possibility of an AUX line will be explained in the description of each circuit configuration. Note that the above is just one example, and any of the conductors 41, 42, 43, and 44 may be the first communication line, the second communication line, or the ground line. However, in the following embodiment, the conductors 41 and 44 are described as ground lines, the conductor 42 as the first communication line, and the conductor 43 as the second communication line.

[0033] 4A and 4B, the first primary mold 50 includes a plurality of conductive plates 51, 52, 53, and 54 arranged in parallel with one another, and a case 55 that holds the conductive plates 51 to 54 so that portions of the conductive plates 51 to 54 are exposed. That is, the first connector portion 22 includes the conductive plates 51 to 54 and the case 55.

[0034] The conductive plates 51 to 54 are long, plate-shaped metal conductors. One end of each of the conductive plates 51 to 54 is embedded in a resin case 55. The other end of each of the conductive plates 51 to 54 extends from a tip side surface 55a of the case 55. The conductive plates 51 to 54 are configured to be electrically connected to the above-mentioned external terminals. The conductive plates 51 to 54 are also called bus bars.

[0035] The case 55 has a flat recess 55c, and terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a, which are exposed portions of the conductive plates 51, 52, 53, and 54, are disposed on a bottom wall 55d of the recess 55c. The terminal portions 51a to 54a are arranged at the same arrangement pitch as the conductors 41 to 44 in the first FC 40. The conductive plates 51, 52, 53, and 54 include bar portions 51b, 52b, 53b, and 54b that extend from the terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a, respectively, so as to protrude from a tip side surface 55a of the case 55.

[0036] The conductive plates 51-54 are electrically connected to the conductors 41-44, respectively, at the first end 40A of the first FC 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4C). Specifically, the terminal portions 51a-54a are connected one-to-one to the conductor portions 41a, 42a, 43a, and 44a, which are exposed portions of the conductors 41-44 of the first FC 40. The terminal portions and the conductor portions are welded and connected to each other by ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, laser welding, soldering, or the like, thereby forming welded portions (connected portions). In other words, the first connector portion 22 includes a first conductive plate (a conductive plate electrically connected to one of the conductive plates 52 and 53), which is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line (one of the conductors 42 and 43). The first connector portion 22 includes a second conductive plate (a conductive plate electrically connected to the other of the conductive plates 52 and 53) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line (the other of the conductors 42 and 43). When at least one of the conductors 41 and 44 is at least one ground line, the first connector portion 22 further includes at least one third conductive plate (at least one of the conductive plates 51 and 54) electrically connected to the at least one ground line.

[0037] 5B, the second primary mold 60 includes conductive plates 61, 62, 63, and 64 arranged in parallel to one another to correspond to the conductive plates 51 to 54, and a case 65 that holds the conductive plates 61 to 64 so that portions of the conductive plates 61 to 64 are exposed. That is, the second connector portion 32 includes the conductive plates 61 to 64 and the case 65.

[0038] The conductive plates 62, 63 are long, plate-shaped metal conductors. One end of each of the conductive plates 51 to 54 is embedded in the case 65. The other end of each of the conductive plates 51 to 54 extends from the tip side surface 65a of the case 65. The conductive plates 61 to 64 are configured to be electrically connected to the above-mentioned external terminals. The conductive plates 61 to 64 are also called bus bars.

[0039] The case 65 has a flat recess 65c, and terminal portions 61a, 62a, 63a, and 64a are arranged on a bottom wall 65d of the recess 65c, where the conductive plates 61, 62, 63, and 64 are partially exposed. The terminal portions 61a to 64a are arranged at the same arrangement pitch as the conductors 41 to 44 in the first FC 40. The conductive plates 61, 62, 63, and 64 include bar portions 61b, 62b, 63b, and 64b that extend from the terminal portions 61a, 62a, 63a, and 64a so as to protrude from a tip side surface 65a of the case 65, respectively.

[0040] The conductive plates 61-64 are electrically connected to the conductors 41-44, respectively, at the second end 40B of the first FC 40 (FIGS. 3 and 5C). Specifically, the terminal portions 61a-64a are connected one-to-one to the conductor portions 41b, 42b, 43b, and 44b, which are exposed portions of the conductors 41-44 of the first FC 40. The terminal portions and the conductor portions are welded to each other by ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, laser welding, soldering, or the like, to form welded portions (connections). That is, the second connector portion 32 includes a first conductive plate (a conductive plate electrically connected to one of the conductive plates 62 and 63) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line (one of the conductors 42 and 43). The second connector portion 32 includes a second conductive plate (a conductive plate electrically connected to the other of the conductive plates 62 and 63) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line (the other of the conductors 42 and 43). When at least one of the conductors 41, 44 is at least one ground line, the second connector portion 32 further includes at least one third conductive plate (at least one of the conductive plates 61, 64) electrically connected to the at least one ground line.

[0041] The flat cable assembly 2 further includes at least one noise filter 100 provided in at least one of the flat cable 40, the first connector portion 22, and the second connector portion 32, and configured to attenuate signal components in the frequency band of reflected waves generated in at least one of the conductors 42, 43 (the first communication line and the second communication line). Fig. 3 illustrates examples of locations where the at least one noise filter 100 is mounted as noise filters 101 to 109. That is, the at least one noise filter 100 includes at least one of the noise filters 101 to 109.

[0042] In Figure 3, the area of ​​the flat cable 40 located in the first space S1 is illustrated as the area sandwiched between two lines -I', the area located in the second space S2 is illustrated as the area from line II-II' to the first primary mold 50, and the area located in the third space S3 is illustrated as the area from line III-III' to the second primary mold 60.

[0043] At least one noise filter 100 is configured with, for example, a filter circuit and a ferrite core. That is, at least one noise filter 100 includes a filter circuit (an RL parallel circuit 81, an LR low-pass filter 82, an RC low-pass filter 83, and an LC low-pass filter 84, which will be described later) electrically connected to at least one communication line (conductors 42 and 43). The filter circuit is electrically connected to at least one of a first conductive plate (one of conductive plates 52 and 53, or one of conductive plates 62 and 63) and a second conductive plate (the other of conductive plates 52 and 53, or the other of conductive plates 62 and 63). At least one noise filter 100 includes ferrite cores 71, 71a, 72, 72a, 73, and 73a (described later) surrounding at least one communication line.

[0044] The characteristic impedance of a transmission path typically used in CAN communication is around 120 Ω. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard number ISO 19462-13:2023 specifies the characteristic impedance of CAN communication in the range of 90 to 140 Ω. If the characteristic impedance of the flat cable assembly 2 falls outside this range, a large signal reflection occurs at the boundary with the transmission cable connected to the transmission path, which has a characteristic impedance conforming to the CAN communication standard, degrading the quality of the signal waveform. However, even with a flat cable assembly 2 having a characteristic impedance outside this range, good communication is possible by reducing noise using the present invention. Therefore, even if the characteristic impedance of the transmission path formed by the flat cable assembly 2 is 90 Ω or less or 140 Ω or more, noise can be effectively eliminated when connected to a transmission cable having a characteristic impedance conforming to the ISO standard. If such noise can be eliminated, a combination of two split ferrite cores may be used. A combination of two split ferrite cores is easier to implement.

[0045] The noise filter 101 is provided in a region of the flat cable 40 located in the first space S1. The noise filter 101 is preferably made of a ferrite core 71 surrounding the flat cable 40 as shown in FIG. 6A, or a half-split ferrite core 71a surrounding the flat cable 40 as shown in FIG. 6B. This is because it is easier to mount. However, the noise filter 101 may be made of a ferrite core 71 or a half-split ferrite core 71a surrounding at least a portion of the conductors 42 and 43 (first and second communication lines) described later in FIGS. 6C to 6F. A filter circuit described later in FIGS. 7A to 7F may also be provided. In this case, the insulating film 46 around the ferrite core 71, half-split ferrite core 71a, and filter circuit is removed.

[0046] 3, noise filter 102 is noise filter 100 provided on flat cable 40 located in second space S2. Noise filter 103 is noise filter 100 provided on flat cable 40 located in third space S3. Noise filters 102 to 109, including noise filters 102 and 103, are located in the second space S2 or the third space S3. Noise filters 102 to 109 located in the second space S2 or the third space S3 are preferable to noise filter 101 in that there is a lower risk of damage to noise filter 100 and noise filter 100 is less likely to affect movement of flat cable 40. In the second space S2 or the third space S3, the flat cable 40 is bent (shown as a bending line BL in FIG. 3) and fixed (shown as an area FIX in FIG. 3) using a known method such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-110898. However, it is preferable to provide the noise filters 102, 103 in the area FIX excluding the bending line BL. This is because there is almost no movement of the flat cable 40, so there is little risk of damaging the noise filters 102, 103. In this case, the noise filters 102, 103 can be realized in a wide variety of forms. FIGS. 7A to 7F show examples of filter circuits implemented in the noise filters 102, 103.

[0047] Fig. 7A shows an example of a noise filter 100 made of an RL parallel circuit 81 provided midway through the flat cable 40. Fig. 7B shows another example of a noise filter 100 made of an RL parallel circuit 81 provided midway through the flat cable 40. Fig. 7C shows an example of a noise filter 100 made of an LR low-pass filter 82 provided midway through the flat cable 40. Fig. 7D shows an example of a noise filter 100 made of an RC low-pass filter 83 provided midway through the flat cable 40. Fig. 7E shows another example of a noise filter 100 made of an RC low-pass filter 83 provided midway through the flat cable 40. Fig. 7F shows another example of a noise filter 100 made of an LC low-pass filter 84 provided midway through the flat cable 40.

[0048] 7A to 7F, the insulating film 46 has been removed from the area of ​​the flat cable 40 where the noise filter 100 is mounted, and the conductors 41 to 44 exposed from the insulating film 46 are illustrated as conductor portions 41c to 44c. Furthermore, when the conductors of conductor 42 must be physically separated from each other at the input and output of the filter circuit due to the circuit configuration, the two exposed conductors are illustrated as 42c and 42d. When the conductors of conductor 43 must be physically separated from each other at the input and output of the filter circuit due to the circuit configuration, the two exposed conductors are illustrated as 43c and 43d.

[0049] FIG. 7A shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with RL parallel circuits 81-1 and 81-2 electrically connected in series to conductors 43 and 44, respectively. In FIG. 7A, 81-1L and 81-2L are coils, and 81-1R and 81-2R are resistors. Therefore, the filter circuit is configured with at least one passive element. A passive element is an element that consumes, stores, or releases supplied power, but does not perform active operations such as amplification or rectification. Passive elements include, for example, resistors, capacitors, inductors, reactors, memristors, transformers, piezoelectric elements, and quartz crystal oscillators.

[0050] The RL parallel circuit 81-1 is coupled to the separated conductor portion 42c and the conductor 42d, respectively. That is, the RL parallel circuit 81-1 is electrically connected in series to the conductor 42. The RL parallel circuit 81-2 is coupled to the separated conductor portion 43c and the conductor 43d, respectively. That is, the RL parallel circuit 81-2 is electrically connected in series to the conductor 43. The reactance of the coils 81-1L and 81-2L and the resistance of the resistors 81-1R and 81-2R are adjusted to realize a filter that is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise. However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-1 and 81-2 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one RL parallel circuit 81-1 and 81-2 electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42 and conductor 43), respectively. At least one RL parallel circuit 81-1, 81-2 includes at least one resistor 81-1R, 81-2R electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43), respectively. At least one RL parallel circuit 81-1, 81-2 further includes at least one coil 81-1L, 81-2L electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43), respectively.

[0051] 7B illustrates at least one RL parallel circuit 81-3, 81-4 in which resistors 81-1R, 81-2R in FIG. 7A are replaced with narrow portions of conductor portions 42c, 42d. That is, conductor portion 42c is electrically connected to conductor 42 and includes a first portion 42c1 having a first width, a second portion 42c2 extending from first portion 42c1 and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion 42c3 extending from second portion 42c2 on the side opposite first portion 42c1 and having a third width larger than the second width. The conductor portion 43c is electrically connected to the conductor 43 and includes a first portion 43c1 having a first width, a second portion 43c2 extending from the first portion 43c1 and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion 43c3 extending from the second portion 43c2 on the opposite side to the first portion 43c1 and having a third width larger than the second width. The coil 81-3L is coupled to the first portion 42c1 and the third portion 42c3 of the conductor portion 42c. The coil 81-4L is coupled to the first portion 43c1 and the third portion 43c3 of the conductor portion 43c.

[0052] The RL parallel circuit 81-3 is configured with the second portion 42c2 of the conductor portion 42c and a coil 81-3L coupled to the first portion 42c1 and third portion 42c3 of the conductor portion 42c. The RL parallel circuit 81-4 is configured with the second portion 43c2 of the conductor portion 43c and a coil 81-4L coupled to the first portion 43c1 and third portion 43c3 of the conductor portion 43c. Therefore, the RL parallel circuits 81-3 and 81-4 are configured with at least one passive element. The reactance of the coils 81-3L and 81-4L and the resistance of the second portion 42c2 of the conductor portion 42c and the second portion 43c2 of the conductor portion 43c are adjusted to realize a filter that is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0053] However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-3 and 81-4 may be a different circuit. Therefore, each of the at least one RL parallel circuit 81-3 and 81-4 includes coils 81-3L and 81-4L coupled to the second portions 42c2 and 43c2, the first portions 42c1 and 43c1, and the third portions 42c3 and 43c3, respectively. Each of the at least one RL parallel circuits 81-3 and 81-4 includes at least one coil 81-3L and 81-4L electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43). In the circuits shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the conductors 41 and 44 may be AUX lines or ground lines.

[0054] FIG. 7C shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with LR low-pass filters 82-1 and 82-2 electrically connected in series to conductors 43 and 44, respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 7C, conductors 41 and 44 are ground lines. In FIG. 7C, 82-1L and 82-2L are coils, and 82-1R and 82-2R are resistors. Therefore, the filter circuit is configured with at least one passive element. One end of resistors 82-1R and 82-2R is connected to conductor portions 41c and 44c, respectively, and the other ends of resistors 82-1R and 82-2R are connected to conductor portions 42c and 43c, respectively. Coil 82-1L is connected to the separated conductor portions 42c and 42d. In other words, LR low-pass filter 82-1 is electrically connected in series to conductor 42. Coil 82-2L is connected to the separated conductor portions 43c and 43d. That is, the LR low-pass filter 82-2 is electrically connected in series to the conductor 43. The reactance of the coils 82-1L and 82-2L and the resistance of the resistors 82-1R and 82-2R are adjusted to realize filters in which the impedance of the LR low-pass filters 82-1 and 82-2 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0055] However, one of the LR low-pass filters 82-1, 82-2 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one LR low-pass filter 82-1, 82-2 electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43). Each of the at least one LR low-pass filter 82-1, 82-2 further includes at least one coil 82-1L, 82-2L electrically connected in series to the at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43).

[0056] FIG. 7D shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with RC low-pass filters 83-1 and 83-2 electrically connected in series to conductors 43 and 44, respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 7D, conductors 41 and 44 are ground lines. In FIG. 7D, 83-1C and 83-2C are capacitors, and 83-1R and 83-2R are resistors. Therefore, the filter circuit is configured with at least one passive element. One end of capacitors 83-1C and 83-2C is connected to conductor portions 41c and 44c, respectively, and the other end of capacitors 83-1C and 83-2C is connected to conductor portions 42c and 43c, respectively. Resistor 83-1R is connected to separated conductor portions 42c and 42d. In other words, RC low-pass filter 83-1 is electrically connected in series to conductor 42. Resistor 83-2R is connected to separated conductor portions 43c and 43d. That is, RC low-pass filter 83-2 is electrically connected in series to conductor 43. The reactance of capacitors 83-1C and 83-2C and the resistance of resistors 83-1R and 83-2R are adjusted to realize filters in which the impedance of RC low-pass filters 83-1 and 83-2 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0057] However, one of the RC low-pass filters 83-1, 83-2 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one RC low-pass filter 83-1, 83-2 electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43). At least one LR low-pass filter 82-1, 82-2 includes at least one capacitor 83-1C, 83-2C electrically connected to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43) and at least one ground line (conductor 41, conductor 44), respectively. At least one LR low-pass filter 82-1, 82-2 further includes at least one resistor 83-1R, 83-2R electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43), respectively.

[0058] FIG. 7E illustrates at least one RC low-pass filter 83-3, 83-4 in which the resistors 83-1R, 83-2R of FIG. 7D are replaced with the conductor portions 42c, 42d, respectively. In at least one RC low-pass filter 83-3, 83-4, the resistors 83-1R, 83-2R may be replaced with narrow portions of the conductor portions 42c, 42d, as shown in FIG. 7B. In FIG. 7E, 83-3C, 83-4C are capacitors. Therefore, the filter circuit is composed of at least one passive element. One end of the capacitors 83-3C, 83-4C is coupled to the conductor portions 41c, 44c, respectively, and the other end of the capacitors 83-3C, 83-4C is coupled to the conductor portions 42c, 43c, respectively. The reactance of the capacitors 83-3C, 83-4C is adjusted to achieve a filter that is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0059] However, one of the RC low-pass filters 83-3 and 83-4 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, at least one of the RC low-pass filters 83-3 and 83-4 includes at least one capacitor 83-3C that is electrically connected to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43) and at least one ground line (conductor 41, conductor 44), respectively.

[0060] FIG. 7F shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with LC low-pass filters 84-1 and 84-2 electrically connected in series to conductors 43 and 44, respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 7F, conductors 41 and 44 are ground lines. In FIG. 7F, 84-1C and 84-2C are capacitors, and 84-1L and 84-2L are coils. Therefore, the filter circuit is configured with at least one passive element. One end of capacitors 84-1C and 84-2C is connected to conductor portions 41c and 44c, respectively, and the other end of capacitors 84-1C and 84-2C is connected to conductor portions 42c and 43c, respectively. Coil 84-1L is connected to the separated conductor portions 42c and 42d. In other words, LC low-pass filter 84-1 is electrically connected in series to conductor 42. Coil 84-2L is connected to the separated conductor portions 43c and 43d. That is, LC low-pass filter 84-2 is electrically connected in series to conductor 43. The reactances of capacitors 84-1C and 84-2C and the reactances of coils 84-1L and 84-2L are adjusted to realize filters in which the impedance of LC low-pass filters 84-1 and 84-2 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0061] However, one of the LC low-pass filters 84-1, 84-2 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one LC low-pass filter 84-1, 84-2 electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43). Each of the at least one LC low-pass filters 84-1, 84-2 includes at least one capacitor 84-1C, 84-2C electrically connected to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43) and at least one ground line (conductor 41, conductor 44), respectively. Each of the at least one LC low-pass filters 84-1, 84-2 further includes at least one coil 84-1L, 84-2L electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductor 42, conductor 43), respectively.

[0062] Noise filters 102 and 103 may be composed of a ferrite core 71 surrounding flat cable 40 as shown in FIG. 6A, or a half-split ferrite core 71a surrounding flat cable 40 as shown in FIG. 6B. Furthermore, noise filters 102 and 103 may be configured such that ferrite core 71 or half-split ferrite core 71a surrounds at least one of conductor portions 42c and 43c in the region of flat cable 40 where insulating film 46 has been removed, as shown in FIGS. 6C to 6F. FIG. 6C shows noise filters 102 and 103 composed of a ferrite core 72 surrounding conductor portions 42c and 43c. FIG. 6D shows noise filters 102 and 103 composed of a half-split ferrite core 72a surrounding conductor portions 42c and 43c. FIG. 6E shows noise filters 102 and 103 each made of a plurality of ferrite cores 73 surrounding the conductor portions 42c and 43c. FIG. 6F shows noise filters 102 and 103 each made of a plurality of half-split ferrite cores 73a surrounding the conductor portions 42c and 43c. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6D and 6F are preferable to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6C and 6E. This is because, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6C and 6E, in order to pass the ferrite core 73 through the conductor portions 42c and 43c, the conductor portions 42c and 43c must first be cut, and then the ferrite core 73 must be passed through the cut conductor portions 42c and 43c to reconnect the cut conductor portions 42c and 43c. It is preferable that the cutoff frequencies of the multiple ferrite cores 72, 72a and the multiple ferrite cores 73, 73a are adjusted so that high-frequency noise higher than the frequency used in the communication protocol of the signals propagated through the conductors 42, 43 (first communication line and second communication line) is less likely to pass through.

[0063] The noise filter 104 is a noise filter 100 provided near the conductor portions 41a, 42a, 43a, and 44a of the flat cable 40. The noise filter 105 is a noise filter 100 provided near the conductor portions 41b, 42b, 43b, and 44b of the flat cable 40. The noise filter 104 is provided in an area located in the second space S2. The noise filter 105 is provided in an area located in the third space S3. In this case, the noise filters 104 and 105 can be realized in the same way as the noise filters 102 and 103.

[0064] For example, as shown in Figures 6C to 6F, noise filters 104 and 105 may be configured such that a ferrite core 71 or a half-split ferrite core 71a surrounds at least one of the conductor portion 42a (42b) and the conductor portion 43a (43b). In this case, the noise filter 104 is preferably provided on the opposite side of the first end 40A with respect to the conductor portions 41a, 42a, 43a, and 44a of the flat cable 40, with some exceptions. This is because there is little influence from the junction between the flat cable 40 and the conductive plates 51 to 54. The noise filter 105 is preferably provided on the opposite side of the second end 40B with respect to the conductor portions 41b, 42b, 43b, and 44b of the flat cable 40. This is because there is little influence from the junction between the flat cable 40 and the conductive plates 61 to 64.

[0065] FIG. 6C shows noise filters 104 and 105 each consisting of a ferrite core 72 surrounding the conductor portion 42a (42b) and the conductor portion 43a (43b). FIG. 6D shows noise filters 104 and 105 each consisting of a split ferrite core 72a surrounding the conductor portion 42a (42b) and the conductor portion 43a (43b). FIG. 6E shows noise filters 104 and 105 each consisting of multiple ferrite cores 73 surrounding the conductor portion 42a (42b) and the conductor portion 43a (43b), respectively. FIG. 6F shows noise filters 104 and 105 each consisting of multiple split ferrite cores 73a surrounding the conductor portion 42a (42b) and the conductor portion 43a (43b), respectively. In this case, too, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6D and 6F are preferable to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6C and 6E. 6C and 6E, in order to pass the ferrite core 73 through the conductor portions 42c, 43c, the conductor portions 42c, 43c must be cut once, and then the cut conductor portions 42c, 43c must be reconnected to the cut conductor portions 42c, 43c through the ferrite core 73. The cutoff frequencies of the ferrite cores 72, 72a and the multiple ferrite cores 73, 73a are preferably adjusted so that high-frequency noise that is higher than the frequency used in the communication protocol of the signals propagated through the conductors 42, 43 (first communication line and second communication line) is less likely to pass through.

[0066] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 6G, the noise filters 104 and 105 may be formed of a ferrite core 71 surrounding the joints between the conductor portions 41a to 44a (41b to 44b) of the flat cable 40 and the terminal portions 51a to 54a (61a to 64a) of the conductive plates 51 to 54. As shown in Fig. 6H, the noise filters 104 and 105 may be formed of a half-split ferrite core 71a surrounding the joints between the conductor portions 41a to 44a (41b to 44b) of the flat cable 40 and the terminal portions 51a to 54a (61a to 64a) of the conductive plates 51 to 54. The embodiments shown in Figs. 6G and 6H are preferable to the embodiments shown in Figs. 6C to 6E. This is because the conductor portions 41a to 44a (41b to 44b) of the flat cable 40 are less likely to come off the terminal portions 51a to 54a (61a to 64a) of the conductive plates 51 to 54. Furthermore, the embodiment of Fig. 6H is more preferable than the embodiment of Fig. 6G because the half-split ferrite core 71a can be installed more easily.

[0067] Returning to FIG. 3, the noise filters 104 and 105 may be realized by a filter circuit, similar to the noise filters 102 and 103. However, in this case, the noise filter 104 is preferably provided on the opposite side of the first end 40A with respect to the conductor portions 41a, 42a, 43a, and 44a of the flat cable 40, with some exceptions. This is because the influence of the junction between the flat cable 40 and the conductive plates 51 to 54 is small. The noise filter 105 is preferably provided on the opposite side of the second end 40B with respect to the conductor portions 41b, 42b, 43b, and 44b of the flat cable 40. This is because the influence of the junction between the flat cable 40 and the conductive plates 61 to 64 is small. FIGS. 8A to 8F show implementation examples in which the filter circuits of FIGS. 7A to 7F are provided on the conductor portions 41a (41b), 42a (42b), 43a (43b), and 44a (44b). 8A to 8F, only the differences from FIGS. 7A to 7F will be described.

[0068] Fig. 8A shows RL parallel circuits 81-5 and 81-6 in which the RL parallel circuits 81-1 and 81-2 of Fig. 7A are mounted on the conductor portions 42a (42b) and 43a (43b), respectively. In Fig. 8A, 81-5L and 81-6L are coils corresponding to the coils 81-1L and 81-2L of Fig. 7A. In Fig. 8A, 81-5R and 81-6R are resistors corresponding to the resistors 81-1R and 81-2R of Fig. 7A.

[0069] 8B shows RL parallel circuits 81-7 and 81-8 in which the RL parallel circuits 81-3 and 81-4 of FIG. 7B are mounted on the conductor portions 42a (42b) and 43a (43b), respectively. In FIG. 8B, 81-7L and 81-8L are coils corresponding to the coils 81-3L and 81-4L of FIG. 7B. The conductor portion 42a is electrically connected to the conductive plate 52 and includes a first portion 42a1 having a first width, a second portion 42a2 extending from the first portion 42a1 and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion 42a3 extending from the second portion 42a2 on the side opposite the first portion 42a1 and having a third width larger than the second width. The conductor portion 42b is electrically connected to the conductive plate 62 and comprises a first portion 42b1 having a first width, a second portion 42b2 extending from the first portion 42b1 and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion 42b3 on the opposite side to the first portion 42b1 and extending from the second portion 42b2 and having a third width larger than the second width.

[0070] The conductor portion 43a is electrically connected to the conductive plate 53 and includes a first portion 43a1 having a first width, a second portion 43a2 extending from the first portion 43a1 and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion 43a3 extending from the second portion 43a2 on the side opposite to the first portion 43a1 and having a third width larger than the second width. The conductor portion 43b is electrically connected to the conductive plate 63 and includes a first portion 43b1 having a first width, a second portion 43b2 extending from the first portion 43b1 and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion 43b3 extending from the second portion 43b2 on the side opposite to the first portion 43b1 and having a third width larger than the second width. The coil 81-7L is coupled to the first portions 42a1 and 42c1 of the conductor portions 42a and 42c and the third portions 42a3 and 42c3 of the conductor portions 42a and 42c. The coil 81-8L is coupled to the first portions 43a1 and 43c1 of the conductor portions 43a and 43c and the third portions 43a3 and 43c3 of the conductor portions 43a and 43c.

[0071] Figure 8C shows LR low-pass filters 82-3 and 82-4 in which the LR low-pass filters 82-1 and 82-2 of Figure 7C are mounted on conductor portions 42a (42b) and 43a (43b), respectively. In Figure 8C, 82-3L and 82-4L are coils that correspond to coils 82-1L and 82-2L in Figure 7C. In Figure 8C, 82-3R and 82-4R are resistors that correspond to resistors 82-1R and 82-2R in Figure 7C.

[0072] Figure 8D shows RC low-pass filters 83-5 and 83-6 in which RC low-pass filters 83-1 and 83-2 of Figure 7D are mounted on conductor portions 42a (42b) and 43a (43b), respectively. In Figure 8D, 83-5C and 83-6C are capacitors and correspond to capacitors 83-1C and 83-2C of Figure 7D. In Figure 8D, 83-5R and 83-6R are resistors and correspond to resistors 83-1R and 83-2R of Figure 7D.

[0073] 8E shows RC low-pass filters 83-7 and 83-8 in which the RC low-pass filters 83-3 and 83-4 of FIG. 7E are mounted on the conductor portion 42a (42b) and the conductor portion 43a (43b), respectively. In FIG. 8E, 83-7C and 83-8C are capacitors corresponding to the capacitors 83-3C and 83-4C of FIG. 7E. One end of the capacitor 83-7C is coupled to the conductor portion 41a (41b), and the other end of the capacitor 83-7C is coupled to the conductor portion 42a (42b). One end of the capacitor 83-8C is coupled to the conductor portion 44a (44b), and the other end of the capacitor 83-8C is coupled to the conductor portion 43a (43b). In this case, the RC low-pass filters 83-3 and 83-4 do not interfere with the conductor portions 41a to 44a (conductor portions 41b to 44b), and therefore there is no need to extend the lengths of the conductor portions 41a to 44a (conductor portions 41b to 44b), which is even more preferable.

[0074] Figure 8F shows LC low-pass filters 84-3 and 84-4 in which LC low-pass filters 84-1 and 84-2 of Figure 7F are mounted on conductor portions 42a (42b) and 43a (43b), respectively. In Figure 8F, 84-3C and 84-4C are capacitors and correspond to capacitors 84-1C and 84-2C of Figure 7F. In Figure 8F, 84-3L and 84-4L are coils and correspond to coils 84-1L and 84-2L of Figure 7F.

[0075] Returning to FIG. 3, noise filter 106 is noise filter 100 provided on conductive plates 51-54 of first primary mold 50. Noise filter 107 is noise filter 100 provided on conductive plates 61-64 of second primary mold 60. Noise filters 106 and 107 are preferable in that the filter circuits are formed on a material that is less likely to deform than noise filters 101-105, making the filter circuits less likely to be damaged. In this case, the filter circuit is provided in the connector portion (first connector portion 22 or second connector portion 32). Noise filter 106 is provided in an area located in second space S2. Noise filter 107 is provided in an area located in third space S3. Noise filter 106 may be provided on conductive plates 51, 52, 53, and 54 on the side facing tip side surface 55a of case 55 (see FIG. 4A) from terminal portions 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a, or on the opposite side. The noise filter 107 may be provided on the conductive plates 61, 62, 63, 64 on the side facing the tip side surface 65a of the case 65 (see FIG. 5A) from the terminal portions 61a, 62a, 63a, 64a, or on the opposite side.

[0076] Noise filters 106, 107 may be comprised of a ferrite core 71 surrounding the first primary mold 50 or the second primary mold 60 as shown in FIG. 6A, or a half-split ferrite core 71a surrounding the first primary mold 50 or the second primary mold 60 as shown in FIG. 6B. Furthermore, noise filters 106, 107 may be configured such that ferrite core 71 or half-split ferrite core 71a surrounds at least one of conductive plates 51-54 (61-64) protruding from the leading edge side surface 55a of the first primary mold 50 or conductive plates 61-64 protruding from the leading edge side surface 65a of the second primary mold 60, as shown in FIGS. 6C-6F. FIG. 6C shows noise filters 106, 107 comprised of a ferrite core 72 surrounding conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63). Fig. 6D shows noise filters 106, 107 each made of a half-split ferrite core 72a surrounding the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63). Fig. 6E shows noise filters 106, 107 each made of a plurality of ferrite cores 73 surrounding the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63). Fig. 6F shows noise filters 106, 107 each made of a plurality of half-split ferrite cores 73a surrounding the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63). The cutoff frequencies of the ferrite cores 72, 72a and the plurality of ferrite cores 73, 73a are preferably adjusted so as to prevent the passage of high-frequency noise higher than the frequency used in the communication protocol of the signals transmitted through the conductors 42, 43 (first communication line and second communication line).

[0077] 9A to 9F show an example of an implementation in which the filter circuit of FIGS. 7A to 7F is provided in the opening 55ap of the recess 65c (65c) of the case 55 (65). FIGS. 10A to 10D show an example of an implementation in which the filter circuit of FIGS. 9A to 9F is realized in a manner in which a passive element is detachably attached to the opposite side of the recess 65c (65c) of the case 55 (65). The examples shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F and 10A to 10D are merely examples, and filter circuits may be realized in other structural forms by changing the shape of the case 55 (65) or the shapes of the conductive plates (bus bars) 51, 52, 53, and 54. The following description of FIGS. 9A to 9F and 10A to 10D will focus on the differences from FIGS. 7A to 7F. The configurations not described in the description of FIGS. 9A to 9F and FIGS. 10A to 10D are the same as the configurations described in FIGS. 7A to 7F.

[0078] 9A shows RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 in which the RL parallel circuits 81-1 and 81-2 in FIG. 7A are mounted on conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63), respectively. In this example, the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the bar portion 52b (62b) of the conductive plate 52 (62) are spaced apart, and the RL parallel circuit 81-9 is connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the bar portion 52b (62b). The terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b) of the conductive plate 53 (63) are spaced apart, and the RL parallel circuit 81-10 is connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b).

[0079] In Fig. 9A, 81-9L and 81-10L are coils and correspond to coils 81-1L and 81-2L in Fig. 7A. In Fig. 9A, 81-9R and 81-10R are resistors and correspond to resistors 81-1R and 81-2R in Fig. 7A. The coils 81-9L and 81-10L and resistors 81-9R and 81-10R are passive elements. That is, the filter circuit (RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10) is composed of at least one passive element.

[0080] In the example of FIG. 9A , the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) is provided with an opening 55ap (65ap) for arranging the coils 81-9L, 81-10L and the resistors 81-9R, 81-10R. That is, the case 55 (65) includes an opening 55ap (65ap) that exposes a portion (fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c)) of at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63). At least one passive element is exposed in the opening 55ap (65ap) and is electrically connected to the fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c). Note that the location of the opening 55ap (65ap) in FIG. 9A is just an example, and it may be located in a location other than the recess 55c (65c) (for example, on the back surface (55e (65e))).

[0081] Note that one of the RL parallel circuits 81-9, 81-10 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one RL parallel circuit 81-9, 81-10 electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively. At least one RL parallel circuit 81-9, 81-10 includes at least one resistor 81-9R, 81-9R electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively. At least one RL parallel circuit 81-9, 81-10 further includes at least one coil 81-9L, 81-10L electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively.

[0082] 9B shows RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 in which resistors 81-9R and 81-10R in FIG. 9A are replaced with narrow portions 52b1 (62b1) of conductive plate 52 (62) and narrow portions 53b1 (63b1) of conductive plate 53 (63), respectively. In FIG. 9B, 81-11L and 81-12L are coils, which correspond to coils 81-3L and 81-4L in FIG. 7B. The conductive plate 52 (62) is electrically connected to one of the at least one communication lines (conductor 42) and comprises a first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) having a first width, a second portion (narrow portion 52b1 (62b1) of bar portion 52b (62b)) extending from the first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion (wide portion 52b2 (62b2) of bar portion 52b (62b)) on the opposite side to the first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) and extending from the second portion (narrow portion 52b1 (62b1) of bar portion 52b (62b)) and having a third width larger than the second width. The conductive plate 53 (63) is electrically connected to one of the at least one communication lines (conductor 43) and includes a first portion (terminal portion 53a (63a)) having a first width, a second portion (narrow portion 53b1 (63b1) of bar portion 53b (63b)) extending from the first portion (terminal portion 53a (63a)) and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion (wide portion 53b2 (63b2) of bar portion 53b (63b)) on the opposite side to the first portion (terminal portion 53a (63a)) and extending from the second portion (narrow portion 53b1 (63b1) of bar portion 53b (63b)) and having a third width larger than the second width.

[0083] The coil 81-11L is connected to a first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) of the conductive plate 52 (62) and a third portion (wide portion 52b2 (62b2) of the bar portion 52b (62b)) of the conductive plate 52 (62). The coil 81-12L is connected to a first portion (terminal portion 53a (63a)) of the conductive plate 53 (63) and a third portion (wide portion 53b2 (63b2) of the bar portion 53b (63b)) of the conductive plate 53 (63). The RL parallel circuit 81-11, which is a filter circuit, is composed of a second portion (narrow portion 52b1 (62b1) of the bar portion 52b (62b)) of the conductive plate 52 (62) and the coil 81-11L. The RL parallel circuit 81-12, which is a filter circuit, is composed of the second portion (narrow portion 53b1 (63b1) of the bar portion 53b (63b)) of the conductive plate 53 (63) and a coil 81-12L.

[0084] However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 may be a different circuit. Therefore, at least one of the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 is configured by coils 81-11L and 81-12L coupled to the second portion (narrow portions 52b1 and 53b1 (62b1 and 63b1) of the bar portions 52b and 53b (62b and 63b)), the first portion (terminal portions 52a and 53a (62a and 63a)), and the third portion (wide portions 52b2 and 53b2 (62b2 and 63b2) of the bar portions 52b and 53b (62b and 63b)). At least one RL parallel circuit 81-11, 81-12 includes at least one coil 81-11L, 81-12L electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively. In the circuits shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the conductors 41, 44 may be AUX lines or ground lines.

[0085] 9C shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with LR low-pass filters 82-5 and 82-6 electrically connected in series to the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63), respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 9C, the conductive plates 51 and 54 (61 and 64) are connected to conductors 41 and 44, which are ground lines. That is, the first connector section 22 further includes at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61 and 64) electrically connected to at least one ground line (conductor 41 and 44), respectively. That is, the second connector section 32 further includes at least one third conductive plate 61, 64 electrically connected to at least one ground line (conductor 41 and 44), respectively. In this example, the terminal section 52a (62a) and the bar section 52b (62b) of the conductive plate 52 (62) are spaced apart, and the LR low-pass filter 82-5 is connected to the terminal section 52a (62a) and the bar section 52b (62b). The terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b) of the conductive plate 53 (63) are spaced apart, and the LR low-pass filter 82-6 is connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b).

[0086] In FIG. 9C, 82-5L and 82-6L are coils and correspond to the coils 82-1L and 82-2L in FIG. 7C. In FIG. 9C, 82-5R and 82-6R are resistors and correspond to the resistors 82-1R and 82-2R in FIG. 7C. The coils 82-5L and 82-6L and the resistors 82-5R and 82-6R are passive elements. That is, the filter circuit (LR low-pass filters 82-5, 82-6) is composed of at least one passive element. One end of the resistors 82-5R and 82-6R is coupled to the conductive plates 51 (61) and 54 (64), respectively, and the other end of the resistors 82-5R and 82-6R is coupled to the conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63), respectively. The coil 82-5L is connected to the separated terminal portion 52a (62a) and bar portion 52b (62b). In other words, the LR low-pass filter 82-5 is electrically connected in series to the conductive plate 52 (62). The coil 82-6L is connected to the separated terminal portion 53a (63a) and bar portion 53b (63b). In other words, the LR low-pass filter 82-6 is electrically connected in series to the conductive plate 53 (63). The reactance of the coils 82-5L and 82-6L and the resistance of the resistors 82-5R and 82-6R are adjusted to realize filters in which the impedance of the LR low-pass filters 82-5 and 82-6 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0087] In the example of FIG. 9C , the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) is provided with an opening 55ap (65ap) for arranging the coils 82-5L, 82-6L and the resistors 81-5R, 81-6R. That is, the case 55 (65) includes an opening 55ap (65ap) that exposes a portion (fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c)) of at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63). At least one passive element is exposed in the opening 55ap (65ap) and is electrically connected to the fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c). Note that the location of the opening 55ap (65ap) in FIG. 9C is just an example, and it may be located in a location other than the recess 55c (65c) (for example, on the back surface (55e (65e))).

[0088] Note that one of the LR low-pass filters 82-5, 82-6 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one LR low-pass filter 82-5, 82-6 electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively. The LR low-pass filters 82-5, 82-6 include at least one resistor 82-5R, 82-6R connected to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64), and at least one coil 82-5L, 82-6L electrically connected to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and at least one resistor 82-5R, 82-6R, respectively.

[0089] 9D shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with RC low-pass filters 83-9 and 83-10 electrically connected in series to the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63), respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 9D, the conductive plates 51 and 54 (61 and 64) are connected to conductors 41 and 44, which are ground lines. That is, the first connector portion 22 further includes at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61 and 64) electrically connected to at least one ground line (conductor 41 and 44), respectively. That is, the second connector portion 32 further includes at least one third conductive plate 61, 64 electrically connected to at least one ground line (conductor 41 and 44), respectively. In this example, the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the bar portion 52b (62b) of the conductive plate 52 (62) are spaced apart, and the RC low-pass filter 83-9 is connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the bar portion 52b (62b). The terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b) of the conductive plate 53 (63) are spaced apart, and an RC low-pass filter 83-10 is connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b).

[0090] In Figure 9D, 83-9C and 83-10C are capacitors and correspond to capacitors 83-1C and 83-2C in Figure 7D. In Figure 9D, 83-9R and 83-10R are resistors and correspond to resistors 83-1R and 83-2R in Figure 7D. Capacitors 83-9C and 83-10C and resistors 83-9R and 83-10R are passive elements. That is, the filter circuit (RC low-pass filter 83-9, 83-10) is composed of at least one passive element. One end of capacitors 83-9C and 83-10C is coupled to conductive plate 51 (61) and 54 (64), respectively, and the other end of capacitors 83-9C and 83-10C is coupled to conductive plate 52 (62) and 53 (63), respectively. The resistor 83-9R is connected to the separated terminal portion 52a (62a) and bar portion 52b (62b). That is, the RC low-pass filter 83-9 is electrically connected in series to the conductive plate 52 (62). The resistor 83-10R is connected to the separated terminal portion 53a (63a) and bar portion 53b (63b). That is, the RC low-pass filter 83-10 is electrically connected in series to the conductive plate 53 (63). The reactance of the capacitors 83-9C and 83-10C and the resistance of the resistors 83-9R and 83-10R are adjusted to realize filters in which the impedance of the RC low-pass filters 83-9 and 83-10 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0091] In the example of FIG. 9D, the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) is provided with an opening 55ap (65ap) for arranging the capacitors 83-9C, 83-10C and the resistors 83-9R, 83-10R. That is, the case 55 (65) includes an opening 55ap (65ap) that exposes a portion (fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c)) of at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63). At least one passive element is exposed in the opening 55ap (65ap) and is electrically connected to the fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c). Note that the location of the opening 55ap (65ap) in FIG. 9C is just an example, and the opening 55ap (65ap) may be located in a location other than the recess 55c (65c) (for example, on the back surface (55e (65e))).

[0092] Note that one of the RC low-pass filters 83-9, 83-10 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one RC low-pass filter 83-9, 83-10 electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively. The RC low-pass filters 83-9, 83-10 include at least one capacitor 83-9C, 83-10C connected to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64), and at least one resistor 83-9R, 83-10R electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively.

[0093] FIG. 9E illustrates at least one RC low-pass filter 83-11, 83-12 in which the resistor 83-9R in FIG. 9D is replaced with a bar portion 52b (62b) connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the resistor 83-10R in FIG. 9D is replaced with a bar portion 53b (63b) connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a). In at least one RC low-pass filter 83-11, 83-12, the resistors 83-9R and 83-10R may be replaced with the narrow portion 52b1 (62b1) of the bar portion 52b (62b) and the narrow portion 53b1 (63b1) of the bar portion 53b (63b), respectively, as shown in FIG. 9B. In FIG. 9E, 83-11C and 83-12C are capacitors. Therefore, the filter circuit is composed of at least one passive element. One end of capacitors 83-11C and 83-12C is coupled to conductive plates 51 and 54 (61 and 64), respectively, and the other end of capacitors 83-11C and 83-12C is coupled to conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63), respectively. The reactance of capacitors 83-11C and 83-12C is adjusted to realize a filter in which the impedance of RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0094] However, one of the RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, at least one of the RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 includes at least one capacitor 83-11C and 83-12C electrically connected to at least one of the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63) and at least one of the third conductive plates 51 and 54 (61 and 64), respectively.

[0095] FIG. 9F shows an example in which the filter circuit is configured with LC low-pass filters 84-5 and 84-6 electrically connected in series to the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63), respectively. In the circuit of FIG. 9F, the conductive plates 51 and 54 (61 and 64) are connected to the conductors 41 and 44, which are ground lines. That is, the first connector portion 22 further includes at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61 and 64) electrically connected to at least one ground line (conductor 41 and 44), respectively. That is, the second connector portion 32 further includes at least one third conductive plate 61, 64 electrically connected to at least one ground line (conductor 41 and 44), respectively. In this example, the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the bar portion 52b (62b) of the conductive plate 52 (62) are spaced apart, and the LC low-pass filter 84-5 is connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) and the bar portion 52b (62b). The terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b) of the conductive plate 53 (63) are spaced apart, and the LC low-pass filter 84-6 is connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) and the bar portion 53b (63b).

[0096] In Figure 9F, 84-5C and 84-6C are capacitors and correspond to capacitors 84-1C and 84-2C in Figure 7F. In Figure 9F, 84-5L and 84-6L are coils and correspond to coils 84-1L and 84-2L in Figure 7F. Capacitors 84-5C and 84-6C and coils 84-5L and 84-6L are passive elements. That is, the filter circuit (LC low-pass filters 84-5, 84-6) is composed of at least one passive element. One end of capacitors 84-5C and 84-6C is coupled to conductive plates 51 (61) and 54 (64), respectively, and the other end of capacitors 84-5C and 84-6C is coupled to conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63), respectively. The coil 84-5L is connected to the separated terminal portion 52a (62a) and bar portion 52b (62b). That is, the LC low-pass filter 84-5 is electrically connected in series to the conductive plate 52 (62). The coil 84-6L is connected to the separated terminal portion 53a (63a) and bar portion 53b (63b). That is, the LC low-pass filter 84-5 is electrically connected in series to the conductive plate 53 (63). The reactance of the capacitors 84-5C and 84-6C and the reactance of the coils 84-5L and 84-6L are adjusted to realize filters in which the impedance of the LC low-pass filters 84-5 and 84-6 is higher than the frequency of the signal waveform and lower than the frequency of the noise.

[0097] In the example of FIG. 9F, the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) is provided with an opening 55ap (65ap) for arranging the capacitors 84-5C, 84-6C and the coils 84-5L, 84-6L. That is, the case 55 (65) includes an opening 55ap (65ap) that exposes a portion (fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c)) of at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63). At least one passive element is exposed in the opening 55ap (65ap) and is electrically connected to the fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c). Note that the location of the opening 55ap (65ap) in FIG. 9C is just an example, and the opening 55ap (65ap) may be located in a location other than the recess 55c (65c) (for example, on the back surface (55e (65e))).

[0098] Note that one of the LC low-pass filters 84-5, 84-6 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, the filter circuit includes at least one LC low-pass filter 84-5, 84-6 electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively. The LC low-pass filters 84-5, 84-6 include at least one capacitor 83-9C, 83-10C connected to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64), and at least one coil 84-5L, 84-6L electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively.

[0099] Fig. 10A shows an example in which the RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 of Fig. 9A are provided on the back surface (55e (65e)) opposite the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) (see Figs. 4A and 5A). Note that the location of the RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 in Fig. 10A is just an example, and they do not have to be on the back surface (55e (65e)), and may be on a surface opposite the back surface (55e (65e)) other than the recess 55c (65c).

[0100] The conductive plate 52 (62) includes hook portions 56-1a (66-1a) and 56-1b (66-1b) to which the coil 81'-9L, which is an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the coil 81'-9L. The hook portion 56-1a (66-1a) is electrically connected to the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 56-1b (66-1b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) spaced from the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0101] The conductive plate 52 (62) includes hook portions 56-2a (66-2a) and 56-2b (66-2b) to which the resistor 81'-9R, which is an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the resistor 81'-9R. The hook portion 56-2a (66-2a) is electrically connected to the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 56-2b (66-2b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) spaced from the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0102] The conductive plate 53 (63) includes hook portions 57-1a (67-1a) and 57-1b (67-1b) to which the coil 81'-10L, which is an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the coil 81'-10L. The hook portion 57-1a (67-1a) is electrically connected to the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 57-1b (67-1b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) spaced from the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0103] The conductive plate 53 (63) includes hook portions 57-2a (67-2a) and 57-2b (67-2b) to which the resistor 81'-10R, which is an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the resistor 81'-10R. The hook portion 57-2a (67-2a) is electrically connected to the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 57-2b (67-2b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) spaced from the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0104] The coil 81'-9L, resistor 81'-9R, coil 81'-10L, and resistor 81'-10R correspond to the coil 81-9L, resistor 81-9R, coil 81-10L, and resistor 81-10R in FIG. 9A . However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 may be a separate circuit. Alternatively, one of the coil 81'-9L and resistor 81'-9R may be detachable, while the other may be fixed by soldering or the like. Alternatively, one of the coil 81'-10L and resistor 81'-10R may be detachable, while the other may be fixed by soldering or the like. Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a latch portion 56-1a, 56-1b, 56-2a, 56-2b, 57-1a, 57-1b, 57-2a, 57-2b (66-1a, 66-1b, 66-2a, 66-2b, 67-1a, 67-1b, 67-2a, 67-2b) to which at least one passive element can be attached or detached and which can be electrically connected to at least one passive element.

[0105] Fig. 10B shows an example in which the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 of Fig. 9B are provided on the back surface (55e (65e)) opposite the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) (see Figs. 4A and 5A). Note that the location of the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 in Fig. 10B is just an example, and they do not have to be on the back surface (55e (65e)), and may be on a surface opposite the back surface (55e (65e)) other than the recess 55c (65c).

[0106] The conductive plate 52 (62) includes hook portions 56-3a (66-3a) and 56-3b (66-3b) to which the coil 81'-11L, which is an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the coil 81'-11L. The hook portion 56-3a (66-3a) is electrically connected to the wide portion 52b2 (62b2) of the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 56-3b (66-3b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) of the conductive plate 52 (62), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0107] The conductive plate 53 (63) includes hook portions 57-3a (67-3a) and 57-3b (67-3b) to which the coil 81'-12L, which is an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the coil 81'-12L. The hook portion 57-3a (67-3a) is electrically connected to the wide portion 53b2 (63b2) of the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 57-3b (67-3b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) of the conductive plate 53 (63), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0108] Coils 81'-11L and 81'-12L correspond to coils 81-11L and 81-12L in FIG. 9B. However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 may be a different circuit. Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a latch portion 56-3a, 56-3b, 57-3a, 57-3b (66-3a, 66-3b, 67-1a, 67-1b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and which can be electrically connected to at least one passive element.

[0109] Fig. 10C shows an example in which the RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 of Fig. 9E are provided on the back surface (55e (65e)) opposite the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) (see Figs. 4A and 5A). Note that the locations of the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 in Fig. 10C are just an example, and they do not have to be on the back surface (55e (65e)), and may be on a surface opposite the back surface (55e (65e)) other than the recess 55c (65c).

[0110] The conductive plate 52 (62) includes a hook portion 58-1a (68-1a) to which the capacitor 83'-11C, an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the capacitor 83'-11C. The hook portion 58-1a (68-1a) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) or the bar portion 52b (62b) of the conductive plate 52 (62), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The third conductive plate 51 (61) includes a hook portion 58-1b (68-1b) to which the capacitor 83'-11C, an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the capacitor 83'-11C. The latch portion 58-1b (68-1b) is electrically connected to the third conductive plate 51 (61), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the rear surface (55e (65e)).

[0111] The conductive plate 53 (63) includes a hook portion 59-1a (69-1a) to which the capacitor 83'-12C, an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the capacitor 83'-12C. The hook portion 59-1a (69-1a) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) or the bar portion 53b (63b) of the conductive plate 53 (63), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The third conductive plate 54 (64) includes a hook portion 59-1b (69-1b) to which the capacitor 83'-12C, an independent passive element, can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the capacitor 83'-12C. The latch portion 59-1b (69-1b) is electrically connected to the third conductive plate 54 (64), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the rear surface (55e (65e)).

[0112] Capacitors 83'-11C and 83'-12C correspond to capacitors 83'-11C and 83'-12C in FIG. 9E. However, one of the RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a hook portion 58-1a, 59-1a (68-1a, 69-1a) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element. At least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64) further includes a hook portion 58-1b, 59-1b (68-1b, 69-1b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element.

[0113] Fig. 10D shows an example in which the LR low-pass filters 82-5 and 82-6 of Fig. 9C, the RC low-pass filters 83-9 and 83-10 of Fig. 9D, and the LC low-pass filters 84-5 and 84-6 of Fig. 9F are provided on the back surface (55e (65e)) opposite the recess 55c (65c) of the case 55 (65) (see Figs. 4A and 5A). Note that the location shown in Fig. 10D is just one example, and the location does not have to be the back surface (55e (65e)), and may be on a surface opposite the back surface (55e (65e)) other than the recess 55c (65c).

[0114] The conductive plate 52 (62) includes hook portions 56-1a (66-1a) and 56-1b (66-1b) that can detachably mount independent passive elements such as a coil 82'-5L, a resistor 83'-9R, and a coil 84'-5L, and that can be electrically connected to the coil 82'-5L, the resistor 83'-9R, and the coil 84'-5L. The hook portion 56-1a (66-1a) is electrically connected to the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 56-1b (66-1b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) spaced from the bar portion 52b (62b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0115] The conductive plate 53 (63) includes hook portions 57-1a (67-1a) and 57-1b (67-1b) that can detachably mount the coil 82'-5L, resistor 83'-9R, and coil 84'-5L, which are independent passive elements, and are electrically connectable to the coil 82'-5L, resistor 83'-9R, and coil 84'-5L. The hook portion 57-1a (67-1a) is electrically connected to the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The hook portion 57-1b (67-1b) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) spaced from the bar portion 53b (63b), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0116] The conductive plate 52 (62) includes a latch portion 58-1a (68-1a) to which a resistor 82'-5R, ​​a capacitor 83'-9C, and a capacitor 84'-5C, which are independent passive elements, can be detachably attached and which can be electrically connected to the resistor 82'-5R, ​​the capacitor 83'-9C, and the capacitor 84'-5C. The latch portion 58-1a (68-1a) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a) or the bar portion 52b (62b) of the conductive plate 52 (62), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The third conductive plate 51 (61) includes a latch portion 58-1b (68-1b) to which a resistor 82'-5R, ​​a capacitor 83'-9C, and a capacitor 84'-5C, which are independent passive elements, can be detachably attached and which can be electrically connected to the resistor 82'-5R, ​​the capacitor 83'-9C, and the capacitor 84'-5C. The latch portion 58-1b (68-1b) is electrically connected to the third conductive plate 51 (61), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0117] The conductive plate 53 (63) includes a latch portion 59-1a (69-1a) to which a resistor 82'-6R, a capacitor 83'-10C, and a capacitor 84'-6C, which are independent passive elements, can be detachably attached and which can be electrically connected to the resistor 82'-6R, the capacitor 83'-10C, and the capacitor 84'-6C. The latch portion 59-1a (69-1a) is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a) or the bar portion 53b (63b) of the conductive plate 53 (63), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)). The third conductive plate 54 (64) includes a latch portion 59-1b (69-1b) to which a resistor 82'-6R, a capacitor 83'-10C, and a capacitor 84'-6C, which are independent passive elements, can be detachably attached and which can be electrically connected to the resistor 82'-6R, the capacitor 83'-10C, and the capacitor 84'-6C. The latch portion 59-1b (69-1b) is electrically connected to the third conductive plate 54 (64), penetrates the resin of the case 55 (65), and protrudes from the back surface (55e (65e)).

[0118] Coil 82'-5L, resistor 82'-5R, ​​coil 82'-6L, and resistor 82'-6R correspond to coil 82-5L, resistor 82-5R, coil 82-6L, and resistor 82-6R in Figure 9C. Resistor 83'-9R, capacitor 83'-9C, resistor 83'-10R, and capacitor 83'-10C correspond to resistor 83-9R, capacitor 83-9C, resistor 83-10R, and capacitor 83-10C in Figure 9D. Coil 84'-5L, capacitor 84'-5C, coil 84'-6L, and capacitor 84'-6C correspond to coil 84-5L, capacitor 84-5C, coil 84-6L, and capacitor 84-6C in Figure 9F.

[0119] However, one of the LR low-pass filters 82-5, 82-6 may be a separate circuit. One of the RC low-pass filters 83-9, 83-10 may be a separate circuit. One of the LC low-pass filters 84-5, 84-6 may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, one of the coil 82'-5L and the resistor 82'-5R may be detachable, while the other is fixed by soldering or the like. Furthermore, one of the coil 82'-6L and the resistor 82'-6R may be detachable, while the other is fixed by soldering or the like. Furthermore, one of the resistor 83'-9R and the capacitor 83'-9C may be detachable, while the other is fixed by soldering or the like. Furthermore, one of the resistor 83'-10R and the capacitor 83'-10C may be detachable, while the other is fixed by soldering or the like. Furthermore, one of the coil 84'-5L and the capacitor 84-5C may be detachable, while the other is fixed by soldering, etc. Furthermore, one of the coil 84'-6L and the capacitor 84'-6C may be detachable, while the other is fixed by soldering, etc.

[0120] Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a hook portion 56-1a, 56-1b, 57-1a, 57-1b, 58-1a, 59-1a (66-1a, 66-1b, 67-1a, 67-1b, 68-1a, 69-1a) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element. At least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64) further includes a hook portion 58-1b, 59-1b (68-1b, 69-1b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element.

[0121] Returning to FIG. 3, noise filter 108 is noise filter 100 provided in first terminal mounting space 22a. Noise filter 109 is noise filter 100 provided in second terminal mounting space 32a. Noise filter 108 is noise filter 100 provided in second space S2. Noise filter 109 is noise filter 100 provided in third space S3. Because noise filters 108 and 109 are filters that affect communication lines electrically connected to first primary mold 50, they are preferably realized by ferrite core 71 or half-split ferrite core 71a.

[0122] Fig. 11 shows an example of a noise filter 100 including a ferrite core 71 or a half-split ferrite core 71a provided in the external terminal insertion hole 24a of the first terminal mounting space 22a and surrounding the first terminal mounting space 22a. Fig. 12 shows an example of a noise filter 100 including a ferrite core 71 or a half-split ferrite core 71a provided in the external terminal insertion hole 34a of the second terminal mounting space 32a and surrounding the second terminal mounting space 32a. In Fig. 11, the ferrite core 71 or the half-split ferrite core 71a is supported by the first connector housing 24. In Fig. 12, the ferrite core 71 or the half-split ferrite core 71a is supported by the second connector housing 34. That is, at least one noise filter 100 is provided in the external terminal insertion hole 24a, 34a and includes a ferrite core 71, 71a configured to surround the external terminal or a relay line connected to the external terminal (a wire harness constituting an electric circuit on the vehicle body side, or a cable drawn from an electric component provided in the steering wheel).In this case, too, it is preferable that the cutoff frequency of the ferrite core 71 and the half-split ferrite core 71a be adjusted so as to prevent high-frequency noise higher than the frequency used in the communication protocol of the signal propagated via the conductors 42, 43 (the first communication line and the second communication line) from passing through.

[0123] The rotary connector device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a flat cable assembly 2. The flat cable assembly 2 includes a flat cable 40 including a first communication line and a second communication line (conductors 42, 43), a first connector portion 22, a second connector portion 32, and at least one noise filter 100. Therefore, at least one noise filter can remove noise generated in the first communication line and the second communication line.

[0124] Second Embodiment <Overview of sliding door harness> A sliding door harness 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In this embodiment, all drawings indicate the direction of a vehicle body 7. Specifically, arrow F indicates the front side of the vehicle body, arrow R indicates the rear side of the vehicle body, arrow O indicates the outside of the vehicle body, and arrow I indicates the inside of the vehicle body. Arrow U indicates the upper side, and arrow DD indicates the lower side. In addition, the front-rear direction will be referred to as L, the left-right direction (width direction) as W, and the up-down direction (height direction) as H.

[0125] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a sliding door harness 3. As shown in Fig. 13, the sliding door harness 3 according to the present invention supplies power from a vehicle body 7 to electrical components incorporated in a sliding door 8. The sliding door harness 3 includes a flat cable assembly 2A. The flat cable assembly 2A includes a flat cable 40, a first connector portion 22, and a second connector portion 32. In Fig. 13, a portion of the cable exterior member 14 is cut away so that the flat cable 40 constituting the flat cable assembly 2A can be seen.

[0126] The flat cable assembly 2A is laid between the vehicle body 7 and the sliding door 8. The flat cable assembly 2A includes a plurality of overlapping flat cables 40. Each flat cable 40 has a structure in which parallel-arranged strip-shaped conductors 41 to 44 are sandwiched between sheet-shaped insulating films 46. The bundle of flat cables 40 is covered with a flexible cable exterior member 14. The vertical cross section of the flat cable 40 is short in the horizontal direction (the direction defined by the front-rear direction L and the left-right direction W) and long in the up-down direction H. In this embodiment, the flat cable 40 also includes a communication line configured to transmit signals conforming to the CAN or CAN FD communication protocol.

[0127] In the sliding door harness 3, the first connector portion 22 is attached to the vehicle body 7. The first connector portion 22 has a cable holder 15 fixed to a floor panel 7P of the vehicle body 7. A connector unit 9A is attached to the cable holder 15 and is electrically connected to a power cable or the like on the vehicle body 7 side. In the sliding door harness 3 according to this embodiment, the power cable is connected to a relay cable 16 extending from the connector unit 9A.

[0128] In the sliding door harness 3, the second connector portion 32 is attached to the sliding door 8, which is slidable relative to the vehicle body 7. Therefore, the second connector portion 32 is configured to be connected to a movable member (sliding door 8) that is movable relative to the first connector portion 22. The second connector portion 32 has a cable holder 25 fixed to an inner panel 8P of the sliding door 8. A connector unit 9B that is electrically connected to an electrical cable on the sliding door 8 side is attached to the cable holder 25. In the sliding door harness 3 according to this embodiment, the electrical cable is connected to a relay cable 26 extending from the connector unit 9B. In the following embodiments, the connector unit 9A and the connector unit 9B will be collectively referred to as the connector unit 9. Furthermore, the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 32 may be collectively referred to simply as the connector portion. In other words, the flat cable assembly 2A includes connector portions (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32) provided at one end (first end portion 40A, second end portion 40B: described later in FIG. 18) in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 40. The cable holders 15 and 25 will be described in detail below.

[0129] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of first connector portion 22 as viewed from diagonally above the front side. Fig. 15 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of first connector portion 22. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, cable holder 15 is provided with a cable accommodating portion 17 and a connector unit accommodating portion 18 arranged side by side in the left-right direction W of vehicle body 7. Cable holder 15 also is provided with a cable bend restricting portion 19 and floor panel mounting portions 15A1 and 15A2.

[0130] The cable housing section 17 refers to a section where a cable housing space 17S is provided to house the flat cable 40 and the cable exterior member 14. A cover (not shown) is attached to the cable housing section 17 to prevent the flat cable 40 and the cable exterior member 14 from rattling, shifting position, or being pulled out of the cable housing space 17S.

[0131] The connector unit accommodating section 18 refers to a section where a connector unit accommodating space 18S for accommodating the connector unit 9A is provided. The connector unit accommodating section 18 is secured by a cable tie 77, thereby preventing the connector unit 9A from rattling, shifting position, or being pulled out of the connector unit accommodating space 18S.

[0132] The cable bend restricting portion 19 is a portion that restricts the shape of the curved portion 2Bb of the flat cable 40 and the cable exterior member 14 that are pulled toward the front side F of the vehicle body by the sliding door 8 when the sliding door 8 is in a fully closed state. The cable holder 15 prevents the flat cable 40 and the cable exterior member 14 from being locally bent when the sliding door 8 is in a fully closed state, thereby preventing a large load from being applied to the flat cable 40 and the cable exterior member 14.

[0133] Floor panel mounting portions 15A1 and 15A2 are used to mount cable holder 15 to floor panel 7P. Bolt seat portion 15B1 of floor panel mounting portion 15A1 has a through-hole that penetrates in the vertical direction H, through which a mounting bolt can be inserted. Fastener seat portion 15B2 of floor panel mounting portion 15A2 has a pair of locking claws that protrude downward, and fastener 7F is fitted along these locking claws.

[0134] Fig. 16 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the second connector portion 32. As shown in Fig. 16, the cable holder 25 has a cable accommodating portion 27 and a connector unit accommodating portion 28 arranged side by side in the fore-and-aft direction L of the vehicle body 7. The cable accommodating portion 27 is provided in the cable holder 25 from the front end portion to the middle portion in the fore-and-aft direction L. The connector unit accommodating portion 28 is provided in the cable holder 25 from the middle portion to the rear end portion in the fore-and-aft direction L. The cable holder 25 also has a cable bend restricting portion 29 and inner panel mounting portions 25A1 and 25A2.

[0135] The cable housing section 27 refers to the portion that houses the flat cable 40 and the cable outer covering 14. In other words, the cable housing section 27 refers to the portion that is provided with a cable housing space 27S that houses the flat cable 40 and the cable outer covering 14. The cable housing space 27S is open toward the upper side U, and during assembly, the flat cable assembly 2A is fitted into the space from this open end. The flat cable assembly 2A is wound up with a cable tie 78 while housed in the cable housing space 27S.

[0136] The connector unit accommodating section 28 refers to a portion that accommodates the connector unit 9B. In other words, the connector unit accommodating section 28 refers to a portion that is provided with a connector unit accommodating space 28S that accommodates the connector unit 9B. The connector unit accommodating space 28S is open toward the upper side U, and in the assembly work, the connector unit 9B is fitted in from this open end. The connector unit 9B is wound up with a cable tie 79 while accommodated in the connector unit accommodating space 28S.

[0137] The cable bend restricting portion 29 refers to a portion that restricts the shape of the flat cable 40 and the curved portion 2Ba of the cable armoring member 14. More specifically, the cable bend restricting portion 29 refers to a portion that restricts the shape of the flat cable 40 and the curved portion 2Ba (see FIGS. 13 and 16) of the cable armoring member 14 that are pulled toward the front side F of the vehicle body by the sliding door 8 when the sliding door 8 is in a fully closed state. The arc surface 29s of the cable bend restricting portion 29 is seamlessly connected to the members of the cable housing portion 27 that form the cable housing space 27S described above.

[0138] The cable bend restricting portion 29 is provided at the front end portion of the cable housing portion 27 on the vehicle body inner side I. The cable bend restricting portion 29 is a semi-cylindrical portion formed with a radius larger than the allowable bending radius of the flat cable 40 and the cable armoring member 14, and the curved portion 2Ba of the flat cable 40 and the cable armoring member 14 is wound around the arc surface 43s. In this way, the cable holder 25 prevents the flat cable 40 and the cable armoring member 14 from being locally bent when the sliding door 8 is in the fully closed state, thereby preventing a large load from being applied to the flat cable 40 and the cable armoring member 14.

[0139] The inner panel mounting portion 25A1 is a portion for mounting the front end portion of the cable holder 25 to the inner panel 8P. A bolt seat portion 25B1 is formed in the center of the inner panel mounting portion 25A1. A through hole that penetrates in the left-right direction W is formed in the bolt seat portion 25B1, and a mounting bolt can be inserted through this through hole.

[0140] The inner panel mounting portion 25A2 is a portion for mounting the rear end portion of the cable holder 25 to the inner panel 8P. A fastener seat portion 25B2 is formed in the center portion of the inner panel mounting portion 25A2. A through hole penetrating the fastener seat portion 25B2 in the left-right direction W is formed in the fastener seat portion 25B2, and the fastener 8F is fitted into the guide groove connected to this through hole.

[0141] Next, the connector unit 9 will be described in detail. As described above, the connector unit 9 is a collective name for the connector unit 9A and the connector unit 9B, and the connector unit 9A and the connector unit 9B have the common structure of the connector unit 9 described below. The connector unit 9 is configured by stacking a plurality of connectors 90. The number of connectors 90 can be freely changed depending on the specifications of the sliding door 8. Specifically, it can be freely changed depending on the number of flat cables 40 required.

[0142] Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit 9. As shown in Fig. 17, the connector 90 includes a main plate 91, an upper side plate 92, a lower side plate 93, and a connection terminal 94. In this embodiment, in the connector 90, the space surrounded by the main plate 91, the upper side plate 92, and the lower side plate 93 is defined as a terminal accommodating portion 9C. A connection terminal 94 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 9C.

[0143] The main plate portion 91 is formed in a generally plate-like shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction L of the car body 7. Three partition plates 911 are provided on the inner wall surface of the main plate portion 91 and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction H. Each partition plate 911 is formed so that its midpoint in the left-right direction W is the highest, and an engagement piece 912 extending toward the inside I of the car body is provided at its leading edge. Furthermore, a vertical plate 913 is provided on the outer wall surface of the main plate portion 91, extending in the up-down direction H slightly toward the inside I of the car body than the midpoint in the left-right direction W. The vertical plate 913 is formed to have a constant height, and an engagement piece 914 extending toward the outside O of the car body is provided at its leading edge.

[0144] The upper side plate portion 92 is formed in a generally plate-like shape perpendicular to the up-down direction H of the car body 7, and is connected to the upper side edge portion of the main plate portion 91. A horizontal plate 921 is provided on the upper side plate portion 92 so as to extend the upper side plate portion 92 from the vehicle interior edge portion to the midpoint portion. The horizontal plate 921 is formed to a constant height, and a locking piece 922 extending downward is provided at the tip edge thereof. In addition, a stepped portion 923 is provided on the outer wall surface of the upper side plate portion 92 by car body interior edge to the midpoint portion, and a locking groove 924 is provided on the bottom surface of this stepped portion 923, extending from the vehicle interior edge toward the vehicle exterior.

[0145] The lower side plate portion 93 is formed in a generally plate-like shape perpendicular to the up-down direction H of the car body 7, and is connected to the lower side edge of the main plate portion 91. A horizontal plate 931 is provided on the lower side plate portion 93 so as to extend the lower side plate portion 93 from the inner edge of the car body to the middle portion. The horizontal plate 931 is formed to a constant height, and a locking piece 932 extending upward is provided at the tip edge thereof. In addition, a stepped portion (not shown) is provided on the outer wall surface of the lower side plate portion 93 by carving out a predetermined range from the inner edge of the car body to the middle portion. A locking groove (not shown) extending from the inner edge of the car body toward the outside of the car body is provided on the bottom surface of this stepped portion.

[0146] With this configuration, the connector 90 arranged at the frontmost side of the vehicle body 7 is fixed with the locking piece 922 of the upper side plate portion 92 and the locking piece 932 of the lower side plate portion 93 hooked into the locking grooves provided in the upper side plate portion 92 and the lower side plate portion 93. The subsequent connectors 90 are then fixed with the locking piece 922 of the upper side plate portion 92 hooked into the locking groove 924 of the adjacent connector 90 and the locking piece 932 of the lower side plate portion 93 hooked into the locking groove in the bottom surface of the adjacent connector 90. At this time, the locking piece 912 and the locking piece 914 engage with each other.

[0147] Incidentally, connection terminals 94 are fixed between the partition plates 911 provided on the main plate portion 91. When one connection terminal 94 is accommodated in one connector 90, the connection terminal 94 is fixed between any of the partition plates 911, and when two or more connection terminals 94 are accommodated in one connector 90, the connection terminals 94 are also fixed between the partition plate 911 and the upper side plate portion 92 and between the partition plate 911 and the lower side plate portion 93.

[0148] The connector 90 includes conductive plates 51-54 (61-64), 51A-54A (61A-64A) electrically connected to connection terminals 94. By fastening the flat cable 40 with the conductive plates 51-54 (61-64), 51A-54A (61A-64A), the connection terminals 94 are electrically connected to the conductors 41-44 of the flat cable 40. The conductive plates 51-54, 51A-54A are electrically connected to connection terminals 94 of the connector 90 included in the connector unit 9A. The conductive plates 61-64, 61A-64A are electrically connected to connection terminals 94 of the connector 90 included in the connector unit 9B. The conductive plates 51-54 (61-64), 51A-54A (61A-64A) may be referred to as piercing portions. The connection terminal 94 is electrically connected to the relay cable 16 (26) by crimping each relay wire extending from the relay cable 16 (26) with a barrel portion 942 provided at the end portion inside the vehicle body. Therefore, the conductors 41 to 44 of the flat cable 40 can be distributed toward each connection terminal 94 of the connector unit 9, and the relay wires extending from each connection terminal 94 of the connector unit 9 can be gathered and bundled in the relay cable 16 (26).

[0149] The flat cable assembly 2 further includes at least one noise filter 100 provided in at least one of the flat cable 40, the first connector portion 22, and the second connector portion 32. Fig. 18 illustrates examples of locations where the at least one noise filter 100 is mounted as noise filters 111 to 119. That is, the at least one noise filter 100 includes at least one of the noise filters 111 to 119.

[0150] In FIG. 18, conductors 42 and 43 form a balanced communication line for differential transmission. One of conductors 42 and 43 is referred to as the first communication line, and the other is referred to as the second communication line. At least one noise filter 100 is configured to attenuate signal components in the frequency band of reflected waves generated in at least one of the conductors 42 and 43 (the first communication line and the second communication line). In FIGS. 17 and 18, similar to the first embodiment, conductive plates electrically connected to conductors 41 to 44 are illustrated as conductive plates 51 to 54 and conductive plates 61 to 64. A connector 90 including conductive plate 52 (conductive plate 62) is illustrated as connector 90A. A connector 90 including conductive plate 53 (conductive plate 63) is illustrated as connector 90B. Of the multiple relay wires included in the relay cable 16, relay wires electrically connected to conductive plates 51 to 54 are illustrated as relay wires 16a to 16d. Of the multiple relay wires included in the relay cable 26, the relay wires electrically connected to the conductive plates 61 to 64 are illustrated as relay wires 26a to 26d.

[0151] That is, at least one of the first connector portion 22 and the second connector portion 32 includes a cable bend restricting portion 19, 29 that restricts bending of the flat cable 40, and a connector unit 9. The connector unit 9 (9A, 9B) includes a first connector (one of the connectors 90A, 90B) that electrically connects the first communication line (one of the conductors 42, 43) and the first relay line (one of the pair of relay lines 16b, 16c or one of the pair of relay lines 26b, 26c), and a second connector (the other of the connectors 90A, 90B) that electrically connects the second communication line (the other of the conductors 42, 43) and the second relay line (the other of the pair of relay lines 16b, 16c or the other of the pair of relay lines 26b, 26c).

[0152] Therefore, the first connector portion 22 includes a first conductive plate (a conductive plate electrically connected to the other of the conductive plates 52 and 53) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line (one of the conductors 42 and 43). The first connector portion 22 includes a second conductive plate (a conductive plate electrically connected to the other of the conductive plates 52 and 53) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line (the other of the conductors 42 and 43). When at least one of the conductors 41 and 44 is at least one ground line, the first connector portion 22 further includes at least one third conductive plate (at least one of the conductive plates 51 and 54) that is electrically connected to the at least one ground line. The second connector portion 32 includes a first conductive plate (one of the conductive plates 52 and 53 or one of the conductive plates 62 and 63) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line (one of the conductors 42 and 43). The second connector portion 32 includes a second conductive plate (the conductive plate electrically connected to the other of the conductive plates 62 and 63) that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line (the other of the conductors 42 and 43). When at least one of the conductors 41 and 44 is at least one ground line, the second connector portion 32 further includes at least one third conductive plate (at least one of the conductive plates 61 and 64) electrically connected to the at least one ground line.

[0153] In Fig. 18, the flat cable 40 between the cable bend restricting portion 19 and the cable bend restricting portion 29 is illustrated as the region sandwiched between two lines I-I'. In Fig. 18, the flat cable 40 between the cable bend restricting portion 19 and the connector unit 9A is illustrated as the region from line II-II' to the connector 90. In Fig. 18, the flat cable 40 between the cable bend restricting portion 29 and the connector unit 9B is illustrated as the region from line III-III' to the connector 90.

[0154] The noise filter 111 is the noise filter 100 provided on the flat cable 40 between the cable bend restricting portion 19 and the cable bend restricting portion 29. It is desirable that the noise filter 111 be realized with the same structure as the noise filter 101 of the first embodiment.

[0155] Noise filter 112 is noise filter 100 provided on flat cable 40 between cable bend restricting section 19 and connector unit 9A, just before conductors 41 to 44 are distributed to connector 90. Noise filter 113 is noise filter 100 provided on flat cable 40 between cable bend restricting section 29 and connector unit 9B, just before conductors 41 to 44 are distributed to connector 90. Noise filters 102 to 109, including noise filters 112 and 113, are noise filters 100 provided on any of flat cable 40 between cable bend restricting sections 19, 29 and connector unit 9, connector unit 9, first relay line (one of the pair of relay lines 16b and 16c or one of the pair of relay lines 26b and 26c), and second relay line (the other of the pair of relay lines 16b and 16c or the other of the pair of relay lines 26b and 26c). The noise filters 102 to 109 are preferable compared to the noise filter 101 in that the risk of the noise filter 100 being damaged is small and the movement of the flat cable 40 is not affected. The noise filter 112 is preferably provided in the cable accommodating space 17S. The noise filter 113 is preferably provided in the cable accommodating space 27S. It is desirable that the noise filters 112 and 113 be realized with the same structure as the noise filters 102 and 103 of the first embodiment.

[0156] Noise filter 114 is a noise filter 100 provided on conductor portions 41 a to 44 a branched off from flat cable 40 at first end 40A of flat cable 40 between cable bend restricting portion 19 and connector unit 9A. Noise filter 115 is a noise filter 100 provided on conductor portions 41 b to 44 b branched off from flat cable 40 at second end 40B of flat cable 40 between cable bend restricting portion 29 and connector unit 9B. For example, the number of components can be reduced by using noise filter 115 in which binding band 78 is implemented with half ferrite core 71 a shown in FIG. 6B.

[0157] The noise filters 114 and 115 are preferably realized with a structure similar to that of the noise filters 104 and 105 of the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment differs from the flat cable 40 of the first embodiment in that the insulating film 46 is removed from the first end 40A and the second end 40B, and conductor portions 41a, 42a, 43a, and 44a electrically connected to the conductive plates 51 to 54 are provided at the end of the first end 40A, and conductor portions 41b, 42b, 43b, and 44b electrically connected to the conductive plates 61 to 64 are provided at the end of the second end 40B. Therefore, there is no difference in implementation whether the ferrite cores 71a, 72a, and 73a are half-split or not.

[0158] Noise filter 118 is noise filter 100 provided on relay cable 16 or relay wires 16a-16d extending from relay cable 16. Noise filter 119 is noise filter 100 provided on relay cable 26 or relay wires 26a-26d extending from relay cable 26. Because noise filters 108 and 109 affect relay cables 16 and 26, they are preferably realized using a ferrite core 74 or a half-split ferrite core 74a. That is, noise filter 118 includes ferrite core 74 or 74a surrounding at least one of the first relay wire and the second relay wire (relay wires 16b and 16c, or 26b and 26c). FIG. 13 schematically illustrates such a ferrite core 74 or half-split ferrite core 74a using a two-dot chain line. Even in this case, it is preferable that the cutoff frequencies of the ferrite core 71 and the half-split ferrite core 71a are adjusted so as to prevent the passage of high-frequency noise higher than the frequency used in the communication protocol of the signal transmitted through the conductors 42 and 43 (the first communication line and the second communication line). However, as shown in Figures 7A to 7F, a filter circuit may be provided in each communication line.

[0159] Noise filter 116 is noise filter 100 provided in connector unit 9A. Noise filter 117 is noise filter 100 provided in connector unit 9B. Noise filters 116 and 117 can be realized with substantially the same structure as noise filters 106 and 107 of the first embodiment. However, the structure of connector 90 is slightly different from the structures of first primary mold 50 and second primary mold 60, so the differences will be mainly described in detail below.

[0160] For example, noise filters 116, 117 may be realized by ferrite cores 75, 75a surrounding connector unit 9 like cable ties 77, 78. Figures 15 and 16 show such ferrite cores 75 and half-split ferrite cores 75a schematically with two-dot chain lines. Noise filters 116, 117 may be realized by providing half-split ferrite cores 76a on the members forming main plate 91, upper side plate 92, and lower side plate 93 of each of connectors 90A and 90B, or by providing half-split ferrite cores 76a on the surfaces of main plate 91, upper side plate 92, and lower side plate 93 of each of connectors 90A and 90B facing terminal accommodating portion 9C, and further providing half-split ferrite cores 76a on the main plate 91 of adjacent connector 90 that covers terminal accommodating portion 9C of each of connectors 90A and 90B. 15 and 16 schematically show such a half-split ferrite core 76a by a two-dot chain line. Such noise filters 116 and 117 include ferrite cores 75, 75a, and 76a that surround at least one of the first connector (one of connectors 90A and 90B) and the second connector (one of connectors 90A and 90B).

[0161] The noise filters 116 and 117 may be realized by a ferrite core 73c or a half-split ferrite core 73d that surrounds the conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63) in the terminal accommodating portion 9C. Alternatively, the noise filters 116 and 117 may be realized by using a half-split ferrite core 73d as a barrel portion 942 for crimping the relay wires 16b (26b) and 16c (26c). FIG. 17 schematically illustrates such ferrite cores 73c and 73c with two-dot chain lines. That is, the noise filters 116 and 117 include ferrite cores 74, 74a, 75, 75a, 76a, 73c, and 73d that surround at least one of the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate (conductive plates 52 and 53, or conductive plates 62 and 63). Even in this case, it is preferable that the cutoff frequencies of the ferrite cores 74, 75, 73c and the half-split ferrite cores 74a, 75a, 76a, 73d are adjusted so that high-frequency noise higher than the frequency used in the communication protocol of the signals propagated via the conductors 42, 43 (first communication line and second communication line) is less likely to pass through.

[0162] The noise filters 116 and 117 include filter circuits 81 to 84, which will be described later, electrically connected to at least one of the first relay line and the second relay line (relay lines 16b and 16c, or 26b and 26c). That is, the filter circuits 81 to 84 are provided in the connector units (first connector unit 22, second connector unit 32). At least one connector of the first connector and the second connector (connectors 90A and 90B) corresponding to the at least one relay line electrically connects at least one ground line (conductors 41 and 44) ​​to at least one ground relay line (relay lines 16a and 16d, or 26a and 26d connected to the at least one ground line).

[0163] 10A are provided in connectors 90A and 90B. In this example, the connection terminal 94 and the conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63) are spaced apart, and the RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 are provided to connect them. In other words, the filter circuit includes at least one RL parallel circuit 81-9 or 81-10 electrically connected in series to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b and 16c, or 26b and 26c). 10A (FIG. 9A), the conductive plates 52 (62), 53 (63) may have terminal portions 52a (62a), 53a (63a) electrically connected to the conductor portions 42a (42b), 43a (43b) of the flat cable 40, and bar portions 52b (62b), 53b (63b) spaced apart from the terminal portions 52a (62a), 53a (63a) and electrically connected to the connection terminal 94, and the RL parallel circuits 81-9, 81-10 may connect the bar portions 52b (62b), 53b (63b) to the terminal portions 52a (62a), 53a (63a). Note that the locations of the RL parallel circuits 81-9, 81-10 in FIG. 19A are merely an example, and they may be located on the back side of the main board portion 91.

[0164] The hook portion 56'-1a (66'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 56-1a (66-1a) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 56'-1b (66'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 56-1b (66-1b) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a). The hook portion 56'-2a (66'-2a) corresponds to the hook portion 56-2a (66-2a) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 56'-2b (66'-2b) corresponds to the hook portion 56-2b (66-2b) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a).

[0165] The hook portion 57'-1a (67'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 57-1a (67-1a) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 57'-1b (67'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 57-1b (67-1b) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a). The hook portion 57'-2a (67'-2a) corresponds to the hook portion 57-2a (67-2a) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 57'-2b (67'-2b) corresponds to the hook portion 57-2b (67-2b) in FIG. 10A and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a).

[0166] The coil 81'-9L, resistor 81'-9R, coil 81'-10L, and resistor 81'-10R correspond to the coil 81-9L, resistor 81-9R, coil 81-10L, and resistor 81-10R in FIG. 9A . That is, the filter circuit is configured with at least one passive element. The filter circuit includes at least one resistor 81'-9R, 81'-10R electrically connected in series to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c), respectively. The filter circuit includes at least one coil 81'-9L, 81'-10L electrically connected in series to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c), respectively.

[0167] However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-9, 81-10 may be a different circuit. At least one of the coil 81'-9L and the resistor 81'-9R may be fixed by soldering or the like. At least one of the coil 81'-10L and the resistor 81'-10R may be fixed by soldering or the like. Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a latch portion 56'-1a, 56'-1b, 56'-2a, 56'-2b, 57'-1a, 57'-1b, 57'-2a, 57'-2b (66'-1a, 66'-1b, 66'-2a, 66'-2b, 67'-1a, 67'-1b, 67'-2a, 67'-2b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and which is electrically connectable to at least one passive element.

[0168] 19B shows an example in which the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 of FIG. 10B are provided in connectors 90A and 90B. In this example, the conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63) include terminal portions 52a (62a) and 53a (63a) electrically connected to the conductor portions 42a (42b) and 43a (43b) of the flat cable 40, narrow portions 52b1 (62b1) and 53b1 (63b1) of the bar portions 52b (62b) and 53b (63b), and wide portions 52b2 (62b2) and 53b2 (63b2) of the bar portions 52b (62b) and 53b (63b). Note that the locations of the RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 in FIG. 19A are merely an example, and they may be located on the back side of the main board portion 91.

[0169] The hook portion 56'-3a (66'-3a) corresponds to the hook portion 56-3a (66-3a) in FIG. 10B and is electrically connected to the wide portion 52b2 (62b2). The hook portion 56'-3b (66'-3b) corresponds to the hook portion 56-3b (66-3b) in FIG. 10B and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a). The hook portion 57'-3a (67'-3a) corresponds to the hook portion 57-3a (67-3a) in FIG. 10B and is electrically connected to the wide portion 53b2 (63b2). The hook portion 57'-3b (67'-3b) corresponds to the hook portion 57-3b (67-3b) in FIG. 10B and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a).

[0170] The coils 81'-11L and 81'-12L correspond to the coils 81-11L and 81-12L in FIG. 9B. That is, the filter circuit is configured with at least one passive element. The filter circuit includes at least one coil 81'-11L, 81'-12L electrically connected in series to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c). However, one of the RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a latch portion 56'-3a, 56'-3b, 57'-3a, 57'-3b (66'-3a, 66'-3b, 67'-1a, 67'-1b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connected.

[0171] In this example, the wide portions 52b2 (62b2) and 53b2 (63b2) of the bar portions 52b (62b) and 53b (63b) may be omitted, and the connection terminal 94 may have the same role as the wide portions 52b2 (62b2) and 53b2 (63b2) of the bar portions 52b (62b) and 53b (63b). In this case, the terminals 56'-3a (66'-3a) and 57'-3a (67'-3a) are connected to the connection terminal 94.

[0172] 19C shows an example in which the RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 of FIG. 10C are provided on the connectors 90A and 90B. They may be provided on the back side of the main plate portion 91. The hook portion 58'-1a (68'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 58-1a (68-1a) of FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 52 (62). The hook portion 58'-1b (68'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 58-1b (68-1b) of FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 51 (61). The hook portion 59'-1a (69'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 59-1a (69-1a) of FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 53 (63). The hook portion 59'-1b (69'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 59-1b (69-1b) in FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 54 (64).

[0173] Capacitor 83'-11C and capacitor 83'-12C correspond to capacitor 83'-11C and capacitor 83'-12C in FIG. 9E. That is, the filter circuit includes at least one capacitor 83'-11C and capacitor 83'-12C that connect at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c) and at least one ground relay line (relay lines 16a, 16d, or 26a, 26d connected to at least one ground line). Note that a recess 911a is provided in partition plate 911 to allow for the attachment of capacitor 83'-11C and capacitor 83'-12C. One of RC low-pass filters 83-11 and 83-12 may be a separate circuit. Therefore, at least one of the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a hook portion 58'-1a, 59'-1a (68'-1a, 69'-1a) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element. At least one of the third conductive plates 51, 54 (61, 64) further includes a hook portion 58'-1b, 59'-1b (68'-1b, 69'-1b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element.

[0174] Fig. 19D shows an example in which LR low-pass filters 82-5 and 82-6, RC low-pass filters 83-9 and 83-10, and LC low-pass filters 84-5 and 84-6 shown in Fig. 10D are provided in connectors 90A and 90B. In this example, connection terminal 94 and conductive plates 52 (62) and 53 (63) are spaced apart, and RL parallel circuits 81-9 and 81-10 are provided to connect them. 10A (FIG. 9A), the conductive plates 52 (62), 53 (63) may have terminal portions 52a (62a), 53a (63a) electrically connected to the conductor portions 42a (42b), 43a (43b) of the flat cable 40, and bar portions 52b (62b), 53b (63b) spaced apart from the terminal portions 52a (62a), 53a (63a) and electrically connected to a connection terminal 94, and LR low-pass filters 82-5, 82-6, RC low-pass filters 83-9, 83-10, and LC low-pass filters 84-5, 84-6 may connect the bar portions 52b (62b), 53b (63b) to the terminal portions 52a (62a), 53a (63a). Note that the location shown in FIG. 19D is just an example, and the locations may be on the back side of the main plate portion 91.

[0175] The hook portion 56'-1a (66'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 56-1a (66-1a) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 56'-1b (66'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 56-1b (66-1b) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a). The hook portion 56'-2a (66'-2a) corresponds to the hook portion 56-2a (66-2a) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 56'-2b (66'-2b) corresponds to the hook portion 56-2b (66-2b) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a).

[0176] The hook portion 57'-1a (67'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 57-1a (67-1a) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 57'-1b (67'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 57-1b (67-1b) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a). The hook portion 57'-2a (67'-2a) corresponds to the hook portion 57-2a (67-2a) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the connection terminal 94. The hook portion 57'-2b (67'-2b) corresponds to the hook portion 57-2b (67-2b) in FIG. 10D and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a).

[0177] The hook portion 58'-1a (68'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 58-1a (68-1a) in FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 52a (62a). The hook portion 58'-1b (68'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 58-1b (68-1b) in FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 51 (61). The hook portion 59'-1a (69'-1a) corresponds to the hook portion 59-1a (69-1a) in FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the terminal portion 53a (63a). The hook portion 59'-1b (69'-1b) corresponds to the hook portion 59-1b (69-1b) in FIG. 10C and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 54 (64).

[0178] The coil 82'-5L, resistor 82'-5R, ​​coil 82'-6L, and resistor 82'-6R correspond to the coil 82-5L, resistor 82-5R, coil 82-6L, and resistor 82-6R in Fig. 9C. That is, the filter circuit includes at least one resistor 82'-5R, ​​82'-6R electrically connected to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c) and at least one ground relay line (relay lines 16a, 16d, or 26a, 26d connected to at least one ground line), respectively, and at least one coil 82'-5L, coil 82'-6L electrically connected to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c) and at least one resistor 82'-5R, ​​82'-6R, respectively.

[0179] The resistor 83'-9R, the capacitor 83'-9C, the resistor 83'-10R, and the capacitor 83'-10C correspond to the resistor 83-9R, the capacitor 83-9C, the resistor 83-10R, and the capacitor 83-10C in Fig. 9D. The coil 84'-5L, the capacitor 84'-5C, the coil 84'-6L, and the capacitor 84'-6C correspond to the coil 84-5L, the capacitor 84-5C, the coil 84-6L, and the capacitor 84-6C in Fig. 9F. In other words, the filter circuit includes at least one capacitor 83'-9C, 83'-10C, 84'-5C, or 84'-6C that connects at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c) and at least one ground relay line (relay lines 16a, 16d, or 26a, 26d connected to at least one ground line). The filter circuit further includes at least one resistor 83'-9R, 83'-10R electrically connected in series to at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c), and at least one coil 84'-5L, 84'-6L electrically connected in series to at least one relay line (relay lines 16a, 16d, or 26a, 26d connected to at least one ground line).

[0180] As described above, the filter circuit is composed of at least one passive element. Note that a recess 911a is provided in the partition plate 911 to allow for the attachment of resistor 82'-5R, ​​resistor 82'-6R, capacitor 83'-9C, capacitor 83'-10C, capacitor 84-5C, and capacitor 84-6C.

[0181] However, one of the LR low-pass filters 82-5, 82-6 may be a separate circuit. One of the RC low-pass filters 83-9, 83-10 may be a separate circuit. One of the LC low-pass filters 84-5, 84-6 may be a separate circuit. At least one of the coil 82'-5L and the resistor 82'-5R may be fixed by soldering or the like. At least one of the coil 82'-6L and the resistor 82'-6R may be fixed by soldering or the like. At least one of the resistor 83'-9R and the capacitor 83'-9C may be fixed by soldering or the like. At least one of the resistor 83'-10R and the capacitor 83'-10C may be fixed by soldering or the like. At least one of the coil 84'-5L and the capacitor 84-5C may be fixed by soldering or the like. At least one of the coil 84'-6L and the capacitor 84'-6C may be fixed by soldering or the like.

[0182] Therefore, at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) further includes a latch portion 56'-1a, 56'-1b, 57'-1a, 57'-1b, 58'-1a, 59'-1a (66'-1a, 66'-1b, 67'-1a, 67'-1b, 68'-1a, 69'-1a) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element. At least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64) further includes a latch portion 58'-1b, 59'-1b (68'-1b, 69'-1b) to which at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connectable with the at least one passive element.

[0183] The sliding door harness 3 according to the second embodiment includes a flat cable assembly 2A. The flat cable assembly 2A includes a flat cable 40 including a first communication line and a second communication line (conductors 42, 43), a first connector portion 22, a second connector portion 32, and at least one noise filter 100. Therefore, at least one noise filter can remove noise generated in the first communication line and the second communication line. <Modification of the second embodiment> The filter circuits 81 to 84 in Figures 19A to 19D according to the second embodiment show circuits implemented using at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64), but filter circuits similar to the filter circuits 81 to 84 in Figures 19A to 19D may also be implemented using at least one relay line (relay lines 16b, 16c, or 26b, 26c) and at least one ground relay line (relay lines 16a, 16d, or 26a, 26d connected to at least one ground line). <Features and Effects of the Flat Cable Assembly and Rotary Connector Device Pertaining to the Present Application> The flat cable assembly 2, 2A according to the present application comprises a flat cable 40 that forms a balanced communication line for differential transmission and includes a first communication line and a second communication line (conductors 42, 43) extending in the longitudinal direction (the direction toward arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 3), and at least one noise filter 100 that is configured to attenuate signal components in the frequency band of reflected waves generated in at least one of the first communication line and the second communication line (conductors 42, 43).

[0184] In this configuration, noise can be removed in at least one noise filter 100.

[0185] At least one noise filter 100 may include a ferrite core 71, 72, 73, 71a, 72a, 73a surrounding at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43).

[0186] This configuration makes it possible to effectively remove noise that occurs at the boundary between the flat cable assembly 2, 2A and the transmission cable having a characteristic impedance that complies with the communication standard.

[0187] At least one noise filter 100 may include filter circuits 81 to 84 electrically connected to at least one communication line.

[0188] This configuration makes it possible to accurately remove noise generated at the boundary between the flat cable assembly 2, 2A and the transmission cable having a characteristic impedance that complies with the communication standard.

[0189] Furthermore, the filter circuits 81 to 84 may be configured with at least one passive element (81-10L, 81-10R, etc.).

[0190] With this configuration, the filter circuit can be constructed using general-purpose electrical components, and therefore the filter circuit can be produced inexpensively.

[0191] The filter circuits 81 to 84 may also be provided on the flat cable 40.

[0192] The flat cable 40 is longer than other conductive members, and therefore has a high degree of freedom in where it can be mounted.

[0193] The flat cable 40 may also include at least one ground line (conductors 41, 44) maintained at a reference potential. The filter circuits 81 to 84 may each include at least one capacitor 83-3C electrically connected to at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43) and at least one ground line (conductors 41, 44), respectively.

[0194] With this configuration, a filter circuit can be configured using at least the RC low-pass filters 83-3 and 83-4.

[0195] Furthermore, the filter circuit may further include at least one resistor 83-1R electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43), in addition to at least one capacitor 83-1C.

[0196] This configuration makes it possible to realize higher precision RC low-pass filters 83-1 and 83-2.

[0197] The filter circuit may also include at least one coil 84-1L electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43), in addition to at least one capacitor 84-1C.

[0198] With this configuration, the LC low-pass filter 84 can be realized.

[0199] The flat cable may also include at least one ground line (conductors 41, 43) maintained at a reference potential. The filter circuit may include at least one resistor 82-1R electrically connected to the at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43) and the at least one ground line (conductors 41, 43), respectively, and at least one coil 82-1L electrically connected to the at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43) and the at least one resistor 82-1R, respectively.

[0200] With this configuration, the LR low-pass filter 82 can be realized.

[0201] The filter circuit may further include at least one RL parallel circuit 81 electrically connected in series to at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43).

[0202] This configuration also makes it possible to remove noise generated on the communication line.

[0203] Each of the at least one communication line (conductors 42, 43) includes first portions 42c1, 43c1, 42a1, 42b1, 43a1, 43b1 having a first width, and second portions 42c2, 43c2, 42a2, 42b2, 42b3, 42b4, 42c5, 42c6, 42c7, 42c8, 42c9, 42c10, 42c11, 42c12, 42c23, 42c14, 42c15, 42c16, 42c17, 42c18, 42c19, 42c29, 42c210, 42c111, 42c12, 42c13, 42c14, 42c15, 42c16, 42c17, 42c18, 42c19, 42c19, 42c19, 42c111, 42c111, 42c12, 42c111, 42c111, 42c12, 42c13, 42c14, 42c15, 42c16, 42c17, 42c18, 42c19 ... 43a2, 43b2 and third portions 42c3, 43c3, 42a3, 42b3, 43a3, 43b3 having a third width greater than the second width extending from second portions 42c2, 43c2, 42a2, 42b2, 43a2, 43b2 on an opposite side to first portions 42c1, 43c1, 42a1, 42b1, 43a1, 43b1. Each of the at least one RL parallel circuits 81 may be formed by coils 81-7L and 81-8L coupled to the second portions 42c2, 43c2, 42a2, 42b2, 43a2, and 43b2, the first portions 42c1, 43c1, 42a1, 42b1, 43a1, and 43b1, and the third portions 42c3, 43c3, 42a3, 42b3, 43a3, and 43b3, respectively.

[0204] This eliminates the need to use a resistor as a component, and therefore at least one RL parallel circuit 81 can be configured inexpensively.

[0205] The flat cable assemblies 2, 2A may further include connector portions (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32) provided at one end (first end portion 40A, second end portion 40B) in the longitudinal direction (direction toward arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 3) of the flat cable 40. The filter circuits 81 to 84 may be provided in the connector portions (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32).

[0206] Unlike the flat cable 40, the connector portions (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32) are made of a hard material, so that the filter circuits 81 to 84 can be easily mounted and the filter circuits are less likely to be damaged.

[0207] The connector portion (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32) may include a first conductive plate (one of 52, 53 (one of 62, 63)) which is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line, and a second conductive plate (the other of 52, 53 (the other of 62, 63)) which is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line. At least one noise filter 100 may include ferrite cores 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 71a, 72a, 73a, 75a, 76a, 73c, 73d surrounding at least one of the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate (52, 53 (62, 63)).

[0208] With this configuration, the ferrite cores 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 71a, 72a, 73a, 75a, 76a, 73c, and 73d surround the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63), which are harder than the conductors 42 and 43 of the flat cable 40, thereby reducing impedance fluctuations.

[0209] Furthermore, the connector portion (first connector portion 22, second connector portion 32) may include a first conductive plate (one of 52, 53 (one of 62, 63)) which is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line (one of the conductors 42, 43), and a second conductive plate (the other of 52, 53 (the other of 62, 63)) which is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line (the other of the conductors 42, 43). At least one noise filter 100 may include filter circuits 81 to 84 electrically connected to at least one of the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63).

[0210] With this configuration, the filter circuits 81 to 84 are mounted on the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63) which are harder than the conductors 42, 43 of the flat cable 40, so the risk of damage to the filter circuits 81 to 84 is reduced.

[0211] The flat cable 40 may also include at least one ground line (conductors 41, 44) maintained at a reference potential. At least one of the connector portions 22, 32 may further include at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64) electrically connected to the at least one ground line (conductor 41, 44), respectively. The filter circuits 81 to 84 may also include at least one capacitor 83-11C, 83-12C electrically connected to the at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and the at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64), respectively.

[0212] With this configuration, the filter circuit 83 can be configured in the conductive plates 51 to 54 (61 to 64) which are harder than the conductors 41 to 44 of the flat cable 40, and includes at least the RC low-pass filter 83-12.

[0213] Furthermore, the filter circuits 81 to 84 may further include at least one resistor 83-9R, 83-10R electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively, in addition to at least one capacitor 83-9C, 83-10C.

[0214] With this configuration, the filter circuits 81 to 84 can be used in the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63) which are harder than the conductor of the flat cable 40 to realize a more accurate RC low-pass filter 83.

[0215] Furthermore, the filter circuits 81 to 84 may further include at least one coil 84-5L, 84-6L electrically connected in series to at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), in addition to at least one capacitor 84-5C, 84-6C.

[0216] With this configuration, the filter circuits 81 to 84 can be realized as an LC low-pass filter 84 in the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63) which are harder than the conductor of the flat cable 40.

[0217] The flat cable 40 may also include at least one ground line (conductor 41, 44) maintained at a reference potential. At least one of the connector portions 22, 32 may further include at least one third conductive plate 51, 54 (61, 64) electrically connected to the at least one ground line (conductor 41, 44), respectively. The filter circuits 81 to 84 may include at least one resistor 82-5R, 82-6R electrically connected to the at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and the at least one third conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63), respectively, and at least one coil 82-5L, 82-6L electrically connected to the at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) and the at least one resistor 82-5R, 82-6R, respectively.

[0218] With this configuration, the filter circuits 81 to 84 can be realized as an LR low-pass filter 82 in the conductive plates 51 to 54 (61 to 64) which are harder than the conductors 41 to 44 of the flat cable 40.

[0219] Furthermore, the filter circuits 81 to 84 may each include at least one RL parallel circuit 81 electrically connected in series to at least one of the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63).

[0220] With this configuration, the RL parallel circuit 81 is mounted on the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63) which are harder than the conductors 42, 43 of the flat cable 40, and the filter circuits 81 to 84 are mounted on the conductive plates 52, 53 (62, 63), making it possible to remove noise generated in the communication line.

[0221] Furthermore, each of at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63) may be electrically connected to one of at least one communication line (conductor 42, 43) and may include a first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) having a first width, a second portion (narrow portion 52b1 (62b1)) extending from the first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) and having a second width smaller than the first width, and a third portion (wide portion 53b2 (63b2)) extending from the second portion (narrow portion 52b1 (62b1)) on the opposite side to the first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)) and having a third width larger than the second width. Each of at least one RL parallel circuit 81-11, 81-12 may be configured by a coil 81-11L, 81-12L coupled to the second portion (narrow portion 52b1 (62b1)), the first portion (terminal portion 52a (62a)), and the third portion (wide portion 53b2 (63b2)), respectively.

[0222] With this configuration, the filter circuits 81 to 84 can be realized as inexpensive RL parallel circuits 81-11 and 81-12 that do not require resistor elements in the conductive plates 52 and 53 (62 and 63) that are harder than the conductors 42 and 43 of the flat cable 40.

[0223] In addition, at least one of the conductive plates 51 to 54 (61 to 64) may further include a hook portion 57 to 59 to which at least one passive element (81'-10L, 81'-10R, etc.) can be attached or detached and which can be electrically connected to at least one passive element (81'-10L, 81'-10R, etc.).

[0224] This configuration allows for quick replacement of any failed passive elements.

[0225] Furthermore, at least one connector portion 22, 32 may further include a case 55, 65 that holds at least one conductive plate 51-54 (61-64). The case 55, 65 may include an opening 55ap, 65ap that exposes a fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c) of at least one conductive plate 52, 53 (62, 63). At least one passive element may be exposed in the opening 55ap, 65ap and electrically connected to the fourth portion 52c, 53c (62c, 63c).

[0226] This configuration makes it easier to bond the passive elements to the conductive plates.

[0227] Furthermore, the first communication line and the second communication line (conductors 42, 43) are configured to transmit signals of the CAN or CAN FD communication protocol.

[0228] This configuration allows various devices inside the vehicle to communicate using an interoperable protocol.

[0229] Furthermore, the characteristic impedance of the transmission path formed by the flat cable assembly 2 may be 90Ω or less or 140Ω or more.

[0230] The characteristic impedance of the transmission path used in CAN communication is set to a value of 90 to 140 Ω, so if a flat cable assembly 2 having this configuration is connected to a transmission cable that complies with the ISO standard for CAN communication, noise will be generated due to reflection. A flat cable assembly 2 having such a configuration is further advantageous because it can remove noise using at least one noise filter 100 described above.

[0231] In the above-described embodiment, the flat cable assemblies 4, 4A are applied to the rotary connector device 1 and the sliding door harness 3. However, the flat cable assemblies 4, 4A may also be applied to a sliding seat harness using the flat cable 40, a retractable steering harness, a floor harness, a harness including a communication cable attached to a side mirror, or a harness including a communication cable attached to a back door. A retractable steering harness is a steering harness provided in a form that allows the steering wheel to be retracted into the instrument panel when the driver turns their seat toward the rear during autonomous driving. The sliding seat harness and floor harness are harnesses including communication paths used to transmit video and audio between the front and rear seats. Harnesses attached to the side mirror or back door are used, for example, to transmit and receive data to and from cameras or sensors attached to the side mirror or back door. Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment illustrates communication protocols such as CAN, CAN FD, CAN SIC, CAN XL, 100BASE-T1, and 10BASE-T1S, the present invention can also be applied to in-vehicle communication protocols using differential transmission other than these protocols.

[0232] In this application, the term "comprises" and its derivatives are open-ended terms that describe the presence of elements and do not exclude the presence of other elements not listed. This also applies to the terms "have," "include," and their derivatives.

[0233] In this application, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are merely terms for identifying components and do not have any other meaning (e.g., a particular order). For example, the presence of a "first element" does not imply the presence of a "second element," and the presence of a "second element" does not imply the presence of a "first element."

[0234] Furthermore, the terms "parallel," "orthogonal," and "coincidence" in this disclosure should not be interpreted strictly, but include the meanings of "substantially parallel," "substantially orthogonal," and "substantially coincidence," respectively. Other terms relating to arrangement should also not be interpreted strictly.

[0235] Furthermore, the expression "at least one of A and B" in this disclosure includes any of the following three cases: (i) including only A, (ii) including only B, and (iii) including both A and B.

[0236] It is apparent that various changes and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above disclosure, and therefore, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0237] 2,2A: Flat cable assembly 22: Connector part (first connector part) 23: 1st communication part 32: Connector part (second connector part) 33:Second communication part 40: Flat cable 40A: 1st end 40B: 2nd end 42a1, 42b1, 42c1, 43a1, 43b1, 43c1: 1st part 42a2, 42b2, 42c2, 43a2, 43b2, 43c2: 2nd part 42a3,42b3,42c3,43a3,43b3,43c3: 3rd part 51, 54, 61, 64: Third conductive plate 52, 53, 62, 63: Conductive plates 52c, 53c: 4th part 55: Case 55ap: opening 56~59: Latch part 56'~59': Latch part 65: Case 71, 72, 73, 73c: Ferrite core 71a, 72a, 73a, 73d: (half-split) ferrite core 81 to 84: Filter circuit 81 :RL parallel circuit 81-1L~12L: Coil 81-1R, 81-2R, 81-5R, 81-6R, 81-9R, 81-10R: Resistance 82-1L~6L: Coil 82-1R~6R: Resistance 83-1C~12C: Capacitor 83-1R, 83-2R, 83-5R, 83-6R, 83-9R, 83-10R: Resistance 84-1C~6C: Capacitor 84-1L~6L: Coil 81'-1L~12L: Coil 81'-1R, 81'-2R, 81'-5R, ​​81'-6R, 81'-9R, 81'-10R: Resistor (resistor) 82'-1L~6L: Coil 82'-1R~6R: Resistance 83'-1C~12C: Capacitor 83'-1R, 83'-2R, 83'-5R, ​​83'-6R, 83'-9R, 83'-10R: Resistor (resistor) 84'-1C~6C: Capacitor 84'-1L~6L: Coil 90, 90A, 90B: Connector 100~119: Noise filter

Claims

1. a flat cable that forms a balanced communication line for differential transmission and includes a first communication line and a second communication line extending in a length direction; at least one noise filter configured to attenuate signal components in a frequency band of a reflected wave generated in at least one of the first communication line and the second communication line; A flat cable assembly comprising:

2. the at least one noise filter includes a ferrite core surrounding the at least one communication line; The flat cable assembly according to claim 1 .

3. the at least one noise filter includes a filter circuit electrically connected to the at least one communication line. The flat cable assembly according to claim 1 .

4. The filter circuit is composed of at least one passive element.

4. The flat cable assembly according to claim 3.

5. The filter circuit is provided on the flat cable.

5. The flat cable assembly according to claim 4.

6. The flat cable includes at least one ground wire maintained at a reference potential; the filter circuit includes at least one capacitor electrically connected to the at least one communication line and the at least one ground line, 6. The flat cable assembly according to claim 5.

7. the filter circuit further includes at least one resistor electrically connected in series to each of the at least one communication line; 7. The flat cable assembly according to claim 6.

8. the filter circuit further includes at least one coil electrically connected in series to each of the at least one communication line; 7. The flat cable assembly according to claim 6.

9. The flat cable includes at least one ground wire maintained at a reference potential; The filter circuit comprises: at least one resistor electrically connected to the at least one communication line and the at least one ground line; at least one coil electrically connected to the at least one communication line and the at least one resistor, respectively; Including, 6. The flat cable assembly according to claim 5.

10. the filter circuit further includes at least one RL parallel circuit electrically connected in series to each of the at least one communication line; 6. The flat cable assembly according to claim 5.

11. Each of the at least one communication line a first portion having a first width; a second portion extending from the first portion and having a second width less than the first width; a third portion extending from the second portion opposite the first portion and having a third width greater than the second width; Each of the at least one RL parallel circuits is configured by a coil coupled to the second portion, the first portion, and the third portion, respectively. The flat cable assembly according to claim 10.

12. The flat cable assembly further includes a connector portion provided at one end of the flat cable in the longitudinal direction, The filter circuit is provided in the connector portion.

5. The flat cable assembly according to claim 4.

13. The connector portion is a first conductive plate that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line; a second conductive plate that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line; Equipped with the at least one noise filter includes a ferrite core surrounding at least one of the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate; The flat cable assembly of claim 12.

14. The connector portion is a first conductive plate that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the first communication line; a second conductive plate that is a plate-shaped conductive member electrically connected to the second communication line; Equipped with the at least one noise filter includes a filter circuit electrically connected to at least one of the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. The flat cable assembly of claim 12.

15. The flat cable includes at least one ground wire maintained at a reference potential; the at least one connector portion further includes at least one third conductive plate electrically connected to the at least one ground line, the filter circuit includes at least one capacitor electrically connected to the at least one conductive plate and the at least one third conductive plate, respectively; The flat cable assembly of claim 14.

16. the filter circuit further includes at least one resistor electrically connected in series with each of the at least one conductive plates; 16. The flat cable assembly of claim 15.

17. the filter circuit further includes at least one coil electrically connected in series with each of the at least one conductive plates.

16. The flat cable assembly of claim 15.

18. The flat cable includes at least one ground wire maintained at a reference potential; the at least one connector portion further includes at least one third conductive plate electrically connected to the at least one ground line, The filter circuit comprises: at least one resistor electrically connected to the at least one conductive plate and the at least one third conductive plate, respectively; at least one coil electrically connected to the at least one conductive plate and the at least one resistor, respectively; Including, The flat cable assembly of claim 14.

19. the filter circuit includes at least one RL parallel circuit electrically connected in series to each of the at least one conductive plate; The flat cable assembly of claim 14.

20. Each of the at least one conductive plate comprises: a first portion electrically connected to one of the at least one communication line and having a first width; a second portion extending from the first portion and having a second width less than the first width; a third portion extending from the second portion opposite the first portion and having a third width greater than the second width; Each of the at least one RL parallel circuits is configured by a coil coupled to the second portion, the first portion, and the third portion, respectively.

20. The flat cable assembly of claim 19.

21. the at least one conductive plate further includes a latch portion to which the at least one passive element can be detachably attached and electrically connected to the at least one passive element; 21. The flat cable assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. the at least one connector portion further includes a case that holds the at least one conductive plate; the case includes an opening exposing a fourth portion of the at least one conductive plate; the at least one passive element is exposed in the opening and electrically connected to the fourth portion.

21. The flat cable assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 20.

23. the at least one third conductive plate further includes a latch portion to which the at least one passive element is detachably attached and electrically connectable to the at least one passive element; 19. The flat cable assembly according to claim 15.

24. the passive terminal further includes a case that holds the at least one third conductive plate; the case includes an opening exposing a fourth portion of the at least one conductive plate; the at least one passive element is exposed in the opening and electrically connected to the fourth portion.

19. The flat cable assembly according to claim 15.

25. the first communication line and the second communication line are configured to transmit signals of at least one communication protocol among CAN, CAN FD, CAN SIC, CAN XL, 100BASE-T1, and 10BASE-T1S; 21. The flat cable assembly according to claim 1.

26. The characteristic impedance is 90Ω or less or 140Ω or more.

21. The flat cable assembly according to claim 1.

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