Flexible flat cables and flexible flat cables with connectors

Abstract

The present invention provides a flexible flat cable that ensures flexibility by suppressing an increase in size in the thickness direction, while also reliably adjusting the characteristic impedances of the first and second communication conductors to predetermined values. [Solution] A flexible flat cable 1 having a first communication conductor 11 and a second communication conductor 12 arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction, comprising: a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor 11 to adjust the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11; a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor 12 to adjust the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12; and a connecting unit 43 connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 to each other.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible flat cable capable of transmitting a communication signal and a flexible flat cable with a connector.

Background Art

[0002] As a flexible flat cable, there is known one having a first communication conductor and a second communication conductor that are arranged at intervals in the width direction and transmit an electrical signal for communication.

[0003] In order to stabilize the communication performance particularly in high-speed communication, it is necessary to adjust the characteristic impedance to a predetermined value over the entire length of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor.

[0004] A conventional flexible flat cable adjusts the characteristic impedance to a predetermined value by forming a metal layer at a predetermined interval on one side or both sides in the thickness direction with respect to the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor.

[0005] However, in a flexible flat cable having a metal layer, when adjusting the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor to a large value, it is necessary to increase the distance between the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor and the metal layer. Therefore, the thickness direction increases, and the flexibility may decrease.

[0006] Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible flat cable that forms a plurality of holes in the metal layer of a flexible flat cable having a metal layer to reduce the area of the metal layer and reduce the influence of the metal layer on the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor, thereby adjusting the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor to a predetermined value without increasing the size in the thickness direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-200747 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in flexible flat cables with multiple holes formed in a metal layer, the positions of the holes in the metal layer may be unevenly distributed in the first and second communication conductors, potentially resulting in differences in the characteristic impedances of the first and second communication conductors.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a flexible flat cable and a flexible flat cable with a connector that ensure flexibility by suppressing an increase in size in the thickness direction, and that can reliably adjust the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor to predetermined values. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The flexible flat cable according to the present invention is a flexible flat cable having a first communication conductor and a second communication conductor arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction, comprising: a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor and adjusting the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor; a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor and adjusting the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor; and a connecting unit that connects the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit to each other.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the flexible flat cable according to the present invention has a plurality of characteristic impedance adjustment units, each consisting of one first characteristic impedance adjustment unit, one second characteristic impedance adjustment unit, and one connection unit, arranged in the direction of extension of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the flexible flat cable according to the present invention comprises a first characteristic impedance adjustment section extending along the extending direction of the first communication conductor, a second characteristic impedance adjustment section extending along the extending direction of the second communication conductor, and a connecting section connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment section and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section to each other.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that the flexible flat cable according to the present invention comprises a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the first communication conductor, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the second communication conductor, and a single connection unit that integrally connects the plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units and the plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the flexible flat cable according to the present invention includes a ground conductor connected to the ground, and at least a portion of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit, and the connection unit are connected to the ground conductor.

[0015] Furthermore, in the flexible flat cable according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit are arranged at an interval in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable with respect to the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor, respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, in the flexible flat cable according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit are arranged at an interval in the width direction of the flexible flat cable with respect to the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor, respectively.

[0017] Furthermore, the connector-equipped flexible flat cable according to the present invention comprises a flexible flat cable having a first communication conductor and a second communication conductor arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction, and a connector for connecting the ends of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor to a connection target, wherein the flexible flat cable has a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor and adjusting the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor, and a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor and adjusting the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor, and a connection unit connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit is arranged across the flexible flat cable and the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, since a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required, flexibility can be ensured by suppressing an increase in size in the thickness direction, and the electrical state of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section can be made identical, making it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the structure of a flexible flat cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a flexible flat cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 7 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​Figure 17 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to an 11th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 12th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 13th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 14th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 15th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 15th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 16th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 17th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 24 AA according to the 17th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 18th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 26 AA according to the 18th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 19th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 20th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 21st embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 22nd embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] Figure 32 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 23rd embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] Figure 33 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 24th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 33 according to the 24th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 33 according to the 24th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable according to the 25th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 36 according to the 25th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 36 according to the 25th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 39] Figure 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 26th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 40] Figure 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 27th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 41] Figure 41 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 28th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] Figure 42 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 29th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 43] Figure 43 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 30th embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] Figure 44 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 31st embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 45] Figure 45 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable according to the 32nd embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 46] Figure 46 is a cross-sectional view showing other examples of the first and second communication conductors. [Figure 47]Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view showing other examples of the first and second communication conductors. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] <First Embodiment> Figures 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the flexible flat cable in detail, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the flexible flat cable, Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the flexible flat cable, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view BB of Figure 4.

[0021] The flexible flat cable 1 of the present invention is applied to movable parts such as a steering roll connector as a rotary connector provided at the connection point between the steering column on the vehicle body side and the steering shaft on the steering wheel side in a vehicle, a sliding door harness provided at the connection point between the vehicle body side and the sliding door, and a sliding seat harness provided at the connection point between the vehicle body side and the sliding seat, or to stationary parts such as the inside of an ECU or connections between ECUs. Furthermore, the flexible flat cable 1 of the present invention is not limited to vehicles and can be applied to devices that require communication between one device and another. The flexible flat cable 1 has, for example, an extension length of 1000 mm.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the flexible flat cable 1 includes a pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 in the width direction, other conductors 20 arranged at intervals on the outside in the width direction of the first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, an insulating material 30 covering the first communication conductor 11, second communication conductor 12 and other conductors 20, and a characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 including a first characteristic impedance adjustment section, a second characteristic impedance adjustment section and a connection section, which will be described later.

[0023] The first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are each made of a material having high conductivity, such as tough pitch copper. The first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are each formed in a rectangular strip shape with a rectangular cross-section. The first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are each formed to have, for example, a thickness of 35 μm and a width of 0.8 mm, and are arranged with a gap of 0.6 mm between them.

[0024] The first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 constitute part of a communication circuit for transmitting electrical signals between one device and another. Here, the communication circuit is used, for example, for differential signal transmission in LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling), which uses low voltage and low amplitude signals for high-speed transmission, and for signal transmission in communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Flexible Data Rate), CAN XL (Extra Long), and Ethernet. The transmission speed of the communication signal transmitted through the flexible flat cable 1 is generally 100 Mbps or less, but may be faster than 100 Mbps if necessary.

[0025] The other conductor 20 is made of a material with high conductivity, such as tough pitch copper. The other conductor 20 is formed in a rectangular strip shape with a rectangular cross-section. The other conductor 20 transmits power, for example, between one device and another device.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the insulating material 30 comprises a first base material 31, a second base material 32, a third base material 33 made of an insulating material such as PET, and a first adhesive 34, a second adhesive 35, a third adhesive 36, and a fourth adhesive 37, which are polyester-based adhesives. The insulating material 30 consists of a material with a relative permittivity of 3.6.

[0027] The flexible flat cable 1 has a first communication conductor 11 and a second communication conductor 12 arranged between a first base material 31 and a second base material 32 via a first adhesive 34 and a second adhesive 35, and a characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 arranged between the second base material 32 and a third base material 33 via a third adhesive 36 and a fourth adhesive 37.

[0028] The flexible flat cable 1 has a thickness dimension of, for example, 100 μm or more and 1 mm or less (preferably 146 μm or more and 148 μm or less in this example). More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the flexible flat cable 1 has a thickness dimension t of 10 μm or more and 250 μm or less (preferably 35 μm in this example), the distance h1 between the surface of the first base material 31 on the first communication conductor 11, the second communication conductor 12 and other conductors 20 and the outer surface of the first base material 31 is 20 μm or more and 250 μm or less (preferably 45 μm in this example), the first communication conductor 11, the second communication conductor 12 and other conductors 20 The distance h2 between the side of the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 and the inner surface of the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is 20 μm or more and 250 μm or less (preferably 45 μm in this example), the thickness M of the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is 0.1 μm or more and 50 μm or less (preferably 0.2 μm or more and 2 μm or less in this example), and the distance N between the outer surface of the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 and the outer surface of the third substrate 33 is 0.1 μm or more and 60 μm or less (thickness dimensions of adhesive layers, etc., not shown are also considered: preferably 2 μm or less in this example).

[0029] The characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is formed on one side of the flexible flat cable 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is made of a conductive metal such as copper, copper alloy, silver, silver alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. The characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 can be made of any conductive material, and in addition to metals, carbon materials can also be considered.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 includes a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 for adjusting the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 for adjusting the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12, and a plurality of connection sections 43 for connecting adjacent first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 and second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0031] Multiple characteristic impedance adjustment units 40a, each consisting of a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, and a connection section 43, are arranged in the direction in which the flexible flat cable 1 extends.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 are each spaced apart in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 relative to the first communication conductor 11. Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 is formed in the shape of a strip with a predetermined width dimension and extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11. One end of each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 is located at the end of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 in the width direction, on the width direction side, and the other end is located on the outside in the width direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 are each spaced apart in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 relative to the second communication conductor 12. Each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 is formed in the shape of a strip with a predetermined width dimension and extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12. One end of each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 is located at the end of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 in the width direction, on the side of the width direction center, and the other end is located on the outside in the width direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the multiple connection points 43 are each spaced apart in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 with respect to the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12. Each of the multiple connection points 43 is formed in the shape of a strip with a predetermined width dimension, with one end connected to the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 located on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and the second communication conductor 12, and the other end connected to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 located on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0035] Each of the multiple connection sections 43 is formed such that the width dimension of the portion that crosses above the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 is such that it does not affect the adjustment of the characteristic impedance of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, respectively, relative to the width dimension of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0036] Here, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted according to the frequency of the electrical signal to be transmitted, for example, to 100Ω.

[0037] The characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other. In this embodiment, since the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is constant, the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 is adjusted to a predetermined value by adjusting the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other.

[0038] Furthermore, the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other. In this embodiment, since the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is constant, the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted to a predetermined value by adjusting the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other.

[0039] The flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above forms a communication circuit between one device and another device by connecting one end to one device and the other end to another device.

[0040] Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 is positioned at intervals in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 and in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 relative to the first communication conductor 11. As a result, the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 is adjusted to a predetermined value along its extending direction.

[0041] Furthermore, the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 are arranged with spacing in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 and with spacing in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12 relative to the second communication conductor 12. As a result, the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted to a predetermined value along its extending direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the multiple connection points 43 connect the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, which are adjacent to each other in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1. As a result, the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 have the same electrical state, and the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted with high precision without any difference between them.

[0043] As described above, the flexible flat cable of this embodiment is a flexible flat cable 1 having a first communication conductor 11 and a second communication conductor 12 arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction, comprising: a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor 11 to adjust the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11; a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor 12 to adjust the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12; and a connecting unit 43 that connects the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 to each other.

[0044] As a result, since a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required, flexibility can be ensured by suppressing an increase in size in the thickness direction, and the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 can be made identical, making it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferable that a plurality of characteristic impedance adjustment units 40a, each consisting of one first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, one second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and one connection unit 43, are arranged in the direction of extension of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0046] This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedance with high precision along the respective extension directions of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, thereby enabling more reliable adjustment of the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to a predetermined value.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 are arranged at an interval in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 with respect to the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, respectively.

[0048] This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the width of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0049] <Second Embodiment> Figures 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 7. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0050] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 arranged on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1. The connection unit 43 is arranged to surround the lateral and lower sides of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12.

[0051] Here, the distance between the connection portion 43 located on the underside of the flexible flat cable 1 and the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 is formed to be sufficiently larger than the distance between the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 and the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12. This makes it possible to reduce the influence that the connection portion 43 located on the underside of the flexible flat cable 1 has on the adjustment of the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0052] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0053] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0054] <Third Embodiment> Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0055] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, each having the same width dimension and extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0056] Furthermore, the length dimension of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 is larger than the length dimension of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41.

[0057] Furthermore, the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42. Also, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other.

[0058] The connection section 43 connects the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, which is located on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0059] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0060] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0061] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0062] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 that extend in directions perpendicular to the extending directions of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, respectively.

[0063] Furthermore, the width dimension of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 is half the width dimension of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0064] Furthermore, the length dimension of the portion of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 facing the first communication conductor 11 and the flexible flat cable 1 in the thickness direction in the longitudinal direction is twice the length dimension of the portion of the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 facing the second communication conductor 12 and the flexible flat cable 1 in the thickness direction in the longitudinal direction.

[0065] In other words, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0066] Furthermore, the position of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 and the position of the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12 are arranged differently from each other.

[0067] Furthermore, the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0068] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, which is located on the widthwise outer side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0069] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0070] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0071] <Fifth Embodiment> Figure 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0072] As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, each having the same width dimension and extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0073] The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, positioned between the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0074] The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, which is located in the widthwise central part of the second communication conductor 12, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0075] In this case, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is different from the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other.

[0076] Therefore, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by adjusting the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, respectively, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0077] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, which is located on the widthwise outer side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0078] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0079] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0080] <Sixth Embodiment> Figure 12 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0081] As shown in Figure 12, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 that extend in directions perpendicular to the extending directions of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, respectively. Furthermore, the width dimension of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 is half the width dimension of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0082] The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, positioned between the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0083] The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, and the other end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 in the widthwise direction, while the other end is located on the widthwise outer side.

[0084] In this case, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is different from the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other.

[0085] Therefore, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by adjusting the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, respectively, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0086] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, which is located on the widthwise outer side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0087] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0088] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0089] <Seventh Embodiment> Figure 13 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0090] As shown in Figure 13, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, both of which have the same width dimension and extend diagonally with respect to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0091] The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, positioned above the first communication conductor 11, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0092] The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, positioned above the second communication conductor 12, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0093] In this case, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other.

[0094] Therefore, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to a predetermined value by making the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, the same.

[0095] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, which is located on the widthwise outer side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0096] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0097] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0098] <Eighth Embodiment> Figure 14 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0099] As shown in Figure 14, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, each formed in a circular shape with the same outer diameter.

[0100] The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 each have portions facing the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0101] At this time, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other.

[0102] Therefore, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to a predetermined value by making the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, the same.

[0103] Furthermore, the connection portion 43 is formed in a strip shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, and is in contact with the outer periphery of the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 and the outer periphery of the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42.

[0104] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0105] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0106] <Ninth Embodiment> Figure 15 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0107] As shown in Figure 15, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, each having the same width dimension and extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0108] The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, and the other end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 in the widthwise direction, while the other end is located on the widthwise outer side.

[0109] The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, and the other end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 in the widthwise direction, while the other end is located on the widthwise outer side.

[0110] Furthermore, the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 has multiple holes formed in the portion facing the first communication conductor 11 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1. On the other hand, the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 has one hole formed in the portion facing the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1. In other words, the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 have different structures in the portions facing the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0111] In this case, if the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other, then by making the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values.

[0112] Furthermore, if the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is different from the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by adjusting the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, respectively, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0113] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects the end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, which is located on the widthwise outer side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, to the end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0114] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0115] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0116] <Tenth Embodiment> Figure 16 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0117] As shown in Figure 16, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment includes a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 extending along the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 extending along the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, and a connection section 43 connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 to each other.

[0118] The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 has a portion that faces the first communication conductor 11 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, extending along the direction in which the first communication conductor 11 extends.

[0119] The second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 has a portion that faces the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, extending along the direction in which the second communication conductor 12 extends.

[0120] In this case, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other. Also, the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is the same as the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42. In this case, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values.

[0121] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects one end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 to one end of the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42.

[0122] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0123] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0124] Furthermore, it is preferable to include a first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 extending along the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 extending along the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, and a connection section 43 connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 to each other.

[0125] This makes it possible to form the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43 with a simple configuration, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0126] <Embodiment 11> Figure 17 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0127] As shown in Figure 17, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, and a single connection unit 43 that integrally connects the plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and the plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42.

[0128] Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11. Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, which is located at the end of the first communication conductor 11 on the second communication conductor 12 side in the widthwise direction, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0129] Each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12. Each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, which is located in the widthwise central part of the second communication conductor 12, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0130] In this case, the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 is different from the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 face each other. Therefore, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by adjusting the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, respectively, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0131] The connection section 43 includes a first connection section 43a to which each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 is connected, a second connection section 43b to which each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 is connected, and a third connection section 43c that connects the first connection section 43a and the second connection section 43b to each other.

[0132] The first connection section 43a is formed in a strip shape extending linearly along the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, and the ends of each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 are connected to it.

[0133] The second connection section 43b is formed in a strip shape extending linearly along the direction of extension of the second communication conductor 12 on the outer side in the width direction of the paired first communication conductor 11 and second communication conductor 12, and the ends of each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 are connected to it.

[0134] The third connection portion 43c is formed in a strip shape that extends linearly in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and connects one end of the first connection portion 43a and one end of the second connection portion 43b to each other.

[0135] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0136] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0137] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device includes a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, and a single connection unit 43 that integrally connects the plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and the plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42.

[0138] This makes it possible to connect multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 to each other using a single component, thus simplifying the structure of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, and thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0139] <Twelfth Embodiment> Figure 18 shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0140] As shown in Figure 18, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, and a single connection unit 43 that integrally connects the plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and the plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42.

[0141] Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11. Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, which is located at the end of the first communication conductor 11 on the second communication conductor 12 side in the widthwise direction, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0142] Each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12. Each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 has one end located on the widthwise central side of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, which is located in the widthwise central part of the second communication conductor 12, and the other end located on the widthwise outer side.

[0143] The characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by adjusting the distance between the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, and the distance between the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, respectively, in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, as in the 11th embodiment.

[0144] The connection section 43 includes a first connection section 43a to which each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 is connected, a second-first connection section 43b1 to which some of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 are connected, a second-second connection section 43b2 to which the remaining second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 are connected, a third-first connection section 43c1 that connects the first connection section 43a and the second-first connection section 43b1 to each other, and a third-second connection section 43c2 that connects the first connection section 43a and the second-second connection section 43b2 to each other.

[0145] The first connection section 43a is formed in a strip shape extending linearly along the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, and the ends of each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 are connected to it.

[0146] The second-first connection section 43b1 is formed in a strip shape extending linearly along the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12 on the outer side in the width direction of the paired first communication conductor 11 and second communication conductor 12, and the ends of each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 located on one side in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12 are connected to it.

[0147] The second-2 connection section 43b2 is formed in a strip shape extending linearly along the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12 on the outer side in the width direction of the paired first communication conductor 11 and second communication conductor 12, and the ends of each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 located on the other side in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12 are connected to it.

[0148] The third-first connection part 43c1 is formed in a strip shape that extends linearly in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and connects one end of the first connection part 43a to one end of the second-first connection part 43b1.

[0149] The third-second connection portion 43c2 is formed in a strip shape that extends linearly in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and connects the other end of the first connection portion 43a to one end of the second-second connection portion 43b2.

[0150] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0151] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0152] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device includes a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, and a single connection unit 43 that integrally connects the plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and the plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42.

[0153] This makes it possible to connect multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 to each other using a single component, thus simplifying the structure of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, and thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0154] <13th Embodiment> Figure 19 shows a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0155] As shown in Figure 19, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment includes a connector 50 for connecting the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to other devices or other connection targets. The first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are connected to a conductive circuit and a communication circuit via the connector 50. The first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are each connected to the busbars that make up the connector 50.

[0156] The connection portion 43 has one end connected to the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 that extends from the end of the flexible flat cable 1 to the connector 50, and the other end connected to the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 that also extends from the end of the flexible flat cable 1 to the connector 50, and these two ends are connected at the connector 50. In other words, the connection portion 43 is arranged across the flexible flat cable 1 and the connector 50.

[0157] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0158] As described above, the connector-equipped flexible flat cable of this embodiment comprises a flexible flat cable 1 having a first communication conductor 11 and a second communication conductor 12 arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction, and a connector 50 for connecting the ends of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to a connection target, wherein the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor 11 to adjust the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11, and a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor 12 to adjust the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12, and a connection unit 43 connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 to each other is arranged across the flexible flat cable 1 and the connector 50.

[0159] As a result, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required, thus ensuring flexibility by suppressing an increase in size in the thickness direction. Furthermore, it becomes possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical, making it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0160] Furthermore, since the connection portion 43 does not cross the vicinity of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the connection portion 43 on adjusting the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, respectively.

[0161] <14th Embodiment> Figure 20 shows a 14th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0162] As shown in Figure 20, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a ground conductor 13 that extends along the direction of extension of the flexible flat cable 1 and is connected to the ground.

[0163] Each of the multiple characteristic impedance adjustment units 40a is connected to the ground conductor 13. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, and the connection section 43 of the characteristic impedance adjustment unit 40a is connected to the ground conductor 13.

[0164] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0165] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0166] Furthermore, it is preferable that the device includes a ground conductor 13 connected to ground, and that at least a portion of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43 are connected to the ground conductor 13.

[0167] This makes it possible to utilize the shielding effect of the ground conductor 13, and thus stabilizes communication quality even when communication is performed in a high frequency band such as 1 GHz using the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12.

[0168] <15th Embodiment> Figures 21 and 22 show a 15th embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 21 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable and Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0169] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment includes a first ground conductor 13a provided on one of the outer sides in the width direction of a pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, extending along the direction of extension of the first communication conductor 11, and a second ground conductor 13b provided on the other outer side in the width direction of a pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12, extending along the direction of extension of the second communication conductor 12.

[0170] Each of the multiple first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 is connected to the first ground conductor 13a.

[0171] Each of the multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 is connected to the second ground conductor 13b.

[0172] The connection section 43 connects the first ground conductor 13a and the second ground conductor 13b to each other. In other words, the connection section 43 connects a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 and second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 to each other via the first ground conductor 13a and the second ground conductor 13b.

[0173] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0174] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0175] Furthermore, it is preferable that the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 are arranged on both outer sides in the width direction and each has a first ground conductor 13a and a second ground conductor 13b which are connected to the ground, with a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 connected to the first ground conductor 13a and a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 connected to the second ground conductor 13b, and a connection unit 43 which connects the first ground conductor 13a and the second ground conductor 13b to each other.

[0176] As a result, the paired first communication conductor 11 and second communication conductor 12 are positioned between the first ground conductor 13a and the second ground conductor 13b, thereby enabling the shielding effect of the first ground conductor 13a and the second ground conductor 13b to be exerted and stabilizing communication quality.

[0177] <16th Embodiment> Figure 23 shows a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0178] As shown in Figure 23, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has three pairs of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 arranged in the width direction.

[0179] Each of the three first communication conductors 11 has a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 arranged in the direction of extension of the first communication conductor 11.

[0180] Each of the three second communication conductors 12 has multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 arranged in the direction of extension of the second communication conductor 12.

[0181] The connection portion 43 includes three first connection portions 43a corresponding to each of the three first communication conductors 11, three second connection portions 43b corresponding to each of the three second communication conductors 12, and a third connection portion 43c that integrally connects the three first connection portions 43a and the three second connection portions 43b.

[0182] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the three first communication conductors 11 and the three second communication conductors 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0183] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0184] <Embodiment 17> Figures 24 and 25 show a 17th embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 24 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable and Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 24. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0185] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 arranged on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0186] Furthermore, the connection section 43 is positioned to surround the lateral and downward sides of the paired first communication conductor 11 and second communication conductor 12, and connects the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0187] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0188] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0189] <Embodiment 18> Figures 26 and 27 show an 18th embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 26 is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable and Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 26. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0190] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 arranged on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0191] Furthermore, the connection section 43 connects the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0192] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0193] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0194] <19th Embodiment> Figure 28 shows a 19th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0195] As shown in Figure 28, on the upper surface of the flexible flat cable 1 in this embodiment, a plurality of characteristic impedance adjustment units 40a, each consisting of one first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, one second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and one connection unit 43, are arranged in the direction in which the flexible flat cable 1 extends.

[0196] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0197] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0198] <20th Embodiment> Figure 29 shows a 20th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0199] As shown in Figure 29, the upper surface of the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment is formed with a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 arranged in the extending direction of the first communication conductor 11, a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 arranged in the extending direction of the second communication conductor 12, a plurality of connection sections 43 that connect adjacent first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41 and second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42 in the width direction of the paired first communication conductor 11 and second communication conductor 12, a first integrated connection section 43d that integrally connects a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment sections 41, and a second integrated connection section 43e that integrally connects a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment sections 42.

[0200] The first integrated connection portion 43d extends linearly along the first communication conductor 11 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12.

[0201] The second integrated connection portion 43e extends linearly along the second communication conductor 12 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12.

[0202] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0203] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0204] <21st Embodiment> Figure 30 shows a 21st embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0205] As shown in Figure 30, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has three pairs of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 arranged in the width direction.

[0206] Each of the three first communication conductors 11 has a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units 41 arranged in the direction of extension of the first communication conductor 11.

[0207] Each of the three second communication conductors 12 has multiple second characteristic impedance adjustment units 42 arranged in the direction of extension of the second communication conductor 12.

[0208] In this flexible flat cable 1, three pairs of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 are arranged, so the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 are adjacent to each other. For this reason, the adjacent first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 are formed as a single unit.

[0209] Each of the multiple connection sections 43 connects to the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42, which are adjacent to each other in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12.

[0210] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the three pairs of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0211] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0212] <22nd Embodiment> Figure 31 shows a 22nd embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0213] As shown in Figure 31, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first communication conductor 11 and a second communication conductor 12, each of which extends in the direction of the flexible flat cable 1 while bending in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0214] The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 extends linearly along the extending direction of the flexible flat cable 1 and faces the first communication conductor 11 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 at multiple locations spaced at predetermined intervals in the extending direction.

[0215] The second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 extends linearly along the extending direction of the flexible flat cable 1 and faces the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 at multiple locations spaced at predetermined intervals in the extending direction.

[0216] The characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 is adjusted to a predetermined value by adjusting the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and by adjusting the distance between the portions where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other.

[0217] The characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted to a predetermined value by adjusting the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and by adjusting the distance between the portions where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other.

[0218] The connection section 43 connects one end each of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 to each other.

[0219] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0220] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0221] <23rd Embodiment> Figure 32 shows a 23rd embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic plan view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0222] As shown in Figure 32, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first communication conductor 11 and a second communication conductor 12, each of which extends in the direction of the flexible flat cable 1 while bending in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0223] Furthermore, the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 each extend in the direction of extension of the flexible flat cable 1 while bending in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0224] The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 is located at multiple locations at predetermined intervals in the extending direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and is positioned opposite the first communication conductor 11 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0225] The second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 is located at multiple points at predetermined intervals in the extending direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and is positioned opposite the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0226] The characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 is adjusted to a predetermined value by adjusting the area of ​​the portion where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and by adjusting the distance between the portions where the first communication conductor 11 and the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 face each other.

[0227] The characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted to a predetermined value by adjusting the area of ​​the portion where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and by adjusting the distance between the portions where the second communication conductor 12 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42 face each other.

[0228] The connection section 43 is formed by connecting one end each of the first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 to each other.

[0229] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0230] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0231] <24th Embodiment> Figures 33 to 35 show a 24th embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable, Figure 34 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 33, and Figure 35 is a cross-sectional view BB of Figure 33. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0232] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 33 to 35, the flexible flat cable 1 has a first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor 11 in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1. The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 is also positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor 12 in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0233] The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 extends along the first communication conductor 11 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12.

[0234] The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 extends along the second communication conductor 12 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12.

[0235] The connection portion 43 is connected to one end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42, respectively, and extends in the width direction on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0236] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0237] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0238] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1 with respect to the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, respectively.

[0239] This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the thickness of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0240] <25th Embodiment> Figures 36 to 38 show a 25th embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable, Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 36, and Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view BB of Figure 36. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0241] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 36 to 38, the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 is positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor 11 in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1. The second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 is positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor 12 in the width direction of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0242] The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 extends along the first communication conductor 11 on the widthwise outer side of the pair of first and second communication conductors 11 and 12. The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 also has a plurality of protruding portions 41a that extend toward the first communication conductor 11 at predetermined intervals in the extending direction. The first characteristic impedance adjustment section 41 adjusts the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor 11 to a predetermined value by adjusting the position of the tip of the protruding portion 41a relative to the first communication conductor 11.

[0243] The second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 extends along the second communication conductor 12 on the outer side in the width direction of the pair of first communication conductors 11 and second communication conductors 12. The second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 also has a plurality of protruding portions 42a that extend toward the second communication conductor 12 at predetermined intervals in the direction of extension. The second characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 adjusts the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor 12 to a predetermined value by adjusting the position of the tip of the protruding portion 42a relative to the second communication conductor 12.

[0244] The connection portion 43 is connected to one end of the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion 42, respectively, and extends in the width direction on the upper side of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0245] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0246] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0247] Furthermore, similar to the 24th embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in the thickness of the flexible flat cable 1.

[0248] <26th Embodiment> FIG. 39 shows a 26th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0249] As shown in FIG. 39, in the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment, the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is formed by forming a conductor layer on the outer surface of the insulating material 30 by vapor deposition, sputtering or plating and then performing etching. The characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 may be directly formed on the outer surface of the insulating material 30 by, for example, screen printing, inkjet printing or plating. Further, the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 may be formed by attaching, for example, a plate-shaped member partially removed by punching to the outer surface of the insulating material 30.

[0250] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, similar to the above embodiment, the characteristic impedance of each of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted to a predetermined value by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 and the connection unit 43.

[0251] As described above, according to the flexible flat cable of the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, since a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required, flexibility can be ensured by suppressing an increase in the size in the thickness direction, and the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 can be made the same, and the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 can be adjusted to predetermined values without causing a difference from each other.

[0252] <27th Embodiment> FIG. 40 shows a 27th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0253] As shown in FIG. 40, in the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment, the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 with respect to the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, and is embedded in the insulating material 30.

[0254] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, similar to the above embodiment, the characteristic impedance of each of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 is adjusted to a predetermined value by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43.

[0255] Thus, according to the flexible flat cable of the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, since a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required, flexibility can be ensured by suppressing an increase in the size in the thickness direction, and the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 can be made the same, and the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 can be adjusted to predetermined values without causing a difference from each other.

[0256] <28th Embodiment> FIG. 41 shows the 28th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 41, in the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment, the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is disposed at a position spaced a predetermined distance in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 with respect to the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12, and the upper surface is embedded so as to be flush with the upper surface of the insulating material 30.

[0258] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0259] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0260] <29th Embodiment> Figure 42 shows a 29th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0261] As shown in Figure 42, in this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 1 has a characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 positioned at a predetermined distance from the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, with a portion including the top surface protruding from the top surface of the insulating material 30, and the other portion being embedded in the insulating material 30.

[0262] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0263] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0264] <30th Embodiment> Figure 43 shows a 30th embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0265] As shown in Figure 43, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 positioned at a predetermined distance from the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1, and is embedded in the insulating material 30. In addition, the upper surface of the insulating material 30 has an uneven surface 30a formed over its entire surface.

[0266] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0267] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0268] <31st Embodiment> Figure 44 shows a 31st embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0269] As shown in Figure 44, the flexible flat cable 1 of this embodiment has a characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 formed on the outer surface of the insulating material 30, which has a smooth outer surface. As a result, the upper surface of the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is smooth over its entire surface. That is, because the upper surface of the flexible flat cable 1 is smooth, the stacked state of the multiple flexible flat cables 1 can be maintained even when the orientation of the stacked flexible flat cables 1 changes.

[0270] In the flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above, the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are adjusted to predetermined values ​​by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0271] Thus, according to the flexible flat cable of the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, since it is not necessary to have a metal layer covering the entire flat surface, it is possible to ensure flexibility by suppressing an increase in the size in the thickness direction, and it is possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical, and it is possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values without causing a difference from each other.

[0272] <32nd Embodiment> FIG. 45 shows the 32nd embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flexible flat cable. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 45, in the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment, the characteristic impedance adjustment layer 40 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 by a predetermined interval in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable 1 and is embedded in the insulating material 30. Further, the upper surface of the insulating material 30 is a smooth surface over the entire surface. That is, since the upper surface of the flexible flat cable 1 is a smooth surface, even when the posture changes in a state where a plurality of flexible flat cables 1 are stacked, the stacked state of the plurality of flexible flat cables 1 can be maintained.

[0274] The flexible flat cable 1 configured as described above adjusts the respective characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values by the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42, and the connection unit 43, similar to the above-described embodiment.

[0275] Thus, with the flexible flat cable of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a metal layer covering the entire flat surface is not required. This allows for increased flexibility by suppressing an increase in thickness, and also makes it possible to make the electrical states of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit 41 and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit 42 identical. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedances of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 to predetermined values ​​without causing any difference between them.

[0276] In the above embodiment, the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 are shown with a rectangular cross-sectional shape, but the invention is not limited to this. The cross-sectional shape of the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 may be circular in cross-section, as shown in Figure 46, or it may be a stranded wire made by twisting together thin conductors, as shown in Figure 47. Furthermore, the first communication conductor 11 and the second communication conductor 12 may have different cross-sectional shapes, provided that their conductor resistances are approximately the same. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0277] 1 Flexible flat cable 11. First communication conductor 12. Second communication conductor 13 Ground conductor 13a Conductor for the first ground 13b Second ground conductor 40 Characteristic Impedance Adjustment Layer 40A Characteristic Impedance Adjustment Unit 41. First characteristic impedance adjustment section 42 Second characteristic impedance adjustment section 43 Connection part 43a First connection section 43b Second connection section 43c Third connection 50 connectors

Claims

1. A flexible flat cable having a first communication conductor and a second communication conductor arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction, A first characteristic impedance adjustment unit is positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor and adjusts the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor. A second characteristic impedance adjustment unit is positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor and adjusts the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor. The system includes a connection section that connects the first characteristic impedance adjustment section and the second characteristic impedance adjustment section to each other. Flexible flat cable.

2. Multiple characteristic impedance adjustment units, each comprising one first characteristic impedance adjustment unit, one second characteristic impedance adjustment unit, and one connection unit, are arranged in the direction of extension of the first and second communication conductors. The flexible flat cable according to claim 1.

3. A first characteristic impedance adjustment unit extending along the extending direction of the first communication conductor, A second characteristic impedance adjustment section extending along the extending direction of the second communication conductor, The device comprises a connection portion that connects the first characteristic impedance adjustment portion and the second characteristic impedance adjustment portion to each other. The flexible flat cable according to claim 1.

4. A plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment units are arranged at intervals in the direction of extension of the first communication conductor, A plurality of the second characteristic impedance adjustment units are arranged at intervals in the direction of extension of the second communication conductor, It comprises a single connection section that integrally connects a plurality of first characteristic impedance adjustment sections and a plurality of second characteristic impedance adjustment sections. The flexible flat cable according to claim 1.

5. Equipped with a ground conductor connected to ground, At least a portion of the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit, the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit, and the connection unit are connected to the ground conductor. The flexible flat cable according to claim 1.

6. The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit are each positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor in the thickness direction of the flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable according to claim 1.

7. The first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit are each positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor in the width direction of the flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable according to claim 1.

8. A flexible flat cable with a connector, comprising: a flexible flat cable having a first communication conductor and a second communication conductor arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the width direction; and a connector for connecting the ends of the first communication conductor and the second communication conductor to a target object, The aforementioned flexible flat cable is A first characteristic impedance adjustment unit is positioned at a distance from the first communication conductor and adjusts the characteristic impedance of the first communication conductor. It has a second characteristic impedance adjustment unit which is positioned at a distance from the second communication conductor and adjusts the characteristic impedance of the second communication conductor, A connection portion connecting the first characteristic impedance adjustment unit and the second characteristic impedance adjustment unit is arranged across the flexible flat cable and the connector. Flexible flat cable with connector.

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