Cable assembly and method for manufacturing cable assembly

Abstract

A cable assembly 2 comprises a plurality of cables 200 and a connector 3. The connector 3 includes: a plurality of signal contacts 420; one or more ground contacts 430; a ground bar 441 extending so as to hang on the plurality of cables 200; and one or more connection pieces 442 protruding from the ground bar 441 and respectively connected to the one or more ground contacts 430. The plurality of signal contacts 420 are respectively connected to the plurality of signal lines 210. The ground bar 441 has a counterface surface 443 facing the outer circumferential surface of the inner sheath 230 of the plurality of cables 200, with the drain lines 240 of the plurality of cables 200 connected to the counterface surface 443.

Description

Cable assembly and method for manufacturing the cable assembly

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cable assembly and a method for manufacturing the cable assembly.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the ground wire of the cable is connected to the outside of a ground portion that accommodates the signal wire of the cable.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0048710

[0004] The present disclosure provides a cable assembly that allows for easy connection of drain wires of multiple cables to a ground conductor.

[0005] The connector comprises a plurality of cables arranged along an arrangement direction, and a connector connected to the plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables having conductive signal wires and drain wires that intersect with the arrangement direction, an insulating inner sheath that covers the signal wires, a conductive outer conductor that covers the inner sheath and the drain wires, and an insulating outer sheath that covers the outer conductor, and the exposed signal wires, the exposed inner sheath, and the exposed outer conductor are arranged in order from the end of the signal wire, and the end of the exposed drain wire is located between the end of the inner sheath and the end of the outer conductor, and the connector comprises a plurality of conductive signal wires arranged along the arrangement direction, a conductive ground bar extending along the arrangement direction so as to hang over the plurality of cables; and one or more connection pieces protruding from the ground bar and connected to the one or more ground contacts, wherein the plurality of signal contacts are respectively connected to a plurality of signal wires exposed in the plurality of cables, and the ground bar has an opposing surface facing the outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of inner sheaths exposed in the plurality of cables, and a plurality of drain wires exposed in the plurality of cables are connected to the opposing surface.

[0006] A method for manufacturing a cable assembly by attaching a connector to a plurality of cables, each having conductive signal wires and drain wires, an insulating inner sheath covering the signal wires, a conductive outer conductor covering the inner sheath and the drain wire, and an insulating outer sheath covering the outer conductor, the method comprising: forming an end portion in each of the plurality of cables in which an exposed signal conductor, an exposed inner sheath, and an exposed outer conductor are arranged in order from an end of the signal conductor; and at each end portion of the plurality of cables, arranging the drain wire so that the end of the drain wire is located between the end of the exposed inner sheath and the end of the exposed outer conductor. a ground bar extending in the arrangement direction, facing an opposing surface of the ground bar to an exposed inner sheath of each of the plurality of cables, connecting an exposed drain wire of each of the plurality of cables to the opposing surface, connecting an exposed signal wire of each of the plurality of cables to one of a plurality of signal contacts arranged in the arrangement direction, and connecting one or more connection pieces protruding from the ground bar to one or more conductive ground contacts located between the plurality of signal contacts in the arrangement direction.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cable assembly that allows drain wires of multiple cables to be easily connected to a ground conductor.

[0008] 1. A perspective view of a connector system. An exploded perspective view of a mating connector. A perspective view of an end of a cable. An exploded perspective view of a connector. A plan view of an inner unit. An exploded perspective view of an inner unit. A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. A side view of a plurality of cables, a ground bar, and a second ground bar. A perspective view of an outer shell. A perspective view of an outer shell. A cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 1. A perspective view showing a state in which a connector is connected to a mating connector. A perspective view showing an assembly procedure for a cable assembly. A cross-sectional view showing an assembly procedure for a cable assembly. A cross-sectional view of a cable according to a modified example. A cross-sectional view of a cable according to a modified example. A cross-sectional view of a cable according to a modified example.

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] [Connector System] The connector system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that connects a circuit formed on a circuit board 9 with a peripheral circuit. The connector system 1 connects a circuit and a peripheral circuit in a computer, such as a server device. The peripheral circuit may be formed on the circuit board 9, or may be formed on a device or board separate from the circuit board 9. The connector system 1 includes a mating connector 100 and a cable assembly 2. The mating connector 100 is connected to the circuit board 9. The cable assembly 2 includes multiple cables 200 and an outer shell 300 connected to one end of the multiple cables 200. For example, the outer shell 300 is detachably connected to the mating connector 100. Specifically, for example, the outer shell 300 mates with the mating connector 100 along a mating direction D1 parallel to the surface of the circuit board 9. By mating the outer shell 300 with the mating connector 100, the multiple cables 200 are connected to the circuit board 9. The cable assembly 2 may further include a second-end connector connected to the other end of the multiple cables 200. The other-end connector is detachably connected to the other-end mating connector when the other-end mating connector is connected to a peripheral circuit, for example. The other-end connector may be the same as the outer shell 300 or may have a different structure from the outer shell 300.

[0011] In the following description of the mating connector 100, for convenience, the side away from the surface of the circuit board 9 is referred to as the upper side, and the side toward the outer shell 300 is referred to as the front side. In the description of the outer shell 300, for convenience, the side away from the surface of the circuit board 9 is referred to as the upper side, and the side toward the mating connector 100 is referred to as the front side.

[0012] 2, the mating connector 100 has a plurality of signal contacts 111, one or more ground contacts 112, a housing 113, and a shell 120. The plurality of signal contacts 111 are arranged along an arrangement direction D2 that is parallel to the surface of the circuit board 9 and perpendicular to the mating direction D1. Each of the plurality of signal contacts 111 is conductive and is connected to a respective one of a plurality of signal lines 210 on the circuit board 9. The one or more ground contacts 112 are located between the plurality of signal contacts 111 along the arrangement direction D2. Each of the one or more ground contacts 112 is conductive and is connected to a respective one of the grounds on the circuit board 9. Each of the plurality of signal contacts 111 and the one or more ground contacts 112 is formed by, for example, pressing a thin metal plate material such as copper.

[0013] The plurality of signal contacts 111 may include a plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 arranged along the arrangement direction. Each of the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 transmits one electrical signal due to a potential difference between the signal contacts 111. The mating connector 100 may have a plurality of ground contacts 112 as an example of the one or more ground contacts 112. The plurality of ground contacts 112 are arranged alternately with the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 along the arrangement direction D2. Two ground contacts 112 are located at each end of the arrangement of the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 and the plurality of ground contacts 112.

[0014] The housing 113 has insulating properties and holds the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 and the plurality of ground contacts 112 in an insulated state from one another. The housing 113 is formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material.

[0015] The shell 120 is conductive and at least partially surrounds the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 and the plurality of ground contacts 112 in the mating direction D1. The housing 113 holds the shell 120 in a state insulated from the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 and the plurality of ground contacts 112. The shell 120 opens toward the front and mates with the outer shell 300 inserted toward the rear. The shell 120 has a backplate 124. The backplate 124 extends perpendicular to the mating direction D1 so as to face the housing 113 from the rear with a gap therebetween. The plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 and the ground contacts 112 protrude between the backplate 124 and the housing 113. The plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 are connected to the plurality of pairs of signal conductors of the circuit board 9 between the backplate 124 and the housing 113. The plurality of ground contacts 112 are connected to the ground conductors of the circuit board 9 between the back plate 124 and the housing 113 .

[0016] [Cable Assembly] Returning to Fig. 1 , the cable assembly 2 includes a plurality of cables 200 and an outer shell 300. The plurality of cables 200 are arranged along an arrangement direction D2. The outer shell 300 is connected to the plurality of cables 200. The outer shell 300 connected to the plurality of cables 200 is detachably connected to the mating connector 100 along a mating direction D1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cable 200 (each of the multiple cables 200) has at least a signal line 210, a drain line 240, an inner sheath 230, an outer conductor 260, and an outer sheath 270. The signal line 210 is conductive and extends so as to intersect with the arrangement direction D2. For example, the signal line 210 extends along the mating direction D1. The signal line 210 is, for example, a copper wire. The signal line 210 connects signal conductors of the circuit on the circuit board 9 to signal conductors of the peripheral circuit. The drain line 240 is conductive and extends so as to intersect with the arrangement direction D2. For example, the drain line 240 extends along the mating direction D1. The drain line 240 is, for example, a copper wire. The drain line 240 connects ground conductors of the circuit on the circuit board 9 to ground conductors of the peripheral circuit. The drain line 240 maintains the ground potential of the circuit on the circuit board 9 and the ground potential of the peripheral circuit at the same level.

[0018] The inner sheath 230 has insulating properties and covers the signal wire 210. The outer conductor 260 has conductive properties and covers the inner sheath 230 and the drain wire 240. The outer conductor 260 may be made of a material that is difficult to solder, such as aluminum foil. The outer sheath 270 has insulating properties and covers the outer conductor 260.

[0019] The cable 200 is processed so that the outer peripheral surface of the exposed signal wire 210, the outer peripheral surface of the exposed inner sheath 230, and the outer peripheral surface of the exposed outer conductor 260 are aligned in this order along the mating direction D1 from one end of the signal wire 210. The end of the drain wire 240 is located between the end of the inner sheath 230 and the end of the outer conductor 260 in the mating direction D1, and the outer peripheral surface of the drain wire 240 is exposed between the end of the inner sheath 230 and the end of the outer conductor 260.

[0020] The cable 200 may have a pair of drain wires 240 including the drain wire 240. In the arrangement direction D2, the signal wire 210 may be located between the pair of drain wires 240. When the cable 200 has a pair of drain wires 240, each end of the pair of drain wires 240 is located between an end of the inner sheath 230 and an end of the outer conductor 260 in the fitting direction D1.

[0021] The cable 200 may have a pair of signal wires 210 including the above-described signal wire 210. Each of the multiple cables 200 may further have a pair of individual insulating sheaths 220 that respectively cover the pair of signal wires 210, and the inner sheath 230 may cover the pair of individual sheaths 220.

[0022] The cable 200 is processed so that the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of exposed signal wires 210, the outer peripheral surface of the exposed inner sheath 230, and the outer peripheral surface of the exposed outer conductor 260 are aligned in this order along the mating direction D1 from one end of the pair of signal wires 210. An example of the cable 200 having the pair of signal wires 210 and the pair of drain wires 240 is an MCIO cable.

[0023] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 3 has an inner unit 400 and an outer shell 300.

[0024] The inner unit 400 is connected to the plurality of cables 200. The outer shell 300 is conductive and surrounds at least a portion of the inner unit 400 in the fitting direction D1.

[0025] The multiple cables 200 are aligned along the arrangement direction D2. In each of the multiple cables 200, the drain wire 240 may be aligned with the signal wire 210 along the arrangement direction D2. The multiple cables 200 may be aligned such that the drain wires 240 of two adjacent cables 200 face each other along the arrangement direction D2.

[0026] For example, in each of the multiple cables 200 lined up along the arrangement direction D2, a pair of signal wires 210 are lined up along the arrangement direction D2, and the pair of signal wires 210 is located along the arrangement direction D2 between a pair of drain wires 240. As a result, between two adjacent cables 200, the drain wire 240 of one cable 200 and the drain wire 240 of the other cable 200 face each other along the arrangement direction D2.

[0027] The inner unit 400 has a plurality of signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430. The plurality of signal contacts 420 are arranged along the arrangement direction D2. Each of the plurality of signal contacts 420 is electrically conductive. The signal lines 210 of the plurality of cables 200 are directly connected to the plurality of signal contacts 420. When the outer shell 300 is mated with the mating connector 100, the plurality of signal contacts 420 contact the plurality of signal contacts 111 of the mating connector 100. Direct connection includes connection via a bonding material (a material for bonding) such as solder. The same applies hereinafter. The one or more ground contacts 430 are located between the plurality of signal contacts 420 along the arrangement direction D2. Each of the one or more ground contacts 430 is electrically conductive. The drain wires 240 of the plurality of cables 200 are indirectly connected to the one or more ground contacts 430. When the connector 3 is mated with the mating connector 100, the one or more ground contacts 430 respectively come into contact with one or more ground contacts 112 of the mating connector 100. Indirect connection means connection via a structural material other than a joining material.

[0028] For example, the inner unit 400 has a contact unit 410. The contact unit 410 is a unit that integrates a plurality of signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430. The contact unit 410 has the plurality of signal contacts 420, one or more ground contacts 430, a base 411, and a contact cover 414.

[0029] The base 411 has insulating properties and supports the plurality of signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430 from below. The base 411 may be an insulating substrate or a housing formed by injection molding or the like using a resin material. For example, the base 411 is a substrate that extends along the mating direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2. The contact cover 414 has insulating properties and extends along the arrangement direction D2 so as to partially cover each of the plurality of signal contacts 420 and each of the one or more ground contacts 430 from above. The contact cover 414 is fixed to the base 411 between the signal contacts 420 and between the signal contacts 420 and the ground contacts 430.

[0030] Each of the plurality of signal contacts 420 includes a contact portion 421 and a connection portion 422. The contact portion 421 is located in front of the contact cover 414, and the connection portion 422 is located behind the contact cover 414. The contact portion 421 contacts a corresponding one of the plurality of signal contacts 111. The connection portion 422 is connected to the signal line 210 of a corresponding one of the plurality of cables 200.

[0031] Each of the one or more ground contacts 430 includes a contact portion 431 and a connecting portion 432. The contact portion 431 is located in front of the contact cover 414, and the connecting portion 432 is located behind the contact cover 414. The contact portion 431 contacts a corresponding one of the one or more ground contacts 112. The drain wires 240 of the multiple cables 200 are indirectly connected to the connecting portion 432.

[0032] In the base 411, the signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430 may be arranged at a constant pitch along the arrangement direction D2. The pitch may be, for example, the center-to-center distance. For example, the center-to-center distance between adjacent signal contacts 420 and the center-to-center distance between adjacent signal contacts 420 and ground contact 430 may be constant in the arrangement direction D2.

[0033] The contact unit 410 may further include an inner shell 412. The inner shell 412 is conductive and supports the base body 411 from below. The inner shell 412 extends along the mating direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2 so as to at least partially cover the lower surface of the base body 411. The inner shell 412 includes a shell plate 413 (second shell plate) that protrudes rearward from the base body 411. The base body 411 separates the inner shell 412 from the multiple signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430.

[0034] The base 411 and the inner shell 412 have a pair of protrusions 415, 415 that protrude in opposite directions along the arrangement direction D2. The pair of protrusions 415, 415 and the contact cover 414 described above are to be positioned within the outer shell 300, as will be described later.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the contact unit 410. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the multiple cables 200 have been separated from the contact unit 410. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the inner unit 400 further includes a ground bar 441 and one or more connection pieces 442.

[0036] The ground bar 441 is conductive and extends along the arrangement direction D2 so as to hang over the multiple cables 200. For example, the ground bar 441 is a flat plate that extends along the fitting direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2 and has an opposing surface 443. The opposing surface 443 faces downward and faces the outer circumferential surface of the exposed inner sheath 230 of each of the multiple cables 200. The exposed drain wires 240 of each of the multiple cables 200 are directly connected to the opposing surface 443.

[0037] Each of the one or more connection pieces 442 protrudes from the ground bar 441 and is directly connected to each of the one or more ground contacts 430. For example, each of the one or more connection pieces 442 is directly connected to the connection portion 432 of a corresponding one of the one or more ground contacts 430. In this way, the drain wires 240 of the multiple cables 200 are indirectly connected to the one or more ground contacts 430.

[0038] The number of the one or more connection pieces 442 may be less than the number of drain wires 240 of the multiple cables 200. For example, the inner unit 400 may have one connection piece 442 for each combination of drain wires 240 facing each other along the arrangement direction D2.

[0039] 6, the inner unit 400 has a plurality of pairs of signal contacts 420 and a plurality of ground contacts 430. The plurality of pairs of signal contacts 420 respectively contact the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 111 of the mating connector 100. Each of the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 420 transmits one electrical signal due to the potential difference between them.

[0040] The ground contacts 430 are arranged alternately with the signal contacts 420 along the arrangement direction D2. Two ground contacts 430 are located at each end of the arrangement of the signal contacts 420 and the ground contacts 430.

[0041] The plurality of pairs of signal contacts 420 respectively correspond to the plurality of cables 200. To each connection portion 422 of the plurality of pairs of signal contacts 420, a pair of signal wires 210 of the corresponding cable 200 is directly connected by soldering or the like.

[0042] The inner unit 400 has a plurality of connection pieces 442 corresponding to the plurality of ground contacts 430. The connection pieces 442 are arranged alternately with the pairs of signal lines 210 in the arrangement direction D2. Two connection pieces 442 are located at each end of the arrangement of the pairs of signal lines 210 and the connection pieces 442.

[0043] Each of the multiple connection pieces 442 protrudes forward from the ground bar 441, bends downward, and is directly connected by soldering or the like to the connection portion 432 of the corresponding ground contact 430. Except for the above two connection pieces 442, each of the multiple connection pieces 442 is located between two adjacent pairs of signal lines 210 and corresponds to a pair of drain wires 240 facing each other along the arrangement direction D2.

[0044] In the above example, the number of drain wires 240 is double the number of cables 200. In contrast, the number of connection pieces 442 is the number of cables 200 plus one, and is therefore less than the number of drain wires 240. The ground bar 441 and the multiple connection pieces 442 may be integrally formed by, for example, pressing a thin metal plate material such as copper.

[0045] The inner unit 400 may further include a second ground bar 451. The second ground bar 451 is conductive and extends along the arrangement direction D2 so as to span the multiple cables 200. For example, the second ground bar 451 is a flat plate extending along the mating direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2 and has a second opposing surface 452. The second opposing surface 452 faces upward and faces the outer circumferential surface of the exposed inner sheath 230 of each of the multiple cables 200. The exposed inner sheath 230 of each of the multiple cables 200 is located between the opposing surface 443 of the ground bar 441 and the second opposing surface 452 of the second ground bar 451. The exposed drain wire 240 of each of the multiple cables 200 is directly connected to both the opposing surface 443 and the second opposing surface 452.

[0046] The second ground bar 451 is located between the inner sheaths 230 of the multiple cables 200 and the shell plate 413 of the inner shell 412. The second ground bar 451 may be directly connected to the shell plate 413 by soldering or the like.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 7, the exposed drain wire 240 of each of the multiple cables 200 is directly connected to both the ground bar 441 and the second ground bar 451 by solder 461 filled between the drain wire 240 and the ground bar 441 (between the drain wire 240 and the opposing surface 443) and solder 462 filled between the drain wire 240 and the second ground bar 451 (between the drain wire 240 and the second opposing surface 452).

[0048] 8 is a side view of the cable 200, the ground bar 441, and the second ground bar 451 as viewed in the arrangement direction D2. As shown in FIG. 8, the ground bar 441 has a first edge 444 and a second edge 445. The first edge 444 faces the end 211 of the signal line 210. The second edge 445 faces the end 271 of the outer sheath 270.

[0049] The exposed end 231 of the inner sheath 230 is located between the exposed end 211 of the signal wire 210 and the first edge 444. This can improve the reliability of insulation between the signal wire 210 and the drain wire 240. The second edge 445 is located between the exposed end 231 of the inner sheath 230 and the end 271 of the outer sheath 270. The exposed end 261 of the outer conductor 260 may be located between the first edge 444 and the second edge 445. The ground bar 441 can also be used to hold the exposed outer conductor 260.

[0050] Similar to the ground bar 441, the second ground bar 451 has a first edge 453 and a second edge 454. The first edge 453 faces the end 211 of the signal line 210. The second edge 454 faces the end 271 of the outer sheath 270.

[0051] The exposed end 231 of the inner sheath 230 is located between the exposed end 211 of the signal wire 210 and the first edge 453, which can improve the reliability of insulation between the signal wire 210 and the drain wire 240. The second edge 454 is located between the exposed end 231 of the inner sheath 230 and the end 271 of the outer sheath 270. The exposed end 261 of the outer conductor 260 may be located between the first edge 453 and the second edge 454. The second ground bar 451 can also be used to hold the exposed outer conductor 260.

[0052] The above-described configuration of the multiple cables 200 and inner unit 400 is merely an example and can be modified. For example, the cable 200 does not necessarily have to have a pair of signal wires 210 and a pair of drain wires 240, but may have at least one signal wire 210 and at least one drain wire 240. The signal wires 210 and the drain wires 240 do not necessarily have to be aligned along the arrangement direction D2. For example, the signal wires 210 and the drain wires 240 may be aligned along a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2.

[0053] 16 , each of the multiple cables 200 may have a pair of signal wires 210 aligned along the arrangement direction D2 and a pair of inner sheaths 230 that respectively cover the pair of signal wires 210. For example, the pair of individual sheaths 220 may be used as the pair of inner sheaths 230, and the inner sheath 230 that covers the pair of individual sheaths 220 may be omitted.

[0054] The center CP1 of the drain wire 240 may be located in the arrangement direction D2 between the centers CP2 of the pair of signal lines 210. The center CP1 of the drain wire 240 may be located between the center CP2 of each of the pair of signal lines 210 and the ground bar 441 in the orthogonal direction D3 perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2 and the fitting direction D1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 17, the center CP2 of each of the pair of signal lines 210 may be located between the center CP1 of the drain line 240 and the ground bar 441 in the orthogonal direction D3.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 18, the center CP2 of each of the pair of signal lines 210 may be located between the centers CP1 of the pair of drain lines 240 in the orthogonal direction D3.

[0057] 19 , the drain wire 240 does not necessarily have to be covered by the outer conductor 260, and the drain wire 240 may be located outside the outer conductor 260. In either case where the drain wire 240 is covered by the outer conductor 260 or where the drain wire 240 is located outside the outer conductor 260, the outer sheath 270 covers the outer conductor 260 and the drain wire 240.

[0058] 9 and 10 are perspective views of the outer shell 300. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the outer shell 300 has a main body 301 and a lock bar 360. The main body 301 is conductive and is attached to the inner unit 400 so as to surround the base 411 and the inner shell 412 around the mating direction D1. The lock bar 360 is attached to the main body 301 so as to rotate around an axis along the arrangement direction D2, and by rotating it relative to the main body 301, it switches between a locked state that prevents the connector 3 from being disconnected from the mating connector 100 and an unlocked state that allows the connector 3 to be disconnected from the mating connector 100.

[0059] The main body 301 has shell plates 310 and 320, a front plate 330, and a pair of bearings 340. The shell plates 310 and 320 face each other along an orthogonal direction D3 that is perpendicular to the fitting direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2. The front plate 330 connects the front edge of the shell plate 310 with the front edge of the shell plate 320 and is open forward.

[0060] The pair of bearing portions 340, 340 protrude in opposite directions from the shell plates 310, 320 along the arrangement direction D2. Each of the pair of bearing portions 340, 340 opens along the arrangement direction D2, facing away from the shell plates 310, 320. The main body 301 is integrally formed by, for example, pressing and bending a thin metal plate material such as copper.

[0061] When the main body 301 is attached to the inner unit 400, the shell plate 310 covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the inner unit 400, and the shell plate 320 covers at least a portion of the lower surface of the inner unit 400. A portion of the inner unit 400 that is located forward of the contact cover 414 protrudes forward from the opening in the front plate 330. As a result, the contact portions 421 of the multiple signal contacts 420 and the contact portions 431 of the one or more ground contacts 430 are exposed upward outside the main body 301.

[0062] The lock bar 360 has a pair of shafts 361, 361, a pair of side bars 362, 362, and a connecting bar 363. The pair of shafts 361, 361 are held by a pair of bearings 340, 340, respectively, so as to rotate about an axis Ax1 along the arrangement direction D2. For example, the pair of shafts 361, 361 are inserted into the pair of bearings 340, 340, respectively, toward the shell plates 310, 320.

[0063] The pair of side bars 362, 362 are connected to the pair of shafts 361, 361, respectively, and extend away from the axis Ax1. The connecting bar 363 extends along the arrangement direction D2 and connects the ends of the pair of side bars 362, 362. As the lock bar 360 rotates around the axis Ax1, the connecting bar 363 moves between a locked position in front of the main body 301 and an unlocked position above the main body 301. The mating connector 100 mated with the outer shell 300 is located between the connecting bar 363 in the locked position and the main body 301.

[0064] When the connecting bar 363 is in the locked position and a force is applied to the main body 301 in a direction away from the mating connector 100, the connecting bar 363 engages with the back plate 124 of the mating connector 100, preventing the connector 3 from being removed. When the connecting bar 363 is in the released position, the connecting bar 363 does not engage with the back plate 124, allowing the connector 3 to be removed from the mating connector 100. The lock bar 360 is formed integrally by, for example, bending a metal wire.

[0065] 9 , the shell plate 320 includes a pair of cantilevers 350, 350. The pair of cantilevers 350, 350 is provided near both ends of the shell plate 320 in the arrangement direction D2. For example, the pair of cantilevers 350, 350 is formed in a pair of openings 355, 355 formed in the shell plate 320, respectively.

[0066] Each of the pair of cantilevers 350, 350 has an elastic beam 351 and a hook 352. The elastic beam 351 extends rearward within the opening 355. The hook 352 protrudes upward (into the main body 301) from the end of the elastic beam 351. The hook 352 has a guide edge 353. The guide edge 353 is inclined so as to move away from the elastic beam 351 as it extends forward.

[0067] 10 , the shell plate 310 includes a pair of clamps 380, 380. The pair of clamps 380, 380 are provided near both ends of the shell plate 310 in the arrangement direction D2. For example, the pair of clamps 380, 380 are formed in a pair of openings 381, 381 formed in the shell plate 310. Each of the pair of clamps 380, 380 protrudes forward within the opening 381 and is bent downward (into the main body 301).

[0068] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 11, when the outer shell 300 is attached to the contact unit 410, the pair of cantilevers 350, 350 are respectively hooked behind the pair of protrusions 415, 415, preventing the contact unit 410 from being displaced rearward relative to the outer shell 300. The pair of clamps 380, 380 come into contact with the contact cover 414 and press the contact unit 410 against the shell plate 320. This positions the contact unit 410 relative to the outer shell 300.

[0069] As will be described later, the inner unit 400 is inserted into the main body 301 from the rear. During the insertion process, each of the pair of protrusions 415, 415 comes into contact with the guide edge 353 of the corresponding cantilever 350, and applies a downward force to the hook 352. As the inner unit 400 advances relative to the main body 301, the hook 352 is displaced downward due to the elasticity of the elastic beam 351. When each of the pair of protrusions 415, 415 passes over the corresponding hook 352, the elastic beam 351 elastically returns to its original position. As a result, the hook 352 hooks onto the rear of the corresponding protrusion 415.

[0070] Shell plate 310 is directly connected to ground bar 441 from above, and shell plate 320 is directly connected to inner shell 412 from below (the side opposite to where base 411 is located). For example, shell plate 310 covers at least a portion of the upper surface of ground bar 441 and is directly connected to the upper surface of ground bar 441 by soldering or the like. Shell plate 320 covers at least a portion of the lower surface of inner shell 412 and is directly connected to the lower surface of inner shell 412 by soldering or the like.

[0071] The shell 4 is formed by the outer shell 300 and the inner shell 412. The shell 4 surrounds a plurality of signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430 in the mating direction D1. The shell 4 has a shell plate 310 (first shell plate) and a shell plate 413 (second shell plate) that face each other along the orthogonal direction D3. The shell plate 310 is included in the outer shell 300, and the shell plate 413 is included in the inner shell 412. As described above, the shell plate 310 is connected to the ground bar 441, and the shell plate 413 is connected to the second ground bar 451. The shell 4 does not necessarily have to be divided into the outer shell 300 and the inner shell 412, and may be formed integrally.

[0072] The outer shell 300 may further include a cover 370. The cover 370 is conductive and extends along the mating direction D1 and the arrangement direction D2 when the connecting bar 363 of the lock bar 360 is in the locked position, covering the mating connector 100 from above (see FIG. 12 ). The cover 370 is formed by pressing and bending a thin metal plate material such as copper, and is attached to the lock bar 360.

[0073] [Assembly Procedure of Cable Assembly] As an example of a manufacturing method of the cable assembly 2, an assembly procedure for one end of the cable assembly 2 will be illustrated. As shown in Fig. 13 , an end portion in which the exposed signal wire 210, the exposed inner sheath 230, and the exposed outer conductor 260 are lined up in order from the end of the signal wire 210 is formed in each of the multiple cables 200. At each end portion of the multiple cables 200, the pair of drain wires 240 are cut so that each end of the pair of drain wires 240 is positioned between the end of the exposed inner sheath 230 and the end of the exposed outer conductor 260. Next, the ends of the multiple cables 200 are aligned in the arrangement direction D2 so that the pair of drain wires 240 and the pair of signal wires 210 are aligned in the arrangement direction D2 in each of the multiple cables 200.

[0074] 14A, solder paste 460 is applied to a pair of exposed drain wires 240 in each of the multiple cables 200. The facing surface 443 of the ground bar 441 is opposed to the inner sheath 230, and the second facing surface 452 of the second ground bar 451 is opposed to the inner sheath 230, so that the exposed inner sheath 230 in each of the multiple cables 200 is located between the facing surface 443 of the ground bar 441 and the second facing surface 452 of the second ground bar 451. Next, the solder paste 460 is heated and melted by reflow heating such as pulse heating. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14B , solder 461 is filled between the drain wire 240 and the ground bar 441 (between the drain wire 240 and the opposing surface 443), and solder 462 is filled between the drain wire 240 and the second ground bar 451 (between the drain wire 240 and the second opposing surface 452). The drain wire 240 is directly connected to both the ground bar 441 and the second ground bar 451 by the solder 461 and the solder 462. Next, a pair of exposed signal wires 210, 210 in each of the multiple cables 200 is directly connected to a corresponding pair of signal contacts 420 by soldering. Each of the multiple connection pieces 442 is directly connected to a corresponding ground contact 430 by soldering. Next, as shown in FIG. 15 , the inner unit 400 is inserted into the main body 301 from the rear. This completes the assembly of one end of the cable assembly 2.

[0075] [Summary] The above-described exemplary embodiments include the following configurations: (1) A connector 3 includes a plurality of cables 200 arranged along an arrangement direction D2, and the plurality of cables 200 is connected to the plurality of cables 200, and each of the plurality of cables 200 has conductive signal wires 210 and drain wires 240 that intersect the arrangement direction D2, an insulating inner sheath 230 that covers the signal wires 210, a conductive outer conductor 260 that covers the inner sheath 230 and the drain wires 240, and an insulating outer sheath 270 that covers the outer conductor 260, and the exposed signal wires 210, the exposed inner sheath 230, and the exposed outer conductor 260 are arranged in order from an end of the signal wire 210, and the end of the exposed drain wire 240 is located between the end of the inner sheath 230 and the end of the outer conductor 260, and the connector 3 includes a plurality of conductive sheaths arranged along the arrangement direction D2. a signal contact (420), one or more conductive ground contacts (430) positioned between the plurality of signal contacts (420) along the arrangement direction (D2), a conductive ground bar (441) extending along the arrangement direction (D2) so as to hang over the plurality of cables (200), and one or more connection pieces (442) protruding from the ground bar (441) and connected to the one or more ground contacts (430), respectively, the plurality of signal contacts (420) being connected to a plurality of signal wires exposed in the plurality of cables (200), the ground bar (441) having an opposing surface (443) facing the outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of inner sheaths (230) exposed in the plurality of cables (200), and the plurality of drain wires (240) exposed in the plurality of cables (200) being connected to the opposing surface (443). The configuration in which the drain wires (240) of the plurality of cables (200) are connected to the one or more ground contacts (430) via the one or more connection pieces (442) allows the size of the connector (3) along the arrangement direction (D2) to be reduced. By gathering the signal wires 210 and the drain wires 240 together in the direction of the opposing surface 443 , the size of the connector 3 along the direction perpendicular to the opposing surface 443 can be reduced.Since the exposed end of the drain wire 240 is located between the exposed end of the inner sheath 230 and the exposed outer conductor 260, the drain wire 240 can be easily connected to the opposing surface 443 while insulation between the drain wire 240 and the signal wire 210 is maintained by the inner sheath 230. This prevents the connector 3 from becoming large. In addition, the drain wires 240 of multiple cables 200 can be easily connected to the ground conductor.

[0076] (2) A connector 3 includes a plurality of cables 200 arranged along an arrangement direction D2, and a connector 3 connected to the plurality of cables 200, each of the plurality of cables 200 having conductive signal wires 210 and drain wires 240 that intersect with the arrangement direction D2, an insulating inner sheath 230 that covers the signal wires 210, a conductive outer conductor 260 that covers the inner sheath 230, and an insulating outer sheath 270 that covers the outer conductor 260 and the drain wires 240, the exposed signal wires 210, the exposed inner sheath 230, and the exposed outer conductor 260 are arranged in order from an end of the signal wire 210, and the end of the exposed drain wire 240 is located between the end of the inner sheath 230 and the end of the outer conductor 260, and the connector 3 includes a plurality of conductive signal wires 210 and drain wires 240 that intersect with the arrangement direction D2. The cable assembly 2 includes: null contacts 420, one or more conductive ground contacts 430 positioned between the plurality of signal contacts 420 along the arrangement direction D2; a conductive ground bar 441 extending along the arrangement direction D2 so as to hang over the plurality of cables 200; and one or more connection pieces 442 protruding from the ground bar 441 and connected to the one or more ground contacts 430, respectively; the plurality of signal contacts 420 are connected to the plurality of signal wires 210 exposed in the plurality of cables 200; the ground bar 441 has an opposing surface 443 facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of inner sheaths 230 exposed in the plurality of cables 200; and the plurality of drain wires 240 exposed in the plurality of cables 200 are connected to the opposing surface 443. As with the cable assembly 2 described in (1), the size of the connector 3 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the drain wires 240 of the plurality of cables 200 can be easily connected to the ground conductor.

[0077] (3) The cable assembly 2 according to (1) or (2), wherein the drain wires 240 are arranged alongside the signal wires 210 along the arrangement direction D2 in each of the plurality of cables 200. By utilizing the space between the signal wires 210 as a space for arranging the drain wires 240, the height of the connector 3 can be reduced.

[0078] (4) The cable assembly 2 according to (3), wherein the number of the one or more connection pieces 442 is less than the number of the drain wires 240. This reduces the number of ground contacts 430, thereby enabling the connector 3 to be made smaller.

[0079] (5) The cable assembly 2 according to (4), wherein the plurality of cables 200 are arranged such that the drain wires 240 face each other along the arrangement direction D2 between two adjacent cables 200, and the connector 3 has one connection piece 442 for each combination of the drain wires 240 facing each other along the arrangement direction D2. By connecting each of the drain wires 240 of the plurality of cables 200 near the connection piece 442, the stability of the potential of the drain wires 240 can be improved.

[0080] (6) The cable assembly 2 according to (5), wherein each of the plurality of cables 200 has a pair of drain wires 240, and the signal wire 210 is located between the pair of drain wires 240 along the arrangement direction D2. By connecting each of the pair of drain wires 240 of the plurality of cables 200 near the connection piece 442, the stability of the potential of the pair of drain wires 240 can be improved.

[0081] (7) The cable assembly 2 according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein each of the plurality of cables 200 has a pair of signal lines 210 and further has a pair of insulating individual sheaths 220 that respectively cover the pair of signal lines 210, and the inner sheath 230 covers the pair of individual sheaths 220. The reliability of signal transmission can be further improved by a differential signal between the pair of signal lines 210.

[0082] (8) The cable assembly 2 according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the connector 3 further includes a conductive second ground bar 451 extending along the arrangement direction D2 so as to hang over the plurality of cables 200, the second ground bar 451 having a second opposing surface 452 opposing an outer circumferential surface of the exposed inner sheath 230 of each of the plurality of cables 200, the exposed inner sheath 230 of each of the plurality of cables 200 being positioned between the opposing surface 443 and the second opposing surface 452, and the exposed drain wire 240 of each of the plurality of cables 200 being connected to both the opposing surface 443 and the second opposing surface 452. This can further improve the stability of the potential of the drain wire 240.

[0083] (9) The cable assembly 2 according to (8), wherein the exposed drain wire 240 of each of the plurality of cables 200 is connected to both the ground bar 441 and the second ground bar 451 by solder filled between the drain wire 240 and the ground bar 441 and solder filled between the drain wire 240 and the second ground bar 451. This can further improve the stability of the potential of the drain wire 240.

[0084] (10) The cable assembly 2 according to (8) or (9), wherein the connector 3 further includes a conductive shell 4 surrounding the plurality of signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430 around a mating direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2, the shell 4 including a first shell plate 310 and a second shell plate 413 facing each other along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2 and the mating direction D1, the first shell plate 310 being connected to a ground bar 441, and the second shell plate 413 being connected to a second ground bar 451. The drain wires 240 of the plurality of cables 200 can be easily connected to the shell 4 via the ground bar 441 and the second ground bar 451.

[0085] (11) The cable assembly 2 according to (10), wherein the connector 3 further includes an insulating base 411 that supports a plurality of signal contacts 420 and one or more ground contacts 430, the shell 4 includes an inner shell 412 fixed to the base 411, and an outer shell 300 that is separate from the inner shell 412 and surrounds the inner shell 412 and the base 411 around the mating direction D1, the first shell plate 310 being included in the outer shell 300, and the second shell plate 413 being included in the inner shell 412. This allows for both shielding by the shell 4 and ease of assembly.

[0086] (12) The cable assembly 2 according to (11), wherein the base 411 extends along the arrangement direction D2 and the mating direction D1 so as to separate the inner shell 412 from the plurality of signal contacts 420 and the one or more ground contacts 430, and the outer shell 300 is connected to the inner shell 412 from the side opposite to the side where the base 411 is located. This further improves both the shielding properties of the shell 4 and ease of assembly.

[0087] (13) The cable assembly 2 according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the plurality of signal contacts 420 and the one or more ground contacts 430 are arranged at a constant pitch along the arrangement direction D2. The configuration in which the drain wire 240 is connected to the ground contact 430 via the connecting piece 442 can be utilized to accommodate the constant pitch.

[0088] (14) The cable assembly 2 according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the ground bar 441 has a first edge 444 facing the end of the signal wire 210 and a second edge 445 facing the end of the outer sheath 270, and the exposed end of the inner sheath 230 is located between the exposed end of the signal wire 210 and the first edge 444. This can improve the reliability of insulation between the signal wire 210 and the drain wire 240.

[0089] (15) The cable assembly 2 according to (14), wherein the exposed end of the outer conductor 260 is located between the first edge 444 and the second edge 445. The ground bar 441 can also be used to hold the outer conductor 260.

[0090] (16) The cable assembly 2 according to (1) or (2), wherein each of the plurality of cables 200 includes a pair of signal wires 210 aligned along the arrangement direction D2 and a pair of inner sheaths 230 covering the pair of signal wires 210, respectively.

[0091] (17) The cable assembly 2 according to (16), wherein the center CP1 of the drain wire 240 is located between the centers CP2 of the pair of signal wires 210 in the arrangement direction D2.

[0092] (18) The cable assembly 2 described in (17), wherein the center CP1 of the drain wire 240 is located between the center CP2 of each of the pair of signal lines 210 and the ground bar 441 in the orthogonal direction D3 perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2 and the mating direction D1.

[0093] (19) The cable assembly 2 described in (17), wherein the center CP2 of each of the pair of signal wires 210 is located between the center CP1 of the drain wire 240 and the ground bar 441 in the orthogonal direction D3 perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2 and the mating direction D1.

[0094] (20) The cable assembly 2 described in (17), wherein each of the plurality of cables 200 has a pair of drain wires 240, and the center CP2 of each of the pair of signal wires 210 is located between the centers CP1 of the pair of drain wires 240 in the orthogonal direction D3 perpendicular to the arrangement direction D2 and the mating direction D1.

[0095] (21) A method for manufacturing a cable assembly (2) by attaching a connector (3) to a plurality of cables (200), each of which has conductive signal wires (210) and drain wires (240), an insulating inner sheath (230) covering the signal wires (210), a conductive outer conductor (260) covering the inner sheath (230) and the drain wires (240), and an insulating outer sheath (270) covering the outer conductor (260), the method comprising: forming an end portion in each of the plurality of cables (200) in which an exposed signal conductor, an exposed inner sheath (230), and an exposed outer conductor (260) are arranged in order from an end of the signal conductor; and, at the end portion of each of the plurality of cables (200), arranging the drain wires (240) so that an end of the drain wires (240) is located between an end of the exposed inner sheath (230) and an end of the exposed outer conductor (260). arranging the plurality of cables (200) along the arrangement direction (D2); facing the opposing surface (443) of a ground bar (441) extending along the arrangement direction (D2) to the exposed inner sheath (230) of each of the plurality of cables (200); connecting the exposed drain wire (240) of each of the plurality of cables (200) to the opposing surface (443); connecting the exposed signal wire (210) of each of the plurality of cables (200) to one of the plurality of signal contacts (420) arranged along the arrangement direction (D2); and connecting one or more connection pieces (442) protruding from the ground bar (441) to one or more conductive ground contacts (430) located between the plurality of signal contacts (420) along the arrangement direction (D2).

[0096] (22) A method for manufacturing a cable assembly (2) by attaching a connector (3) to a plurality of cables (200), each of which has conductive signal wires (210) and drain wires (240), an insulating inner sheath (230) covering the signal wires (210), a conductive outer conductor (260) covering the inner sheath (230), and an insulating outer sheath (270) covering the outer conductor (260) and the drain wires (240), the method comprising: forming an end portion in each of the plurality of cables (200) in which the exposed signal wires (210), the exposed inner sheath (230), and the exposed outer conductor (260) are arranged in order from the end of the signal conductor; and, at the end portion of each of the plurality of cables (200), attaching the drain wires (240) to the end portion of the drain wires (240) so that the end of the drain wires (240) is located between the end of the exposed inner sheath (230) and the end of the exposed outer conductor (260). a ground bar 441 extending along the arrangement direction D2, facing an opposing surface 443 of the ground bar 441 to an exposed inner sheath 230 in each of the cables 200, connecting an exposed drain wire 240 in each of the cables 200 to the opposing surface 443, connecting an exposed signal wire 210 in each of the cables 200 to one of a plurality of signal contacts 420 arranged along the arrangement direction D2, and connecting one or more connection pieces 442 protruding from the ground bar 441 to one or more conductive ground contacts 430 located between the plurality of signal contacts 420 along the arrangement direction D2.

[0097] (23) A method for manufacturing a cable assembly 2 according to (21) or (22), further comprising: applying solder paste 460 to the exposed drain wires 240 in each of the plurality of cables 200; and arranging the second opposing surface 452 to face the exposed inner sheaths 230 in each of the plurality of cables 200 so that the exposed inner sheaths 230 in each of the plurality of cables 200 are positioned between the opposing surface 443 and the second opposing surface 452 of a conductive second ground bar 451 extending along the arrangement direction D2; and heating and melting the applied solder paste 460 when connecting the drain wires 240 of each of the plurality of cables 200 to the opposing surface 443 so that the drain wires 240 are connected to both the opposing surface 443 and the second opposing surface 452.

[0098] D2...arrangement direction, 2...cable assembly, 200...cable, 210...signal wire, 220...individual sheath, 230...inner sheath, 240...drain wire, 260...outer conductor, 270...outer sheath, 3...connector, 300...outer shell, 420...signal contact, 430...ground contact, 411...base, 412...inner shell, 413...second shell plate, 441...ground bar, 443...opposing surface, 442...connecting piece, 451...second ground bar, 452...second opposing surface, 444...first edge, 445...second edge, 310...first shell plate, 4...shell, 460...solder paste.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a plurality of cables arranged along an arrangement direction; and a connector connected to the plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables having: conductive signal wires and drain wires intersecting the arrangement direction; an insulating inner sheath covering the signal wires; a conductive outer conductor covering the inner sheath and the drain wires; and an insulating outer sheath covering the outer conductor, wherein the exposed signal wires, the exposed inner sheath, and the exposed outer conductor are arranged in order from an end of the signal wire, and an end of the exposed drain wire is located between an end of the inner sheath and an end of the outer conductor, the connector comprising: a plurality of conductive signal contacts arranged along the arrangement direction; one or more conductive ground contacts located between the plurality of signal contacts along the arrangement direction; a conductive ground bar extending along the arrangement direction so as to hang on the plurality of cables; and one or more connection pieces protruding from the ground bar and connected to the one or more ground contacts, respectively, the plurality of signal contacts being connected to the plurality of signal wires exposed in the plurality of cables, a ground bar having an opposing surface facing outer peripheral surfaces of the inner sheaths exposed in the cables, and a plurality of drain wires exposed in the cables are connected to the opposing surface.

2. A connector comprising: a plurality of cables arranged along an arrangement direction; and a connector connected to the plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables having: conductive signal wires and drain wires intersecting the arrangement direction; an insulating inner sheath covering the signal wires; a conductive outer conductor covering the inner sheath; and an insulating outer sheath covering the outer conductor and the drain wire, wherein the exposed signal wires, the exposed inner sheath, and the exposed outer conductor are arranged in order from an end of the signal wire, and an end of the exposed drain wire is located between an end of the inner sheath and an end of the outer conductor, the connector comprising: a plurality of conductive signal contacts arranged along the arrangement direction; one or more conductive ground contacts located between the plurality of signal contacts along the arrangement direction; a conductive ground bar extending along the arrangement direction so as to hang on the plurality of cables; and one or more connection pieces protruding from the ground bar and connected to the one or more ground contacts, respectively, the plurality of signal contacts being connected to the plurality of signal wires exposed in the plurality of cables, a ground bar having an opposing surface facing outer peripheral surfaces of the inner sheaths exposed in the cables, and a plurality of drain wires exposed in the cables are connected to the opposing surface.

3. The cable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in each of the plurality of cables, the drain wires are aligned with the signal wires along the arrangement direction.

4. The cable assembly according to claim 3, wherein the number of said one or more connection pieces is less than the number of said drain wires.

5. A cable assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of cables are arranged such that the drain wires face each other in the arrangement direction between two adjacent cables, and the connector has one connection piece for each combination of the drain wires facing each other in the arrangement direction.

6. The cable assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of cables has a pair of the drain wires, and the signal wire is located between the pair of the drain wires along the arrangement direction.

7. A cable assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of cables has a pair of the signal wires, and further has a pair of insulating individual sheaths covering the pair of the signal wires, respectively, and the inner sheath covers the pair of individual sheaths.

8. A cable assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector further comprises a conductive second ground bar extending along the arrangement direction so as to be hung on the plurality of cables, the second ground bar having a second opposing surface opposing an outer peripheral surface of the exposed inner sheath of each of the plurality of cables, the exposed inner sheath of each of the plurality of cables being located between the opposing surface and the second opposing surface, and the exposed drain wire of each of the plurality of cables being connected to both the opposing surface and the second opposing surface.

9. The cable assembly of claim 8, wherein the exposed drain wire of each of the plurality of cables is connected to both the ground bar and the second ground bar by solder filled between the drain wire and the ground bar and by solder filled between the drain wire and the second ground bar.

10. The cable assembly of claim 8, wherein the connector further comprises a conductive shell surrounding the plurality of signal contacts and the one or more ground contacts around a mating direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the shell having a first shell plate and a second shell plate facing each other along an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the mating direction, the first shell plate being connected to the ground bar, and the second shell plate being connected to the second ground bar.

11. A cable assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the connector further has an insulating base supporting the plurality of signal contacts and the one or more ground contacts, and the shell includes: an inner shell fixed to the base; and an outer shell separate from the inner shell and surrounding the inner shell and the base around the mating direction, and the first shell plate is included in the outer shell, and the second shell plate is included in the inner shell.

12. The cable assembly according to claim 11, wherein the base extends along the arrangement direction and the mating direction so as to separate the plurality of signal contacts and the one or more ground contacts from the inner shell, and the outer shell is connected to the inner shell from the side opposite to the side where the base is located.

13. The cable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of signal contacts and the one or more ground contacts are arranged at a constant pitch along the arrangement direction.

14. A cable assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ground bar has a first edge towards an end of the signal wire and a second edge towards an end of the outer sheath, and the exposed end of the inner sheath is located between the exposed end of the signal wire and the first edge.

15. The cable assembly of claim 14, wherein an exposed end of the outer conductor is located between the first edge and the second edge.

16. The cable assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of cables has a pair of the signal wires aligned along the arrangement direction, and a pair of the inner sheaths covering the pair of the signal wires, respectively.

17. The cable assembly according to claim 16, wherein the center of the drain wire is located between the centers of the pair of signal wires in the arrangement direction.

18. The cable assembly according to claim 17, wherein the center of the drain wire is located between the center of each of the pair of signal wires and the ground bar in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

19. The cable assembly according to claim 17, wherein the center of each of the pair of signal lines is located between the center of the drain line and the ground bar in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

20. The cable assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of cables has a pair of the drain wires, and the center of each of the pair of the signal wires is located between the centers of the pair of the drain wires in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

21. A method for manufacturing a cable assembly by attaching a connector to a plurality of cables, each of which has conductive signal wires and drain wires, an insulating inner sheath covering the signal wires, a conductive outer conductor covering the inner sheath and the drain wire, and an insulating outer sheath covering the outer conductor, comprising: forming an end portion in each of the plurality of cables in which the exposed signal wire, the exposed inner sheath, and the exposed outer conductor are arranged in order from an end of the signal conductor; cutting the drain wire at the end portion of each of the plurality of cables such that the end of the drain wire is located between the end of the exposed inner sheath and the end of the exposed outer conductor; arranging the plurality of cables in an arrangement direction; facing an opposing surface of a ground bar extending along the arrangement direction to the exposed inner sheath in each of the plurality of cables; connecting the exposed drain wire in each of the plurality of cables to the opposing surface; and connecting the exposed signal wire in each of the plurality of cables to any of a plurality of signal contacts arranged along the arrangement direction. and respectively connecting one or more connection pieces protruding from the ground bar to one or more conductive ground contacts positioned between the plurality of signal contacts along the arrangement direction.

22. A method for manufacturing a cable assembly by attaching a connector to a plurality of cables, each of which has conductive signal wires and drain wires, an insulating inner sheath covering the signal wires, a conductive outer conductor covering the inner sheath, and an insulating outer sheath covering the outer conductor and the drain wire, comprising: forming an end portion in each of the plurality of cables in which the exposed signal wires, the exposed inner sheath, and the exposed outer conductor are arranged in order from an end of the signal conductor; cutting the drain wire at the end portion of each of the plurality of cables such that the end of the drain wire is located between the end of the exposed inner sheath and the end of the exposed outer conductor; arranging the plurality of cables in an arrangement direction; facing an opposing surface of a ground bar extending along the arrangement direction to the exposed inner sheath in each of the plurality of cables; connecting the exposed drain wire in each of the plurality of cables to the opposing surface; and connecting the exposed signal wire in each of the plurality of cables to any of a plurality of signal contacts arranged along the arrangement direction. and respectively connecting one or more connection pieces protruding from the ground bar to one or more conductive ground contacts positioned between the plurality of signal contacts along the arrangement direction.

23. A method for manufacturing a cable assembly as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising: applying solder paste to the drain wire exposed in each of the plurality of cables; and opposing the second opposing surface to the inner sheath exposed in each of the plurality of cables so that the inner sheath exposed in each of the plurality of cables is positioned between a second opposing surface of a conductive second ground bar extending along the arrangement direction and the opposing surface; and when connecting the drain wire of each of the plurality of cables to the opposing surface, the applied solder paste is heated and melted so as to connect the drain wire to both the opposing surface and the second opposing surface.

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