Cable connection structure

Abstract

Provided is a cable connection structure with which not only size reduction can be achieved but also impact by external noise, etc., can be limited. In particular, impact on signal transmission by external noise, etc., is limited in a case where an extra fine wire is used for a signal line to reduce the size (diameter) of a transmission cable.　The connection structure is configured such that: transmission paths of first and second cables are electrically connected via a relay member; shield layers of the first and second cables are electrically connected via a conductive member; and the relay member is covered with the conductive member.

Description

Cable connection structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable connection structure, and more particularly to a connection for a data transmission cable.

[0002] Recent advances in camera technology have made it possible to transfer high-resolution and high-frame-rate data. When transmitting high-resolution and high-frame-rate images, there are situations where a large amount of signal must be transmitted over a transmission cable, and in order to reduce signal loss, it is desirable to use a larger diameter conductor for the signal wires that make up the transmission cable.

[0003] On the other hand, there are situations where transmission cables must be routed in narrow spaces, such as the narrow arm parts of articulated robots or the narrow parts of endoscopes, and there is a demand for thinner transmission cables.

[0004] When reducing the diameter of a transmission cable, the diameter of the conductors of the signal lines that make it up is reduced, but because a small diameter conductor has a high resistance value, the loss of the transmitted signal increases. In a transmission cable with high signal loss, the signal loss becomes significant when the cable length is increased, so there is a limit to the cable length.

[0005] To address this issue, attempts have been made to solve both problems by connecting a large-diameter transmission cable that is excellent at signal transmission with a small-diameter transmission cable that can be wired in narrow spaces, and various connection devices have been proposed.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a connection structure for a communication cable used in a narrow space.

[0007] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, the signal wires of the relay cable have a larger diameter than the signal wires of the signal cable, thereby minimizing transmission loss.

[0008] On the other hand, the invention described in Patent Document 1 assumes that electromagnetic noise will be removed by electronic components mounted on the flat surface of the board. Therefore, when electromagnetic noise removal is also taken into consideration, there remains the issue of miniaturizing the board, and if mounting space for electronic components cannot be secured, it is difficult to avoid the effects of electromagnetic noise.

[0009] The invention described in Patent Document 2 assumes the use of a plurality of relay boards that electrically connect the signal cable and the relay cable, and therefore, there remains a problem in miniaturizing the connection points.

[0010] Furthermore, when ultra-fine wires are used as signal lines in order to make transmission cables smaller (thinner in diameter), the influence of external noise and the like at the connection points increases, which presents a problem of affecting signal transmission.

[0011] JP 2022-166847 A Patent No. 4652518 A

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure that can suppress the influence of external noise and the like at the connection portion of a cable and achieves miniaturization.

[0013] After extensive research into cable connection structures, the inventors discovered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by electrically connecting the shielding layers of the cables to be connected via a conductive member and also using the conductive member to shield from external noise.

[0014] The connection structure of the present invention suppresses the influence of external noise and the like at the cable connection portion, thereby providing excellent signal transmission capabilities, and can also be made compact, making it suitable for use in tight spaces.

[0015] 1 is a schematic diagram of a connection structure of the present invention; 2 is an example of a fixing mechanism for a shielding layer in the present invention; 3 is an example in which a tensile member fixing portion is provided in a conductive member; 4 is a relay member having a divided structure of a first relay member and a second relay member; 5 is another example of an embodiment of the present invention, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] The connection structure of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0017] [Description of the Embodiments of the Present Invention] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. The embodiments of the connection structure of the present invention have the following configuration.

[0018] [1] A connection structure that electrically connects a first cable having a first transmission line and a first shielding layer with a second cable having a second transmission line and a second shielding layer, wherein the first transmission line and the second transmission line are electrically connected via a relay member, and the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer are electrically connected via a conductive member.

[0019] [2] The connection structure according to the above [1], characterized in that the relay member is housed inside the conductive member.

[0020] [3] The connection structure according to the above [1] or [2], wherein the conductive member also serves as a protective housing for accommodating the relay member.

[0021] [4] A connection structure according to any one of the above [1] to [3], characterized in that at least one of the first cable and the second cable has a tensile strength member, and the conductive member is provided with a tensile strength member fixing portion to which the tensile strength member is fixed.

[0022] [5] A connection structure according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the conductive member is formed with a fixing mechanism for crimping and fixing at least one of the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer.

[0023] [6] The connection structure according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the relay member has a first relay member electrically connected to one end of the first cable and a second relay member electrically connected to one end of the second cable, and the first relay member and the second relay member are electrically connected to each other, thereby electrically connecting the first transmission path and the second transmission path.

[0024] [7] A connection structure according to any one of [1] to [6] above, wherein the first cable and the second cable have different outer diameters.

[0025] In addition, configurations in which the configurations described in [1] to [7] above are appropriately selected and combined also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] The connection structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] 1A and 1B show a connection structure 1 of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view seen from above, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view seen from the side.

[0028] The connection structure 1 of the present invention is for electrically connecting a first cable 110 having a first shielding layer 111 covering a first transmission path 112 and a second cable 210 having a second shielding layer 211 covering a second transmission path 212, and is characterized in that the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 are electrically connected via a relay member 30, and the first shielding layer 111 and the second shielding layer 211 are electrically connected via a conductive member 40.

[0029] The first cable 110 is a so-called shielded cable in which a first transmission line 112 made of an insulated wire or a coaxial cable that functions as a signal line is covered with a first shield layer 111 .

[0030] The number of first transmission lines 112 constituting first cable 110 may be one or more, and in the case of more than one, the number can be appropriately selected from insulated wires only, coaxial cables only, or a combination of insulated wires and coaxial cables. Other specific configurations of first cable 110 can also be appropriately selected from various cable structures depending on the desired transmission standard, transmission characteristics, connected devices, etc.

[0031] When the first cable 110 is configured using a plurality of first transmission lines 112, all of the first transmission lines 112 are covered collectively with the first shield layer 111 in principle.

[0032] As long as the second cable 210 has the second shield layer 211, like the first cable 110, the number and type of the second transmission paths 212 are not particularly limited, and the specific configuration can be selected and used as appropriate.

[0033] Since the present invention is intended to electrically connect the first cable 110 and the second cable 210, the main specifications of the first cable 110 and the second cable 210 will basically be the same, but the specifications of the first cable 110 and the second cable 210 may be different if necessary.

[0034] Since the present invention is also intended to be used for connecting a small diameter transmission cable and a large diameter transmission cable, the outer diameter of the first cable 110 and the outer diameter of the second cable 210 may be different.

[0035] The present invention connects one end of the first cable 110 to one end of the second cable 210, and the state of the other end of the first cable 110 and the other end of the second cable 210 is not particularly limited, and they may be devices such as cameras, or may be connection parts for connecting to other devices, cables, etc.

[0036] The first transmission line 112 and the second transmission line 212 are each electrically connected to a predetermined location of the relay member 30 , and the first transmission line 112 and the second transmission line 212 are electrically connected via the relay member 30 .

[0037] There are no particular restrictions on the specifications of the relay board 30, and it may be a rigid board, a printed circuit board such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), or a molded interconnect device (MID) which is a three-dimensional molded circuit component.

[0038] Although there are no particular limitations on the dimensions of the relay board 30, since the present invention is intended for use in narrow spaces, it is desirable that the width dimension in particular be as small as possible, preferably 5 mm or less, and the length dimension is preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less.

[0039] On the other hand, since the relay member 30 is required to connect the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 that constitute the first cable 110 and the second cable 210, the dimensions of the relay member 30 may be adjusted appropriately depending on the number and outer diameter of the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212.

[0040] The relay member 30 is provided with conductive pads 50 to which the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 are connected. However, as long as the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 are electrically connected via the conductive pads 50, the material and specifications are not particularly limited, and it is sufficient to select and use an appropriate material according to the specifications of the transmission path 12 to be connected and the desired electrical characteristics, etc.

[0041] The connection points between the first transmission path 112 and the relay member 30 and the connection points between the second transmission path 212 and the relay member 30 are preferably connected by a conductive joining member such as solder or a conductive adhesive, and when solder is used, the material is not particularly limited, but examples include eutectic solder made of lead and tin, lead-free solder made of tin, silver, and copper, and solder containing zinc, bismuth, indium, etc. Connection methods other than those using conductive joining members include pressure welding, spot welding, and fusion joining using high-frequency induction heating.

[0042] In the present invention, the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 are electrically connected via the conductive member 40, allowing both to be grounded to a common ground, thereby suppressing noise generated in the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 and contributing to improved transmission characteristics.

[0043] In the present invention, a structure in which the relay member 30 is housed inside the conductive member 40 can be preferably used. By adopting this structure, the periphery of the relay member 30 and the connection portions with the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 are covered by the conductive member 40, and the conductive member 40 functions as a shield member for the periphery of the relay member 30.

[0044] The conductive member 40 functions as a shielding member for the periphery of the relay member 30 , thereby preventing external noise and the like from reaching the periphery of the relay member 30 , and contributing to maintaining the transmission characteristics of the connection structure 1 .

[0045] Examples of the conductive member 40 include a configuration in which the conductive member 40 also serves as a protective housing for accommodating the relay member 30, a configuration in which the conductive member 40 is integrated with a protective housing for accommodating the relay member 30, and a configuration in which the conductive member 40 and the protective housing for accommodating the relay member 30 are separate.

[0046] An example of an embodiment in which the conductive member 40 also serves as a protective housing for accommodating the relay member 30 is an embodiment in which the relay member 30 and one end of the first cable 110 and the second cable 210 are accommodated in a protective housing made of a conductive metal such as copper, aluminum, or stainless steel.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows this embodiment, in which the relay member 30 is surrounded by a metal wall, which not only enhances the shielding effect but also contributes to making the connection structure 1 smaller and reducing the number of parts.

[0048] If any inconvenience is anticipated due to metal being exposed on the outer surface of the protective housing, an insulating means can be provided, such as housing the protective housing in an insulating case or covering the outer surface of the protective housing with an insulator.

[0049] An example of an embodiment in which the conductive member 40 is integrated with a protective housing for accommodating the relay member 30 is an embodiment in which the protective housing is formed from a resin material, ceramic, or the like, and the contact portion between the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 and the surface of the inner chamber accommodating the relay member 30 are metal-plated to form the conductive member 40. This embodiment contributes to reducing the weight of the connection structure 1.

[0050] A simple method for integrating the conductive member 40 with a protective housing for accommodating the relay member 30 is to metal-plate the inner surface of the protective housing described above to form the conductive member 40, but it is also possible to use a form in which a metal plate is embedded in the wall surface of the protective housing to form the conductive member 40.

[0051] As an example of a separate protective housing for accommodating the conductive member 40 and the relay member 30, the protective housing is formed from a resin material, ceramic, etc., and the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 are electrically connected separately from the protective housing, while the conductive member 40 capable of accommodating the relay member 30 is formed from a metal plate, and the relay member 30 is also accommodated inside the protective housing.

[0052] The conductive member 40 is electrically connected to the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211, but the method of connection is not particularly limited, as long as the connection is made to the extent that a noise suppression effect can be obtained by the electrical connection between the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211.

[0053] One example of a method for connecting the conductive member 40 to the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 is connection by crimping, which is typified by crimping. Connection by crimping not only provides an electrical connection but also ensures mechanical strength, thereby increasing the fixing strength of the first cable 110 and the second cable 210 to the conductive member 40 and contributing to preventing damage to the connection structure 1 when unexpected tensile stress is generated in the first cable 110 and the second cable 210.

[0054] When adopting the above-mentioned configuration in which the conductive member 40 also serves as the protective housing, or the configuration in which the inner surface of the protective housing is metal-plated to form the conductive member 40, the shape of the surface of the protective housing that comes into contact with the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 is made into a fixing mechanism suitable for crimping fixation, thereby ensuring reliable connection between the conductive member 40 and the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows an example of an embodiment in which a fixing mechanism is provided in the conductive member 40, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 2(a). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the conductive member 40 is made up of two parts (40A, 40B), and by combining these parts, the conductive member 40 is fixed to the shield layer 11 by crimping in a hexagonal crimping manner.

[0056] In the portion where the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 are connected to the conductive member 40, if there is a possibility that the electrical connection may be insufficient due to a gap or the like, an auxiliary member 14 may be used. Specific examples of the auxiliary member 14 include solder, a conductive seal, and a metal pipe.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first auxiliary member 114 and the second auxiliary member 214 are added to the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 to increase the outer diameter of the shield layer 11, thereby promoting a reliable electrical connection and increasing the strength of the crimping fixation.

[0058] Although Figure 2 illustrates a configuration in which the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 are connected to both the front and back surfaces of the relay member 30, the configuration in which the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 are connected to the relay member 30 is not limited to this and can be selected as appropriate.

[0059] 3, a strength member fixing portion 41 may be provided on the conductive member 40. When the strength members 13 are present in at least one of the first cable 110 and the second cable 210, in addition to connecting and fixing the first shield layer 111, the second shield layer 211, and the conductive member 40, fixing the strength members 13 to the strength member fixing portion 41 of the conductive member 40 increases the tensile strength and enables the strength members 13 to function as tension members, making it possible to reduce the load on the transmission line 12, the relay member 30, and their respective connection portions when tension is applied.

[0060] The tension members 13 may be linear members made of materials known as tension members, such as aramid fiber, nylon fiber, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), SUS wire, steel wire, and piano wire.

[0061] Considering the ease of fixing to the tension member fixing portion 41, tension members 13 made of polymer fibers such as aramid fibers and nylon fibers are preferably used.

[0062] Examples of cable 10 using tensile strength members 13 include a mode in which tensile strength members 13 are provided at the center of the cross section of cable 10, a mode in which tensile strength members 13 are used as an intervening member to fill in the gaps between transmission lines 12 in order to maintain the circular cross section of cable 10, and a mode in which some of the conductor wires that make up shielding layer 11 are replaced with tensile strength members 13.

[0063] The connection structure 1 of the present invention can prevent the dimensions of the cable connection section from becoming larger and has a structure that is advantageous for miniaturization, so it can be easily inserted into narrow spaces within equipment and can be particularly well suited for use as a relay connector installed in the middle of wiring.

[0064] Since the connection structure 1 of the present invention can be used in the middle of wiring, it can also be suitably used as a connection part for cables of different diameters, such as connecting a thin-diameter cable that is inserted into a narrow space with a thick-diameter cable with excellent transmission characteristics that is used outside of narrow spaces.

[0065] When the connection structure 1 of the present invention is used as a relay connector, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable to use a configuration in which the relay member 30 is divided into a first relay member 130 and a second relay member 230, and the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 are electrically connected.

[0066] In the structure in which the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 are connected, if an abnormality, damage, etc. occurs on either the first cable 110 side connected to the first relay member 130 or the second cable 210 side connected to the second relay member 230, the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 can be separated and the cable 10 on the side where the abnormality, etc. occurred can be replaced.

[0067] In particular, when one of the cables 10 is frequently broken, such as when an ultra-fine wire is used as the transmission path of a thin cable, repair can be performed by replacing only the broken cable 10, which is economical and easy to work with.

[0068] Therefore, when electrically connecting the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230, it is desirable to connect them by pressing them together, so that they are detachable.

[0069] The connection structure 1 will be described in more detail below by way of examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0070] First Embodiment A connection structure 1 of a first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is a connection structure 1 in which a first transmission path 112 of a first cable 110 and a second transmission path 212 of a second cable 210 are connected to a relay member 30.

[0071] The first cable 110 was configured such that an aramid fiber with an outer diameter of 0.2 mm was placed at the center as the first tensile strength member 113, around which 32 AWG42 coaxial cables were twisted together as multiple first transmission lines 112, around which a PTFE tape was wrapped all around, and a tin-plated annealed copper wire was wound transversely around the outer periphery of the tape layer to form a first shielding layer 111, around which a PFA coating was applied. The outer diameter of the first cable 110 was 3 mm, and the region of the first shielding layer 111 connected to the conductive member 40 was thinly soldered as a first auxiliary member 114.

[0072] The second cable 210 was configured such that an aramid fiber with an outer diameter of 0.05 mm was placed at the center as the second tensile strength member 213, around which 32 AWG48 coaxial cables were twisted together as multiple second transmission lines 212, and a PTFE tape was wrapped around the outer periphery of the second shielding layer 211 in which tin-plated annealed copper wire was wound transversely around the outer periphery of the tape layer, and a PFA coating was applied to the outer periphery of that. The outer diameter of the second cable 210 was 1.46 mm, and the region of the second shielding layer 211 connected to the conductive member 40 was thinly soldered as the second auxiliary member 214.

[0073] As the relay member 30, a 4 mm wide x 6.5 mm long FPC having conductive pads 50 and conductive patterns on both sides corresponding to the electrical connection between 32 coaxial cables was used, and the first transmission path 112 and the second transmission path 212 were connected by soldering.

[0074] A pair of aluminum parts 40A, 40B were prepared, each having an inner chamber capable of accommodating the relay member 30 in the center and grooves at the contact portions between the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 that serve as a fixing mechanism, allowing each shield layer 11 to be fixed in a hexagonal crimped manner as shown in Fig. 2(b) , and one end of the first shield layer 111 and one end of the second shield layer 211 were fixed so as to be sandwiched between the grooves, thereby completing the connection structure 1 of Example 1. The pair of aluminum parts 40A, 40B serve as a protective housing that also serves as the conductive member 40.

[0075] One of the pair of aluminum parts (40B) is formed with a strength member fixing portion 41, to which the first strength member 113 of the first cable 110 and the second strength member 213 of the second cable 210 are fixed in advance.

[0076] [Example 2] The connection structure 1 of Example 2 shown in FIG. 6 is a connection structure 1 in which the first transmission path 112 of the first cable 110 is connected to the first relay member 130, and the second transmission path 212 of the second cable 210 is connected to the second relay member 230, and the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 are detachably connected.

[0077] The first cable 110 and the second cable 210 used in the second embodiment are the same as those used in the first embodiment.

[0078] As the first relay member 130, an FPC having a width of 4 mm and a length of 7.5 mm and a conductive pattern and conductive pads 50 corresponding to electrical connection with 32 coaxial cables and the second relay member 230 was used, and the first transmission path 112 was connected by soldering.

[0079] As the second relay member 230, a 4 mm wide x 7 mm long FPC having conductive pads 50 and a conductive pattern corresponding to the electrical connection with 32 coaxial cables and the first relay member 130 was used, and the second transmission path 212 was connected by soldering.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4A, on both sides of the width direction of the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230, side pieces each having a width of 1.5 mm and a length of 4 mm are provided integrally with the FPC, and a through hole is provided in the center of the side piece.

[0081] A pair of aluminum parts 40A and 40B were prepared, each of which had an inner chamber in the center capable of accommodating the connection portion between the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230, and grooves in the contact portions between the first shield layer 111 and the second shield layer 211 that served as a fixing mechanism for fixing each shield layer 11 in a hexagonal caulking manner as shown in Fig. 2(b) . One end of the first shield layer 111 and one end of the second shield layer 211 were sandwiched and fixed in the grooves, thereby completing the connection structure 1 of Example 2. The pair of aluminum parts 40A and 40B constitute a protective housing that also serves as the conductive member 40.

[0082] As in Example 1, a reinforcing member fixing portion 41 was formed on one of the pair of aluminum parts (40B), and the first reinforcing member 113 of the first cable 110 and the second reinforcing member 213 of the second cable 210 were fixed thereto in advance.

[0083] Furthermore, one of the pair of aluminum parts (40A) is provided with a positioning pin, and the other (40B) is provided with a receiving hole for the positioning pin. When the pair of aluminum parts 40A and 40B are combined, the positioning pin is inserted into the through holes provided in the side pieces of the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230, thereby aligning the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 and ensuring a reliable electrical connection between them.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 6 , the pair of aluminum parts 40A, 40B are provided with elastic members 42 that press the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 from the rear surface, and the elastic members 42 ensure reliable electrical connection between the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230.

[0085] In the connection structure 1 of Example 2, the connection portion between the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 is detachably connected by the elastic member 42, so that the connection between the first relay member 130 and the second relay member 230 can be easily released by disassembling the protective housing, and even if an abnormality occurs on either the first cable 110 side or the second cable 210 side, it is possible to replace only one of them.

[0086] The connection structure of the present invention can be suitably used in narrow spaces, and since the influence of external noise is suppressed even in environments where noise is generated, it can be used in combination with various industrial devices.

[0087] Furthermore, when the two components 40A and 40B described in the embodiment are combined to form a protective housing that also serves as the conductive member 40, a sealing member such as a gasket or an O-ring can be sandwiched between the two components 40A and 40B to provide a waterproof structure for the relay member 30, etc.

[0088] Since this is a connection structure between cables that can be used suitably in narrow spaces, it is possible to configure the thin-diameter cable to be the minimum length necessary and connect it to a thick-diameter cable, thereby achieving both use in narrow spaces and minimizing signal loss.

[0089] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connection structure 10 Cable 11 Shield layer 12 Transmission line 13 Strength member 14 Auxiliary member 110 First cable 111 First shield layer 112 First transmission line 113 First strength member 114 First auxiliary member 210 Second cable 211 Second shield layer 212 Second transmission line 213 Second strength member 214 Second auxiliary member 30 Relay member 130 First relay member 230 Second relay member 40 Conductive member 40A, 40B Constituent parts of conductive member 41 Strength member fixing portion 42 Elastic member 50 Conductive pad

Claims

1. A connection structure that electrically connects a first cable having a first transmission path and a first shielding layer and a second cable having a second transmission path and a second shielding layer, wherein the first transmission path and the second transmission path are electrically connected via a relay member, and the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer are electrically connected via a conductive member.

2. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the relay member is housed inside the conductive member.

3. The connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the conductive member also serves as a protective housing for housing the relay member.

4. A connection structure as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the first cable and the second cable has a tension member, and the conductive member is provided with a tension member fixing portion to which the tension member is fixed.

5. A connection structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conductive member is formed with a fixing mechanism for crimping and fixing at least one of the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer.

6. The connection structure according to claim 4, wherein the conductive member is provided with a fixing mechanism for crimping and fixing at least one of the first shield layer and the second shield layer.

7. A connection structure comprising a first relay member electrically connected to one end of a first cable having a first transmission path and a first shielding layer, and a second relay member electrically connected to one end of a second cable having a second transmission path and a second shielding layer, electrically connecting the first relay member and the second relay member, wherein the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer are electrically connected via a conductive member.

8. The connection structure according to claim 7, wherein the first relay member and the second relay member are housed inside the conductive member.

9. The connection structure according to claim 8, wherein the conductive member also serves as a protective housing for housing the first relay member and the second relay member.

10. A connection structure as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one of the first cable and the second cable has a tension member, and the conductive member is provided with a tension member fixing portion to which the tension member is fixed.

11. A connection structure as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the conductive member is formed with a fixing mechanism for crimping and fixing at least one of the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer.

12. The connection structure according to claim 10, wherein the conductive member is formed with a fixing mechanism for crimping and fixing at least one of the first shield layer and the second shield layer.

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