Cable body and electric connector

Abstract

A cable body (10) comprises: a coaxial cable (5) constituted by a center conducting body (5a) extending in one direction, a first dielectric body (5b) covering the outer peripheral side surface of the center conducting body (5a) extending in the extension direction of the center conducting body (5a), an outer conducting body (5c) covering the outer peripheral side surface of the first dielectric body (5b) extending in the extension direction, and an insulating casing (5d) covering the outer peripheral side surface of the outer conducting body (5c) extending in the extension direction; and a second dielectric body (11) constituted by a dielectric body different from the first dielectric body (5b), the dielectric body covering at least a part of the center conducting body (5a) exposed by removing the first dielectric body (5b), the outer conducting body (5c), and the insulating casing (5d).

Description

Cable body and electrical connector

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable body and an electrical connector.

[0002] A cable body is disclosed in which the central conductors of multiple coaxial cables and the outer conductors that cover the outer peripheries of each central conductor via an insulating layer are connected together, and the arrangement spacing of each coaxial cable is kept constant by conductive connecting parts, thereby adjusting the electrical characteristics (characteristic impedance) of each coaxial cable to a desired value.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-116295

[0004] In the cable assembly of Patent Document 1, the arrangement interval of each coaxial cable needs to be changed depending on the frequency of the signal to be transmitted. Therefore, as frequencies become higher, the arrangement interval of each coaxial cable needs to be precisely changed, making it difficult to adjust the electrical characteristics (characteristic impedance) to a desired value.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cable assembly and an electrical connector that can easily adjust the characteristic impedance to a desired value.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a cable body according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a cable comprising a center conductor extending in one direction, a first dielectric covering an outer peripheral side surface of the center conductor extending in the extension direction of the center conductor, an outer conductor covering an outer peripheral side surface of the first dielectric extending in the extension direction, and an insulating outer sheath covering an outer peripheral side surface of the outer conductor extending in the extension direction; and a second dielectric comprising a dielectric different from the first dielectric covering at least a portion of the center conductor exposed when the first dielectric, the outer conductor, and the insulating outer sheath are removed.

[0007] An electrical connector according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises the cable body according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a conductive contact as a connection object to be connected to the central conductor of the cable body.

[0008] According to the cable assembly and electrical connector of the present invention, the characteristic impedance can be easily adjusted to a desired value.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1 and a receptacle connector connected to the plug connector. FIG. 1 is a first perspective view showing the main configuration of the plug connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing the main configuration of the plug connector of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a first enlarged view of a connection portion between a coaxial cable and a plug contact. FIG. 4 is a second enlarged view of a connection portion between a coaxial cable and a plug contact. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion of a signal transmission line in an electrical connector pair. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the signal transmission line. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a first perspective view showing a first modified example of the cable body. FIG. 8 is a second perspective view showing a first modified example of the cable body. FIG. 9 is a first perspective view showing a second modified example of the cable body. FIG. 11 is a second perspective view showing a second modified example of the cable body. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a third modified example of the cable body. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fourth modified example of the cable body. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a fifth modified example of the cable body.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following embodiments, the terms "have," "include," or "contain" also mean "consist of" or "consist of."

[0011] 1 and 2, an electrical connector pair 1 according to this embodiment includes a receptacle connector 2 and a plug connector 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the receptacle connector 2 is mounted on a mounting surface 4a of a circuit board 4.

[0012] The plug connector 3 is connected to a coaxial cable 5 serving as a cable. The receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 are connected to provide electrical continuity between the circuit board 4 and the coaxial cable 5. In Figure 1 and other figures, only one end of the coaxial cable 5 is shown, and the other portions are not shown. In reality, the other end of the coaxial cable 5 is also connected to another connector (not shown).

[0013] In this embodiment, the normal direction to the mounting surface 4a of the circuit board 4 is defined as the Z-axis direction. The receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 are rectangular, flat connectors with their longitudinal direction in the X-axis direction. Therefore, in the following description, the X-axis direction will be referred to as the "longitudinal direction of the connector" and the Y-axis direction as the "transverse direction of the connector."

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 are mated in the short direction of the connector along the mounting surface 4a of the circuit board 4. As shown in Fig. 2, a socket 2a into which the plug connector 3 is inserted is provided on the surface of the receptacle connector 2 arranged in the -Y direction. By inserting the plug connector 3 into this socket 2a, the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 are connected, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] [Receptacle Connector] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the receptacle connector 2 includes an insulating receptacle housing 20, a plurality of conductive receptacle contacts 21, and a conductive receptacle shell 22.

[0016] [Receptacle Housing] The receptacle housing 20 is formed from an insulating material, such as resin, and forms the main body of the receptacle connector 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the receptacle contacts 21 (see Figure 6) and the receptacle shell 22 are held in the receptacle housing 20.

[0017] [Receptacle Contact] The receptacle contacts 21 are conductive and elastic members, formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate into a rectangular shape. As shown in Fig. 6, the receptacle contacts 21 extend in the short direction of the connector and are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the connector. As shown in Fig. 5, the end of each receptacle contact 21 in the +Y direction is connected to a signal electrode 4b formed on the mounting surface 4a of the circuit board 4 (see Fig. 6). The receptacle contact 21 extends upward in the +Z direction from the portion connected to the signal electrode 4b and further extends in the -Y direction toward the socket 2a (see Fig. 2).

[0018] [Receptacle Shell] The receptacle shell 22 is made of a conductive material. As shown in Fig. 2, the receptacle shell 22 is disposed so as to surround the receptacle housing 20 and the receptacle contacts 21, excluding the insertion port 2a. The receptacle shell 22 is connected to and grounded by a ground electrode 4c formed on the mounting surface 4a of the circuit board 4.

[0019] 7, the receptacle shell 22 includes an upper shell 22A and a lower shell 22B. The upper shell 22A is positioned closer to the +Z direction than the receptacle housing 20 and the receptacle contacts 21, and the lower shell 22B is positioned closer to the -Z direction than the receptacle housing 20 and the receptacle contacts 21. The upper shell 22A and the lower shell 22B are connected to each other. The receptacle housing 20 and the receptacle contacts 21 are sandwiched between the upper shell 22A and the lower shell 22B.

[0020] [Plug Connector] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3A and 3B, the plug connector 3 includes an insulating plug housing 30, conductive plug contacts 31, a conductive plug shell 32, a conductive cover 33 and a conductive ground bar 34.

[0021] [Plug Housing] The plug housing 30 is made of an insulating material, such as resin, and forms the main body of the plug connector 3. The plug contacts 31, the plug shell 32, and the ground bar 34 are held in the plug housing 30.

[0022] [Plug Contacts] The plug contacts 31 are conductive and elastic members, and are formed, for example, by stamping a metal plate into a rectangular shape. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the plug contacts 31 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the connector, extending in the short direction of the connector. The spacing between the plug contacts 31 is the same as the spacing between the receptacle contacts 21. The end of the plug contact 31 in the +Y direction is exposed and comes into contact with the receptacle contact 21 when mated, as described below. Meanwhile, the end of the plug contact 31 in the -Y direction is connected to the coaxial cable 5.

[0023] [Plug Shell] The plug shell 32 is formed of a conductive material. As can be seen by comparing the state of Fig. 2 with the state of Fig. 3A, the plug shell 32 is arranged so as to partially surround the plug housing 30 and the plug contacts 31. When the plug connector 3 is mated with the receptacle connector 2, the plug shell 32 comes into contact with the receptacle shell 22.

[0024] 7, the plug shell 32 includes an upper shell 32A and a lower shell 32B. The upper shell 32A is positioned closer to the +Z direction than the plug housing 30 and the plug contacts 31, and the lower shell 32B is positioned closer to the −Z direction than the plug housing 30 and the plug contacts 31. The upper shell 32A and the lower shell 32B are connected to each other and sandwich the plug housing 30 and the plug contacts 31 therebetween.

[0025] [Cover] As shown in Fig. 1, the cover 33 includes a rotation bar 33A and a cover body 33B. The rotation bar 33A is connected to both ends of the plug shell 32 in the connector longitudinal direction so as to be rotatable around the X axis. The cover body 33B is attached to the rotation bar 33A. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, when the plug connector 3 is mated with the receptacle connector 2, the rotation bar 33A engages with the receptacle connector 2. When the rotation bar 33A engages with the receptacle connector 2, the cover body 33B covers the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 from the +Z direction.

[0026] 3A and 3B , the ground bar 34 is a conductive plate-like member extending in the X-axis direction, and is disposed near the +Y-direction ends of the coaxial cables 5 aligned along the X-axis direction. The ground bar 34 is connected to the outer conductor 5 c of the coaxial cables 5 and also to the plug shell 32, as will be described later.

[0027] 3A and 3B, a cable body 10 is incorporated into the plug connector 3. The cable body 10 includes a plurality of coaxial cables 5 and a second dielectric 11.

[0028] [Coaxial Cable] As shown in Figures 5 and 7 , the coaxial cable 5 includes a central conductor 5a extending in one direction (Y-axis direction), a first dielectric 5b covering the outer peripheral side surface of the central conductor 5a extending in the extension direction of the central conductor 5a, an outer conductor 5c covering the outer peripheral side surface of the first dielectric 5b extending in the extension direction, and an insulating outer sheath 5d covering the outer peripheral side surface of the outer conductor 5c extending in the extension direction.

[0029] [Second Dielectric] As shown in Figures 3A, 5, and 6, near the end of the coaxial cable 5 in the +Y direction, the first dielectric 5b, the outer conductor 5c, and the insulating outer jacket 5d are removed, exposing one end (the end in the +Y direction) of the central conductor 5a. As shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6, and 7, the second dielectric 11 is made of a dielectric separate from the first dielectric 5b. The second dielectric 11 covers at least a portion of the exposed central conductor 5a. The second dielectric 11 can be formed of, but is not limited to, a resin or a bonding material, which is an insulating adhesive material.

[0030] In the coaxial cable 5, as shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, and 7, the first dielectric 5b, the outer conductor 5c, and the insulating jacket 5d are removed to expose the central conductor 5a. A connection portion 14 is formed at one end of the central conductor 5a, which is connected to a plug contact 31 (as a connection target) with solder 12. As shown in Figures 3A, 3B, and 6, the second dielectric 11 is a member extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector. As shown in Figure 7, the second dielectric 11 covers at least a portion of the central conductor 5a exposed in the gap between the connection portion 14 and the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c. By disposing the second dielectric 11 around the central conductor 5a exposed in the gap between the connection portion 14 and the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c, the first dielectric 5b nearly covers the exposed central conductor 5a, thereby suppressing a sudden change in the characteristic impedance in this portion.

[0031] 3A and 3B , in the cable body 10, the multiple coaxial cables 5 are arranged in a direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the extension direction (Y-axis direction) with their connection portions 14 aligned in the extension direction. The second dielectric 11 is an insulating member extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector and covers the central conductors 5 a of the multiple coaxial cables 5.

[0032] 3A and 3B, the cable body 10 includes a conductive covering member 15 that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the second dielectric 11. In this embodiment, the covering member 15 is a flat member extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector and covers the +Z direction surface of the second dielectric 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the covering member 15 is in contact with the upper shell 32A of the plug shell 32 and therefore functions as a grounding member similar to the ground bar 34.

[0033] 4A and 4B, the second dielectric 11 includes a conductive internal member 13 that is not in contact with the center conductor 5a. As shown in FIG. 4A, one internal member 13 is provided for each coaxial cable 5. When viewed in the Y-axis direction, the internal members 13 are inverted U-shaped members that surround the center conductor 5a from the +Z-direction side. Each internal member 13 covers the center conductor 5a from the +Z-direction side and sandwiches the center conductor 5a along the Y-axis direction. That is, the internal members 13 are conductive members that surround at least a portion of the periphery of the center conductor 5a via the second dielectric 11. The positional relationship between the internal member 13 and the center conductor 5a is similar to the positional relationship between the outer conductor 5c and the center conductor 5a. This allows the periphery of the exposed center conductor 5a to be closer to the first dielectric 5b, thereby suppressing a sudden change in the characteristic impedance of the exposed center conductor 5a.

[0034] In this way, in order to suppress a sudden change in the characteristic impedance, it is desirable to provide an internal member 13 surrounding each central conductor 5 a. However, instead of the internal member 13, it is also possible to simply provide a wall-shaped conductive member between adjacent central conductors 5 a.

[0035] 7, the internal member 13 is not in contact with the external conductor 5c. However, the internal member 13 may be in contact with the external conductor 5c. When the internal member 13 and the external conductor 5c are in contact with each other, it is easier to adjust the characteristic impedance than when they are not in contact with each other.

[0036] 7, the internal member 13 and the ground bar 34 are not in contact with each other. However, the internal member 13 and the ground bar 34 may be in contact with each other. This makes it even easier to adjust the characteristic impedance.

[0037] [Mating of Receptacle Connector and Plug Connector] As described above, when the plug connector 3 is inserted into the socket 2a of the receptacle connector 2 and the receptacle connector 2 and the plug connector 3 are mated, a signal transmission line is formed connecting the signal electrode 4b of the circuit board 4, the receptacle contact 21, the plug contact 31, and the central conductor 5a of the coaxial cable 5, as shown in Figure 5.

[0038] 7, in the plug connector 3 according to this embodiment, the second dielectric 11 is in contact with one end (the end in the +Y direction) of the first dielectric 5b of the coaxial cable 5 in the extension direction (the Y-axis direction). This allows the second dielectric 11 to essentially be an extension of the first dielectric 5b, thereby suppressing a sudden change in the characteristic impedance in this portion.

[0039] However, a gap may be formed between the second dielectric 11 and the first dielectric 5b of the coaxial cable 5. From the viewpoint of adjusting the characteristic impedance of the transmission line to a desired value, it is desirable that the second dielectric 11 and the first dielectric 5b of the coaxial cable 5 are in contact with each other, as in the plug connector 3 according to the present embodiment, but even if a gap is formed, it is possible to adjust the characteristic impedance.

[0040] 7, in the cable body 10 according to this embodiment, a gap is provided between the second dielectric 11 and one end of the outer conductor 5c of the coaxial cable 5 in the extension direction (Y-axis direction). However, this is not limited to this. The second dielectric 11 may be in contact with one end of the outer conductor 5c of the coaxial cable 5 in the extension direction (Y-axis direction). In this way, the exposed portion of the central conductor 5a can be reduced, making it easier to adjust the characteristic impedance.

[0041] 7, in the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, the second dielectric 11 is not in contact with the plug contact 31. However, this is not limiting. The second dielectric 11 may be in contact with the plug contact 31. This reduces the exposed portion of the central conductor 5a, making it easier to adjust the characteristic impedance.

[0042] 7, in the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, a gap is provided between the second dielectric 11 and the ground bar 34. However, this is not limited to this. The second dielectric 11 may be in contact with the ground bar 34. This reduces the exposed portion of the central conductor 5a, making it easier to adjust the characteristic impedance.

[0043] 8A and 8B , a first modification of the cable body 10 will be described. The cable body 10 shown in Fig. 8A and 8B differs from the cable body 10 shown in Fig. 4 in that a second dielectric 11B is provided instead of the second dielectric 11, and an inner member 13B is provided instead of the inner member 13.

[0044] 8A and 8B, the second dielectric 11B is a dielectric having substantially the same shape as the second dielectric 11. The second dielectric 11B can be formed of a bonding material, which is an adhesive material, but is not limited to this, just like the second dielectric 11. While the second dielectric 11 surrounds the entire periphery (outside periphery) of the central conductor 5a, the second dielectric 11B surrounds only a portion of the entire periphery (outside periphery) of the central conductor 5a.

[0045] 8A and 8B , the second dielectric 11B may or may not be in contact with the plug contact 31. In addition, in the cable body 10 shown in Fig. 8A and 8B , the second dielectric 11B may have a gap between it and the ground bar 34, or may be in contact with the ground bar 34.

[0046] 8A and 8B , one internal member 13B is disposed for each coaxial cable 5. The internal members 13B are inverted U-shaped conductive members disposed so as to surround the center conductor 5a from the +Z direction when viewed in the Y-axis direction, and each internal member 13B covers the center conductor 5a from the +Z direction, sandwiches the center conductor 5a along the Y-axis direction, and is similar to the internal member 13 in that it surrounds part of the periphery of the center conductor 5a. The internal members 13B have wall-like portions extending between the center conductors 5a that are longer in the Z-axis direction than the internal member 13.

[0047] In this cable body 10, a gap S is formed between the second dielectrics 11B so that a portion of the central conductor 5a that does not face the internal member 13B is exposed to the outside. This allows the second dielectric 11B to be attached to the central conductor 5a from above. This not only makes it easier to adjust the characteristic impedance, but also improves productivity.

[0048] However, as in Modification 2 of the cable body 10 shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the gap S in the second dielectric 11B may be omitted. The configuration shown in Figures 9A and 9B when there is no gap S is substantially the same as the configuration shown in Figures 4A and 4B. By eliminating the gap S, it is expected that there will be a greater effect in terms of adjusting the characteristic impedance than in Modification 1 in which the gap S is formed.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8A, the cable body 10 includes a conductive covering member 15 that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the second dielectric 11. The covering member 15 is a flat plate-shaped member extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector and covers the +Z-direction surface of the second dielectric 11B. The covering member 15 is in contact with the upper shell 32A of the plug shell 32 and therefore functions as a grounding member similar to the ground bar 34, similar to the cable body 10 shown in Fig. 7. Note that, as in Modification 3 of the cable body 10 shown in Fig. 10, the covering member 15 does not have to be provided in the cable body 10. By not providing the covering member 15, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in a fourth modification of the cable body 10 in FIG. 11 , the cable body 10 may include an inner member 13C instead of the inner member 13B. The inner member 13C extends continuously in the X-axis direction across multiple coaxial cables 5. The inner member 13C is a conductive corrugated plate having a waveform whose position in the Z-axis direction periodically changes as it progresses in the X-axis direction. The period of the waveform of the inner member 13C is the same as the arrangement interval of the central conductors 5a, and the coaxial cables 5 are arranged so as to fit between the waves of the inner member 13C. By arranging an integral inner member 13C for multiple coaxial cables 5, the number of parts can be reduced. In the Y-axis direction, the inner member 13C and the outer conductors 5c may or may not be in contact with each other.

[0051] As shown in Modification 5 of the cable body 10 in FIG. 12 , the cable body 10 may include an inner member 13D instead of the inner member 13B. An inner member 13D is provided for each coaxial cable 5. Each inner member 13D is a conductive annular member that surrounds the entire periphery of the center conductor 5a. In this cable body 10, the center conductor 5a and the inner member 13D are coaxial. This allows the state of the surrounding area of ​​the exposed portion of the center conductor 5a to be the same as or similar to the state when the exposed portion of the center conductor 5a is covered with the first dielectric 5b or the like. If the inner diameter of the annular inner member 13D is the same as the inner diameter of the annular outer conductor 5c, the state of the surrounding area of ​​the exposed portion of the center conductor 5a can be substantially the same as the state when the exposed portion of the center conductor 5a is covered with the first dielectric 5b or the like. In the Y-axis direction, the inner member 13D and the outer conductor 5c may or may not be in contact with each other.

[0052] (1) As described above in detail, the cable body 10 according to this embodiment includes a coaxial cable 5 and second dielectrics 11 and 11B. The coaxial cable 5 includes a center conductor 5a extending in the Y-axis direction, a first dielectric 5b covering the outer peripheral side surface of the center conductor 5a extending in the direction of extension of the center conductor 5a, an outer conductor 5c extending in the extension direction and covering the outer peripheral side surface of the first dielectric 5b, and an insulating outer sheath 5d covering the outer peripheral side surface of the outer conductor 5c extending in the extension direction. The second dielectrics 11 and 11B are made of a dielectric different from the first dielectric 5b, which covers at least a portion of the center conductor 5a exposed when the first dielectric 5b, the outer conductor 5c, and the insulating outer sheath 5d are removed. This allows the surrounding condition of the exposed portion of the center conductor 5a to be the same as or similar to the condition when covered with the first dielectric 5b, etc., thereby making it possible to uniformize the characteristic impedance of the transmission line and easily adjust it to a desired value.

[0053] (2) In the cable body 10 according to this embodiment, the first dielectric 5b, the outer conductor 5c, and the insulating jacket 5d are removed to expose one end of the center conductor 5a in the extension direction, where the connection portion 14 is formed for connection to the plug contact 31, which is the connection target. The second dielectric 11, 11B covers at least a portion of the center conductor 5a in the gap between the connection portion 14 and the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c. This allows the gap between the connection portion 14 and the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c to be close to being covered by the first dielectric 5b, etc., making it easy to adjust the characteristic impedance of the transmission line to a desired value. Note that the second dielectric 11 may cover at least a portion of the center conductor 5a in a location other than the gap between the connection portion 14 and the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c.

[0054] (3) In the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, the second dielectrics 11, 11B are in contact with the plug contacts 31, which are the connection objects. This makes it possible to suppress abrupt changes in the characteristic impedance of the transmission path of the electrical signal formed by the plug contacts 31.

[0055] (4) In the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, the second dielectric 11, 11B contacts one end of the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c in the extension direction (Y-axis direction). This eliminates gaps between the second dielectric 11, 11B and the first dielectric 5b and the outer conductor 5c, and makes the characteristic impedance of the transmission line therebetween uniform and easily adjustable to a desired value.

[0056] (5) According to the cable body 10 of this embodiment, the second dielectric 11, 11B includes the conductive inner members 13, 13B, 13C, 13D in a state of not contacting the center conductor 5a. This configuration makes it possible to suppress abrupt changes in the characteristic impedance of the electrical signal transmission path formed by the plug contact 31.

[0057] (6) In the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, the second dielectric 11 surrounds the entire periphery of the central conductor 5 a. This allows the surrounding area of ​​the exposed central conductor 5 a to be in the same state as or similar to the state when the exposed area is covered with the first dielectric 5 b or the like.

[0058] (7) In the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, the inner member 13D surrounds the entire periphery of the central conductor 5 a. This allows the surrounding area of ​​the exposed central conductor 5 a to be in the same state as or similar to the state when the central conductor 5 a is covered with the outer conductor 5 c or the like.

[0059] (8) In the cable body 10 according to the present embodiment, the gap S is formed between the second dielectrics 11B so that a portion of the central conductor 5a that does not face the internal member 13B is exposed to the outside. This facilitates assembly and improves productivity.

[0060] (9) The cable body 10 according to this embodiment includes a conductive covering member 15 that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the second dielectric 11, 11B. This configuration allows the surrounding condition of the exposed portion of the center conductor 5a to be the same as or similar to the condition in which the ground bar 34 is disposed, thereby suppressing abrupt changes in the characteristic impedance of the electrical signal transmission path formed by the plug contacts 31. The covering member 15 is a plate-shaped member that extends from one end of the plug connector 3 to the other end in the connector longitudinal direction. Therefore, the covering member 15 also functions as a reinforcing member that improves the mechanical strength of the plug connector 3.

[0061] (10) The cable body 10 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of coaxial cables 5 arranged in a cross direction (X-axis direction) that crosses the extension direction (Y-axis direction) with the connection portions 14 aligned in the extension direction. The second dielectric 11 covers the center conductors 5a of the plurality of coaxial cables 5. This makes it possible to simultaneously suppress abrupt changes in the characteristic impedance of a plurality of transmission paths for electrical signals formed by the plug contacts 31.

[0062] (11) According to the cable body 10 of this embodiment, the inner member 13C, which is not in contact with the central conductor 5a, is provided inside the second dielectric 11. The inner member 13C extends in the intersecting direction (X-axis direction) across the multiple coaxial cables 5. This reduces the number of parts in the cable body 10.

[0063] (12) The electrical connector pair 1 according to this embodiment includes a cable body 10 and a conductive plug contact 31 as a connection object to be connected to the central conductor 5a of the cable body 10. The cable body 10 may include only one coaxial cable 5. In this case, the plug connector 3 has only one plug contact 31, and the plug contact 31 is connected to the single coaxial cable 5 with solder 12. The second dielectrics 11, 11B may be disposed between the connection portion 14 of the coaxial cable 5 and the ends of the first dielectric 5b and outer conductor 5c.

[0064] (13) The electrical connector pair 1 according to this embodiment includes a conductive ground bar 34 connected to the outer conductor 5c of the cable body 10, and the second dielectric 11 of the cable body 10 is in contact with the ground bar 34. This makes it possible to adjust the characteristic impedance of the electrical signal transmission path formed by the plug contacts 31.

[0065] This invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

[0066] In addition, this application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-83616 filed on May 22, 2024, and the entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-83616 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] The present invention can be applied to the transmission of electrical signals and the like using a coaxial cable.

[0068] 1 Electrical connector pair, 2 Receptacle connector, 2a Socket, 3 Plug connector, 4 Circuit board, 4a Mounting surface, 4b Signal electrode, 4c Ground electrode, 5 Coaxial cable (cable), 5a Center conductor, 5b First dielectric, 5c Outer conductor, 5d Insulating outer sheath, 10 Cable body, 11, 11B Second dielectric, 12 Solder, 13, 13B, 13C, 13D Internal member (conductive member), 14 Connection portion, 15 Covering member, 20 Receptacle housing, 21 Receptacle contact, 22 Receptacle shell, 22A Upper shell, 22B Lower shell, 30 Plug housing, 31 Plug contact (connection object), 32 Plug shell, 32A Upper shell, 32B Lower shell, 33 Cover, 33A Rotating bar, 33B Cover body, 34 Ground bar, S Air gap

Claims

1. A cable comprising: a center conductor extending in one direction; a first dielectric covering the outer peripheral side surface of the center conductor extending in the direction of extension of the center conductor; an outer conductor covering the outer peripheral side surface of the first dielectric extending in the extension direction; and an insulating outer sheath covering the outer peripheral side surface of the outer conductor extending in the extension direction; and a second dielectric made of a dielectric different from the first dielectric that covers at least a portion of the center conductor exposed when the first dielectric, the outer conductor, and the insulating outer sheath are removed.

2. A cable body as described in claim 1, wherein a connection portion for connecting to a connection object is formed at one end of the central conductor in the extension direction that is exposed when the first dielectric, the outer conductor, and the insulating outer sheath are removed, and the second dielectric covers at least a portion of the central conductor in the gap between the connection portion and the first dielectric and the outer conductor.

3. The cable body according to claim 2, wherein the second dielectric is in contact with the object to be connected.

4. A cable body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second dielectric is in contact with one end of the first dielectric and one end of the outer conductor in the extending direction.

5. A cable body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a conductive member disposed inside the second dielectric member and not in contact with the central conductor.

6. The cable body according to claim 5, wherein the second dielectric surrounds the center conductor.

7. The cable body according to claim 5, wherein the conductive member surrounds the periphery of the central conductor.

8. The cable body according to claim 5, wherein a gap is formed between the second dielectric layers so that a portion of the central conductor not facing the conductive member is exposed to the outside.

9. A cable body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a conductive covering member covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the second dielectric.

10. The cable body according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of the cables arranged in a direction intersecting the extension direction with the connection portions aligned in the extension direction, and the second dielectric covering the central conductors of the plurality of the cables.

11. The cable body according to claim 10, further comprising a conductive member disposed inside the second dielectric and not in contact with the central conductor, the conductive member extending across a plurality of the cables in the intersecting direction.

12. An electrical connector comprising: a cable body according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and a conductive contact as a connection object to be connected to the central conductor of said cable body.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, further comprising a conductive ground bar connected to the outer conductor of the cable body, the second dielectric of the cable body being in contact with the ground bar.

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