JPH08255512A - Connection cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily set a cable length at the optimum wire length in a connection cable for electrically connecting among devices. CONSTITUTION: Notched parts 24, having depth to core wires 22a, are formed on the coating members 22b of respective cables 22, wherein a flat cable 23 is plane-likely arranged, and one-end parts of contact pieces 33b, corresponding with a movable connector 26 provided on one end of the cable 23, is opened and expanded from the parts 24 to contact with the wire 22a. In this constitution, the connector is made movable in the longitudinal direction of the cables 22 in a condition, where the contact between the pieces 33b and the wires 22a is maintained, to make an real cable length be elastic.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting cable for making electrical connection between devices. In recent years, in information processing systems, it is necessary to connect each device, and the length of a connection cable is determined by the connection distance between each device and the connection workability. From the demand for high speed and high density packaging in information processing systems, connection cables are also required to meet the above demands.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an explanatory view of connection between devices by a conventional connection cable. FIG. 7A shows that a connector 1 is provided at each end of a single-core or multi-core cable 13, 14 for electrically connecting between devices 11 and 12 such as an information processing device.
The one to which 3a, 13b, 14a and 14b are connected is used. When the cables 13 and 14 are mounted between the devices 11 and 12, they are manufactured and mounted with a length that can be actually mounted in consideration of workability and the like, plus a preliminary length for work. It The extra length is placed on the floor in the rolled state as shown, or stored invisible under the floor.

Further, FIG. 7B shows a flat cable 1 in which a predetermined number of cords are formed in a flat shape for electrically connecting the boards 15 and 16 for controlling the respective devices.
The case where 7, 18 are used is shown. At both ends of these flat cables 17 and 18, connectors 17a and
17b, 18a, 18b are connected to the board 1
In the case of mounting on Nos. 5 and 16, as in the above, the length is formed by adding the length required for the work and the preliminary length. The extra length after mounting is in a folded state.

[0004]

By the way, in devices such as information processing equipment, the processing speed is increasing and the packaging density is increasing, and it is better that the connecting cable has a shorter connecting line length in order to improve the performance. In addition, it is better not to perform unnecessary homing and routing to improve the packing density.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is a problem that the extra length of the connection cables 13, 14, 17, and 18 required for connection work and the like may deteriorate the device performance.

Further, the connection line length may change depending on the apparatus for connection or the installation environment, and therefore the line length of the connection cable must be set to the maximum from the beginning, which requires an unnecessary amount of space. There's a problem. Then, this invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and an object of this invention is to provide the connection cable which can set a cable length easily to an optimal line length.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to claim 1, in a connection cable having a predetermined number of cables whose core wires are covered with a covering member, the cable is provided in the covering member of the cable. A slit portion is formed in the length direction of the cable to a depth to the core wire, and a contactor for connection with the outside corresponding to a predetermined number of the cables is provided, and one end portion of the contactor is provided from the slit portion. A connecting cable is provided which is provided with a connector which is in contact with a core wire and is slidable in the length direction of the cable, at least at one end side of both ends of the cable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of plate portions having a predetermined number of conductor surfaces and contact pieces formed on the conductor surfaces are adjacent to the contact pieces on the predetermined plate portion. A connection cable is constructed in which a predetermined number of consecutive conductor plates of the plate portion are brought into contact with each other and covered so as to be covered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of cables each having a contact portion provided at one end of the core wire exposed from the coating and a contact portion at one end of the core wire of the cable are positioned, and the contact portion is slidable. A connecting surface is formed in the sliding direction, and a connecting portion is formed in which the contact portions of the two cables are positioned to face each other on the connecting surface.

According to a fourth aspect, a predetermined number of the cables according to the third aspect are arranged in a plane, and the connecting portions are arranged in a predetermined number in a plane according to the number of the cables. In claim 5,
A plurality of the cables according to claim 3 are arranged on the circumference of a cross section, the respective contact portions are arranged on the circumference, and a predetermined number of the conducting surfaces are arranged on the circumference corresponding to the arrangement of the contact portions. The connecting portion arranged in the above is integrally formed.

[0010]

As described above, in the invention of claim 1, the slit portion is formed in the covering member of the cable, and one end portion of the contact of the connector provided at at least one end of the cable is slid on the core wire from the slit portion. The structure is such that they can freely come into contact with each other. As a result, the connector can be arranged on the required length of the cable, and the optimum line length can be easily set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of plate portions, each having a predetermined number of conductor surfaces on which contact pieces are formed, are continuously arranged by contacting the contact pieces with the conductor surface between adjacent plate portions. Let me configure. This makes it possible to easily set the optimal line length by sliding the plate portions while maintaining contact conduction between the plate portions.

According to the invention of claims 3 to 5, the contact portion is provided at one end of the core wire, and the contact portion is appropriately slidable with respect to a predetermined number of cables provided individually, in a plane or on a circumference. The conducting surface to be brought into contact is appropriately formed in a single plane, or a predetermined number of connecting portions provided on the circumference are formed in a single plane, or integrally. As a result, the cable can be expanded and contracted while maintaining the conductive state at the connecting portion, and the optimum line length can be easily set.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a connecting cable according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the connection cable 21 _A shown in FIG. 1, a flat cable 23 is formed by integrally forming a plurality of cables 22 in which a core wire 22 a is covered with an insulating covering member 22 b in a planar shape. And each cable 22
A cut portion 24 as a slit portion is formed in the length direction on the covering member 22b at the depth up to the core wire 22a. That is, the core wire 22a is formed so as to be exposed when the cutout portion 24 is opened and widened. The slit portion is not limited to the cut portion 24, and may have a groove-like opening shape with a predetermined width.

A fixed connector 25 corresponding to each cable 22 is provided at one end of the flat cable 23, and although not shown, a core wire 22a of each cable 22 and a corresponding contact in the fixed connector 25 are electrically connected. It is in a state. A movable connector 26 is provided at the other end of the flat cable 23 so as to be movable in the length direction of each cable 22. Each contact in this movable connector 26 extends from each notch 24 to the core wire 22a,
Is in electrical contact with the core wire 22 so that each contact may open the notch 24 by the movement of the movable connector 26.
Slides while contacting with a.

Here, FIG. 2 shows a partial explanatory view of FIG. 2A is a partially cutaway partial view, and FIG. 2B is A-.
A sectional view and FIG. 2C are sectional views taken along line BB. FIG. 2 (A)
As shown in (C), the movable connector 26 is provided so that the housing 31 encloses the flat cable 23, and the fitting hole 32 corresponding to each cable 22 is located above the cutout portion 24. A predetermined number is formed.

In the fitting hole 32 of the movable connector 26, terminals 33 made of a conductive metal are attached, and one of the terminals 33 has a contact 33a formed in a bent spring shape, and the other has a contact 33a. 33b is formed in a spring shape in which the tip portion is narrow and bent. One contact 33
Reference symbol a denotes a contact with a connector terminal (male type) to which the movable connector 26 is connected. , To make electrical connection by contacting the core wire 22a.

Therefore, when the movable connector 26 is moved in the length direction of the flat cable 23, the cutout portion 2 of the covering member 22b is kept in contact with the core wire 22a by the contact 33b.
4 is opened and slid while sliding. That is, the flat cable 23 between the fixed connector 25 and the movable connector 26 moved appropriately becomes the actual cable length, and the cable length can be set to the optimum line length as necessary.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a connection state using the connection cable of FIG. In FIG. 3, for example, in the information processing system, the case where the devices 41 and 42 of the information equipment are connected by the connection cable 21 _A is shown. In this case, the fixed connector 2 of the connection cable 21 _A
5 and movable connectors 26 are provided in each device 41, 42 (not shown).

Therefore, first, the connection cable 21 is connected to the device 41.
The fixed connector 25 of _A is attached and mounted. At this time, the other movable connector 26 is connected to the connection cable 21 _A.
It is located so as to secure a sufficient line length. Then, the movable connector 2 is arranged so that the flat cable 23 has an optimum distance with respect to the device 42 of the other party that is connected to the device 41.
6 is moved to attach the movable connector 26 to the device 42 for mounting.

As described above, since the optimum cable length can be easily set only by moving the movable connector 26, workability and maintainability can be improved.
Thereby, since the line length between the devices 41 and 42 is optimized, the impedance of the line can be reduced and the speed can be increased, and if an extra cable portion is cut, an extra space is not required, High density mounting can be achieved.

In the first embodiment, the female connector is used as the fixed connector 25 and the movable connector 26, but the same effect can be obtained even if the male connector is used. It is possible. Further, even if the movable connectors 26 are provided at both ends of the flat cable 23, the same effect can be obtained.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a connection cable of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a partially cutaway partial perspective view, and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view.
In the connection cable 21 _B shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, first, a predetermined number of wiring plates 51, which are plate portions having a predetermined length, are prepared. The wiring plate 51 is formed by separating (insulating) a predetermined number of conductor patterns 51a as conductor surfaces on the surface, and contact pieces 52 formed of a conductive member are formed at predetermined positions on each conductor pattern 51a. For example, it is formed by a conductive adhesive member or pressure bonding. This contact piece 5
2 is, for example, a spring-shaped metal piece or bump electrode.

A predetermined number of such wiring plates 51 are arranged in series, and the adjacent wiring plates 51 are electrically connected to each other by contact between the conductor patterns 51a and the contact pieces 52. Further, when the wiring plates 51 are continuously arranged, for example, string-shaped regulating members 53 are attached to the side surfaces (one side surface or both side surfaces) in the continuous direction so as to be connected to each other. The restricting member 53 may be made of rubber, fiber, resin, metal wire, or the like.

Then, the interconnected wiring plates 51 are covered with an insulating cover 54 having an insulating property. The insulating cover 54 is elastic and is formed of, for example, rubber, and the contracting force applies pressure to the contact of the contact piece 52 with the conductor pattern 51a. Note that, for example, card edge terminals 55 are formed at both ends of the wiring plates 51 connected in series, and are mounted by being inserted into corresponding connectors between devices for connection or between printed boards.

The connection cable 21 _B can easily change the connection length by sliding the wiring plate 51 in the insulating cover 54 while electrically connecting the wiring plates 51. In this case, when the length is shortened, the length is regulated by the wiring plates 51, and when the length is extended, the regulating member 53 regulates the length.

Therefore, the length of the connecting cable 21 _B can be easily set to the optimum length, and the workability and maintainability are improved by connecting the devices 41 and 42 as shown in FIG. At the same time, high speed can be realized by reducing the impedance of unnecessary line length, and high-density mounting can be realized.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of a connection cable of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A is an external view of a partially cut portion, FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the cut portion, and FIG. 5C is a longitudinal sectional view. In the connection cable 21c shown in FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (C), the cable 61 in which the core wire 61a is covered with the covering member 61b is arranged in a plane shape, and the tip portion at one end is for connection with the connector. For example, the covering member 61b is fused and integrated with a width of several cm to form the fused portion 62. It should be noted that the other cables 61 connected by the connection block described later are also formed in the same configuration.

A cylindrical metal block 63 is attached to the tip of the core wire 61a exposed from the other end of each cable 61, and a predetermined number of contact pieces 64 are provided on the outer circumference of the side surface of the metal block 63. It is provided. The contact piece 64 is composed of a metal leaf spring, a metal protrusion, or the like. In FIG. 5, a metal leaf spring is used as an example.

On the other hand, a hollow connecting portion 66 is prepared, a conducting member is provided on the inner wall surface of the hollow region inside, and a conducting surface 67 is formed. The connecting portions 66 are integrally connected in a planar shape according to the number of the cables 61 to form a connecting block 68. Then, each connecting portion 6 in the connecting block 68
The contact portions 65 at the tips of the respective cables 61 are positioned so as to face each other from both ends of the cable 6. At this time, the contact piece 64 of the contact portion 65 is slidably positioned in the connecting portion 66 in a state where the contact piece 64 contacts the conductive surface 67 to maintain electrical conduction. The metal blocks 63, 63 of the contact portion 65 facing each other are connected by an elastic member 69 made of rubber or the like, and play a role of facilitating expansion and contraction of the entire cable length. In this case, the extension / contraction length is the connecting portion 66.
It is appropriately set according to the length of the (connecting block 68).

Such a connecting cable 21c is connected to the cable 6 from both sides in the connecting portion 66 (connecting block 68).
By expanding and contracting 1, the total line length can be easily set to the optimum line length while maintaining electrical continuity.
As a result, workability and maintainability are improved when connecting the devices 41 and 42 as shown in FIG. 3, the influence of the impedance of the unnecessary line length is avoided, and the speed is increased, and high-density mounting is achieved. Can be realized.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of a connection cable according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 6 (A) is an enlarged view of a main part with a part cut, and FIG. 6 (B) is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the length direction.
(C) is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction. 6 (A) to (C)
As the connection cable 21 _D , a predetermined number of multi-core cables 72 in which a predetermined number of cables 71 to be connected are arranged on the circumference around the inclusion 72 a are used. Each cable 71 has a core wire 71a covered with a covering member 71b as described above.

The tip of the core wire 71a of each cable 71 is connected to a pad 73a formed on a plane perpendicular to the length direction of a gear-shaped block 73 having a predetermined thickness. The block 73 is a protrusion 73 corresponding to the cable 71 to be connected.
b is formed on the circumference, and a conductor 74 as a conductor layer is formed on the surface thereof. This conductor 74 is a pad 73
It is electrically connected to a by a pattern 75 or the like.

Further, contact pieces 76 are provided at predetermined positions on the respective conductors 74. The contact piece 76 is
For example, it is formed of a metal leaf spring or a metal protrusion, and in FIG. 6, a metal leaf spring is used as an example. The contact portion 77 is formed by the block 73, the conductor 74, the contact piece 76, and the like.
Is configured.

On the other hand, a hollow connecting block 79 is prepared in which the connecting portions having the conducting surfaces 78 corresponding to the respective cables 71 are arranged on the circumference and integrated. The inner wall of the connection block 79 has a protrusion 73 b of the block 73.
Is formed with a concave portion 79a corresponding to each concave portion 7a.
Conductive surfaces 78 are formed on the surfaces of 9a facing the conductors 74, respectively.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the blocks 73 at the tips of the multi-core cables 72 are positioned so as to face each other from both ends of the connecting block 79. At this time, each of the contact pieces 76 of the contact portion 77 comes into contact with the corresponding conductive surface 78 of the inner wall of the connection block 79 to achieve electrical conduction,
While maintaining this, the inside of the connecting block 79 is contacted with the contact portion 7.
7 slides. That is, by sliding the contact portions 77 of the multi-core cable 72 from both sides of the connection block 79, the entire cable length can be expanded or contracted.

In this case, an elastic member 80 made of rubber or the like is attached between the blocks 73, 73 of the contact portions 77, 77 facing each other, and plays a role of facilitating expansion / contraction of the entire cable length. The expansion / contraction length at this time corresponds to the length of the connecting block 79 and is appropriately set.

In such a connecting cable 21 _D, by extending and contracting the multi-core cable 72 from both sides in the connecting block 79, the overall line length can be easily set to the optimum line length while maintaining electrical continuity. Can be made, which results in FIG.
Workability when connecting the devices 41 and 42 as described above,
The maintainability can be improved, the impedance of the unnecessary line length can be reduced, the speed can be increased, and high-density mounting can be realized.

[0038]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
The slit portion is formed in the cable covering member, and one end portion of the contact of the connector provided at at least one end of the cable is slidably brought into contact with the core wire from the slit portion. Since it is possible to arrange the connectors on the length, it is possible to easily set the optimum line length, and thus it is possible to achieve high speed and high density mounting of the connected device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of plate portions each having a predetermined number of conductor surfaces on which contact pieces are formed are brought into contact with the conductor surface between adjacent plate portions, and the predetermined number of plate portions are contacted. By arranging them in series, it is possible to easily set the optimum line length while maintaining contact conduction between the plate parts by sliding the plate parts.
As a result, it is possible to achieve high speed and high density mounting of the connected device.

According to the invention of claims 3 to 5, the contact portion is provided at one end of the core wire, and the contact portion is appropriately slid with respect to a predetermined number of cables provided on a plane or on a circumference. The connecting surface can be freely contacted as appropriate, and a predetermined number of connecting portions provided on a single plane or on the circumference can be formed individually, flatly, or integrally so that the cable can be connected at the connecting portion. Since it is possible to expand and contract while maintaining the conductive state, it is possible to easily set the optimum line length, and it is possible to achieve high speed and high density mounting of the connected device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a connection cable according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial explanatory diagram of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a connection state using the connection cable of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a connection cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a connection cable according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a connection cable according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of inter-device connection using a conventional connection cable.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 _{A to} 21 _B connection cable 22, 61, 71 cable 22a, 61a, 71a core wire 22b, 61b, 71b covering member 23 flat cable 24 notch 25 fixed connector 26 movable connector 33 terminal 33a, 33b contact 51 wiring plate 51a conductor Pattern 52 Contact piece 54 Insulation cover 63 Metal block 64 Contact piece 65 Contact part 66 Connection part 67 Conductive surface 68 Connection block 72 Multi-core cable 73 Block 74 Conductor 76 Contact piece 77 Contact part 78 Conductive surface 79 Connection block

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A connection cable having a predetermined number of cables each having a core wire covered with a covering member, wherein a slit portion is formed in the covering member of the cable at a depth to the core wire in a length direction of the cable. A connector which is provided with a contact for external connection corresponding to a predetermined number of the cables, and has one end of the contact brought into contact with the core wire through the slit portion and slidable in the length direction of the cable Is provided on at least one end side of both ends of the cable. 2. A predetermined number of plate portions on which a predetermined number of conductor surfaces are formed and contact pieces are formed on the conductor surfaces of another plate portion adjacent to the contact pieces on the predetermined plate portion. A connection cable, wherein a predetermined number of consecutively provided conductors are brought into contact with corresponding conductor surfaces and coated. 3. A predetermined number of cables, each of which has a contact portion provided at one end of a core wire exposed from the coating, and a contact portion at one end of the core wire of the cable are positioned to slidably contact the contact portion. A connecting cable, wherein a conducting surface is formed in the sliding direction, and a connecting portion that positions the contact portions of the two cables so as to face each other on the conducting surface. 4. A connection cable, wherein a predetermined number of the cables according to claim 3 are arranged in a plane, and a predetermined number of the connecting portions are continuously arranged in a plane according to the number of the cables. 5. A plurality of the cables according to claim 3 are arranged on a circumference of a cross section, each of the contact portions is arranged on the circumference, and a predetermined number of the conductive portions are arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the contact portions. A connection cable, characterized in that the connecting portions whose surfaces are arranged on the circumference are integrally formed.