Patent Publication Number: US-2022224061-A1

Title: Communication cable with connector and connector assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector module, a communication cable with connector and a connector assembly. 
     This application claims a priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-078758 filed on Apr. 17, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, high communication of e.g. 100 Mbps or faster has been required. A communication cable with connector used in such high-speed communication is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 and the like. The communication cable with connector of Patent Document  1  includes a communication cable having a conductor and a shield terminal (connector module) to be mounted on an end part of the communication cable. The shield terminal includes a terminal unit and an outer conductor (shield member) for shielding electromagnetic waves. The terminal unit includes an inner conductor (first terminal) functioning as a terminal and a dielectric (connector portion) made of synthetic resin and functioning as a connector. 
     The outer conductor functioning as an electromagnetic wave shield is configured by combining a first shell and a second shell. The first and second shells are obtained by press-molding a plate material. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2018-152174 A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved 
     A connector module of the present disclosure is a connector module provided on an end part of a communication cable used in communication of 100 Mbps or faster and includes a first terminal, a connector member for accommodating the first terminal, and a tubular shield member for covering an outer periphery of the connector member, the shield member being a cast body. 
     A communication cable with connector of the present disclosure includes the connector module of the present disclosure and a communication cable including a conductor to be electrically connected to the first terminal. 
     A connector assembly of the present disclosure includes the communication cable with connector of the present disclosure, a signal cable including an inner housing having a plurality of second terminals, and an outer housing for accommodating the connector module and the inner housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a communication cable with connector of a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the communication cable with connector of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a connector member provided in the communication cable with connector of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a section along IV-IV of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a section along V-V of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a shield member shown in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the shield member of  FIG. 6  viewed from an opposite side. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a housing provided in the connector member shown in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIG. 8  viewed from an opposite side. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cover provided in the connector member shown in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 10  viewed from an opposite side. 
         FIG. 12  is a transverse section of the communication cable with connector shown in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a first terminal provided in the communication cable with connector shown in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the first terminal of  FIG. 13  viewed from an opposite side. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a housing shown in a first modification. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a cover shown in the first modification. 
         FIG. 17  is a transverse section of a communication cable with connector shown in the first modification. 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic configuration diagram of a connector assembly of an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     [Problem the Invention Seeks to Solve] 
     Electromagnetic wave shielding performance may not be sufficient in an outer conductor (shield member) configured by combining a first shell and a second shell. The first and second shells, which are press-molded bodies of a plate material, are formed with claw-like lock projections and lock holes to be engaged with each other. The plate material has to be punched to form the lock projections and the lock holes by press-molding. Thus, holes, which become paths of electromagnetic waves, are formed in the peripheral surface of the outer conductor. 
     Accordingly, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector module excellent in electromagnetic wave shielding performance. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication cable with connector provided with the connector module and a connector assembly provided with the communication cable with connector. 
     [Effect of Present Disclosure] 
     The connector module, the communication cable with connector and the connector assembly of the present disclosure are excellent in electromagnetic wave shielding performance. 
     [Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure] 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. 
     &lt;1&gt; A connector module according to an embodiment is a connector module provided on an end part of a communication cable used in communication of 100 Mbps or faster and includes a first terminal, a connector member for accommodating the first terminal, and a tubular shield member for covering an outer periphery of the connector member, the shield member being a cast body. 
     The shield member formed of the cast body for covering the first terminal via the connector module can be so fabricated that no hole is open in a peripheral surface of the shield member. Thus, the connector module of this embodiment provided with the shield member formed of the cast body is excellent in electromagnetic wave shielding performance. Here, the first terminal may be a male terminal or female terminal. 
     The shield member formed of the cast body is easily mountable on the connector member. This is because the shield member formed of the cast body needs not have a split structure. Thus, the connector module of this embodiment provided with the shield member formed of the cast body is excellent in productivity. 
     The shield member formed of the cast body can be accurately mounted on the connector member. This is because it is sufficient to consider only manufacturing tolerances when the shield member is cast in the case of mounting the shield member formed of the cast body on the connector member. In contrast, in the case of mounting a conventional shield member formed by combining two press-molded bodies on a connector member, both processing tolerances of members during press molding and assembling tolerances in assembling the two members need to be considered. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately mount the conventional shield member on the connector member. 
     &lt;2&gt; As one form of the connector module according to the embodiment, a first guide portion is provided at a position corresponding to a ground terminal, out of an opening of the shield member, and guides the ground terminal into the shield member, and the ground terminal is an existing ground terminal provided on a circuit board, the connector member being connected to the circuit board. 
     When the connector module of the embodiment is electrically connected to the circuit board, the shield member provided in the connector module is grounded. In the above configuration, since the first guide portion for receiving the ground terminal is provided in the opening of the shield member, the existing ground terminal provided on the circuit board can be utilized as it is to ground the shield member. That is, the above configuration does not require a special configuration on the side of the circuit board in grounding the shield member provided in the connector module. 
     The connector module of &lt;2&gt; described above may be the following connector module. 
     In the connector module of &lt;1&gt; described above, a clearance is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the connector member and an inner peripheral surface of the shield member and the existing ground terminal provided on the circuit board is inserted into the clearance when the connector member is connected to the circuit board, the shield member includes an opening, a mating terminal corresponding to the first terminal being inserted into the opening, and a first guide portion provided at a position corresponding to the clearance on an inner peripheral edge of the opening, and the first guide portion is formed by gradually thinning the shield member toward the opening from an axially inner side of the shield member. 
     &lt;3&gt; As one form of the connector module according to the embodiment, the connector member includes a second guide portion for curving the ground terminal inserted from the first guide portion into the shield member toward the shield member. 
     The ground terminal curved by the second guide portion is strongly pressed against the shield member. Thus, even if the connector module vibrates, electrical connection between the shield member and the ground terminal is easily ensured. 
     The connector module of &lt;3&gt; described above may be the following connector module. 
     In the connector module of &lt;2&gt; described above, the connector member includes a connector tube portion having an insertion hole, the first terminal being inserted into the insertion hole, and a second guide portion protruding on an outer periphery of the connector tube portion, and the second guide portion curves the ground terminal inserted from the first guide portion into the shield member toward the shield member. 
     &lt;4&gt; As one form of the connector module according to the embodiment, the shield member includes no hole open in a peripheral surface thereof. 
     The shield member having no hole open in the peripheral surface is a shield member having no path of electromagnetic waves on a peripheral surface. Accordingly, the shield member having no hole in the peripheral surface can effectively suppress the superposition of noise on a communication signal flowing in the first terminal. Further, the shield member having no hole in the peripheral surface can effectively suppress the influence of electromagnetic waves radiated from the first terminal on another electrical device located near the connector module. 
     &lt;5&gt; As one form of the connector module according to the embodiment, a minimum value of a thickness of the shield member is 0.25 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. 
     The shield member formed of the cast body tends to be thicker than a shield member formed of a pressed body. This is because the fillability of a molten material into a mold needs to be considered at the time of fabricating the shield member. If the minimum value of the thickness of the shield member is 0.25 mm or more, the fillability of the molten material at the time of fabricating the shield member is hardly deteriorated. If the minimum value of the thickness of the shield member is 1.0 mm or less, the enlargement of the shield member is suppressed. 
     &lt;6&gt; As one form of the connector module according to the embodiment, Ethernet (registered trademark) standards are satisfied. 
     The connector module satisfying the Ethernet (registered trademark) standards is suitable as a connector module provided in a communication cable with connector to be, for example, installed in a vehicle. A communication volume of information tends to extremely increase regardless of wireless or wired in automotive vehicles of recent years. Since the connector module according to the embodiment includes the shield member excellent in electromagnetic wave shielding performance, this connector module is suitable for high-speed communication based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standards. 
     &lt;7&gt; As one form of the connector module according to the embodiment, the first terminal includes an engaging claw, and the connector member includes an engaging recess to be locked to the engaging claw. 
     The first terminal is firmly fixed to the connector member by the engagement of the engaging claw and the engaging recess. Further, the configuration of the connector member is simplified by providing the engaging claw having a more complicated shape than the engaging recess on the first terminal. Thus, the connector member can be reduced in size. 
     &lt;8&gt; A communication cable with connector according to the embodiment includes the connector module of any one of &lt;1&gt; to &lt;7&gt; described above, and a communication cable including a conductor to be electrically connected to the first terminal. 
     The communication cable with connector according to the embodiment is suitable for high-speed communication. This is because stable high-speed communication can be performed since the communication cable with connector according to the embodiment includes the shield member excellent in electromagnetic wave shielding performance 
     The communication cable with connector of &lt;8&gt; described above may be the following communication cable with connector. 
     A communication cable with connector includes a communication cable used in communication of 100 Mbps or faster and a connector module provided on an end part of the communication cable, wherein the communication cable includes a conductor, a conductor insulation layer arranged on an outer periphery of the conductor, a shielding layer arranged on an outer periphery of the conductor insulation layer and a sheath for covering an outer periphery of the shielding layer, the connector module includes a first terminal to be electrically connected to the conductor, a connector member for accommodating the first terminal and a tubular shield member for covering an outer periphery of the connector member, the shield member is a cast body having no hole open in a peripheral surface thereof, and a part of the shielding layer exposed from the sheath in an end part of the communication cable is arranged inside the shield member and electrically connected to an inner peripheral surface of the shield member. 
     &lt;9&gt; As one form of the communication cable with connector according to the embodiment, the communication cable is a twisted pair cable. 
     The twisted pair cable is a communication cable used in differential communication suitable for high-speed communication of data. The twisted pair cable is hardly affected by noise. Therefore, the twisted pair cable is suitable as a communication cable provided in the communication cable with connector of the embodiment used in high-speed communication of 100 Mbps or faster. 
     &lt;10&gt; As one form of the communication cable with connector according to the embodiment, the communication cable includes a shielding layer, and a tubular conductive rubber member for electrically connecting the shielding layer and the shield member is arranged on an outer periphery of the shielding layer. 
     The conductive rubber member electrically connects the shielding layer of the communication cable, in which an induced current flows, and the shield member to be grounded. Thus, the induced current flowing in the shielding layer can be released to ground by the conductive rubber member. 
     Due to resilience, the conductive rubber member is easily arranged on the outer periphery of the shielding layer of the communication cable. This is because the conductive rubber member can be arranged on the outer periphery of the shielding layer only by fitting the conductive rubber member expanded in diameter to the communication cable. Thus, the communication cable with connector using the conductive rubber member is excellent in productivity. Further, due to resilience, the conductive rubber member is easily held in close contact with the outer periphery of the shielding layer. Therefore, in the communication cable with connector using the conductive rubber member, electrical connection between the shielding layer and the shield member is reliably ensured. 
     &lt;11&gt; As one form of the communication cable with connector according to the embodiment, the shield member includes an accommodating portion, the conductive rubber member being arranged inside the accommodating portion, and the conductive rubber member is arranged inside the accommodating portion while being compressed. 
     In a configuration in which the conductive rubber member is press-fit in the accommodating portion of the shield member, electrical connection between the shield member and the conductive rubber member is reliably ensured. Therefore, the shielding layer of the communication cable is reliably grounded. 
     Further, the conductive rubber member press-fit into the accommodating portion of the shield member suppresses the intrusion of environmental water into the shield member. 
     &lt;12&gt; As one form of the communication cable with connector of &lt;10&gt; or &lt;11&gt; described above, the communication cable includes a sheath for covering the outer periphery of the shielding layer, and the conductive rubber member has such a length as to reach an outer periphery of the sheath. 
     In a communication cable with connector of a waterproof type, a water stop plug is provided on an end part of a connector member on the side of a communication cable. In contrast, if the conductive rubber member has such a length as to reach the outer periphery of the sheath in the axial direction of the communication cable, the above water stop plug can be omitted. This is because the conductive rubber member suppresses the adhesion of environmental water to the shielding layer. If the water stop plug can be omitted, the number of components constituting the communication cable with connector is reduced, wherefore the productivity of the communication cable with connector is improved. 
     &lt;13&gt; A connector assembly according to the embodiment includes the communication cable with connector of any one of &lt;8&gt; to &lt;12&gt; described above, a signal cable including an inner housing having a plurality of second terminals, and an outer housing for accommodating the connector module and the inner housing. 
     In the connector assembly in which the communication cable with connector and the signal cable are integrated by the outer housing, the number of connection of the connector to the circuit board is reduced. This is because a transmission route of the signal cable and a transmission route of the communication cable are constructed only by connecting the connector assembly of the embodiment to a connector assembly on the circuit board side. 
     &lt;14&gt; As one form of the connector assembly according to the embodiment, a total number of the first terminals and the second terminals is 20 or more and 200 or less. 
     If the total number of the first terminals and second terminals (poles) is 20 or more, many transmission routes can be constructed by one connection of the connector assembly. If the number of poles is 200 or less, connection resistance in connecting the connector assembly to a mating connector assembly does not become excessively high. 
     &lt;15&gt; As one form of the connector assembly according to the embodiment, a pitch of the second terminals is 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. 
     If the pitch of the second terminals is in the above range, the connector assembly is easily reduced in size. 
     [Details of Embodiments of Present Disclosure] 
     Hereinafter, specific examples of a connector module, a communication cable with connector and a connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure are described on the basis of the drawings. In figures, the same reference signs denote the same components. Note that the present invention is not limited to these illustrations and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. 
     First Embodiment 
     «Communication Cable with Connector and Connector Module» 
     In this example, a communication cable with connector  1  used in wired high-speed communication in an automotive vehicle is described on the basis of  FIGS. 1 to 14 . Here, in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a ground terminal  10  extending from a circuit board (not shown) of an in-vehicle device is shown in addition to the communication cable with connector  1 . Although wire barrels  62  of first terminals  6  to be described later are shown in an open state in  FIG. 3 , the wire barrels  62  are actually in a closed state. A shielding layer  23  of a communication cable  2  is not shown in section in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A vertical direction of  FIGS. 1 to 5  does not necessarily coincide with a vertical direction in the automotive vehicle. 
     The communication cable with connector  1  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  includes the communication cable  2  used in communication of 100 Mbps or faster and a connector module  3  provided on an end part of the communication cable  2 . This communication cable with connector  1  further includes a conductive rubber member  7  and a water stop plug  30  on the base end of the connector module  3 . In this example, the communication cable with connector  1  is used in a state accommodated in an outer housing  90  shown by two-dot chain lines in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Further, the communication cable with connector  1  of this example is a pigtail cable having the connector module  3  provided on one end of the communication cable  2 . Unlike this example, the communication cable with connector  1  may be a jumper cable provided with the connector modules  3  on both ends of the communication cable  2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 , the connector module  3  includes a connector member  5  and a tubular shield member  4  for covering the outer periphery of the connector member  5 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connector member  5  includes the female terminals  6  inside. One of features of the communication cable with connector  1  and the connector module  3  of this example is that the shield member  4  is a cast body. Each component of the communication cable with connector  1  of this example is described in detail below. 
     «Shield Member» 
     Overall Configuration 
     The shield member  4  is described mainly with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The shield member  4  is a member for shielding electromagnetic waves radiated from the female terminals  6  ( FIG. 3 ) and conductors  20  ( FIG. 3 ) and electromagnetic waves from outside the shield member  4 . The shield member  4  has such a length that the entire connector member  5  can be accommodated inside. The shield member  4  is grounded by contacting the ground terminal  10  of  FIG. 1 . Thus, an induced current generated in the shield member  4  by electromagnetic waves is released to ground. Further, the shield member  4  is also electrically connected to the shielding layer  23  ( FIG. 3 ) of the communication cable  2  (described in detail later). Therefore, an induced current generated in the shielding layer  23  is released to ground via the shield member  4 . 
     The shield member  4  of this example is configured such that two tubular bodies  4 A arranged in parallel are coupled into one body by a coupling portion  4 B. Either of the two tubular bodies  4 A has a continuous peripheral wall and has no hole penetrating through the inside and outside thereof. The both tubular bodies  4 A and the coupling portion  4 B are integrally molded. Although the connector member  5  is accommodated in one tubular body  4 A in  FIG. 1 , one connector member  5  is actually accommodated in each tubular body  4 A. That is, the shield member  4  of this example has a function of collecting two communication cables  2  into one and a function of collectively shielding electromagnetic waves in end parts of the two communication cables  2 . Unlike this example, the shield member  4  may be composed of one tubular body  4 A or three or more tubular bodies  4 A. 
     When the communication cable with connector  1  of this example is connected to the unillustrated circuit board, unillustrated male terminals are inserted into openings  40  of the tubular bodies  4 A. Since the female terminals  6  ( FIG. 1, 2 ) in this example are female terminals, the male terminals are mating terminals corresponding to the female terminals. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , with the connector module  5  accommodated inside the tubular body  4 A, a clearance  40   h  is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the shield member  4  and the outer peripheral surface of the connector member  5 . The clearance  40   h  is formed outside the connector member  5  in an arrangement direction of two insertion holes  5   h  of the connector member  5 . The existing ground terminal  10  provided on the circuit board is inserted into the clearance  40   h  when the connector member  5  is connected to the circuit board. 
     An axial length of the tubular body  4 A is about 19 mm or more and 21 mm or less. On the other hand, a maximum outer diameter of the tubular body  4 A is about 6.5 mm or more or 7 mm or less. That is, the size of the tubular body  4 A is very smaller than that of a shielding structure called a shell in a power cable. 
     The shield member  4  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  is a cast body fabricated by filling a molten alloy into a mold. More specifically, the shield member  4  of this example is a die-cast member obtained by injecting the molten alloy into the mold under pressure. 
     A material of the shield member  4  is not particularly limited as long as it is an alloy having a high electrical conductivity. However, the material of the shield member  4  is preferably a zinc alloy. The zinc alloy is an alloy in which a most contained element is zinc (Zn), out of elements constituting the alloy. For example, the zinc alloy is an alloy containing at least one element selected from a group composed of aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), lead (pb), cadmium (Cd) and tin (Sn) besides zinc. In high-speed communication of 100 Mbps, the shield member  4  made of zinc alloy is better in shielding performance to shield electromagnetic waves than the shield member  4  made of aluminum alloy. Since the zinc alloy is excellent in electrical conductivity and strength, it is suitable as the material of the shield member  4 . Further, since having a low viscosity, the molten zinc alloy easily spreads into narrow clearances of the mold. Therefore, the small-size and thin shield member  4  can be fabricated with good dimensional accuracy by using the zinc alloy. The zinc alloy is suitable as the material of the shield member  4  also because of its inexpensiveness. 
     Main Effects 
     The shield member  4  formed of the cast body can be so fabricated as to include no hole open in the peripheral surface thereof. Since the hole in the peripheral surface of the shield member  4  serves as a path of electromagnetic waves, this hole reduces the shielding performance of the shield member  4 . The shield member  4  of this example has no hole serving as the path of electromagnetic waves in the peripheral surface thereof. Therefore, the connector module  3  of this example including the shield member  4  of this example is excellent in electromagnetic wave shielding performance The communication cable with connector  1  of this example excellent in shielding performance is suitable for high-speed communication of 100 Mbps or faster. 
     The shield member  4  formed of the cast body can be easily assembled with the connector members  5 . This is because the shield member  4  formed of the cast body needs not have a split structure. Thus, the connector module  3  and the communication cable with connector  1  including the shield member  4  of this example are excellent in productivity. 
     The shield member  4  formed of the cast body can be accurately mounted on the connector member  5 . This is because it is sufficient to consider only manufacturing tolerances at the time of casting the shield member  4  in the case of mounting the shield member  4  formed of the cast body on the connector member  5 . Unlike this example, it is difficult to accurately mount a conventional shield member described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2018-152174 or the like on a connector member. The conventional shield member is formed by combining two press-molded bodies. Thus, in the case of mounting the conventional shield member on the connector member, it is necessary to consider both processing tolerances of the members during press molding and assembling tolerances when the two members are combined. Because of these two tolerances, it is difficult to accurately mount the conventional shield member on the connector member. 
     Other Components 
     Shield-side engaging portions  42  to be engaged with the outer peripheries of the connector members  5  are provided inside the tubular shield member  4  (inside the tubular bodies  4 A) (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The shield-side engaging portion  42  of this example is an engaging projection projecting from the inner peripheral surface of the shield member  4 . This shield-side engaging portion  42  is engaged with a connector-side engaging portion  52  formed on the outer periphery of the connector member  5 . Unlike this example, the shield-side engaging portion  42  may be an engaging recess. 
     The shield member  4  includes first guide portions  41  provided at positions corresponding to the clearances  40   h  on the inner peripheral edges of the openings  40 . The first guide portion  41  is formed by gradually thinning the shield member  4  from an axially inner side of the tubular body  4 A toward the opening  40 . This first guide portion  41  is provided at a position corresponding to the ground terminal  10  ( FIG. 1 ) in the opening  40 , so that the ground terminal  10  is easily inserted into the tubular body  4 A. By providing the first guide portion  41  in the opening  40 , the existing ground terminal  10  provided on the circuit board of the in-vehicle device can be directly utilized to ground the shield member  4 . Thus, a special design change on the side of the circuit board is not required in grounding the shield member  4  provided in the connector module  3 . 
     A protruding portion  44  is provided near the first guide portion  41  in the opening  40 . The protruding portion  44  is formed by the projecting inner peripheral surface of the tubular body  4 A of the shield member  4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the protruding portion  44  is provided on a surface facing a second guide portion  55  of the connector member  5  to be described later, out of the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body  4 A. The protruding portion  44  is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ground terminal  10  curved by the second guide portion  55 . That is, the protruding portion  44  serves as an electrical contact point between the shield member  4  and the ground terminal  10 . 
     The shield member  4  formed of the cast body tends to be thicker than a shield member formed of a pressed body. This is because it is necessary to consider the fillability of the molten alloy into the mold at the time of fabricating the shield member  4 . If the shield member  4  is thick, the size and mass of the shield member  4  may become large. In view of these points, a minimum value of the thickness of the shield member  4  (except at the positions of inclined surfaces of the first guide portions  41 ) is preferably 0.25 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. A minimum distance between the inclined surface of the first guide portion  41  and the outer peripheral surface of the shield member  4  can be less than 0.25 mm If the minimum value of the thickness of the shield member  4  is 0.25 mm or more, the fillability of the molten alloy at the time of fabricating the shield member  4  is hardly deteriorated. Moreover, sufficient strength of the shield member  4  is ensured. On the other hand, if the minimum value of the thickness of the shield member  4  is 1.0 mm or less, the enlargement and weight increase of the shield member  4  are suppressed. A more preferable minimum value of the thickness is 0.3 mm or more and 0.9 mm or less. 
     The shield member  4  preferably includes locally thickened thick portions  43 . In this example, the thick portions  43  are formed on one surface side of the shield member  4  shown in  FIG. 6  and the other surface side of the shield member  4  shown in  FIG. 7 . By providing the thick portions  43  on the shield member  4 , the fillability of the molten alloy at the time of fabricating the shield member  4  is improved. Further, the strength of the shield member  4  is improved by the thick portions  43 . 
     «Communication Cable» 
     The communication cable  2  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5  is not particularly limited as long as a communication speed of 100 Mbps or faster can be ensured. The communication speed of the communication cable  2  is preferably 1 Gbps or faster. The communication cable  2  of this example is a twisted pair cable satisfying Ethernet (registered trademark) standards. The twisted pair cable is suitable for differential communication less susceptible to noise. 
     The communication cable  2  (twisted pair cable) includes two wires  2 A,  2 B twisted as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each of the wires  2 A,  2 B includes the conductor  20  and a conductor insulation layer  21  for covering the outer periphery of the conductor  20 . The two twisted wires  2 A,  2 B are gathered into one by an interposed insulation layer  22 . The conductor insulation layers  21  and the interposed insulation layer  22  function as an insulation layer for ensuring the insulation of the conductors  20 . The communication cable  2  further includes the shielding layer  23  provided on the outer periphery of the interposed insulation layer  22  and a sheath  24  for covering the shielding layer  23 . The shielding layer  23  is for shielding electromagnetic waves and, for example, formed by a braided wire made of aluminum alloy. On the other hand, the sheath  24  is made of insulating resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. 
     An end part of the communication cable  2  is stripped. The wires  2 A,  2 B are exposed from the interposed insulation layer  22  on a most tip side of the communication cable  2  and the conductors  20  are exposed from the conductor insulation layers  21  on the tips of the wires  2 A,  2 B. Further, the shielding layer  23  is exposed from the sheath  24  on an end part of the communication cable  2 . A part of the shielding layer  23  exposed from the sheath  24  is exposed from a rear end part (end part on the side of the communication cable  2 ) of the shield member  4  as shown in sections of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . A part of the shielding layer  23  arranged inside the shield member  4  is electrically connected to the inner peripheral surface of the shield member  4  via the conductive rubber member  7  to be described later. 
     «Connector Member» 
     The connector member  5  of this example constituting the connector module  3  includes a housing  50  and a cover  51  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The housing  50  and the cover  51  are both made of insulating resin such as polyethylene. 
     Housing 
     The housing  50  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  includes a connector tube portion  50 A into which the tips of the first terminals  6  shown in  FIG. 3  are inserted, and a pedestal portion  50 B supporting connected parts of the first terminals  6  and the conductors  20  from below. An upper side of the pedestal portion  50 B is open. 
     The connector tube portion  50 A includes a pair of insertion holes  5   h  into which the first terminals  6  ( FIG. 3 ) are inserted. The connector tube portion  50 A is provided with engaging recesses  56  (engaging holes) communicating with the insertion holes  5   h  from the outer peripheral surface thereof. The engaging recesses  56  may be recesses formed in the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion holes  5   h.  An engaging claw  63  ( FIG. 13 ) of the first terminal  6  to be described later is engaged with this engaging recess  56 . 
     The pedestal portion  50 B is provided with housing-side engaging portions  50 E and a through hole  57 . The housing-side engaging portions  50 E are used to couple the housing  50  and the cover  51 . The housing-side engaging portions  50 E of this example are formed by engaging holes penetrating through the pedestal portion  50 B. On the other hand, the through hole  57  is provided at a position corresponding to the connected parts of the first terminals  6  and the conductors  20  shown in  FIG. 3 . The through hole  57  is provided to facilitate a connecting operation of the first terminals  6  and the conductors  20 . That is, the communication cable  2  can be connected later to the first terminals  6  accommodated in the housing  50 . If the first terminals  6  accommodated in the housing  50  can be handled, the first terminals  6  can be transported and connected to the communication cable  2  without being damaged. This through hole  57  doubles as the housing-side engaging portion  50 E. Unlike this example, the housing-side engaging portions  50 E may be engaging claws. 
     Cover 
     The cover  51  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is a member for covering openings of the pedestal portion  50 B in the housing  50  shown in  FIG. 8 . The cover  51  is provided with a plurality of cover-side engaging portions  51 E. The cover-side engaging portions  51 E of this example are engaging claws to be fit into the housing-side engaging portions  5 OF formed by the engaging holes. By the engagement of the engaging claws and the engaging holes, the cover  51  is firmly fixed to the housing  50 . Here, if the housing-side engaging portions  50 E are formed by engaging claws, the cover-side engaging portions  51 E may be engaging holes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cover  51  includes a partitioning portion  58  projecting from the inner peripheral surface thereof. This partitioning portion  58  is interposed between a pair of the connected parts (connected parts of the conductors  20  and the wire barrels  62 ) arranged in parallel in  FIG. 3 . Insulation between the connected parts arranged in parallel is ensured by the partitioning portion  58 . 
     Configuration for Fixing Communication Cable to Connector Member 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the connector member  5  of this example includes clamp portions  53 ,  54  inside. A pair of the clamp portions  53 ,  54  are provided at positions separated in a circumferential direction of the communication cable  2 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the clamp portion  53  is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal portion  50 B of the housing  50 . More specifically, the clamp portion  53  is provided at a position corresponding to the shielding layer  23  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) on a bottom part of the pedestal portion  50 B. The clamp portion  53  of this example is a wide claw-like member long in a width direction of the housing  50 . A projection amount of the clamp portion  53  increases toward the connector tube portion  50 A. Therefore, the clamp portion  53  has a substantially right triangular shape in a side view. 
     One the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the clamp portion  54  is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cover  51 . More specifically, the clamp portion  54  is at a position facing the clamp portion  53  ( FIG. 8 ) on a body part (part except the cover-side engaging portions  51 E) of the cover  51 . The clamp portion  54  of this example is a wide claw-like member having substantially the same width as the clamp portion  53 . A projection amount of the clamp portion  54  decreases after increasing toward the partitioning portion  58 . An angle of inclination of a surface of the clamp portion  54  on the side of the partitioning portion  58  is larger than that of a surface on an opposite side (surface on the side of the communication cable  2 ). Therefore, the clamp portion  54  has a substantially scalene triangular shape in a side view. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the clamp portions  53 ,  54  bite into the interposed insulation layer  22  via the shielding layer  23  from the outer periphery of the shielding layer  23  of the communication cable  2 . In this example, the interposed insulation layer  22  is provided with cut portions  25  corresponding to the clamp portions  53 ,  54  in advance. The clamp portions  53 ,  54  bite into the cut portions  25  to push and widen the cut portions  25 . Unlike this example, the clamp portions  53 ,  54  may bite into the interposed insulation layer  22  by pressing the outer periphery of the interposed insulation layer  22  when the housing  50  and the cover  51  are engaged. In either case, the connector member  5  is certainly fixed to the end part of the communication cable  2  by the clamp portions  53 ,  54 . Even if the shielding layer  23  is deformed by the clamp portions  53 ,  54 , the shielding performance of the communication cable with connector  1  is not reduced. This is because the outer periphery of the connector member  5  is covered by the shield member  4  quite excellent in shielding performance in the communication cable with connector  1  of this example. 
     Here, in a conventional communication cable with connector, a communication cable and a connector member are engaged by a crimp ring made of metal (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2017-126408, etc.). More specifically, the crimp ring is mounted on the outer periphery of a sheath of the communication cable. A part of the crimp ring protrudes radially outwardly of the ring. This protruding part is fit into a cut groove formed in the connector member, whereby the communication cable and the connector member are engaged. However, in a configuration using the crimp ring, the connector member tends to be long. This is because the connector member has to have such a length capable of enclosing the crimp ring gripping the sheath. For example, in the case of providing a crimp ring for the connector member  5  according to this embodiment, a length of the connector member  5  is about 23 mm. 
     As compared to the conventional connector member using the crimp ring, the connector member  5  of this example is short. This is because the clamp portions  53 ,  54  grip a part of the communication cable  2  having the sheath  24  stripped therefrom in the connector member  5  of this example. In the configuration for gripping the communication cable  2  by the clamp portions  53 ,  54 , the length of the connector member  5  can be 22 mm or less. If the connector member  5  is made shorter, the shield member  4  for covering the connector member  5  can also be made shorter. Thus, the connector module  3  is considerably reduced in weight. A more preferable length of the connector member  5  is 20 mm or less. A lower limit value of the length of the connector member  5  is about 10 mm. 
     Configuration for Assisting Contact of Ground Terminal and Shield Member 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the connector member  5  includes second guide portions  55  lateral to the insertion holes  5   h.  The second guide portions  55  are provided at positions along an extending direction of the ground terminal  10  when the shield member  4  of  FIG. 2  is viewed from front from the side of the opening  40 . The second guide portion  55  has an inclined surface inclined downward toward a tip side (left side in  FIG. 8 ) of the connector member  5 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the ground terminal  10  inserted into the shield member  4  is curved toward the shield member  4  (upward in  FIG. 4 ) along the inclined surface of the second guide portion  55 . An intermediate part in a length direction of the curved ground terminal  10  contacts the protruding portion  44  provided on the side of the opening  40  of the shield member  4 . Since the curved ground terminal  10  tries to return to a straight state, the intermediate part of the ground terminal  10  is strongly pressed against the protruding portion  44 . Thus, even if the connector module  3  vibrates according to the vibration of the automotive vehicle, electrical connection of the shield member  4  and the ground terminal  10  is easily secured. 
     Fixing of Connector Member to Shield Member 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connector member  5  is fixed inside the shield member  4 . The connector-side engaging portion  52  is used for this fixation. The connector-side engaging portion  52  is engaged with the shield-side engaging portion  42  of the shield member  4 , whereby the connector member  5  is firmly fixed inside the shield member  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the connector-side engaging portion  52  of this example is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing  50 . More specifically, the connector-side engaging portion  52  is composed of a resilient projection  520  provided on the connector tube portion  50 A and a step portion  521  provided on the pedestal portion  50 B. The resilient projection  520  is cantilevered and supported on a rear end part (end part on the side of the pedestal portion  50 B) of an arched portion  59  provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector tube portion  50 A. A surface of the resilient projection  520  on a tip side (left side in  FIG. 9 ) of the connector member  5  is an inclined surface. Further, a surface of the resilient projection  520  on a base end side (right side in  FIG. 9 ) of the connector member  5  is a vertical surface. On the other hand, the step portion  521  is formed by locally thickening the pedestal portion  50 B. A surface of the step portion  521  on the tip side of the connector member  5  is a vertical surface. 
     The connector member  5  is inserted into the shield member  4  from a base end side (side of an accommodating portion  47 ) (see  FIG. 5 ). As the connector member  5  is inserted into the shield member  4 , the resilient projection  520  contacts the shield-side engaging portion  42  and is deformed upward in  FIG. 5 . When the connector member  5  is further inserted into the shield member  4 , the step portion  521  of the connector member  5  is stopped in contact with the shield-side engaging portion  42 , whereby the insertion of the connector member  5  into the shield member  4  is completed. At this time, the resilient projection  520  rides over the shield-side engaging portion  42  and returns to an original shape. As a result, the shield-side engaging portion  42  is sandwiched between the resilient projection  520  and the step portion  521  (state shown in  FIG. 5 ). Since the resilient projection  520  and the step portion  521  are stopped in contact, the connector member  5  does not come out from the shield member  4 . 
     «First Terminals» 
     The first terminals  6  to be accommodated into the connector member  5  may be female terminal or male terminals. The first terminals  6  of this example are female terminals. The first terminals  6  are described mainly with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     The first terminal  6  is fabricated by press-molding one plate material. The plate material before being pressed has a bilaterally symmetrical shape. The first terminal  6  includes a tubular portion  6 A and a connecting portion  6 B. The tubular portion  6 A includes a terminal hole  6   h,  into which an unillustrated male terminal is inserted. By the mechanical contact of the first terminal (female terminal)  6  and the male terminal, the female terminal  6  and the male terminal are electrically connected. 
     The tubular portion  6 A includes a leaf spring portion  60  for pressing the outer peripheral surface of the male terminal inserted into the terminal hole  6   h.  An outer part of this leaf spring portion  60  is exposed on the outer periphery of the tubular portion  6 A. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the leaf spring portion  60  is constituted by a part of the tubular portion  6 A. Specifically, a part of the lower surface (surface facing forward in  FIG. 14 ) of the tubular portion  6 A in the form of a rectangular tube constitutes the leaf spring portion  60 . An end part of the leaf spring portion  60  on the side of the terminal hole  6   h  and an end part of the leaf spring portion  60  on the side of the connecting portion  6 B are linked to the tubular portion  6 A. On the other hand, two corner parts of the tubular portion  6 A on opposite sides of the leaf spring portion  60  are punched out. A central part of the leaf spring portion  60  in an axial direction (direction along which the male terminal is inserted and withdrawn) of the tubular portion  6 A is curved inwardly of the tubular portion  6 A. Such a leaf spring portion  60  is easily fabricated by press-molding. For example, the leaf spring portion  60  is formed only by punching out some of parts serving as corner parts of the tubular portion  6 A, out of the plate material from which the first terminal  6  is formed, and fabricating the tubular portion  6 A by press-molding. 
     If one plate material having a bilaterally symmetrically shape is press-molded, a seam  69  at which edge parts of the plate material are butted against each other is arranged in a center of a surface of the tubular portion  6 A opposite to the leaf spring portion  60 . The seam  69  extends along an axial direction of the terminal hole  6   h.  The first terminal  6  is bilaterally symmetrically shaped with respect to the seam  69 . An overlapping part of the plate material is not present in the first terminal  6  of this example. Since conductivity nonuniformity hardly occurs in the bilaterally symmetric first terminal  6 , loss of a transmission signal is reduced. Therefore, the transmission characteristic of the communication cable with connector  1  provided with the first terminals  6  is improved. 
     In the small-size first terminal  6  as used in a communication cable, the seam  69  is normally not arranged on the surface of the tubular portion  6 A into which the male terminal is inserted. This is because the seam  69  arranged on the surface of the tubular portion  6 A means that the end faces of the plate material of the first terminal  6  are butted against each other and the seam  69  may be opened due to the springback of the pressed plate material. On the other hand, in this example, the first terminal  6  is inserted into the insertion hole  5   h  of the connector member  5  almost without any clearance and the outer periphery of the first terminal  6  is surrounded by the connector member  5  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, there is no risk that the seam  69  of the first terminal  6  is opened. Therefore, in this example, an improvement in the transmission characteristic of the first terminal  6  is prioritized and the seam  69  is set on the surface of the tubular portion  6 A on purpose. 
     A pressing portion  61  concave toward the inside of the tubular portion  6 A is provided on a surface of the tubular portion  6 A opposite to the leaf spring portion  60 . The pressing portion  61  presses the male terminal accommodated into the tubular portion  6 A toward the leaf spring portion  60 . As a result, the contact of the male terminal and the leaf spring portion  60  is reliably ensured. The pressing portion  61  of this example is also exposed on the outer periphery of the tubular portion  6 A. Since nothing covers the pressing portion  61  from outside, the pressing portion  61  can be simultaneously formed when the tubular portion  6 A is press-molded. 
     The connecting portion  6 B is a part to be electrically connected to the conductor  20  ( FIG. 3 ). This connecting portion  6 B is provided with the wire barrel  62 . The wire barrel  62  is a member for gripping the conductor  20 . Left and right wing-like portions  62   a,    62   b  constituting the wire barrel  62  are symmetrically shaped. Here, the first terminal  6  of this example includes only the wire barrel  62  as a barrel for gripping the outer periphery of the communication cable  2 . A conventional terminal includes an insulation barrel for gripping the sheath  24  of the communication cable  2 , but the first terminal  6  of this example includes no insulation barrel. 
     The first terminal  6  includes the engaging claw  63  to be engaged with the engaging recess  56  of the connector member  5  ( FIG. 8 ). The engaging claw  63  is formed by forming a cut in a part of the plate material constituting the first terminal  6  and bending the part formed with the cut. Thus, the engaging claw  63  acts like a leaf spring. The tip of the engaging claw  63  is facing toward the wire barrel  62 . The first terminal  6  is inserted into the insertion hole  5   h  of the connector member  5  from the side of the pedestal portion  50 B of  FIG. 8 . When the first terminal  6  is inserted into the insertion hole  5   h,  the engaging claw  63  is deformed toward the inside of the tubular portion  6 A. The engaging claw  63  returns to an original shape by the resilience thereof at a position corresponding to the engaging recess  56  ( FIG. 8 ). The engaging claw  63  is hooked to the engaging recess  56  and the first terminal  6  is firmly fixed to the connector member  5 . 
     The first terminal  6  used in the communication cable  2  is very small in size. For example, an axial length of the first terminal  6  is about 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less. Further, lengths of long sides of the terminal hole  6   h  of the first terminal  6  are about 0.9 mm or more and 1.1 mm or less and lengths of short sides thereof are about 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. 
     A thickness of each part of the first terminal  6  is preferably 0.15 mm or less. As already described, each part of the shield member  4  formed of the cast body tends to be thicker than a shield member formed of a pressed body. To avoid the enlargement of the shield member  4 , the connector member  5  and the first terminals  6  to be arranged inside the shield member  4  are preferably reduced in size. If the thickness of each part of the first terminal  6  is 0.15 mm or less, the first terminal  6  is easily reduced in size. 
     The thickness of each part of the first terminal  6  is preferably 0.05 mm or more. If this thickness is 0.05 mm or more, the strength of the first terminal  6  is ensured. A more preferable thickness of each part of the first terminal  6  is 0.075 mm or more and 0.13 mm or less. An even more preferable thickness of each part of the first terminal  6  is 0.080 mm or more and 0.10 mm or less. The thickness mentioned here does not include a thickness of an edge formed by bending the plate material constituting the first terminal  6 . 
     The first terminal  6  is made of the material excellent in conductivity. Here, the first terminal  6  includes no protecting portion for covering the outer periphery of the leaf spring portion  60  unlike conventional female terminals. Thus, the first terminal  6  of this example is preferably made of a material excellent in strength. An example of the material excellent in conductivity and strength is stainless steel. Stainless steels preferable for the first terminal  6  of this example are, for example, 1.4372, 1.4373, 1.4310, 1.4318, 1.4305, 1.4307, 1.4306, 1.4311, 1.4303, 1.4401, 1.4436, 1.4404, 1.4432, 1.4435, 1.4406, 1.4429, 1.4571, 1.4438, 1.4434, 1.4439, 1.4539, 1.4541, 1.4550, 1.4587, 1.4381, 1.4462, 1.4507 and 1.4002 in European standards. Among these, 1.4310 and 1.4318 are, for example, preferable in terms of conductivity and strength. The surface of the first terminal  6  is preferably plated with a material excellent in conductivity. A plating material is, for example, tin (Sn) or silver (Ag). 
     The first terminal  60  configured as described above has a very simple configuration. Particularly, since the first terminal  6  has no configuration for covering the leaf spring portion  60  and the pressing portion  61  from outside, the leaf spring portion  60  and the pressing portion  61  can be simultaneously fabricated when the tubular portion  6 A is press-molded. Therefore, the first terminal  6  of this example can be more easily fabricated than conventional female terminals. 
     The first terminal  6  is preferably handled in a state accommodated in the housing  50  of the connector member  5 . In this case, the first terminal  6  is protected by the housing  50 . Therefore, the first terminal  6  is hardly damaged even if the first terminal  6  is very small in size and thin. 
     «Conductive Rubber Member» 
     The communication cable with connector  1  of this example includes the tubular conductive rubber member  7  arranged on the outer periphery of the shielding layer  23  exposed from the sheath  24  in the end part of the communication cable  2  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The conductive rubber member  7  is made of a material obtained by blending conductive carbon black or metal powder into one of various rubber materials such as natural rubbers and synthetic rubbers. This conductive rubber member  7  is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion  47  in the shield member  4 . That is, the shielding layer  23 , in which an induced current flows, and the shield member  4  to be grounded are electrically connected by the conductive rubber member  7 . Therefore, the induced current flowing in the shielding layer  23  can be released to ground by the conductive rubber member  7 . 
     Due to resilience, the conductive rubber member  7  is easily arranged on the outer periphery of the shielding layer  23 . This is because the conductive rubber member  7  can be arranged on the outer periphery of the shielding layer  23  only by fitting the conductive rubber member  7  expanded in diameter to the communication cable  2 . Thus, the communication cable with connector  1  using the conductive rubber member  7  is excellent in productivity. Further, due to resilience, the conductive rubber member  7  is easily held in close contact with the outer periphery of the shielding layer  23 . Therefore, in the communication cable with connector  1  using the conductive rubber member  7 , electrical connection between the shielding layer  23  and the shield member  4  is reliably ensured. 
     The conductive rubber member  7  is press-fit into the accommodating portion  47  provided in a rear end part (end part on the side of the communication cable  2 ) of the shield member  4 . The conductive rubber member  7  presses the accommodating portion  47  from inside and is held in close contact with the accommodating portion  47 . Thus, the shielding layer  23  is reliably grounded. Further, the conductive rubber member  7  press-fit into the accommodating portion  47  functions as a water stop plug for suppressing the intrusion of environmental water into the shield member  4 . 
     The conductive rubber member  7  of this example does not entirely cover the shielding layer  23 . A part of the shielding layer  23  not covered by the conductive rubber member  7  is arranged inside the water stop plug  30 . Unlike this example, this conductive rubber member  7  may have such a length as to reach the outer periphery of the sheath  24  in the axial direction of the communication cable  2 . For example, the conductive rubber member  7  and the water stop plug  30  to be described later are integrated. In that case, the number of components constituting the communication cable with connector  1  is reduced, wherefore the productivity of the communication cable with connector  1  is improved. 
     «Water Stop Plug» 
     The water stop plug  30  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  is a tubular member for suppressing the exposure of the shielding layer  23  to environmental water (including moisture in the air). The water stop plug  30  of this example prevents water intrusion into a clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, into which the connector module  3  is inserted, in the outer housing  90  and the sheath  24  of the communication cable  2 . That is, the water stop plug  30  suppresses the arrival of the environmental water from a side closer to the communication cable  2  than the water stop plug  30  at the shielding layer  23  through a clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the water stop plug  30  and the outer peripheral surface of the sheath  24 . Further, the water stop plug  30  suppresses the arrival of the environmental water at the shield member  4  through a clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the water stop plug  30  and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the outer housing  90 . An axial length of this water stop plug  30  is about 8 mm or more and 10 mm or less. 
     The water stop plug  30  is provided near the conductive rubber member  7 , more specifically at a position in contact with a rear end part (end part on the side of the communication cable  2 ) of the conductive rubber member  7 . This water stop plug  30  includes a cable hole  30   h  through which the communication cable  2  is inserted. The cable hole  30   h  includes a small-diameter portion h 1  and a large-diameter portion h 2  having a larger diameter than the small-diameter portion h 1 . That is, the cable hole  30   h  of the water stop plug  30  is formed with a step before the water stop plug  30  is mounted on the communication cable  2 , i.e. before the water stop plug  30  is expanded in diameter. The small-diameter portion h 1  is arranged on the side of the connector member  5 , and the large-diameter portion h 2  is arranged on the side of the communication cable  2 . The inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion h 1  is in close contact with the shielding layer  23 , and the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion h 2  is in close contact with the sheath  24 . Thus, at a location of the communication cable  2  where the sheath  24  is striped, the cable hole  30   h  of the water stop plug  30  and the outer peripheral surface of the communication cable  2  are in close contact with each other without any clearance. An end surface of the sheath  24  is hooked to the step between the small-diameter portion h 1  and the large-diameter portion h 2 . That is, the water stop plug  30  of this example is structured to be directly mounted on the communication cable  2 . The water stop plug  30  thus structured does not separately require a holder for fixing the water stop plug  30  at a desired position. Therefore, the productivity of the communication cable with connector  1  including cost and assembling efficiency is improved. 
     A plurality of annular projections  30   p  projecting radially outwardly of the water stop plug  30  are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water stop plug  30 . The plurality of annular projections  30   p  are arranged in an axial direction of the water stop plug  30 . The annular projections  30   p  are deformed when the water stop plug  30  is pushed into the insertion hole of the outer housing  90 , thereby facilitating the pushing of the water stop plug  30 . Further, since the annular projections  30   p  are expanded radially outwardly to be held in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole after the water stop plug  30  is pushed into the insertion hole, water intrusion into a clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole and the outer peripheral surface of the water stop plug  30  is firmly prevented. 
     The tip of the water stop plug  30  on the side of the connector member  5  presses the conductive rubber member  7 . The tip surface of the water stop plug  30  is in close contact with the rear end surface of the conductive rubber member  7 . Therefore, the intrusion of environmental water to the shielding layer  23  from a boundary between the water stop plug  30  and the conductive rubber member  7  is effectively suppressed. 
     In the water stop plug  30  having the step in the cable hole  30   h,  the entire water stop plug  30  needs not be expanded in diameter to the size of a part having a large outer diameter in the step shape of the communication cable  2 . Thus, even in the case of fitting the very small water stop plug  30  to the thin communication cable  2 , the water stop plug  30  needs not be expanded in diameter more than necessary. Therefore, the water stop plug  30  is easily fit on the outer periphery of the communication cable  2 . 
     Further, since the cable hole  30   h  of the water stop plug  30  has the step, the step of the water stop plug  30  is stopped in contact with the end surface of the sheath  24  of the communication cable  2  when the water stop plug  30  is fit to the communication cable  2 . Therefore, the water stop plug  30  is properly arranged at the desired position on the communication cable  2 . Since the step of the water stop plug  30  is hooked to the end surface of the sheath  24 , the water stop plug  30  on the communication cable  2  is hardly shifted in position by an external force or the like. 
     &lt;First Modification&gt; 
     A communication cable with connector  1  provided with a connector member  5  different from the first embodiment in the configurations of clamp portions  53 ,  54  is described on the basis of  FIGS. 15 to 17 .  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a housing  50  of the connector member  5  viewed from an inner peripheral side, and  FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a cover  51  viewed from an inner peripheral side. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the housing  50  of this example includes no clamp portion on the inner peripheral surface of a pedestal portion  50 B. On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the cover  51  of this example includes a pair of clamp portions  53 ,  54  on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The clamp portions  53 ,  54  are provided at positions separated in a width direction of the cover  51 . More specifically, the clamp portion  53  is provided on the inner peripheral surface of one of a pair of cover-side engaging portions  51 E on a rear end side of the cover  51  and the clamp portion  54  is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the other cover-side engaging portion  51 E. The clamp portions  53 ,  54  are curved plate-like members convex toward a side opposite to a partitioning portion  58 . Thus, the tips of the clamp portions  53 ,  54  are arranged closer to the partitioning portion  58  (closer to the first terminals  6  of  FIG. 3 ) than base ends thereof. Further, the clamp portions  53 ,  54  become thinner toward the tips from the base ends thereof. The both clamp portions  53 ,  54  are also integrally linked to a body portion of the cover  51 . Therefore, the clamp portions  53 ,  54  also function as reinforcing members for the cover-side engaging portions  51 E. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , in the communication cable with connector  1  using the connector member  5  of this example, the clamp portions  53 ,  54  provided in the cover  51  sandwich the communication cable  2  from outer peripheral sides. At that time, the clamp portions  53 ,  54  bite into cut portions  25  provided in the interposed insulation layer  22 . Also by this configuration, the connector member  5  can be firmly fixed to an end part of the communication cable  2 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     A connector assembly  9  provided with the communication cable with connector  1  of the first embodiment is described on the basis of  FIG. 18 . 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic front view of the connector assembly  9  viewed from a side where terminals  6 ,  80  are exposed. The connector assembly  9  of this example includes the communication cable with connector  1  of the first embodiment, a signal cable  8  and an outer housing  90 . 
     The signal cable  8  is a cable for transmitting an electrical signal and includes an inner housing  81  on an end part thereof. The inner housing  81  includes a plurality of second terminals  80 . Since the first terminals  6  are female terminals, the second terminals  80  of this example are female terminals. If the first terminals  6  are male terminals, the second terminals  80  are also male terminals. On the other hand, the outer housing  90  is a member for collectively accommodating the connector module  3  of the communication cable with connector  1  and the inner housing  81  of the signal cable  8 . 
     The connector assembly  9  provided with the communication cable with connector  1  facilitates the construction of a communication environment in an automotive vehicle. If this connector assembly  9  is connected to a male connector assembly (not shown) provided on a circuit board of an in-vehicle device, a transmission route of the signal cable and a transmission route of the communication cable are simultaneously constructed. 
     A total number of the first terminals  6  and the second terminals  80  (poles) is preferably 20 or more and 200 or less. If the number of poles is 20 or more, many transmission routes can be constructed by one connection of the connector assembly  9 . If the number of poles is 200 or less, connection resistance in connecting the female connector assembly  9  of this example to a male connector assembly does not become excessively high. 
     A pitch of the second terminals  80  is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. If the pitch of the second terminals  80  is in the above range, the connector assembly  9  is easily reduced in size. If the connector assembly  9  can be reduced in size, the connector assembly  9  of a size corresponding to a male connector assembly to be provided on a circuit board is easily fabricated. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1  communication cable with connector 
       2  communication cable
           2 A,  2 B wire     20  conductor,  21  conductor insulation layer,  22  interposed insulation layer,     23  shielding layer,  24  sheath,  25  cut portion       

       3  connector module
           30  water stop plug,  30   h  cable hole, h 1  small-diameter portion,   h 2  large-diameter portion,  30   p  annular projection       

       4  shield member
           4 A tubular portion,  4 B coupling portion     40  opening,  41  first guide portion,  42  shield-side engaging portion,     43  thick portion,  44  protruding portion,  47  accommodating portion     40   h  clearance       

       5  connector member
           5   h  insertion hole     50  housing
             50 A connector tube portion,  50 B pedestal portion,     50 E housing-side engaging portion   
             51  cover,  51 E cover-side engaging portion     52  connector-side engaging portion,  520  resilient projection,  521  step portion     53 ,  54  clamp portion,  55  second guide portion     56  engaging recess,  57  through hole,  58  partitioning portion,  59  arched portion       

       6  first terminal
           6 A tubular portion,  6 B connecting portion,  6   h  terminal hole     60  leaf spring portion,  61  pressing portion,  62  wire barrel,  63  engaging claw,     69  seam     62   a,    62   b  wing-like portion       

       7  conductive rubber member 
       8  signal cable
           80  second terminal,  81  inner housing       

       9  connector assembly
           90  outer housing       

       10  ground terminal