Patent Publication Number: US-11641080-B2

Title: Connector formed with connector body having predetermined surface facing downward and a cable-holding portion integrated under proper arrangement

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2020-152945 filed Sep. 11, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a harness configured to be connected to an object such as a mating connector. 
     For example, this type of harness is disclosed in JPA 2020-77524 (Patent Document 1), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to  FIG.  22   , Patent Document 1 discloses a harness  90  which comprises a connector (connector body)  92 , a cable  94  and a cable-holding portion  96 . The cable  94  is connected to the connector body  92  and extends rearward, i.e. in the negative X-direction, from the connector body  92 . The cable-holding portion  96  holds the cable  94 . The cable  94  is connected to the connector body  92 . Thereafter, the cable-holding portion  96  is formed so as to extend across the connector body  92  and the cable  94 . 
     When a cable-holding portion such as that of Patent Document 1 is formed, a connector body connected to a cable is usually arranged so that a predetermined surface thereof faces downward. The thus-arranged connector body is partially received in a lower die. However, in some instances, the connector body has a vertically asymmetrical structure because of reasons such as asymmetrical pin assignment of terminals. The thus-formed connector body is also required to be formed with a cable-holding portion under a proper arrangement in which a predetermined surface of the connector body faces downward. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a harness having a structure which is simple and enables a visual inspection on whether the connector body is properly arranged or not upon formation of the cable-holding portion. 
     An aspect of the present invention provides a harness configured to be connected to an object. The harness comprises a connector body, a cable and a cable-holding portion. The connector body comprises a base portion and a fit portion. The fit portion projects forward in a front-rear direction from the base portion and is mateable with the object along the front-rear direction. The cable is connected to the connector body. The cable has an end portion and a main portion. The end portion is received in the base portion. The main portion extends rearward from the end portion. The cable-holding portion is formed so as to extend across the base portion and the main portion and holds the cable. The cable-holding portion is formed with a recessed portion. The recessed portion opens at least downward in an upper-lower direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The base portion of the connector body has an interference portion. The recessed portion and the interference portion are located at opposite sides of the harness, respectively, in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the upper-lower direction. The recessed portion is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the interference portion in the front-rear direction. The recessed portion is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the interference portion in the upper-lower direction. 
     The recessed portion according to an aspect of the present invention is a mark where a pin of a die which is used upon formation of the cable-holding portion is pulled out. When the connector body is turned upside-down, the interference portion of the connector body is moved to a position at which the recessed portion of the connector body is previously located. If the connector body is arranged upside-down upon formation of the cable-holding portion, the interference portion is brought into abutment with the pin of the die, and the connector body is lifted up from the die. Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention, only one interference portion provided on the connector body enables visual inspection upon formation of the cable holding portion on whether the connector body is arranged upside-down or not. As described above, an aspect of the present invention can provide a harness having a structure which is simple and enables a visual inspection on whether the connector body is properly arranged or not upon formation of the cable-holding portion. 
     An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a harness according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein an outline of a mating fit portion of a mating connector, which is an object configured to be connected to the harness, is illustrated in dashed line. 
         FIG.  2    is another perspective view showing the harness of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top view showing the harness of  FIG.  1   , wherein a hidden outline of a cable and a hidden outline of a shell are illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view showing the harness of  FIG.  1   , wherein a part of the harness enclosed by chain dotted lines is enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarged view, an outline of a hidden first recessed portion, an outline of a hidden second recessed portion, an outline of a hidden first positioning portion and an outline of a hidden second positioning portion are illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  5    is a bottom view showing the harness of  FIG.  1   , wherein two parts of the harness each enclosed by chain dotted lines are enlarged and illustrated, and in each of the enlarged views, an outline of the hidden first positioning portion or an outline of the hidden second positioning portion is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view showing the harness of  FIG.  5   , taken along line VI-VI. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view showing an intermediate structure formed of a connector body and the cable of the harness of  FIG.  1   , wherein an imaginary central axis of the connector body is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  8    is a top view showing the intermediate structure of  FIG.  7   , wherein an outline of a mold member of the harness is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  9    is a side view showing the intermediate structure of  FIG.  7   , wherein an outline of the mold member is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  10    is a bottom view showing the intermediate structure of  FIG.  7   , wherein outlines of the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion of a cable-holding portion of the harness are illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view showing the intermediate structure of  FIG.  7    and a lower die. 
         FIG.  12    is a top view showing the lower die of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view showing the lower die of  FIG.  12   , taken along line XIII-XIII. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view showing the intermediate structure and the lower die of  FIG.  11    together with an upper die, wherein the connector body of the intermediate structure is properly arranged and is partially received in the lower die. 
         FIG.  15    is a top view showing the intermediate structure and the lower die of  FIG.  14   . 
         FIG.  16    is a view showing a cross-section of the lower die of  FIG.  15   , taken along line XVI-XVI, together with a side surface of the intermediate structure of  FIG.  15   , wherein a part of the intermediate structure and a part of the lower die are enlarged and illustrated, and in the enlarge view, an outline of the hidden second positioning portion is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  17    is another top view showing the intermediate structure and the lower die of  FIG.  15   , wherein the intermediate structure is arranged upside-down. 
         FIG.  18    is a view showing a cross-section of the lower die of  FIG.  17   , taken along line XVIII-XVIII, together with a side surface of the intermediate structure of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    is another view showing the intermediate structure and the lower die of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  20    is still another view showing the intermediate structure and the lower die of  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view showing a modification of the harness of  FIG.  1   , wherein an imaginary central axis of a connector body is illustrated with dashed line. 
         FIG.  22    is a perspective view showing a harness of Patent Document 1. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a harness  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is a cable harness configured to be connected to an object  80  such as a mating connector. As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the harness  10  of the present embodiment comprises a connector body  20 , a cable  50  and a mold member  40  made of insulator. The cable  50  is connected to the connector body  20 . The mold member  40  partially covers the connector body  20  and the cable  50 . The mold member  40  has a cable-holding portion  41 . Referring to  FIG.  6   , the mold member  40  includes a front part and the cable-holding portion  41 . The front part is located at a front side (positive X-side) of the mold member  40  in a front-rear direction (X-direction). The cable-holding portion  41  is located at a rear side (negative X-side) of the mold member  40 . The harness  10  comprises the cable-holding portion  41  which is formed as described above. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the harness  10  of the present embodiment comprises only the connector body  20 , the cable  50  and the mold member  40  which includes the cable-holding portion  41 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the harness  10  may comprise an outer housing (not shown) in addition to the members described above. The outer housing may accommodate the connector body  20 . 
     The cable  50  of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of conductive wires (not shown) and a jacket  502  made of insulator. Each of the conductive wires comprises a core wire (not shown) made of conductor and a coat (not shown) made of insulator. Each of the core wires is coated with the coat. The jacket  502  bundles and covers the conductive wires. The cable  50  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. However, the structure of the cable  50  of the present invention is not specifically limited. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , one of opposite ends of the cable  50  is connected to the connector body  20 . An unillustrated remaining one of the opposite ends of the cable  50  is connected to an electronic device (not shown). The object  80  is incorporated in a mating electronic device (not shown). When the harness  10  is connected to the object  80 , the electronic device and the mating electronic device are electrically connected with each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto but can be applicable to various harnesses. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  7   , the harness  10  of the present embodiment is fabricated by forming the mold member  40  on an intermediate structure  12 . The intermediate structure  12  has a structure same as that of the harness  10 , except that the intermediate structure  12  does not comprise the mold member  40 . In other words, the intermediate structure  12  comprises the connector body  20  and the cable  50 . Hereafter, explanation will be made about the intermediate structure  12  of the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the connector body  20  comprises a base portion  28  and a fit portion  22 . The base portion  28  and the fit portion  22  of the present embodiment are formed separately from each other and thereafter fixed to each other. The fit portion  22  projects forward in the X-direction, i.e. in the positive X-direction, from the base portion  28 . In other words, the fit portion  22  is a front part of the connector body  20 , and the base portion  28  is a rear part of the connector body  20 . The connector body  20  of the present embodiment has only the base portion  28  and the fit portion  22 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connector body  20  may further comprise another member in addition to the base portion  28  and the fit portion  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the fit portion  22  is mateable with the object  80  along the X-direction. The object  80  of the present embodiment has a mating fit portion  82 . The fit portion  22  is received in the mating fit portion  82  under a mated state where the connector body  20  is mated with the object  80 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fit portion  22  may receive the mating fit portion  82  under the mated state. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the fit portion  22  of the present embodiment comprises a holding member  24  made of insulator, a front shell  26  made of metal and a plurality of terminals (not shown) which correspond to the core wires (not shown) of the cable  50 , respectively. The holding member  24  holds the terminals. The front shell  26  opens forward and rearward, i.e. in the negative X-direction. The front shell  26  entirely encloses and electro-magnetically shields the holding member  24  and the terminals in a vertical plane (YZ-plane) perpendicular to the X-direction. 
     The front shell  26 , which is formed as described above, defines an outline of the fit portion  22 . The front shell  26  has a symmetric shape with respect to a horizontal plane (XY-plane) perpendicular to the YZ-plane. Moreover, the shape of the front shell  26  is not changed when the front shell  26  is turned upside-down in an upper-lower direction (Z-direction) perpendicular to the X-direction. In other words, when the front shell  26  is rotated by 180 degrees about a central axis AX which extends along the X-direction, the shape of the front shell  26  is same as that of the front shell  26  before the rotation. Hereafter, such shape (outline) is referred to as “180-degree rotationally symmetrical shape (outline) with respect to the central axis AX”. The shape (outline) which is not 180-degree rotational symmetry with respect to the central axis AX is referred to as “180-degree rotationally asymmetrical shape (outline) with respect to the central axis AX”. 
     According to the definition described above, the front shell  26  of the present embodiment has a 180-degree rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the central axis AX. Thus, the fit portion  22  of the present embodiment has a 180-degree rotationally symmetrical outline with respect to the central axis AX. More specifically, the fit portion  22  of the present embodiment has a rectangular outline in the YZ-plane. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fit portion  22  may have a track-shaped outline in the YZ-plane or may have a circular outline in the YZ-plane. Moreover, the fit portion  22  may have a 180-degree rotationally asymmetrical outline with respect to the central axis AX. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  to  10   , the base portion  28  of the present embodiment comprises a shell  30  made of conductor. The shell  30  of the present embodiment is formed of two metal plates which are combined to each other. Each of the metal plates is formed with bends. The shell  30  has an upper plate  30 U, a lower plate  30 L and two side plates  30 S. The upper plate  30 U is located at an upper side (positive Z-side) of the shell  30  in the Z-direction. The lower plate  30 L is located at a lower side (negative Z-side) of the shell  30 . The upper plate  30 U and the lower plate  30 L extend along the XY-plane in parallel to each other. The side plates  30 S are located at opposite sides of the shell  30 , respectively, in a lateral direction (Y-direction) perpendicular to both the X-direction and the Z-direction and extend in parallel to each other along a perpendicular plane (XZ-plane) perpendicular to the Y-direction. 
     The upper plate  30 U, the lower plate  30 L and the side plates  30 S are connected to each other to form an outer circumference portion  30 E. The outer circumference portion  30 E almost entirely encloses and electro-magnetically shields the inside of the outer circumference portion  30 E in the YZ-plane. The outer circumference portion  30 E opens forward and rearward. The shell  30  of the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure. However, the structure of the shell  30  of the present invention is not specifically limited. Moreover, the shell  30  may be a single metal plate with bends. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  10   , the base portion  28  of the present embodiment has a first positioning portion  32  and a second positioning portion  34 . As described later, the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  work as positioning portions when the mold member  40  (see  FIG.  1   ) is formed on the intermediate structure  12 . The first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment are provided so as to correspond to the two side plates  30 S, respectively. Each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  is integrally formed with the corresponding side plate  30 S. 
     Each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment slightly extends rearward from a rear edge (negative X-side edge) of the corresponding side plate  30 S and then extends inward in the Y-direction. Each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  has an L-like shape in the XY-plane. No part of the intermediate structure  12  is located rearward of each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34 . In other words, a space is located rearward of each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34 . 
     The first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  are located at the opposite sides of the shell  30  in the Y-direction, respectively. The first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  are located at positions different from each other in the X-direction. More specifically, a predetermined side plate  30 S, which is one of the side plates  30 S, has a rear edge which is located rearward of another rear edge of the other side plate  30 S. The second positioning portion  34  is provided on the predetermined side plate  30 S. Thus, the first positioning portion  32  of the present embodiment is located forward of the second positioning portion  34 . 
     Each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment is a part of the shell  30  and has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  may be a member formed separately from the shell  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 ,  9  and  10   , the base portion  28  of the present embodiment has two projections  36 . For example, the projections  36  can be used to position the connector body  20  when the connector body  20  is accommodated in the outer housing (not shown). The projections  36  of the present embodiment are provided so as to correspond to the two side plates  30 S, respectively. Each of the projections  36  is integrally formed with the corresponding side plate  30 S. 
     The projections  36  are located at the opposite sides of the shell  30  in the Y-direction. Each of the projections  36  is located at the middle of the corresponding side plate  30 S in the X-direction. Each of the projections  36  extends downward, i.e. in the negative Z-direction, slightly beyond the lower plate  30 L from a lower edge (negative Z-side edge) of the corresponding side plate  30 S. 
     Each of the projections  36  of the present embodiment is a part of the shell  30  and has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the projections  36  may be a member formed separately from the shell  30 . Moreover, the projections  36  may be provided as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  to  10   , the base portion  28  of the present embodiment has an assigned portion  38  and a crimp portion  39 . The assigned portion  38  and the crimp portion  39  is used to attach the cable  50  to the connector body  20 . Referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the assigned portion  38  of the present embodiment is integrally formed with the upper plate  30 U. The assigned portion  38  extends rearward from a rear edge of the upper plate  30 U. Referring to  FIG.  10   , the crimp portion  39  of the present embodiment is integrally formed with the lower plate  30 L. The crimp portion  39  extends rearward from a rear edge of the lower plate  30 L. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , each of the assigned portion  38  and the crimp portion  39  of the present embodiment is a part of the shell  30  and has the aforementioned structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the assigned portion  38  and the crimp portion  39  may be a member formed separately from the shell  30 . Moreover, the assigned portion  38  and the crimp portion  39  may be provided as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the shell  30  which is formed as described above defines an outline of the base portion  28 . The shell  30  has an asymmetric shape with respect to the XY-plane. Moreover, the shell  30  has a 180-degree rotationally asymmetrical shape with respect to the central axis AX. Thus, the base portion  28  of the present embodiment has a 180-degree rotationally asymmetrical outline with respect to the central axis AX. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  to  10   , the front shell  26  of the fit portion  22  is fixed to a front end (positive X-side end) of the shell  30  of the base portion  28  via soldering, etc. The front shell  26  is located inward of the outer circumference portion  30 E of the shell  30  in the YZ-plane. The base portion  28  comprises a connection structure (not shown) in addition to the shell  30 . The connection structure is located inside the outer circumference portion  30 E. Each of the terminals (not shown) of the fit portion  22  has a rear end (negative X-side end) which is connected to the connection structure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the cable  50  has an end portion  52  and a main portion  54 . The end portion  52  is received in the base portion  28 . In detail, the end portion  52  is received inside the outer circumference portion  30 E of the shell  30  and is almost entirely enclosed by the outer circumference portion  30 E in the YZ-plane. Each of the core wires (not shown) of the end portion  52  is exposed from the jacket  502  and the coat (not shown) and is connected to the connection structure (not shown) of the base portion  28 . The connection structure connects each of the terminals (not shown) to the corresponding core wire. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the core wires (not shown) of the cable  50  are connected with the terminals (not shown) of the fit portion  22 , respectively, through the connection structure (not shown) of the base portion  28 . Under the mated state, front ends of the terminals are connected to mating terminals (not shown) of the object  80 , respectively, so that the electronic device (not shown) connected to the harness  10  is electrically connected with the mating electronic device (not shown) provided with the object  80 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the connection structure for connecting the core wires of the cable  50  to the mating terminals can be variously modified as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the main portion  54  of the cable  50  extends rearward from the end portion  52 . The assigned portion  38  of the shell  30  is placed on the main portion  54 . The crimp portion  39  of the shell  30  is wound around and crimps the main portion  54  while the assigned portion  38  is partially located between the crimp portion  39  and the main portion  54 . The cable  50  of the present embodiment is attached to the connector body  20  as described above. However, the attachment method of the cable  50  to the connector body  20  of the present invention is not specifically limited. 
     Hereafter, explanation will be made about the mold member  40  and the cable-holding portion  41  of the present embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  6 ,  8  and  9   , as previously described, the mold member  40  of the present embodiment is a unitary member which includes the cable-holding portion  41  as a part thereof and is formed at the same time as the formation of the cable-holding portion  41 . More specifically, after the intermediate structure  12  is fabricated, material such as resin is molded to form the mold member  40 . The mold member  40  partially covers the intermediate structure  12 . In detail, the mold member  40  is filled in the shell  30  of the connector body  20  and partially covers the shell  30  and a main portion  54  of the cable  50 . The mold member  40  illustrated in  FIG.  6    continuously extends in the X-direction over a range including the front end and a rear end of the shell  30 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the mold member  40  may be partially filled in the shell  30 . 
     The cable-holding portion  41  of the present embodiment is a rear part of the mold member  40 . The cable-holding portion  41  continuously extends in the X-direction and partially covers the shell  30  and a main portion  54  of the cable  50 . In other words, the cable-holding portion  41  is formed so as to extend across the shell  30  and the main portion  54 . More specifically, the cable-holding portion  41  is formed so as to extend across the base portion  28  and the main portion  54  and holds the cable  50 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the cable-holding portion  41  of the present embodiment continuously extends from a front part of the mold member  40 . The thus-formed cable-holding portion  41  securely holds and protects the cable  50 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cable-holding portion  41  may be formed separately from the front part of the mold member  40 . Moreover, the front part of the mold member  40  may be formed as necessary. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the cable-holding portion  41  of the present embodiment is formed with a first recessed portion  42  and a second recessed portion  44 . The first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  of the present embodiment are formed upon molding the mold member  40 . Hereafter, explanation will be made about the forming method of the mold member  40  according to the present embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  14   , the mold member  40  (see  FIG.  1   ) of the present embodiment is formed by using two dies, namely a lower die  60  and an upper die  70 . Referring to  FIGS.  11  to  13   , the lower die  60  has an upper surface  60 U. The upper surface  60 U is located at an upper end (positive Z-side end) of the lower die  60  and extends along the XY-plane. The lower die  60  is formed with a receiving portion  60 R. The receiving portion  60 R is a recess which is recessed downward from the upper surface  60 U. The receiving portion  60 R is formed with a bottom surface  61 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the receiving portion  60 R has a shape which can entirely receive a lower part of the connector body  20 . The receiving portion  60 R has a size in the Y-direction which is designed so that the receiving portion  60 R can receive the front shell  26  of the connector body  20  and the outer circumference portion  30 E of the shell  30  with no substantial gap. In addition, the bottom surface  61  of the receiving portion  60 R has a shape which corresponds to a lower outline of the connector body  20 . For example, the bottom surface  61  is formed with two indents  66  which correspond to the projections  36  of the shell  30 , respectively. Each of the indents  66  is formed so that the corresponding projection  36  can be received therein. When the connector body  20  is received in the receiving portion  60 R in a proper arrangement in which the lower plate  30 L of the shell  30  faces downward, the projections  36  are received in the indents  66 , respectively, and the lower plate  30 L is brought into contact with the bottom surface  61 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  to  13   , the receiving portion  60 R of the present embodiment is formed with two cylindrical pins, namely a first pin  62  and a second pin  64 . Each of the first pin  62  and the second pin  64  extends upward slightly beyond the upper surface  60 U from the bottom surface  61 . The first pin  62  is located forward of the second pin  64 . Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , when the connector body  20  is received in the receiving portion  60 R in the proper arrangement, the first pin  62  is located in a space behind the first positioning portion  32 , and the second pin  64  is located in a space behind the second positioning portion  34 . 
     When the connector body  20  is received in the receiving portion  60 R in the proper arrangement, the first pin  62  of the present embodiment is brought into contact with the first positioning portion  32  in the X-direction or is located just behind the first positioning portion  32  with a slight distance from the first positioning portion  32 . Meanwhile, the second pin  64  of the present embodiment is brought into contact with the second positioning portion  34  in the X-direction or is located just behind the second positioning portion  34  with a slight distance from the second positioning portion  34 . The first pin  62  and the second pin  64  which are arranged as described above position the intermediate structure  12  in the X-direction together with the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34 . More specifically, the first pin  62  and the second pin  64  regulate a rearward movement of the intermediate structure  12 . Meanwhile, a forward movement of the intermediate structure  12  is regulated by a front end surface of the receiving portion  60 R. 
     Each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  has an L-like shape in the XY-plane and thereby works as a spring before the cable-holding portion  41  (see  FIG.  1   ) is formed. When the intermediate structure  12  is moved rearward upon the insertion of the intermediate structure  12  into the receiving portion  60 R, the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  are brought into abutment with the first pin  62  and the second pin  64 , respectively, and are resiliently deformed. The first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  which has been resiliently deformed push the intermediate structure  12  back forward. Thus, the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment can reliably position the intermediate structure  12  in the X-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the shapes of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  can be modified as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , the connector body  20  of the present embodiment is provided with the two positioning portions consisting of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34 . The first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment are located at opposite sides of the connector body  20  in the Y-direction, respectively. This arrangement can more reliably position the connector body  20 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the number and the arrangement of the positioning portions can be modified as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG.  14   , the upper die  70  has a lower surface  70 L. The lower surface  70 L is located at a lower end (negative Z-side end) of the upper die  70  and extends along the XY-plane. The upper die  70  is formed with an upper receiving portion (not shown). The upper receiving portion is a recess which is recessed upward from the lower surface  70 L. The upper receiving portion has a shape which can entirely receive an upper part of the intermediate structure  12 . When the upper die  70  is moved downward toward the lower die  60  after the insertion of the intermediate structure  12  into the receiving portion  60 R in the proper arrangement, the upper part of the intermediate structure  12  is received in the upper receiving portion. The lower surface  70 L of the upper die  70  which receives the intermediate structure  12  is brought into contact with the upper surface  60 U of the lower die  60 . As a result, the intermediate structure  12  is covered by the upper die  70  and the lower die  60 . 
     After the intermediate structure  12  is covered by the upper die  70  and the lower die  60 , liquid material such as thermosetting resin is poured into the receiving portion  60 R and the upper receiving portion (not shown) through an injection hole (not shown) formed in the upper die  70 . The thus-poured material is hardened to form the mold member  40  (see  FIG.  1   ) including the cable-holding portion  41  (see  FIG.  1   ). As a result, the harness  10  (see  FIG.  1   ) is fabricated. Then, the upper die  70  is detached, and the fabricated harness  10  is taken out of the lower die  60 . 
     The cable-holding portion  41  (see  FIG.  1   ) of the present embodiment is formed by using the two dies consisting of the upper die  70  and the lower die  60 . Thus, the number of the dies of the present embodiment is two. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the number of the dies may be three or more. For example, when the cable-holding portion  41  is formed, an additional die (not shown) may be used in addition to the lower die  60  and the upper die  70 . For example, the additional die may be formed with a receiving recess which can receive the fit portion  22 . The intermediate structure  12  may be received in the lower die  60  together with the additional die in which the fit portion  22  is received. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , when the connector body  20  is arranged in an upside-down arrangement in which the connector body  20  is arranged upside-down, the fit portion  22  has an outline which is same as the outline of the fit portion  22  in the proper arrangement of the connector body  20 . The outline of the base portion  28  in the upside-down arrangement of the connector body  20  is different from but is similar to the outline of the base portion  28  in the proper arrangement of the connector body  20 . Thus, the outline of the connector body  20  in the upside-down arrangement is similar to the outline of the connector body  20  in the proper arrangement. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   , even if a lower surface of the lower plate  30 L of the shell  30  (hereafter, referred to as “predetermined surface”) faces upward upon insertion of the intermediate structure  12  into the receiving portion  60 R of the lower die  60 , an operator of the intermediate structure  12  might misunderstand that the predetermined surface faces downward. Referring to  FIG.  14   , if the connector body  20  is received in the lower die  60  in the upside-down arrangement in which the predetermined surface faces upward, the connector body  20  might be damaged during the downward movement of the upper die  70  toward the lower die  60 . Even if the physical shape of the connector body  20  in the upside-down arrangement is same as the physical shape of the connector body  20  in the proper arrangement, the connector body  20  sometimes should not be arranged in the upside-down arrangement because of some reasons such as asymmetrical pin assignment of the terminals (not shown) of the fit portion  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , the intermediate structure  12  and the lower die  60  of the present embodiment have a reverse arrangement prevention mechanism for preventing the aforementioned upside-down arrangement. The reverse arrangement prevention mechanism of the present embodiment is formed of the second positioning portion  34  of the intermediate structure  12  and the first pin  62  of the lower die  60 . Hereafter, explanation will be made about the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism of the present embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , when the connector body  20  is properly arranged, i.e. when the connector body  20  is under the proper arrangement, the first pin  62  of the lower die  60  is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the second positioning portion  34  of the shell  30  in the X-direction. In addition, the first pin  62  is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the second positioning portion  34  in the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , upon an attempt to insert the connector body  20  into the receiving portion  60 R of the lower die  60  in the upside-down arrangement, a lower end of the second positioning portion  34  is brought into abutment with an upper end of the first pin  62 . As a result, the intermediate structure  12  cannot be inserted to a proper position of the receiving portion  60 R and is lifted up from the receiving portion  60 R. Referring to  FIGS.  19  and  20   , even if the intermediate structure  12  under the upside-down arrangement changes its posture, the intermediate structure  12  is, at least in part, lifted up from the receiving portion  60 R. Therefore, the operator of the intermediate structure  12  can visually recognize that the connector body  20  is in the upside-down arrangement. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  and  14   , the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism can be theoretically formed even if the lower die  60  is not provided with a projecting portion such as the first pin  62 . For example, the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism can be theoretically formed of the projections  36  of the intermediate structure  12  and the bottom surface  61  of the lower die  60 . According to this theoretical reverse arrangement prevention mechanism, the upper die  70  should be formed with indents which can receive the projections  36  while the lower die  60  need not be formed with the indents  66 . According to this instance, the proper arrangement of the present embodiment is the upside-down arrangement. 
     According to the modification described above, when the connector body  20  is in the upside-down arrangement, lower ends of the projections  36  are brought into abutment with the bottom surface  61 , and thereby the intermediate structure  12  is partially lifted up from the receiving portion  60 R. However, each of the projections  36  of the present embodiment projects from the lower plate  30 L only by a slight projecting length. For example, the projecting length is about 0.5 mm. Therefore, this reverse arrangement prevention mechanism makes it difficult to visually recognize whether the intermediate structure  12  is lifted up or not. If the projecting length of each of the projections  36  is made longer to be similar to that of the first pin  62 , it can be visually recognized that intermediate structure  12  is lifted up. However, when the projections  36  are made longer, the connector body  20  of the harness  10  (see  FIG.  1   ) will have an unnecessary large size in the Z-direction. Therefore, such modification is impractical. Practically, the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism should include projecting portions such as the first pin  62  provided to the lower die  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  11   , as described below, the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism of the present embodiment can be seen from the structure of the harness  10 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first recessed portion  42  of the cable-holding portion  41  is a mark where the first pin  62  of the lower die  60  is pulled out. The second recessed portion  44  of the cable-holding portion  41  is a mark where the second pin  64  of the lower die  60  is pulled out. Therefore, the shapes of the first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  correspond to the shapes of the first pin  62  and the second pin  64 , respectively. In addition, the arrangement of the first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  in the XY-plane is identical to the arrangement of the first pin  62  and the second pin  64  in the XY-plane. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the first recessed portion  42  is located forward of the second recessed portion  44 . The first recessed portion  42  is located rearward of the first positioning portion  32  of the shell  30 . The second recessed portion  44  is located rearward of the second positioning portion  34  of the shell  30 . The first recessed portion  42  is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the second positioning portion  34  in the X-direction. In addition, the first recessed portion  42  is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the second positioning portion  34  in the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment is an interference portion which forms the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism together with the first pin  62 . Thus, referring to  FIG.  5   , the base portion  28  of the connector body  20  has the interference portion  34 . Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  17  and  18   , the first recessed portion  42  of the present embodiment is a recessed portion which corresponds to the first pin  62  of the reverse arrangement prevention mechanism. Thus, the cable-holding portion  41  is formed with the recessed portion  42 . The recessed portion  42  opens at least downward in the Z-direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the recessed portion  42  and the interference portion  34  are located at opposite sides of the harness  10  in the Y-direction, respectively. The recessed portion  42  is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the interference portion  34  in the X-direction. In addition, the recessed portion  42  is, at least in part, located at a position same as that of the interference portion  34  in the Z-direction. Referring to  FIG.  10   , when the connector body  20  is turned upside-down, the thus-arranged interference portion  34  is moved to a position at which the recessed portion  42  is, at least in part, located previously. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , if the intermediate structure  12  is arranged upside-down upon formation of the cable-holding portion  41  (see  FIG.  1   ), the interference portion  34  is brought into abutment with the first pin  62  of the lower die  60 , and the connector body  20  is lifted up from the lower die  60 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, the only one interference portion  34  provided on the connector body  20  enables visual inspection upon formation of the cable-holding portion  41  on whether the connector body  20  is arranged upside-down or not. As described above, the present embodiment can provide the harness  10  having a structure which is simple and enables a visual inspection on whether the connector body  20  is properly arranged or not upon formation of the cable-holding portion  41 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  18   , in order to visually recognize whether the connector body  20  is lifted up from the lower die  60  or not, the height of the first pin  62  from the bottom surface  61  should be a predetermined length or more. In the present embodiment, the height, i.e. the size in the Z-direction, of the connector body  20  is about 4 mm. In this instance, the height of the first pin  62  from the bottom surface  61  is preferred to be equal to or more than 2 mm. Therefore, referring to  FIG.  6   , the recessed portion  42  is preferred to have a depth DP of 2 mm or more in the Z-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the height of the connector body  20  of the present invention is not specifically limited. The depth DP of the recessed portion  42  in the Z-direction is preferred to be at least equal to or more than 2 mm regardless of the height of the connector body  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , hereafter, further specific explanation will be made about the first recessed portion  42 , the second recessed portion  44 , the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , each of the first recessed portion (recessed portion)  42 , the second recessed portion  44 , the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion (interference portion)  34  of the present embodiment is located between the opposite sides of the connector body  20  in the Y-direction. More specifically, the position of each of the first recessed portion  42 , the second recessed portion  44 , the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  in the Y-direction is located between those of the two side plates  30 S in the Y-direction. This arrangement enables visual inspection on whether the connector body  20  is properly arranged or not while the harness  10  is not increased in size in the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  may protrude outward from the corresponding side plate  30 S in the Y-direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , the second positioning portion  34  of the present embodiment is located rearward of the first positioning portion  32  and works as the interference portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first positioning portion  32  may be located rearward of the second positioning portion  34 . In this instance, the first positioning portion  32  is the interference portion, and the second recessed portion  44  is the recessed portion. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , the present embodiment enables visual recognition on whether the connector body  20  is lifted up from the lower die  60  or not with no increase of components. More specifically, the present embodiment enables the aforementioned visual recognition by using one of the two positioning portions consisting of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  as the interference portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the two positioning portions may be provided as necessary. When the two positioning portions are not provided, a rear end of one of the side plates  30 S of the shell  30  may be used as the interference portion. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , each of the first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  opens only downward. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, referring to  FIG.  13   , each of the first pin  62  and the second pin  64  may further extend upward. In addition, referring to  FIG.  4   , each of the further-extending first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  may pass through the cable-holding portion  41  in the Z-direction. In other words, each of the first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  may open upward and downward. Thus, each of the first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  may open at least downward. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the second pin  64  may be provided on the upper die  70  (see  FIG.  14   ). The-thus provided second pin  64  may extend downward. Referring to  FIG.  4   , the second recessed portion  44  of this modification may open only upward. Thus, the second recessed portion  44  may open at least one of upward and downward. Moreover, when the two positioning portions consisting of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  are not provided, the second pin  64  need not be provided. In other words, the second recessed portion  44  may be provided as necessary. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , each of the first recessed portion  42  and the second recessed portion  44  of the present embodiment has a circular shape in the XY-plane and is not exposed outward from the cable-holding portion  41  in the Y-direction. In other words, each of the first recessed portion (recessed portion)  42  and the second recessed portion  44  is closed in the XY-plane defined by the X-direction and the Y-direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the recessed portion  42  may be a groove which has a rectangular shape in the XY-plane. This groove may open downward. In addition, this groove may open outward in the Y-direction from one of opposite sides of the cable-holding portion  41 . 
     More specifically, referring to  FIG.  11   , the lower die  60  may be provided with a block having a rectangular parallelepiped shape instead of the first pin  62 . This block may extend inward in the Y-direction from one of two wall surfaces which are located at opposite sides of the receiving portion  60 R in the Y-direction, respectively. However, referring to  FIG.  5   , when the cable-holding portion  41  is formed with the groove which opens in the Y-direction, the cable-holding portion  41  might be degraded in strength. The present embodiment is preferable from a viewpoint of maintaining the strength of the cable-holding portion  41 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  of the shell  30  is buried and fixed in the cable-holding portion  41 . Referring to  FIG.  8   , each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  has an L-like shape in the XY-plane and thereby partially blocks the inside of the shell  30  from behind. Thus, each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  electro-magnetically shields the inside of the shell  30  from behind. In addition, each of the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  strengthens the cable-holding portion  41 . For example, when the cable  50  receives a rearward force, the first positioning portion  32  and the second positioning portion  34  prevent the connector body  20  from being removed from the cable  50 . 
     The present embodiment can be further variously modified in addition to the already described various modifications. 
     For example, comparing  FIG.  21    with  FIG.  1   , a harness  10 A according to a modification comprises the connector body  20  and the cable  50  same as those of the harness  10  but comprises a mold member  40 A different from the mold member  40  of the harness  10 . The mold member  40 A entirely covers the shell  30  (see  FIG.  1   ). The mold member  40 A has a rear part which works as a cable-holding portion  41 A similarly to the cable-holding portion  41 .