Patent Publication Number: US-2012028498-A1

Title: Cable connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/368,773, filed on Jul. 29, 2010, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0007764, filed on Jan. 26, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a cable connector, and more particularly, to a cable connector having a flexible shape. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A cable connector is a device for electrically connecting two electronic devices to each other. For examples, a cable connector may be a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable connector, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable connector, an audio cable connector, a video cable connector, or the like. 
     Various cable connectors may be used in electronic devices. For example, since a television may be connected to various electronic devices such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a set top box, a speaker, or a computer, a plurality of cable connectors may be used with the television. In this case, due to the number of cable connectors, they may interfere with each other, and it is difficult to arrange the cable connectors. In addition, it is difficult to identify electronic devices that are respectively connected to the cable connectors. Thus, there is a need to develop a cable connector that is easily arranged and identified. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a cable connector for transmitting a signal between first and second electronic devices, the cable connector including a cable including at least one signal line disposed within a sheath; and a connector disposed at a first end portion of the cable, wherein the connector includes a rotation member connected to the cable; a main body including a rotation member mounting portion to which the rotation member is rotatably connected; and a sub body including a plug disposed at a first end portion of the sub body, wherein the sub body is moveably connected to the main body. 
     The sub body may further include a separation blocking projection formed at a second end portion of the sub body, wherein the separation blocking projection prevents the sub body from being separated from the main body. 
     The main body may include a contact surface which contacts the sub body, and the sub body may include a contact surface which contacts the main body. The cable connector may further include an elastic protrusion formed on a first one of the contact surface of the main body and the contact surface of the sub body; and a plurality of grooves formed on a second one of the contact surface of the main body and the contact surface of the sub body, wherein each of the plurality of grooves may be engageable with the elastic protrusion. 
     The rotation member may include a contact surface which contacts with the rotation member mounting portion, and the rotation member mounting portion may include a contact surface which contacts with the rotation member. The cable connector may further include an elastic protrusion formed on a first one of the contact surface of the rotation member and the contact surface of the rotation member mounting portion; and a plurality of grooves formed on a second one of the contact surface of the rotation member and the contact surface of the rotation member mounting portion, wherein each of the plurality of grooves may be engageable with the elastic protrusion. 
     The rotation member may include first and second rotation bosses that are formed on an upper surface and a lower surface, respectively, of the rotation member; a portion of the cable within the rotation member may be divided into first and second internal cables; the first internal cable may extend through a first opening of the first rotation boss, and the second internal cable may extend through a second opening of the second rotation boss. 
     The main body may include a first internal connector that is electrically connected to the cable, and the sub body may include a second internal connector that is electrically connected to the first internal connector. 
     The first internal connector may include a plurality of first electrodes, and the second internal connector may include a plurality of second electrodes that are connected to the plurality of first electrodes. A length of each of the plurality of first electrodes or a length of each of the plurality of second electrodes may be equal to or greater than a distance through which the sub body is moveable with respect to the main body. 
     One of the first and second internal connectors may be a male connector, and the other one of the first and second internal connectors may be a female connector. 
     The cable connector may further include a mark unit for indicating a use of the cable connector. 
     The mark unit may include a circular member that is rotatably mounted to one of the main body and the sub body; the circular member may include a plurality of sections; and the connector may include a window formed in the one of the main body and the sub body to which the circular member is rotatably mounted through which one of the plurality of sections of the circular member is visible. 
     Each of the plurality of sections of the circular member may have a different color or a different character. 
     The mark unit may include a ring member that is rotatably mounted to one of the main body and the sub body; the ring member may include a mark portion that includes a plurality of sections and a grip portion that is exposed outside the connector, and the connector may include a window formed in the one of the main body and the sub body to which the ring member is rotatably mounted through which one of the plurality of sections of the mark portion is visible. 
     Each of the plurality of sections of the mark portion may have a different color or a different character. 
     The cable may include a flexible coil adjacent to the connector. 
     The flexible coil may be exposed outside the connector, and a diameter of the flexible coil may be equal to a diameter of the sheath of the cable. 
     The flexible coil may be disposed within the sheath of the cable. 
     The sub body may be formed of extruded aluminum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other exemplary aspects and/or advantages will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a cable connector according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the cable connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are cross-sectional views of the cable connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a magnified portion of a rotation member mounting portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially rear view of a case in which two cable connectors according to an exemplary embodiment are inserted into terminal portions of a television; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are schematic diagrams of first and second internal connectors when a sub body is moved, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a first internal connector, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the first internal connector taken along a line X-X of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of a second internal connector, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a second internal connector taken along a line XII-XII of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a case where a second internal connector is inserted into a first internal connector, according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic perspective view of a cable connector according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a set of diagrams of various examples of a circular member, according to exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic perspective view of a cable connector according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic perspective view of a ring member of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of a cable connector according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  a schematic diagram of a cable connector according to another exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the cable connector taken along a line XX-XX of  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. 
     While exemplary embodiments are described herein, they should not be construed as being limited to the specific descriptions set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. In the drawings, the sizes of components are exaggerated for clarity. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a cable connector  10  according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the cable connector  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  are cross-sectional views of the cable connector  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The cable connector  10  is used to transmit an electrical signal between two electronic devices. Examples of the cable connector  10  may include an HDMI cable connector, a USB cable connector, an audio cable connector, or a video cable connector. 
     At least one signal line  102  is formed within a sheath  101  of a cable  100 . When the cable connector  10  is connected to two electronic devices, electrical signals are transmitted between the two electronic devices through the at least one signal line  102  formed within the cable  100 . 
     A connector  200  is formed at a first end portion of the cable  100 . Although not illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , another connector similar to the connector  200  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may also be formed at a second end portion of the cable  100 . The connector  200  may be inserted into a terminal portion of an electronic device. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  200  may include a rotation member  210 , a main body  220 , and a sub body  230 . 
     The rotation member  210  is connected to the cable  100 , and is rotatably connected to the main body  220 . A rotation member mounting portion  221  on which the rotation member  210  is mounted is formed in the main body  220 . As the rotation member  210  rotates, as indicated by an arrow A of  FIG. 1 , an angle between the connector  200  and the cable  100  may be adjusted. According to the present embodiment, the rotation member  210  may rotate by 180 degrees. However, it would be understood that a range of a rotation angle of the rotation member  210  may be changed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a cavity  211  for providing a path of the cable  100  is formed in the rotation member  210 . The cable  100  may be connected to a plug  231  of the sub body  230  through the rotation member  210  and the main body  220 . For convenience of description, a portion of the cable  100 , which is positioned in the connector  200  will be referred to as an internal cable. For clarity of illustration, any internal cable is not illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     A first rotation boss  215   a  is formed on an upper surface  210   a  of the rotation member  210 , and a second rotation boss  215   b  is formed on a lower surface  210   b  of the rotation member  210 . The first and second rotation bosses  215   a  and  215   b  are coaxially arranged with a rotation axis of the rotation member  210 . The first and second rotation bosses  215   a  and  215   b  allow the rotation member  210  to rotate relative to the main body  220 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , a first elastic protrusion  217   a  is formed on the upper surface  210   a  of the rotation member  210 , and a second elastic protrusion  217   b  is formed on the lower surface  210   b  of the rotation member  210 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a magnified portion of the rotation member mounting portion  221  of  FIG. 2 . A slot  222  in which the first and second rotation bosses  215   a  and  215   b  of the rotation member  210  are installed is formed in the rotation member mounting portion  221 . A plurality of grooves  227 , to be engaged with the first and second elastic protrusions  217   a  and  217   b , are formed in a contact surface of the rotation member mounting portion  221 , which contacts the upper surface  210   a  or the lower surface  210   b  of the rotation member  210 .  FIG. 5  shows seven grooves  227  arranged at equal intervals of 30 degrees. When a user exerts a predetermined pressure on the rotation member  210 , the first and second elastic protrusions  217   a  and  217   b  may separate from one groove  227  and then may become engaged with another groove  227 . Thus, the user may control the rotation angle of the rotation member  210  with respect to the main body  220  through a number of steps equal to the number of grooves  227 . It would be understood that the number of the grooves  227  and the angles between neighboring grooves  227  may be changed if necessary, and the angles between neighboring grooves  227  need not be equal. 
     According to the present embodiment, the first and second elastic protrusions  217   a  and  217   b  are formed on the rotation member  210 , and the grooves  227  are formed in the main body  220 . Alternatively, the first and second elastic protrusions  217   a  and  217   b  may be formed on the main body  220 , and the grooves  227  may be formed in the rotation member  210 . In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first and second elastic protrusions  217   a  and  217   b  are formed on the upper surface  210   a  and the lower surface  210   b  of the rotation member  210 , respectively. Alternatively, an elastic protrusion may be formed on only the upper surface  210   a  or the lower surface  210   b  of the rotation member  210 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cable  100  is divided into first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b  in the cavity  211  of the rotation member  210 . The first internal cable  100   a  passes through a first opening  216   a  of the first rotation boss  215   a , and the second internal cable  100   b  passes through a second opening  216   b  of the second rotation boss  215   b . Thus, a distance d 1  between an upper surface  200   a  of the connector  200  and the cable  100  may be equal to a distance d 2  between a lower surface  200   b  of the connector  200  and the cable  100 . 
     If the cable  100  is not divided and passes through only the first opening  216   a  of the first rotation boss  215   a , the distance d 1  between the upper surface  200   a  of the connector  200  and the cable  100  may be greater than the distance d 2  between the lower surface  200   b  of the connector  200  and the cable  100  by as much as the diameter of the cable  100 , which means that the cable  100  may be positioned to be asymmetrical with respect to the connector  200 . In this case, if the cable connector  10  is configured so that the distance d 1  between the upper surface  200   a  of the connector  200  and the cable  100  may be equal to the distance d 2  between the lower surface  200   b  of the connector  200  and the cable  100 , a thickness of the connector  200  may be increased unnecessarily. However, according to the present embodiment, since the cable  100  is divided into the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b  in the cavity  211  of the rotation member  210 , the cable  100  may be positioned to be symmetrical with the connector  200  without an unnecessary increase in the thickness of the connector  200 . Alternately, of course, the cable may be undivided and may pass through only the second opening  216   b  of the second rotation boss  215   b , and the distance d 2  between the lower surface  200   b  of the connector  200  and the cable  100  may be greater than the distance d 1  between the upper surface  200   a  of the connector  200  and the cable  100  by as much as the diameter of the cable  100 . 
     The plug  231 , which may be inserted into a terminal portion of an electronic device, is positioned at a first end portion of the sub body  230 . The sub body  230  may be formed of extruded aluminum, thus providing an appealing external appearance of the connector  200  may and protecting components inside the sub body  230  from external shocks. 
     The sub body  230  may be moveable relative to the main body  220 , as indicated by an arrow B of  FIG. 1 . As the sub body  230  is moved, the overall length of the connector  200  may be adjusted.  FIG. 3  shows a case in which the sub body  230  is moved away from the main body  220  (that is, to the left, as shown in  FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 4  shows a case in which the sub body  230  is moved towards the main body  220  (that is, to the right, as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     A separation blocking projection  232  is formed at a second end portion of the sub body  230 . The separation blocking projection  232  prevents the sub body  230  from being separated from the main body  220 . 
     An elastic protrusion  233   a  is formed on a contact surface  233  of the sub body  230 , which contacts the main body  220 . A plurality of grooves  233   a , to be engaged with the elastic protrusion  233   a , may be formed in a contact surface  223  of the main body  220 , which contacts the sub body  230 . When a user applies a predetermined pressure to the sub body  230 , the elastic protrusion  233   a  may separate from one groove  223   a , and then, may be engaged with another groove  223   a . According to the present embodiment, since the number of the grooves  223   a  is four, the entire length of the connector  200  may be adjusted through four steps. However, it would be understood that the number and spacing of the grooves  223   a  may be changed in various ways. 
     In addition, according to the present embodiment, the elastic protrusion  233   a  is formed on the sub body  230 , and the grooves  223   a  are formed in the main body  220 . Alternatively, the elastic protrusion  233   a  may be formed on the main body  220 , and the grooves  223   a  may be formed in the sub body  230 . 
     As described above, the cable connector  10  may be advantageous in that the overall length of the connector  200 , and the angle between the connector  200  and the cable  100  may be adjusted. With reference to  FIG. 6 , additional exemplary advantages of the cable connector  10  will be described in more detail. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of a case in which two cable connectors  10   a  and  10   b , which each correspond to the cable connector  10  of  FIG. 1 , are inserted into terminal portions  1   a  of a television  1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In general, the terminal portions  1   a  of the television  1  are disposed on a rear surface of the television  1 . That is, the television  1  of  FIG. 6  is viewed from the rear. 
     If the cable  100  of the cable connector  10   a  is thick, the flexibility of the cable  100  is reduced, the cable  100  may unnecessarily extend beyond a lateral surface of the television  1 , as indicated by dotted lines, thereby adversely affecting an appearance of the television  1 . In this case, a user may adjust a rotation angle of the rotation member  210  of the cable connector  10   a  so as to prevent the cable  100  from being unnecessarily exposed to a front surface of the television  1 . In addition, if the cable connector  10   a  is positioned adjacent to the cable connector  10   b , the cable connectors  10   a  and  10   b  may interfere with each other. In this case, the user may extend a length of the cable connector  10   a  so as to prevent the cable connectors  10   a  and  10   b  from interfering with each other. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 through 13 , a cable connector  20  according to another exemplary embodiment will be described below. Components in  FIGS. 7 through 13  having the same functions and operations as those in  FIGS. 1 through 6  are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , and detailed descriptions thereof will not be given herein. 
     According to the above embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b  extend between the main body  220  and the sub body  230 . However, according to the present embodiment, first and second internal connectors  225  and  235  are used so that the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b , and the plug  231  of the sub body  230  may be electrically connected to each other. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are schematic diagrams of the first and second internal connectors  225  and  235  when the sub body  230  is moved, according to another exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7  shows a case in which the second internal connector  235  is moved away from the first internal connector  225  (to the left, as shown in  FIG. 7 ), which corresponds to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 8  shows a case in which the second internal connector is moved toward the first internal connector  225  (to the right, as shown in  FIG. 8 ), which corresponds to  FIG. 4 . 
     The first internal connector  225  is formed in the main body  220 . The second internal connector  235  is formed in the sub body  230 . For clarity of illustration, in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the main body  220  and the sub body  230  are not illustrated, but only the first and second internal connectors  225  and  235  are illustrated. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the first internal connector  225 , according to another exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the first internal connector  225  taken along a line X-X of  FIG. 9 . 
     The first internal connector  225  is electrically connected to the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b , and is formed in the main body  220 . A plurality of electrodes  225   a , that are electrically connected to the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b , are formed in the first internal connector  225 . A plurality of wires  225   b  electrically connect the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b  to the electrodes  225   a  of the first internal connector  225 . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of the second internal connector  235 , according to another exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the second internal connector  235  taken along a line XII-XII of  FIG. 11 . 
     The second internal connector  235  is electrically connected to the first internal connector  225 , and is formed in the sub body  230 . As the sub body  230  is moved, the second internal connector  235  is moved. The second internal connector  235  includes a substrate  236  on which a plurality of electrodes  235   a  are formed. The electrodes  235  of the second internal connector  235  may extend in a longitudinal direction of the second internal connector  235 , and may contact the electrodes  225   a  of the first internal connector  225 . An entire length of the electrodes  235   a  of the second internal connector  235  may be equal to or greater than a distance by which the sub body  230  may move with respect to the main body. 
     The second internal connector  235  may be inserted into the first internal connector  225 . That is, the second internal connector  235  may be a male connector, and the first internal connector  225  may be a female connector. However, it would be understood that the first internal connector  225  may be a male connector, and the second internal connector  235  may be a female connector. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a case in which the second internal connector  235  is inserted into the first internal connector  225 , according to another exemplary embodiment. In this case, the electrodes  225  of the first internal connector  225  may contact the electrodes  235   a  of the second internal connector  235 . Thus, the first and second internal cables  100   a  and  100   b  may be electrically connected to the plug  231  of the sub body  230  through the first and second internal connectors  225  and  235 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , as the sub body  230  is moved, positions of the first and second internal connectors  225  and  235  relative to each other may be changed. As descried above, since the entire length of the electrodes  235   a  of the second internal connector  235  is equal to or greater than a distance through which the sub body  230  is moveable, although the relative positions of the first and second internal connectors  225  and  235  are changed, the first and second internal connectors  225  and  235  may remain electrically connected. 
     According to the present embodiment, the electrodes  235   a  of the second internal connector  235  extend in a longitudinal direction of the second internal connector  235 . However, it would be understood that the electrodes  225   a  of the first internal connector  225  may extend in a longitudinal direction of the first internal connector  225 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a cable connector  30  according to another exemplary embodiment will be described below. Components in  FIGS. 14 and 15  having the same functions and operations as those in  FIGS. 1 through 13  are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS. 1 through 13 , and detailed descriptions thereof will not be given herein. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic perspective view of the cable connector  30  according to another embodiment. 
     The cable connector  30  includes a mark unit  300 . The mark unit  300  may display the type of the signal transmitted through the cable connector  30 . Thus, a user may identify of use of the cable connector  30 . 
     The mark unit  300  includes a circular member  310 . The circular member  310  is rotatably installed on the sub body  230  of the connector  200 . A window  238  for exposing a portion of the circular member  310  therethrough is formed in the sub body  230 . A user may rotate the circular member  310  by turning an outer circumference surface of the circular member  310 , which is exposed outside the window  238 . 
       FIG. 15  is a set of diagrams of various examples of the circular member  310 , according to exemplary embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the circular member  310  may be divided into four sections  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314 . The four sections  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  illustrate different colors or words, respectively. For example, the abbreviation “PC” (personal computer) may be marked on the first section  311  of the circular member  310 , the abbreviation “BDP” (blue ray disk player) may be marked on the second section  312  of the circular member  310 , the abbreviation “DVD” (digital versatile disk) may be marked on the third section  313  of the circular member  310 , and the abbreviation “HTS” (home theater system) may be marked on the fourth section  314  of the circular member  310 . As the circular member  310  rotates, only one of the four sections  311 ,  312 ,  313 , and  314  is exposed at a time through the window  238  formed in the sub body  230 . 
     A user may identify use of the cable connector  30  by turning the circular member  310 . For example, when the cable connector  30  is connected to a personal computer, the user may turn the circular member  310  so as to show the first section  311  marked with the word “PC” through the window  238  of the sub body  230 . Similarly, when the cable connector  30  is connected to a blue ray disc player, the user may turn the circular member  310  so as to show the second section  312  marked with the word “BDP” through the window  238  of the sub body  230 . When the cable connector  30  is connected to a DVD player, the user may turn the circular member  310  so as to show the third section  313  marked with the word “DVD” through the window  238  of the sub body  230 . In addition, when the cable connector  30  is connected to a home theater system, the user may turn the circular member  310  to show the fourth section  314  marked with the word “HTS” through the window  238  of the sub body  230 . Thus, the user may easily identify use of the cable connector  30  by using the circular member  310 . 
     Alternatively, characters such as “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” or numbers such as “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” may be marked on the first through fourth sections  311  through  314  of the circular member  310 , respectively. Alternatively, the first through fourth sections  311  through  314  of the circular member  310  may be identified according to colors without characters or numbers. 
     According to the present embodiments, the circular member  310  is divided into the four sections  311  through  314 . However, it would be understood that the circular member  310  may be divided into various numbers of sections. In addition, the circular member  310  may be mounted on the main body  220 , but not on the sub body  230 . It would be understood that a position where the circular member  310  is mounted may be changed in various ways. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a cable connector  40  according to another exemplary embodiment will be described below. Components in  FIGS. 16 and 17  having the same functions and operations as those in  FIGS. 1 through 15  are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS. 1 through 15 , and detailed descriptions thereof will not be given herein. 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic perspective view of the cable connector  40  according to another embodiment.  FIG. 17  is a schematic perspective view of a ring member  320  of  FIG. 16 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the mark unit  300  includes the ring member  320 . The ring member  320  is rotatably installed around the sub body  230  of the connector  200 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the ring member  320  includes a mark portion  321  and a grip portion  322 . 
     The mark portion  321  is divided into a plurality of sections. The grip portion  322  is exposed to the outside. A user may grasp the grip portion  322  so as to turn the ring member  320 . 
     Like in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , according to the present embodiment, the user may easily identify use of the cable connector  40  through a predetermined section of the mark portion  321 , which is exposed through the window  238  formed in the sub body  230 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 18 , a cable connector  50  according to another exemplary embodiment will be described below. Components in  FIG. 18  having the same functions and operations as those in  FIGS. 1 through 17  are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS. 1 through 17 , and detailed descriptions thereof will not be given herein. 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of the cable connector  50  according to another embodiment. 
     Flexible coils  400  are formed as portions of the cable  100 , which are adjacent to the connector  200 . A user may easily change shapes of the flexible coils  400 , and the changed shapes of the flexible coils  400  may be maintained. In  FIG. 18 , the flexible coils  400  are each bent to form an angle of 90 degrees. However, it would be understood that the shapes of the flexible coils  400  may be changed in various ways. 
     When the cable connector  50  is connected to a terminal portion of an electronic device, the user may change the shapes of the flexible coils  400  so as to prevent the cable connector  50  from interfering with another adjacent cable connector. Since shapes of portions of the cable  100 , which are adjacent to the connector  200 , may be changed by using the flexible coils  400 , the connector  200  may not include the rotation member  210 . 
     In order to prevent step differences between flexible coils  400  and the remaining portion of the cable  100  from resulting, a diameter of each of the flexible coils  400  may be equal to a diameter of the sheath  101  of the cable  100 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , a cable connector  60  according to another exemplary embodiment will be described below. Components in  FIGS. 19 and 20  having the same functions and operations as those in  FIGS. 1 through 18  are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in  FIGS. 1 through 18 , and detailed descriptions thereof will not be given herein. 
       FIG. 19  a schematic diagram of the cable connector  60  according to another embodiment.  FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the cable connector  60  taken along a line XX-XX of  FIG. 19 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the flexible coils  400  are formed within the sheath  101  of the cable  100 . Since the flexible coils  400  are not exposed to the outside, the cable  100  may have a uniform shape. 
     While exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims.