Patent Publication Number: US-11398687-B2

Title: Cable assembly and structure

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. JP2020-005551 filed Jan. 17, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a cable assembly comprising a cable and a conductive member. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , a cable assembly  900  of FIG. 6 of JPA2015-103510 (Patent Document 1) comprises a cable  950  and a conductive member  910 . The cable  950  comprises a conductive portion  954  and an outer cover  955  which covers the conductive portion  954 . The conductive member  910  has a first portion  914 , a second portion  915  and a coupling portion  918 . The first portion  914  is crimped to the outer cover  955 . The second portion  915  is crimped to the conductive portion  954 . 
     If a cable assembly such as the cable assembly  900  of Patent Document 1 is fixed on a fixing portion of a circuit board or the like by soldering or the like, the cable assembly might be removed from the circuit board upon the cable  950  being swung. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cable assembly having a configuration which is securely fixed on a circuit board or the like. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a structure which comprises the above-mentioned cable assembly. 
     One aspect (first aspect) of the present invention provides a cable assembly comprising a cable and a conductive member. The cable extends in a longitudinal direction. The cable has a first location and a second location in the longitudinal direction. The cable comprises a conductive portion and an outer cover. The outer cover covers the conductive portion. The conductive member is attached with the cable. The conductive member has a first portion, a second portion and a planar portion. The first portion is positioned at the first location in the longitudinal direction. The first portion is crimped to the outer cover. The second portion is positioned at the second location in the longitudinal direction. The second portion is crimped to the conductive portion. The planar portion extends from the first location to the second location in the longitudinal direction. 
     Another aspect (second aspect) of the present invention provides a structure comprising a circuit board and the cable assembly of the first aspect. The circuit board has a fixing portion. The planar portion is fixed on the fixing portion. 
     The cable assembly of the present invention is configured as follows: the conductive member has the planar portion; and the planar portion extends from the first location to the second location in the longitudinal direction in which the cable extends. Thus, the cable assembly of the present invention is configured so that not only the conductive portion of the cable but also the outer cover thereof are securely fixed on a circuit board or the like, via the conductive member, by fixing the planar portion on a fixing portion of the circuit board or the like. In other words, the cable assembly of the present invention has a configuration which is securely fixed on a circuit board or the like. 
     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 structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a planar portion of a cable assembly is soldered on a fixing portion of a circuit board while a core wire of the cable assembly is soldered on a pad of the circuit board. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view showing the structure of  FIG. 1 . In the figure, the planar portion is not soldered on the fixing portion of the circuit board while the core wire is not soldered on the pad of the circuit board. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the cable assembly which is included in the structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view for explaining a manufacturing process of the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . In the figure, a conductive member is coupled with a carrier and is attached with a cable. 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view for explaining the manufacturing process of the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . In the figure, the conductive member is coupled with the carrier and is not attached with the cable. 
         FIG. 10  is yet another perspective view for explaining the manufacturing process of the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . In the figure, the conductive member is coupled with the carrier and is separated from the cable. 
         FIG. 11  is another perspective view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front view showing a crimping metal die which is used for manufacturing the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front view for explaining the manufacturing process of the cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . In the figure, a conductive member intermediary body is crimped to the cable by using the crimping metal die. In the figure, parts of the cable, the conductive member intermediary body and a lower crimping metal die are illustrated enlarged. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a planar portion of a cable assembly is soldered on a fixing portion of a circuit board while a core wire of the cable assembly is soldered on a pad of the circuit board. 
         FIG. 15  is another perspective view showing the structure of  FIG. 14 . In the figure, the planar portion is not soldered on the fixing portion of the circuit board while the core wire is not soldered on the pad of the circuit board. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the cable assembly which is included in the structure of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a top view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is a front view showing the cable assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view for explaining a manufacturing process of the cable assembly of  FIG. 16 . In the figure, a conductive member is not attached with a cable. 
         FIG. 22  is another perspective view for explaining the manufacturing process of the cable assembly of  FIG. 16 . In the figure, the conductive member is not attached with the cable and is positioned to surround an outer cover of the cable. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view showing a cable assembly 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 
     First Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a structure  800  according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a circuit board  700  and a cable assembly  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the circuit board  700  of the present embodiment has a fixing portion  710  and a pad  730 . Each of the fixing portion  710  and the pad  730  is provided on an upper surface  705  of the circuit board  700 . In the present embodiment, an up-down direction is a Z-direction. Specifically, upward is a positive Z-direction while downward is a negative Z-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cable assembly  100  of the present embodiment comprises a cable  600  and a conductive member  300 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cable  600  of the present embodiment comprises a conductive portion  610 , or an outer conductor  610 , and an outer cover  630 . The outer cover  630  covers the conductive portion  610 . In detail, the cable  600  is a coaxial cable. Specifically, the cable  600  has the outer cover  630 , the conductive portion  610 , or the outer conductor  610 , an insulator  670  and a core wire  650 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The cable  600  may be a cable other than a coaxial cable. Specifically, the cable  600  may be, for example, a shielded cable which is shielded by metallic foil or the like. In addition, the cable  600  may be a single cable. In other words, the conductive portion  610  may not be the outer conductor, but may be a core wire. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the conductive member  300  of the present embodiment is attached with the cable  600 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the conductive member  300  has a first portion  310 , a second portion  330 , a planar portion  350 , a coupling portion  360 , a hollow portion  365 , a bulge portion  367  and four ditches  370 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first portion  310  of the present embodiment has an open barrel shape. In other words, the first portion  310  has a first opening  311  which is positioned at an upper side thereof in the up-down direction. The first portion  310  is crimped to the outer cover  630 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first portion  310  is positioned at a first location P 1  of the cable  600  in a longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction is an X-direction. In addition, the longitudinal direction is also referred to as a front-rear direction. Specifically, it is assumed that forward is a positive X-direction while rearward is a negative X-direction. The first portion  310  has a first right crimp portion  312  and a first left crimp portion  314 . The first right crimp portion  312  and the first left crimp portion  314  are positioned at opposite sides, respectively, of the planar portion  350  in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first right crimp portion  312  is positioned rightward of the first left crimp portion  314  in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the width direction is a Y-direction. Specifically, rightward is a positive Y-direction while leftward is a negative Y-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second portion  330  of the present embodiment has an open barrel shape. In other words, the second portion  330  has a second opening  331  which is positioned at an upper side thereof in the up-down direction. The second portion  330  is crimped to the conductive portion  610 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second portion  330  is positioned at a second location P 2  of the cable  600  in the longitudinal direction. The second portion  330  has a second right crimp portion  332  and a second left crimp portion  334 . The second right crimp portion  332  and the second left crimp portion  334  are positioned at the opposite sides, respectively, of the planar portion  350  in the width direction. The second right crimp portion  332  and the second left crimp portion  334  are positioned at opposite sides, respectively, of the hollow portion  365  in the width direction. The second right crimp portion  332  is positioned rightward of the second left crimp portion  334  in the width direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the planar portion  350  of the present embodiment is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The planar portion  350  defines a lower end of the conductive member  300 . The planar portion  350  extends from the first location P 1  to the second location P 2  in the longitudinal direction. A part of the planar portion  350  is positioned at a position same as a position of the first portion  310  in the front-rear direction. Another part of the planar portion  350  is positioned at a position same as a position of the second portion  330  in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, a rear end of the planar portion  350  is positioned rearward beyond a rear end of the first portion  310 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the planar portion  350  of the present embodiment is fixed on the fixing portion  710 . Specifically, the planar portion  350  is fixed on the fixing portion  710  by soldering or the like. However, a method of fixing the planar portion  350  thereon is not limited to soldering. The planar portion  350  may be fixed thereon by laser welding or ultrasonic welding. In order to fix the cable assembly  100  of the present embodiment on the fixing portion  710  of the circuit board  700 , the cable assembly  100  is placed on the circuit board  700  so that the planar portion  350  and the fixing portion  710  are brought into surface contact with each other. Upon placing, the cable assembly  100  never rolls on the circuit board  700 . Specifically, the cable assembly  100  is prevented from being misaligned with respect to the fixing portion  710  if the cable assembly  100  is placed on the circuit board  700  so that the planar portion  350  and the fixing portion  710  are brought into surface contact with each other. In other words, the cable assembly  100  of the present embodiment has a configuration that is easy to be handled when the cable assembly  100  is fixed on the circuit board  700 . As described above, the planar portion  350  of the present embodiment extends from the first location P 1 , where the first portion  310  is positioned, to the second location P 2 , where the second portion  330  is positioned, in the longitudinal direction. Thus, not only the conductive portion  610  of the cable  600  but also the outer cover  630  thereof are securely fixed on the circuit board  700  via the conductive member  300  when the planar portion  350  is fixed on the fixing portion  710 . This prevents removal of the planar portion  350  of the conductive member  300  from the fixing portion  710  of the circuit board  700  even if the cable  600  of the structure  800  is swung. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the planar portion  350  has a size L 1  at the first location P 1  in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the size L 1  of the planar portion  350  is one tenth of a diameter D of the cable  600  or more. This enables the cable assembly  100  to be placed stably on the circuit board  700  when the cable assembly  100  is placed on the circuit board  700  so that the planar portion  350  and the fixing portion  710  are brought into surface contact with each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the coupling portion  360  of the present embodiment is positioned between the first portion  310  and the second portion  330  in the front-rear direction. The coupling portion  360  couples the first portion  310  and the second portion  330  with each other in the front-rear direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hollow portion  365  of the present embodiment is recessed upward in the up-down direction. The hollow portion  365  is positioned around a front end of the conductive member  300  in the front-rear direction. The hollow portion  365  is positioned below the second portion  330  in the up-down direction. The hollow portion  365  is positioned at a position same as a position of the second portion  330  in the front-rear direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the bulge portion  367  of the present embodiment is bulged upward in the up-down direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The bulge portion  367  is positioned around the front end of the conductive member  300  in the front-rear direction. The bulge portion  367  is positioned at a position same as the position of the second portion  330  in the longitudinal direction, or in the front-rear direction. An upper end of the bulge portion  367  is positioned above the ditch  370  in the up-down direction. The bulge portion  367  is positioned at the position same as the position of the hollow portion  365  as shown in  FIG. 6  in the front-rear direction. The bulge portion  367  is brought into contact with the conductive portion  610  of the cable  600 . Specifically, the bulge portion  367  is brought into contact with the conductive portion  610  from below in the up-down direction. As described above, the conductive member  300  of the present embodiment has the bulge portion  367 . Thus, even if a vertical gap of a certain size is left between a surface of the outer cover  630  and the conductive portion  610  due to a thickness of the outer cover  630 , the conductive member  300  and the conductive portion  610  can be securely connected with each other via the bulge portion  367  upon attaching of the conductive member  300  with the cable  600 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the ditches  370  of the present embodiment include two first ditches  371  and two second ditches  372 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first ditch  371  of the present embodiment is positioned rearward of the second ditch  372  in the front-rear direction. Each of the first ditches  371  extends in the longitudinal direction. The two first ditches  371  are arranged in the width direction. The first ditch  371  is positioned between the first portion  310  and the planar portion  350 . More specifically, the first ditch  371 , which is positioned rightward of the planar portion  350 , is positioned between the first right crimp portion  312  and the planar portion  350 . In addition, the first ditch  371 , which is positioned leftward of the planar portion  350 , is positioned between the first left crimp portion  314  and the planar portion  350 . In the width direction, the first right crimp portion  312  is positioned rightward of the first ditch  371  which is positioned rightward of the planar portion  350 . In the width direction, the first left crimp portion  314  is positioned leftward of the first ditch  371  which is positioned leftward of the planar portion  350 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second ditch  372  of the present embodiment is positioned forward of the first ditch  371  in the front-rear direction. Each of the second ditches  372  extends in the longitudinal direction. The two second ditches  372  are arranged in the width direction. The second ditch  372  is positioned between the second portion  330  and the planar portion  350 . More specifically, the second ditch  372 , which is positioned rightward of the planar portion  350 , is positioned between the second right crimp portion  332  and the planar portion  350 . In addition, the second ditch  372 , which is positioned leftward of the planar portion  350 , is positioned between the second left crimp portion  334  and the planar portion  350 . In the width direction, the second right crimp portion  332  is positioned rightward of the second ditch  372  which is positioned rightward of the planar portion  350 . In the width direction, the second left crimp portion  334  is positioned leftward of the second ditch  372  which is positioned leftward of the planar portion  350 . 
     Hereinafter, description will be made in detail about one example of a method of manufacturing the cable assembly  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a conductive member intermediary body  300 A is first formed by punching out a single metal plate, followed by bending it. The conductive member intermediary body  300 A has a first portion  310 A, a second portion  330 A, a planar portion  350 A, a coupling portion  360 A, a hollow portion  365 A and a bulge portion  367 A. The first portion  310 A has a first right crimp portion  312 A and a first left crimp portion  314 A. The second portion  330 A has a second right crimp portion  332 A and a second left crimp portion  334 A. In addition, the conductive member intermediary body  300 A has two ditches  370 A each extending in the longitudinal direction. In other words, under a state where the conductive member  300  is not attached with the cable  600 , the conductive member  300  has the two ditches  370 A each extending in the longitudinal direction. The two ditches  370 A are arranged in the width direction. Each of the ditches  370 A is positioned between the first portion  310 A and the planar portion  350 A. Each of the ditches  370 A is positioned between the second portion  330 A and the planar portion  350 A. More specifically, the ditch  370 A, which is positioned rightward of the planar portion  350 A, is positioned between the first right crimp portion  312 A and the planar portion  350 A. The ditch  370 A positioned rightward of the planar portion  350 A is positioned between the second right crimp portion  332 A and the planar portion  350 A. Similarly, the ditch  370 A, which is positioned leftward of the planar portion  350 A, is positioned between the first left crimp portion  314 A and the planar portion  350 A. The ditch  370 A positioned leftward of the planar portion  350 A is positioned between the second left crimp portion  334 A and the planar portion  350 A. 
     Next, a crimping metal die  840  shown in  FIG. 12  is prepared. The crimping metal die  840  consists of an upper crimping metal die  850  and a lower crimping metal die  870 . The upper crimping metal die  850  has a first recess  851  which is recessed upward in the up-down direction. The lower crimping metal die  870  has a second recess  871  which is recessed downward in the up-down direction. The second recess  871  has a planar portion mounting portion  872  and two protruding portions  874 . The planar portion mounting portion  872  defines a lower end of the second recess  871  in the up-down direction. The planar portion mounting portion  872  is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The protruding portions  874  are positioned at opposite ends, respectively, of the second recess  871  in the width direction. 
     After that, the conductive member intermediary body  300 A is placed on the lower crimping metal die  870  of the crimping metal die  840  so that the planar portion  350 A of the conductive member intermediary body  300 A faces the planar portion mounting portion  872  of the lower crimping metal die  870  in the up-down direction. At this time, the planar portion  350 A of the conductive member intermediary body  300 A is brought into surface contact with the planar portion mounting portion  872  of the lower crimping metal die  870 . The planar portion  350 A prevents the conductive member intermediary body  300 A of the present embodiment from rolling out of the second recess  871  of the lower crimping metal die  870  when the conductive member intermediary body  300 A is placed on the lower crimping metal die  870 . Also, at this time, the protruding portions  874  of the lower crimping metal die  870  are engaged with the ditches  370 A, respectively, of the conductive member intermediary body  300 A. The ditches  370 A regulate an outward movement of the conductive member intermediary body  300 A of the present embodiment beyond the second recess  871  when the conductive member intermediary body  300 A is placed on the lower crimping metal die  870 . 
     After that, the outer cover  630  and the insulator  670  are partially peeled away from the cable  600  so that the conductive portion  610  and the core wire  650  are partially exposed to the outside of the cable  600 , and the peeled cable  600  is arranged, as shown in  FIG. 9 , relative to the conductive member intermediary body  300 A. In this state, the first portion  310 A is positioned at a position same as a position of a part of the outer cover  630  in the front-rear direction. Also, in this state, the second portion  330 A is positioned at a position same as a position of a part of the conductive portion  610  in the front-rear direction. Further, in this state, the upper crimping metal die  850  is positioned just above the conductive member intermediary body  300 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the conductive member intermediary body  300 A is pressed by the upper crimping metal die  850  and the lower crimping metal die  870  in the up-down direction under this state. The pressing causes the second portion  330 A to be crimped to the conductive portion  610 . Also, the pressing causes the first portion  310 A to be crimped to the outer cover  630 . Accordingly, the conductive member intermediary body  300 A is attached with the cable  600  and results in a state shown in  FIG. 8 . Specifically, referring to  FIGS. 5 to 11 , the first portion  310 A, the second portion  330 A, the planar portion  350 A, the coupling portion  360 A, the hollow portion  365 A and the bulge portion  367 A become the first portion  310 , the second portion  330 , the planar portion  350 , the coupling portion  360 , the hollow portion  365  and the bulge portion  367 , respectively, by the crimping operation using the upper crimping metal die  850  and the lower crimping metal die  870 . In addition, the first right crimp portion  312 A and the first left crimp portion  314 A become the first right crimp portion  312  and the first left crimp portion  314 , respectively, by the crimping operation. Further, the second right crimp portion  332 A and the second left crimp portion  334 A become the second right crimp portion  332  and the second left crimp portion  334 , respectively, by the crimping operation. Furthermore, the ditches  370 A become the ditches  370  by the crimping operation. 
     Thereafter, the conductive member  300  is formed by removing a carrier  380  shown in  FIG. 8  from the conductive member intermediary body  300 A, and the manufacturing of the cable assembly  100  of the present embodiment is completed. 
     Second Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , a structure  800 B according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a circuit board  700  and a cable assembly  100 B. The circuit board  700  has a configuration same as that of the circuit board  700  of the aforementioned embodiment. Accordingly, a detailed explanation thereabout is omitted. As for directions and orientations in the present embodiment, expressions same as those of the first embodiment will be used hereinbelow. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the cable assembly  100 B of the present embodiment comprises a cable  600  and a conductive member  300 B. The cable  600  has a configuration same as that of the cable  600  of the aforementioned embodiment. Accordingly, a detailed explanation thereabout is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the conductive member  300 B of the present embodiment is attached with the cable  600 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , the conductive member  300 B has a first portion  310 B, a second portion  330 B, a planar portion  350 B and a coupling portion  360 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the first portion  310 B of the present embodiment has a tube shape. In other words, the first portion  310 B has no hole or no cut piercing the conductive member  300 B in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first portion  310 B is crimped to an outer cover  630 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the first portion  310 B is positioned at a first location P 1  of the cable  600  in the longitudinal direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , the second portion  330 B of the present embodiment has a tube shape. In other words, the second portion  330 B has no hole or no cut piercing the conductive member  300 B in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The second portion  330 B is crimped to a conductive portion  610 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the second portion  330 B is positioned at a second location P 2  of the cable  600  in the longitudinal direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the planar portion  350 B of the present embodiment is a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The planar portion  350 B defines a lower end of the conductive member  300 B. The planar portion  350 B extends from the first location P 1  to the second location P 2  in the longitudinal direction. A part of the planar portion  350 B is positioned at a position same as a position of the first portion  310 B in the front-rear direction. Another part of the planar portion  350 B is positioned at a position same as a position of the second portion  330 B in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, a front end of the planar portion  350 B is positioned at a position same as a position of a front end of the second portion  330 B. In the front-rear direction, a rear end of the planar portion  350 B is positioned at a position same as a position of a rear end of the first portion  310 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the planar portion  350 B of the present embodiment is fixed on a fixing portion  710 . Specifically, the planar portion  350 B is fixed on the fixing portion  710  by soldering or the like. However, a method of fixing the planar portion  350 B thereon is not limited to soldering. The planar portion  350 B may be fixed thereon by laser welding or ultrasonic welding. If, in order to fix the cable assembly  100 B of the present embodiment on the fixing portion  710  of the circuit board  700 , the cable assembly  100 B is placed on the circuit board  700  so that the planar portion  350 B and the fixing portion  710  are brought into surface contact with each other, the cable assembly  100 B never rolls on the circuit board  700 . Specifically, the cable assembly  100 B is prevented from being misaligned with respect to the fixing portion  710  if the cable assembly  100 B is placed on the circuit board  700  so that the planar portion  350 B and the fixing portion  710  are brought into surface contact with each other. In other words, the cable assembly  100 B of the present embodiment has a configuration that is easy to be handled when the cable assembly  100 B is fixed on the circuit board  700 . As described above, the planar portion  350 B of the present embodiment extends from the first location P 1 , where the first portion  310 B is positioned, to the second location P 2 , where the second portion  330 B is positioned, in the longitudinal direction. Thus, not only the conductive portion  610  of the cable  600  but also the outer cover  630  thereof are securely fixed on the circuit board  700  via the conductive member  300 B when the planar portion  350 B is fixed on the fixing portion  710 . This prevents removal of the planar portion  350 B of the conductive member  300 B from the fixing portion  710  of the circuit board  700  even if the cable  600  of the structure  800 B is swung. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the planar portion  350 B has a size L 2  at the first location P 1  in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the size L 2  of the planar portion  350 B is half a diameter D of the cable  600  or more. This enables the cable assembly  100 B to be placed stably on the circuit board  700  when the cable assembly  100 B is placed on the circuit board  700  so that the planar portion  350 B and the fixing portion  710  are brought into surface contact with each other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , the coupling portion  360 B of the present embodiment has a tube shape. In other words, the coupling portion  360 B has no hole or no cut piercing the conductive member  300 B in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The coupling portion  360 B is positioned between the first portion  310 B and the second portion  330 B in the front-rear direction. The coupling portion  360 B couples the first portion  310 B and the second portion  330 B with each other in the front-rear direction. 
     Hereinafter, description will be made in detail about one example of a method of manufacturing the cable assembly  100 B. 
     First, a conductive member intermediary body  300 C, which has a cylindrical tube shape extending in the longitudinal direction, is prepared. The conductive member intermediary body  300 C has a first portion  310 C, a second portion  330 C, a portion  350 C and a coupling portion  360 C. 
     Next, the cable  600  is threaded through the conductive member intermediary body  300 C, and the outer cover  630  and an insulator  670  are partially peeled away from the cable  600  so that the conductive portion  610  and a core wire  650  are partially exposed to the outside of the cable  600 . Then, the conductive member intermediary body  300 C and the cable  600  result in a state shown in  FIG. 22 . 
     Starting from the state of  FIG. 22 , the conductive member intermediary body  300 C is moved forward relative to the cable  600 , and the conductive member intermediary body  300 C and the cable  600  are in a state shown in  FIG. 21 . In this state, the first portion  310 C is positioned at a position same as a position of a part of the outer cover  630  in the front-rear direction while the second portion  330 C is positioned at a position same as a position of a part of the conductive portion  610  in the front-rear direction. 
     After that, a crimping metal die (not shown), which consists of an upper crimping metal die (not shown) and a lower crimping metal die (not shown), is prepared. The lower crimping metal die has an upper surface (not shown) which faces upward in the up-down direction. 
     While the conductive member intermediary body  300 C and the cable  600  maintain the state of  FIG. 21 , the conductive member intermediary body  300 C is placed on the lower crimping metal die of the crimping metal die so that the portion  350 C is brought into contact with the upper surface of the lower crimping metal die. At this time, the upper crimping metal die is positioned just above the conductive member intermediary body  300 C. 
     The conductive member intermediary body  300 C is pressed by the upper crimping metal die and the lower crimping metal die in the up-down direction under this state. The pressing causes the second portion  330 C to be crimped to the conductive portion  610 . Also, the pressing causes the first portion  310 C to be crimped to the outer cover  630 . Accordingly, the conductive member intermediary body  300 C and the cable  600  result in a state shown in  FIG. 16 , and the manufacturing of the cable assembly  100 B of the present embodiment is completed. Specifically, referring to  FIGS. 16 and 21 , the conductive member intermediary body  300 C becomes the conductive member  300 B by the crimping operation using the upper crimping metal die and the lower crimping metal die. In detail, the first portion  310 C, the second portion  330 C, the portion  350 C and the coupling portion  360 C become the first portion  310 B, the second portion  330 B, the planar portion  350 B and the coupling portion  360 B by the crimping operation using the upper crimping metal die and the lower crimping metal die. 
     Although the specific explanation about the present invention is made above referring to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. 
     While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.