Patent Publication Number: US-2023143326-A1

Title: Electric Connector Unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-181287, filed on Nov. 5, 2021. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to electric connector units. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an electric connector unit including a cable electrically connected thereto. 
     BACKGROUND 
     According to the prior art, multipolar L-shaped connectors for connecting a multifiber cable to an electric apparatus exist. Such a connector is provided with an electromagnetic shield structure that electrically shields a cable attached to the connector and a terminal disposed on the connector from each other in order to suppress the radiation of electromagnetic waves to the outside due to a signal delivered to an electric apparatus or the intrusion of electromagnetic waves from the external. 
     The structures of the electromagnetic shields of these conventional connectors have problems to be overcome. For example, an outer conductor that surrounds the outer peripheral side of an inner cable and a shield element that is disposed in a connector housing internally including a terminal are electrically connected to each other in the connector. In the connection, treatment of the terminal of the cable is performed by removing an end of an insulative coating that covers the outer periphery of the outer conductor, outwardly folding back an end of the outer conductor as a whole, and winding a copper tape around a folded-back portion. The outer conductor and the shield element are electrically connected to each other by pressure-bonding or pressing the shield element to or against such a terminal-treated portion. 
     In such terminal treatment, the folded-back outer conductor of the cable is directly placed on the insulative coating, and the shield element is pressure-bonded or pressed on the insulative coating on the outer periphery of the cable. However, since an insulative coating is commonly formed of a heat-shrinkable material that is increasingly shrunk with increasing temperature, the outer diameter of the cable can be reduced due to generation of heat and/or the like, caused by the actuation and operation of an electric apparatus. Accordingly, in the above-described connection in which the outer conductor on the insulative coating is pressed, there is a concern that poor contact can occur due to a change in the outer diameter of the cable, caused by the aged deterioration and/or the like of the insulative coating, and the function of the electromagnetic shield is deteriorated. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electric connector unit comprises a connector and a cable connected thereto. The connector includes a terminal housing having an opening, and a shell attached to the terminal housing and having a shield fixation portion inserted into the opening. The cable comprises an inner cable bundle having a plurality of inner cables, and a cable shield surrounding the inner cable bundle. At least a portion of the cable shield is inserted into the opening and electrically connected to the shield fixation portion within the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view schematically illustrating an electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a cable according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded isometric view schematically illustrating an electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is an isometric view schematically illustrating the shell of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line A-A of the shell in  FIG.  4    and viewed in the arrow direction. 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric view schematically illustrating the terminal housing of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a top view schematically illustrating the terminal housing of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line B-B of the terminal housing in  FIG.  7    and viewed in the arrow direction. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line C-C of the terminal housing in  FIG.  7    and viewed in the arrow direction. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line D-D of the terminal housing in  FIG.  7    and viewed in the arrow direction. 
         FIG.  11    is an isometric view schematically illustrating a state before assembly of the terminal housing and shell of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is an isometric view schematically illustrating a state after the assembly of the terminal housing and shell of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line E-E of the assembled terminal housing and shell illustrated in  FIG.  12   , and viewed in the arrow direction. 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a connection between the cable shields and the shell in the terminal housing and shell illustrated in  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  15 A  is a schematic view for explaining a connection between the cable shields and the shell in the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15 B  is a schematic view for explaining a connection between the cable shields and the shell in the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15 C  is a schematic view for explaining a connection between the cable shields and the shell in the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15 D  is a schematic view for explaining a connection between the cable shields and the shell in the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
     An electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Various elements in the drawings are just described in a schematical and exemplary manner for explaining the present disclosure, and the appearances and dimensional ratios of the elements can be different from those of real things. 
     Relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “perpendicular”, “above”, “below”, “top”, and “bottom”, derivation terms thereof, “horizontally”, “downward”, “upward”, and the like should be understood to refer to directions as described or illustrated. In such a relative term, which is only for convenience in the explanation, an apparatus need not be configured or operated in a specific direction unless otherwise specified. Moreover, a term such as “attached”, “added”, “connected”, “coupled”, or “interconnected”, or a term similar thereto refers to a relationship in which structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other with an inclusion, attachment of both the structures which are movable or rigid, or the relationship thereof unless otherwise specified. Further, examples of the features or advantages of the present disclosure are described with reference to preferred aspects. Such aspects are sufficiently described in detail, and enable those skilled in the art to carry out the present disclosure. It should be understood that other aspects can also be used, and processes and electrical or mechanical modifications are enabled without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not definitely limited to preferred aspects (aspects combined with single or other features) describing examples of unrestricted combinations of conceivable features. 
     The term “generally perpendicular” as used herein need not mean “completely perpendicular”, and encompasses aspects of slight deviations therefrom (for example, an angle with respect to a winding axis is in a range of 90°±20°, for example, a range of 90°±10°). The term “generally parallel” as used herein need not mean “completely parallel”, and encompasses aspects of slight deviations therefrom (for example, a deviation from “completely parallel” is in a range of ±20°, for example, in a range of up to ±10°). 
     A feature of the present disclosure relates to the structure of an electromagnetic shield in an electric connector unit. However, the outline of the electric connector unit is described below with reference to the drawings in order to understand of the whole electric connector unit. 
       FIG.  1    is an isometric view schematically illustrating an electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric connector unit  1000  includes, as main components, a connector  100  and cables  200  that are connected to the connector  100 . The electric connector unit  1000  further includes a device connector  300  that is disposed on a device. The device connector  300  is configured to be placed on the device (not illustrated) and to mutually match with the connector  100 . 
     In the following explanation, the direction of matching between the connector  100  and the device connector  300  is regarded as “upward-downward direction”, and the connector  100  is positioned at a position above the device connector  300  positioned at a lower position in the upward-downward direction. 
     The term “unit” in the present disclosure corresponds to, for example, a composite article or a matching article including a plurality of components. Accordingly, the electric connector unit  1000  of the present disclosure can correspond to an electric connector composite article or an electric connector matching article including at least the cables  200 , the connector  100  that is attached to ends of the cables  200 , and the device connector  300  that mutually matches with the connector  100 . 
       FIG.  2    schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of the cable  200  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable  200  includes: an inner cable bundle  240  including a plurality of inner cables  230 , cable shields  220 ; and an insulative covering element  210  (or a covering material) that surrounds the inner cable bundle  240  and the cable shields  220 . As illustrated, each of the plurality of inner cables  230  can be formed by covering the outer periphery of a conductive wire  231  with an insulative inner cable coating film  232 . The plurality of inner cables  230  are included in the inner cable bundle  240 , and the outer periphery of the inner cable bundle  240  is surrounded by the conductive cable shields  220 . The covering element  210  covers the outer peripheries of the cable shields  220  and defines the outer periphery of the cable  200 . Such a covering element  210  can also be referred to as “cable jacket”. 
     The covering element  210  is formed of an insulative material, preferably a flexible insulative material in light of superiority in routing of the cable. For example, the covering element  210  may be formed of, for example, a polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, fluoropolymer, polyethylene, and/or the like. The conductive wire  231  may be formed of any conductive material, and may be, for example, a pure copper wire, a tinned copper wire, or the like. 
       FIG.  3    is an exploded isometric view schematically illustrating the electric connector unit  1000  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector  100  includes: terminals  140  that are electrically connected to the inner cables; a terminal housing  130  that houses the terminals  140 ; a shell  120  that surrounds the outer periphery of the terminal housing  130 ; and a case housing  110  that houses all thereof. In the connector of the present disclosure, the case housing  110  is a housing that defines the outer side of the connector  100 , and the terminal housing  130  is positioned in the case housing  110 . Accordingly, the case housing  110  and the terminal housing  130  can also be referred to as “outer housing” and “inner housing”, respectively, on the basis of the relative positioning relationship therebetween. 
     The case housing  110  is an insulative element having a generally box shape, and is opened in a side closer to the device connector  300 . Insertion openings  111  through which the cables  200  can be passed may also be formed in at least one side of the case housing  110 . In the electric connector unit  1000  of the present disclosure, the cables  200  that match with the connector  100  extend outward from the case housing  110  through the insertion openings  111  (see  FIG.  1   ). The insertion opening  111  may have a cylindrical shape protruding outside the case housing  110 . A screw for screwing the insertion openings  111  into screw caps  150  may also be formed on the outer peripheries of the insertion openings  111 , and a gap between the insertion openings  111  and the cables  200  may be sealed by tightening the screw caps  150 . Although not illustrated, a sealant, a clamp, and/or the like may be used to prevent water from passing through between the screw caps  150  and the insertion openings  111 . One end of each of the cables  200  inserted into the case housing  110  is housed in the case housing  110 . In the case housing  110 , the inner cable bundle (not illustrated) having a predetermined length extends from the ends of the cables  200  toward the direction D 1  (see  FIG.  1   ) of mating with the device connector, and a leading end of the inner cable bundle is electrically connected to the terminals  140 . More specifically, a connection between the inner cables and the terminals  140  is established by electrically connecting conductive wires that extend from the leading end of the inner cable bundle to the terminals  140 . In other words, the cables  200  inserted from the side of the case housing  110  includes the inner cable bundle having the predetermined length that extends from the ends of the cables  200  toward the terminals  140 . 
     The terminals  140  connected to the inner cables may be housed in the terminal housing  130 . The terminal housing  130  is configured to match with the device connector  300  described below. Further, the terminal housing  130  is configured to support the terminals  140  connected to the inner cables. In a state in which the device connector  300  matches with the connector  100 , each of the terminals  140  in the terminal housing  130  is electrically connected to each of terminals (not illustrated) included in the device connector  300 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device connector  300  is a connector that is disposed in the device, and can also be referred to as “header connector”. The device connector of the present disclosure can be applied to various electronic devices, for example, devices such as motors that are used in industrial machines or industrial robots. The device connector  300  includes, as main components, a base  320 , an insulative housing  310 , and terminals placed in the insulative housing  310 . The insulative housing  310  may be disposed on the base  320  placed on a surface of the case (not illustrated) of the device. The connector  100  may be attached to the device connector  300  by, for example, allowing the insulative housing  310  and the terminal housing  130  to match with each other so that the insulative housing  310  surrounds the terminal housing  130 . The terminals of the device connector are placed in the interior of the insulative housing, and the terminals are electrically connected to the terminals  140  of the terminal housing  130 , respectively, in the state of mating with the connector  100 . In other words, the terminals  140  of the leading ends of the inner cables and the terminals housed in the insulative housing  310  are electrically connected to each other by allowing the insulative housing  310  and the terminal housing  130  to match with each other. Moreover, the case housing  110  of the connector is allowed to match to surround the insulative housing  310  in the case of mating with the device connector  300 . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device connector  300  may include a gasket for preventing water from intruding from the outside. The gasket can be disposed in, for example, the outer periphery of the insulative housing  310  that is made allowed to match with the connector  100 , and/or a place in which the base  320  and the device are bonded. As a result, gaps that can be generated in places in which the connector, the device connector, and the device are allowed to match with each other are filled, and electrical elements such as the inner cables and the terminals can be appropriately waterproofed. 
     Although not illustrated, a locking lever may be used for mating the connector  100  and the device connector  300 . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking lever may extend in curved or bent manner over the case housing  110 . In a state in which the connector  100  and the device connector  300  mate with each other, the locking lever may be configured to mates with a side of the case housing from the direction opposed to the insertion openings  111  to maintain the mating state. 
     In the present disclosure, insulative elements such as the case housing  110 , the terminal housing  130 , and the insulative housing  310  may be formed of an insulative nonconductive material. The insulating elements can include a resin material having an insulation property. Such an insulative element can include at least one thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of, for example, epoxy resins, phenol resins, silicone resins, and unsaturated polyester resins without particular limitation thereto. Moreover, the elements different from each other may include resin materials different from each other. 
     A feature of the electric connector unit of the present disclosure is a shield structure for electrically shielding the cables and the terminals connected to the cables from each other. In particular, a feature of the electric connector unit of the present disclosure is the configuration of a shield that is not directly involved in an element that covers the cables. The shield structure in the electric connector unit of the present disclosure is described below. 
       FIG.  4    is an isometric view schematically illustrating the shell  120  of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  12    is an isometric view schematically illustrating a state after the assembly of the terminal housing  130  and shell  120  of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell  120  is attached to the terminal housing  130  that houses the terminals. The shell  120  is placed to function as a shield element for the terminals that are connected to the leading ends of the inner cables (not illustrated). Further, the shell  120  can also be used to secure shield properties for the inner cables and the terminals that are connected to the leading ends thereof. As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the shell  120  may be disposed to at least partly surround the entire periphery of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the shell  120  may have a shape bent along a side of the terminal housing  130  and may be positioned to at least partly cover the outer periphery of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the shell  120  of the present disclosure need not be formed to surround the entire periphery of the terminal housing  130 . In the electric connector unit of the present disclosure, the shell  120  functions as an electromagnetic shield for an electrical element that is housed in the interior of the terminal housing  130  of the connector, and therefore, can also be referred to as “connector shield”. 
     The shell may be formed of a conductive material with a metal or a soft magnetic material, or a material of which the surface is allowed to have conductivity by plating working or the like. The shell can be formed of a conductive plate-shaped element, and may be formed by, for example, punching working and/or bending working of a sheet metal, without limitation. 
       FIG.  5    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line A-A of the shell  120  in  FIG.  4    and viewed in the arrow direction. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a shield fixation portion  121  is disposed on a side of the shell  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . The inner cables and the terminals in the terminal housing  130  are electrically shielded from each other by electrically connecting the shield fixation portion  121  to at least some of the cable shields  220  (see  FIG.  2   ) an opening  131  (see  FIG.  12   ), described below, in the terminal housing  130 . The shape of the shield fixation portion  121  is not particularly limited as long as insertion into the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130  is enabled, and an electrical connection to the cable shields that are inserted into the opening  131  is achieved. For example, the shield fixation portion  121  may have a shape that extends from a side of the shell  120  and is bent to be folded back, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     The term “bending” in the present disclosure also encompasses curving or flexure. Such a bending shape can also be referred to as, for example, “folding-back shape”, “generally U-shape”, “generally V-shape”, “generally J-shape”, “curve shape having local maximum point”, or the like, as viewed in a cross-section illustrated in  FIG.  5   . The shield fixation portion  121  is conductive, and may be formed by, for example, bending a sheet metal included in the shell  120 . In other words, the shell and the shield fixation portion may be formed of a single conductive sheet material in one embodiment of the present disclosure. This means that the shell and the shield fixation portion may form an integrated article in which the shell and the shield fixation portion are integrated with each other. 
       FIG.  6    is an isometric view schematically illustrating the terminal housing  130  of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  7    is a top view schematically illustrating the terminal housing  130 . As illustrated, the terminal housing  130  may include terminal housing portions  136  that individually house the terminals that are connected to the inner cables. The terminal housing portions  136  may be opened in a direction in which the inner cables connected to the terminals extend. Through-holes  136   a  through which the terminals (for example, contact pins) of the device connector can pass may be opened in the bottoms of the terminal housing portions  136 . In a state in which the connector and the device connector mate with each other, the terminals of the device connector, inserted into the through-holes  136   a , are electrically connected to the terminals connected to the inner cables in the interiors of the terminal housing portions  136 . In other words, each of the terminals, electrically connected to each of the terminals of the device connector, may be supported by being inserted into each of the terminal housing portions  136 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the terminals that are housed in the terminal housing  130  includes an earth terminal  140   a  that is connected to a ground potential and a signal terminal  140   b  for transmitting a signal. For example, one earth terminal  140   a  and a plurality of signal terminals  140   b  may be housed in each of the plurality of terminal housing portions  136  of the terminal housing. In a state in which the connector and the device connector mate with each other, the earth terminal and signal terminal of the terminal housing are electrically connected to the earth terminal and signal terminal placed in the insulative housing of the device connector, respectively. In other words, the earth terminal of the connector may be configured to be electrically connected to the earth terminal of the device connector, and the signal terminal of the connector may be configured to be electrically connected to the signal terminal of the device connector. 
     Moreover, the terminal housing of the present disclosure includes the opening  131 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   . The opening  131  may be located in a side of the terminal housing  130 . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening  131  can be opened in the same direction as the direction of the terminal housing portions  136 . The opening  131  may have a shape passing through along the direction D 1  of mating with the device connector. In other words, the opening  131  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can have a shape passing through along the upward-downward direction illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The shape of the opening  131  may be, for example, a generally rectangular shape, as viewed in a top face illustrated in  FIG.  7   . More specifically, the opening  131  may include a space with a generally rectangular shape, extending in a great length, along a side of the terminal housing  130 , as viewed in the top face. The entire periphery of the opening  131  need not be surrounded. In other words, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening  131  may have a discontinuous shape in which the entire periphery is unclosed, as viewed in the top face. 
     The terminal housing including the opening may be formed of a resin material having an insulation property. In other words, the terminal housing and the opening may be integrally formed by injection-molding an insulative resin material. This means that the terminal housing and the opening may be an integrated article in which the terminal housing and the opening are integrated with each other. The insulative resin material can include at least one thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of, for example, epoxy resins, phenol resins, silicone resins, and unsaturated polyester resins, without particular limitation thereto. 
       FIG.  11    is an isometric view schematically illustrating a state before assembly of the terminal housing  130  and shell  120  of the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  12    is an isometric view schematically illustrating a state after the assembly of the terminal housing  130  and the shell  120  illustrated in  FIG.  11   . As described above, the shell  120  can be attached to the terminal housing  130  in which the terminals  140  ( 140   a ,  140   b ) that are connected to the leading ends of the inner cables (not illustrated) are housed. More specifically, the shell  120  can be positioned along a side of the terminal housing  130  to surround the terminals positioned in the terminal housing  130  and the inner cables connected to the terminals. As illustrated in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the shell  120  and the terminal housing  130  are allowed to match with each other so that the shield fixation portion  121  is inserted into the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the shield fixation portion  121  may be located in the opening  131  in a state in which the shell  120  and the terminal housing  130  are assembled with each other. The shield fixation portion  121  may have a shape bent in the opening  131  in the state after the assembly.  FIG.  13    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along the line E-E of the assembled terminal housing  130  and shell  120  illustrated in  FIG.  12   , and viewed in the arrow direction. As illustrated, the shell  120  and the terminal housing  130  may be allowed to match with each other so that the shield fixation portion  121  having the shape bent to be folded back is housed in the opening  131 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the terminal housing  130  may have at least one latch  137  for fixing the shell  120 . The latch  137  may protrude outward in a side of the terminal housing  130 . Moreover, the shell  120  may include a latch receiving portion  123  that engages with the latch  137 . Such a structure allows the shell  120  allowed to match with the terminal housing  130  to be caught, and enables the shell  120  to be more preferably prevented from being unintentionally detached. Further, the terminal housing  130  may include at least one guide  138  that rises toward the outside of the terminal housing  130  in a side and extends along the mating direction D 1 . Moreover, the shell  120  may include a portion to be guided  124  that guides the shell  120  to a position at which the assembly is completion, in correspondence with such a guide  138 . The incorrect mounting of the shell and the backlash of the shell and the terminal housing can be more preferably prevented by allowing the terminal housing  130  and the shell  120  to match with each other so that the portion to be guided  124  is along the guide  138 . 
       FIG.  14    is a cross sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the shell  120  and the cable shields  220  are connected to each other in the electric connector unit of the present disclosure. As illustrated, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some of cable shields (for example, conductive elements  221  described below) extends toward the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130 , and is inserted into the opening  131 . In other words, at least some of the cable shields  220  may be exposed from one end of each of the cables  200  outside the insulating covering element  210 , and inserted into the opening  131 . In other words, at least some of the cable shields may extend through the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130 . The cable shields inserted into the opening  131  are electrically connected to the shield fixation portion  121  of the shell  120  matching with the terminal housing  130 . In other words, at least some of the cable shields may be electrically connected to the shield fixation portion  121  in the interior of the opening  131 . More specifically, at least some of the cable shields may be inserted between the shield fixation portion  121  and the inner wall surface of the opening  131 , and may be electrically connected to the shield fixation portion  121 . This means that a gap into which at least some of the cable shields can be inserted can exist between the shield fixation portion  121  and the inner wall of the opening  131 . In other words, the opening  131  may include a space for inserting at least a part of the shield fixation portion  121  and the cable shields, and electrically connecting the shield fixation portion  121  and the cable shields to each other. The above-described configuration enables the electrical connection between the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  to be performed in the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130 . This means that the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  are electrically connected to each other without placing the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  on the outer surface of the covering element  210 . In other words, the above-described configuration enables the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  to be connected to each other without being directly involved in the covering element  210  and outer diameters of the cables. Therefore, poor connection caused by the aged deterioration of the covering element and by a change in the outer diameter dimensions of the cables can be more preferably prevented from occurring. Further, the above-described structure enables the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  to be electrically connected without interposing another element such as copper foil or a crimp terminal between the cable shields  220  and the shell  120 . Accordingly, the configuration of the more suitable electromagnetic shield that does not require a further connecting element in connection between shield elements in the cables and the connector can be achieved in the electric connector unit of the present disclosure. 
     In the electric connector unit of the present disclosure, the cable shields  220  includes a conductive element to electrically shield the inner cable bundle. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some of the conductive elements  221  included in the cable shields  220  are sandwiched between the opening  131  of the terminal housing and the shield fixation portion  121  of the shell, as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . The shield fixation portion  121  and at least some of the conductive elements  221  included in the cable shields  220  are electrically connected to each other in the interior of the opening  131 , to enable an electrical connection between the shell  120  and the cable shields  220  to be achieved. In other words, the cable shields  220  and the shield fixation portion  121  may be electrically connected by sandwiching at least some of the conductive elements  221  included in the cable shields  220  between the opening  131  and the shield fixation portion  121  inserted into opening  131 . At least some of the conductive elements  221  included in the cable shields  220  may extend toward the opening  131  to form a crosslink between the cable shields  220  and the shield fixation portion  121 . In other words, the conductive elements  221  extend more outward than the cables  200  from an end of the cable shields  220 , and are electrically connected to the shield fixation portion  121  in the opening  131  of the terminal housing. The conductive element that extends is not limited to a single wire, and may include a bundle, a stranded wire, a braided wire, a twisted wire, or the like including a plurality of conductive elements. The above-described configuration enables achievement of the more suitable electromagnetic shield that is not directly involved in the covering element  210  and outer diameters of the cables. Further, the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  are electrically connected to each other by direct contact between the conductive elements  221  drawn from the cable shields and the shield fixation portion  121  of the shell. In other words, the cables used in the present disclosure can be regarded as no-drain-element-placed type cables in which a drain element different from the cable shields is not disposed. In view of the above, the configuration of the more suitable electromagnetic shield that does not necessarily require a further element in the connection between the cable shields and the shell can be achieved in the electric connector unit of the present disclosure. 
     The conductive elements  221  used in the cable shields  220  are preferably a conductive material having flexibility in view of superiority in wiring to an instrument or the like positioned in a narrow space. In particular, the conductive elements  221  are more preferably an annealed copper wire, a silver wire, a nickel wire, an alloyed wire, or a conductive wire such as a metal compound in light of superiority in durability and flexibly. A conductive plated layer such as tin plating, nickel plating, or silver plating may be formed on an element surface to prevent occurrence of oxidation or rusting. The conductive wire is a thin wire having conductivity, and therefore, can also be referred to as, for example, a conductive fiber, a conductive filament, or a conductive wire, or the like. The cable shields  220  may be formed by braiding or spiral covering (or serving) of a plurality of conductive elements. For example, the cable shields  220  may be a braid formed by weaving a plurality of conductive elements. Alternatively, the cable shields  220  may be formed by helically winding the conductive elements  221  along the longitudinal direction of the cables. Alternatively, the cable shields  220  may also be formed by braiding or spiral covering of stranded wires formed by twisting a plurality of conductive elements. 
     For example, when the cable shields  220  include the conductive elements  221  formed by braiding or spiral covering, a stranded wire formed by disentangling the conductive elements  221  included in the cable shields  220  and twisting a part taken from the disentangled conductive elements  221  may be inserted into the opening  131 . Alternatively, the conductive elements  221  that are inserted into the opening  131  may be a non-stranded wire including at least some of the conductive elements  221  included in the cable shields  220 . Alternatively, the cable shields  220  may be configured so that some of the conductive elements  221  extend, and some of such conductive elements  221  may be drawn from ends of the cables  200  and inserted into the opening  131 . As described above, use of a braid as the cable shields can enable at least some of the cable shields to be more easily inserted into the opening. 
     Connection to Shell and Cable Shields (Application Example) 
     Alternatively, the conductive element included in the constitutes cable shields  220  may have, for example, a linear, long, sheet, or tape shape. The conductive element may have, for example, a linear or curved shape in planar view, and the thickness of the conductive element need not be uniform. For example, the cable shields  220  may be formed of metal foil, laminated metal, metal laminate polyimide, a conductive polymer layer, a conductive, continuous (for example, sheet-shaped) material, and/or and the like. The conductive element need not be coated with an insulative material (for example, a resin element such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene). 
     In one embodiment, a different shield element that is electrically connected to the cable shields  220  may be inserted into the opening. In other words, the shield fixation portion and the shield element may abut on each other in the opening, and the cable shields and the shield fixation portion may be electrically connected to each other through the shield element. Such a shield element is not particular limited as long as the shield element can be inserted between the shield fixation portion and the opening in the opening, and may be, for example, a shield element with a long and narrow shape, which extends from ends of the cable shields into the opening. Accordingly, the shield element may be, for example, a conductive long element, a long sheet-shaped element, or a strip linear element. The shield element may have, for example, a linear or curved shape in planar view, and the thickness of the shield element need not be uniform. Further, the shield element is not limited to a single wire, and may include a bundle, a stranded wire, a braided wire, a twisted wire, or the like including a plurality of conductive components. The shield element need not be coated with an insulative material (for example, a resin element such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the opening  131  of the terminal housing, into which the shield fixation portion and at least some (for example, conductive elements) of the cable shields are inserted may be positioned in an outer side of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the opening  131  may be formed to protrude outward in a side of the terminal housing  130 . For example, the opening  131  may be disposed to form a space outside the terminal housing  130  by the outer side of the terminal housing  130  and a side wall having a generally C-shape as viewed in a top face illustrated in  FIG.  7   . In such a structure, the shield fixation portion  121  of the shell  120  is inserted into the opening  131  along the outer side of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the shield fixation portion  121  that is inserted into the opening  131  may have a shape that extends toward the direction D 1  of mating with the connector and the device connector along the outer side of the terminal housing  130  and is bent to be folded back in the opening  131 , as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . More specifically, the shield fixation portion  121  may extend along the outer side of the terminal housing  130  and may be then bent to be folded back toward the inner wall surface facing the side. In such a structure, the cable shields (for example, the conductive elements  221 ) that are inserted into the opening  131  may be inserted along the inner wall surface facing the outer side of the terminal housing  130  to be electrically connected to the folded-back shield fixation portion  121 . In such a structure, the outer side of the terminal housing  130  including the opening  131  can be more widely covered with a conductive element included in the shield fixation portion  121 . Accordingly, the inner cables and terminals positioned in the terminal housing can be more preferably electrically shielded. Further, the cable shields and the shield fixation portion are positioned outside the terminal housing, whereby an electrical element positioned in the interior of the terminal housing and a shield element are isolated from each other by the side wall of the terminal housing, and therefore, incorrect contact between the elements can be more preferably prevented. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the shield fixation portion  121  may be a plate spring. More specifically, the shield fixation portion  121  may be a plate spring supported in a cantilever manner on a side of the shell  120 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . Such a plate spring has a force (for example, elastic force or elastic biasing force) exerted in the direction of being distanced from the shell  120  (that is, the direction X in  FIG.  5   ). Such a direction X may be, for example, a direction that is generally perpendicular to the mating direction D 1 , as illustrated in  FIG.  5   . The elastic force of the shield fixation portion  121  which is a plate spring is exerted on the inserted cable shields in a state in which the cable shields (for example, the conductive elements  221 ) and the shield fixation portion  121  are inserted into the opening  131 , as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . In other words, the cable shields  220  inserted into the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130  can be fixed due to the elastic force of the shield fixation portion  121  which is the plate spring. In other words, the shield fixation portion  121  may be configured to interfere with the inner wall surface of the opening  131  and the cable shields inserted into the opening  131 , to be elastically deformed, and to come into intimate contact with the cable shields in the interior of the opening  131  when the shield fixation portion  121  is inserted into the opening  131 . This means that the shield fixation portion  121  presses the cable shields against the inner wall surface of the opening  131 , whereby the cable shields can be more preferably sandwiched in the opening  131 . In other words, the shield fixation portion  121  which is the plate spring elastically comes into contact with the cable shields inserted into the opening  131 , whereby more reliable and stable electric connection can be provided. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cable shields (for example, the conductive elements  221 ) inserted into the opening  131  may be passed through the opening  131  and then folded back, as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . More specifically, at least some of the cable shields may pass through the opening  131 , and ends of the cable shields passing through the opening  131  may be bent to be folded back along the outer wall surface of the opening  131 . In other words, as illustrated in  FIG.  14   , the cable shields inserted into the opening  131  toward the mating direction D 1  may pass through the opening  131  and then bent, and the ends of the cable shields may extend toward a direction (upward direction in the figure) generally substantially opposed to the direction D 1 . Such folding-back can contribute to prevention of the cable shields from unintentionally falling out of the opening  131 , and of inhibition of the electrical connection of the cable shields to the shield fixation portion  121 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening  131  may include a notched portion  132 , and the cable shields (for example, the conductive elements  221  illustrated in  FIG.  14   ) inserted into the opening  131  may be folded back in the notched portion  132 . In other words, the opening  131  may include the notched portion  132  in a place in which the inserted cable shields  220  extend. In other words, the opening  131  may have a shape in which a part of a side wall facing a side of the terminal housing  130  is notched. For example, in the terminal housing  130  illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the cable shields may be inserted from the upper opening of the opening  131  toward a downward direction, and may be folded back in an upward direction at the notched portion  132  formed in the center of the lower end of the side wall of the opening  131 . Such a structure allows the cable shields inserted into the opening  131  to be collected in the notched portion  132  and a portion extending from the opening  131  to be folded back. The cable shields are collected on the inner wall surface of the side wall including the notched portion  132  in the opening  131  by using the notched portion  132 , and therefore, the cable shields can be more reliably sandwiched between the shield fixation portion and the inner wall surface. Accordingly, the structure in which the cable shields are folded back at the notched portion  132  can contribute to more reliable and stable electrical connection between the shield fixation portion and the cable shields. Further, the cable shields are collected in the side including the notched portion  132  when the cable shields are folded back, so that the notched portion  132  can also help the insertion of the shield fixation portion into the opening to be further facilitated in the operation of connection between the cable shields and the shell described below. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell  120  further includes the tongue  122  that is electrically connected to the earth terminal  140   a , as illustrated in  FIG.  13   . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tongue  122  of the shell  120  is electrically connected to the earth terminal  140   a  in the terminal housing  130  when the shell  120  matches with the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the tongue  122  may be formed to come into contact with the earth terminal  140   a  positioned in the terminal housing portion  136 , and to be electrically connected to the earth terminal  140   a , in a state in which the shell  120  and the terminal housing  130  match with each other. As already described, the earth terminal  140   a  in the terminal housing  130  is configured to be electrically connected to the ground terminal of the device connector in the mating state of the electric connector unit. Therefore, the shell  120  is grounded by electrically connecting the tongue  122  and the earth terminal  140   a  in the terminal housing  130  to each other. In other words, the shell  120  and the earth terminal  140   a  are electrically connected to each other by operation of allowing the shell  120  and the terminal housing  130  to match with each other. Further, the shell  120  and the earth terminal of the device connector can be electrically connected to secure the shielding properties of the terminals in the connector by allowing the connector and the device connector to mate with each other. This means that the cable shields, the shell, and the ground terminal of the device connector are electrically connected to electrically shield electrical elements (for example, the conductive wire of the inner cable, and the signal terminal  140   b ) in the electric connector unit. The above-described structure enables the electromagnetic shield of the electric connector unit to be more easily configured by the operation of allowing the shell  120  and the terminal housing  130  to match with each other and the operation of allowing the connector and the device connector to mate with each other. In other words, the electric connector unit of the present disclosure can enable the electromagnetic shield to be more easily formed without requiring any additional laborious operation (for example, treatment of a cable terminal with a copper tape or the like, pressure bonding, welding, or the like) for a connection between shield elements consisting of the cable shields, the shell, and the earth terminal. 
     The tongue  122 , which is a conductive element, may be formed by, for example, bending/working of the shell  120  and a single sheet metal. In other words, the shell and the tongue may be an integrated article in which the shell and the tongue are integrated with each other. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tongue  122  may have a long shape extending to be folded back from a side of the shell  120  toward the interior of the terminal housing portion  136 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  4  and  13   . The tongue  122  may be formed to extend from the opening of the terminal housing portion  136  toward the earth terminal  140   a  placed in the terminal housing portion  136  and to be electrically connected to such an earth terminal  140   a . In other words, the tongue  122  may extend toward the interior of at least one of the plurality of terminal housing portions  136 , and the earth terminal  140   a  may be placed in the terminal housing portion  136  in which the tongue  122  extends. The tongue  122  may have an elastic biasing force by being supported on a side of the shell  120  in a cantilever manner. In other words, the tongue  122  may have the structure of a cantilever plate spring. The tongue  122  is allowed to be a cantilever-like plate spring, whereby the tongue  122  and the earth terminal  140   a  placed in the terminal housing portion  136  can come into elastic contact with each other to achieve a more reliable and stable electric connection therebetween. 
     Subsequently, the connection between the cable shields and the shell in the electric connector unit of the present disclosure will be described point by point below.  FIGS.  15 A to  15 D  are schematic views illustrating a procedure of a connection between the cable shields and the shell in the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     First, at least some of the cable shields  220  are inserted into the opening of the terminal housing  130  in the connection between the shell  120  and the cable shields  220  (see  FIG.  15 A ). For example, when the cable shields  220  include a conductive element, the conductive elements  221  in a plural form drawn from the cable shields  220  may be inserted into the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130 . The inserted cable shields may pass through the opening  131  and extend toward the direction of mating with the device connector. 
     Subsequently, the ends of the cable shields that have passed through the opening  131  may be folded back toward a direction that is generally opposed to the insertion direction, as illustrated in  FIG.  15 B . In other words, the ends of some of the cable shields (for example, the conductive elements  221 ) may be passed through the opening  131  and bent to be folded back along the outer wall surface of the opening  131 . The cable shields  220  may be folded back at the notched portion  132  formed in the opening  131 . In other words, the cable shields inserted into the opening  131  may be collected and bent to be folded back at the notched portion  132 . Such folding back can contribute to prevention of the inserted cable shields from falling out. The cable shields are collected and then folded back at the notched portion  132 , whereby the subsequent insertion of the shield fixation portion  121  can be further facilitated. 
     Then, the shell  120  is assembled with the terminal housing  130 . As illustrated in  FIG.  15 C , the shell  120  may be assembled along a side of the terminal housing  130  from the same direction as the direction of inserting the cable shields (for example, the conductive elements  221 ). The shield fixation portion  121  is inserted into the opening  131  by assembling the shell  120  with the terminal housing  130  (see  FIGS.  14  and  15 D ). The shield fixation portion  121  may be inserted so that the cable shields are sandwiched between the shield fixation portion  121  and the inner wall surface of the opening  131 . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shield fixation portion  121  is inserted and elastically deformed while interfering with the cable shields collected on the inner wall surface having the notched portion  132  in the opening  131 , whereby the shield fixation portion  121  may be brought into intimate contact with the cable shields in the opening  131 . In the procedure described above, the cable shields  220  and the shell  120  are electrically connected to each other. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  14   , the tongue  122  of the shell  120  may be inserted into the interior of at least one of the plurality of terminal housing portions  136  of the terminal housing  130  when the terminal housing  130  is attached to the shell  120 . The earth terminal  140   a  and the tongue  122  are electrically connected by placing the earth terminal  140   a  in the terminal housing portion  136  into which the tongue  122  is inserted. In other words, the shell  120  assembled with the terminal housing  130  is electrically connected to the earth terminal  140   a  through the tongue  122  in the procedure described above. Such an earth terminal  140   a  is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the device connector in a state in which the connector and the device connector mates with each other. In other words, the shell  120  and the earth terminal of the device connector are electrically connected to each other through the tongue and the earth terminal  140   a  by the operation of allowing the connector and the device connector to mate with each other. 
     The above-described configuration allows the cable shields  220  of the present disclosure to be electrically connected to the ground terminal of the device connector through the shell  120  in a state in which the connector and device connector of the present disclosure match with each other. In other words, the cable shields  220 , the shell  120 , and the earth terminal of the device connector are electrically connected to each other in the state in which the connector and the device connector mate with each other. This means that the shield elements included in the cables, connector, and device connector of the present disclosure can be appropriately grounded in the mating state. Accordingly, the electric connector unit of the present disclosure can provide the configuration of the more suitable electromagnetic shield that can more appropriately electrically shield the cables and the terminals in the connector from each other by above-described structure. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening  131  of the terminal housing  130  may include at least one tapered face  133  on the inner wall surface.  FIG.  8    is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section, taken along the line B-B of the terminal housing  130  illustrated in  FIG.  7   , as viewed in the arrow direction. As illustrated, at least a part of the inner wall surface of the opening  131  may be the tapered face  133 . The tapered face refers to at least a part of the inner wall surface of the opening  131 , which gradually slopes toward the interior of the opening  131 . In other words, at least a part of the inner wall surface of the opening  131  may slope to form an angle with respect to the direction of inserting the shield fixation portion and the cable shields. When such an insertion direction is generally parallel to the direction D 1  of mating with the device connector of the terminal housing  130 , the tapered face of the opening can be understood to slope to form an angle with respect to the mating direction D 1 . 
       FIG.  9    is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of the terminal housing  130  illustrated in  FIG.  7   , as viewed in the arrow direction. As illustrated, the tapered face  133  of the opening  131  may gradually slope toward the interior of the opening  131 . In other words, at least a part of the inner wall surface of the opening  131  may slope so that at least a part of the internal space of the opening  131  gradually narrows. More specifically, the tapered face  133  may be formed on an inner wall surface at an end of the opening  131  into which the cable shields and/or the shield fixation portion are inserted. In other words, the cable shields and/or the shield fixation portion may be inserted into the opening  131  from the end including the tapered face  133 . Such a tapered face  133  enables the cable shields inserted into the opening  131  to be guided toward the interior of the opening along the slope of the tapered face  133 . The opening  131  includes the tapered face  133  described above, whereby in the opening  131 , the cable shields can be collected in the center of the opening  131 . In particular, when the cable shields inserted into the opening  131  are the plurality of conductive elements  221  (see  FIG.  14   ), the plurality of conductive elements  221  are collected in the center by the tapered face  133 , whereby the subsequent insertion of the shield fixation portion can be more easily performed. Further, the inserted shield fixation portion and the cable shields can be more reliably electrically connected to each other, and the configuration of the more suitable electromagnetic shield can be achieved. 
     A slope angle between the tapered face and the mating direction D 1 , as viewed in a cross section illustrated in  FIG.  9   , is not particularly limited as long as the effects described above are obtained when the cable shields are inserted. For example, the slope angle may be 5° or more and 85° or less, and may be, for example, 10° or more and 70° or less, or 20° or more and 70° or less. 
       FIG.  10    is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of the terminal housing  130  illustrated in  FIG.  7   , as viewed in the arrow direction. As illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  10   , the terminal housing  130  may include slide grooves  134  in the interior of the opening  131 . More specifically, the opening  131  may include the slide grooves  134  extending along sides of the terminal housing  130 . The slide grooves  134  may be formed on the side wall of the opening  131  coming into contact with the sides of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, at least one slide groove  134  may be formed between the side wall of the opening  131  and the outer side of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the side wall of the opening  131  may include at least one concave slide groove  134  in a portion coming into contact with the outer side of the terminal housing  130 . For example, the slide grooves  134  may be disposed on inner corners of the opening  131 , coming into contact with on sides of the terminal housing  130 , as illustrated in  FIG.  7   . In other words, the slide grooves may be defined by the sides of the terminal housing  130  and the concave portions disposed on the inner corners of the opening. Such a slide groove  134  can help the shield fixation portion to be guided into the interior of the opening  131  when the shell and the terminal housing are assembled with each other. In other words, the shield fixation portion may be inserted into the interior of the opening  131  along such a slide groove  134 . The formation of the slide groove  134  in the opening  131  can more preferably suppress the backlash of the shield fixation portion in the opening  131 , and can more preferably prevent poor contact with the cable shields from occurring. In other words, the slide groove  134  can provide a more reliable and stable electric connection between the shield fixation portion and the cable shields to achieve the configuration of the more suitable electromagnetic shield. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the opening  131  includes a guide face  135  on the inner wall surface. Herein, the guide face  135  refers to a face having a tapered shape formed in an end of the slide groove  134 . In one embodiment, the guide face  135  is formed on the inner wall surface of the opening  131  including the slide groove  134 , and such a guide face  135  may gradually slope toward the slide groove  134 . The guide face  135  may gradually slope toward the interior of the terminal housing  130  to form an angle with respect to a side of the terminal housing  130 . In other words, the guide face  135  may slope to gradually fall toward the direction of inserting the shield fixation portion (that is, the mating direction D 1 ). This means that the slide groove  134  can includes a structure in which the slide groove  134  gradually narrows toward the mating direction D 1  in any one end. The shield fixation portion is inserted from the end including such a guide face  135  into the opening  131 . In other words, the guide face  135  may be formed in a side closer to the insertion opening of the shield fixation portion on the slide groove  134 . The guide face  135  sloping toward the slide groove  134  guides the shield fixation portion to the slide groove  134 , and can contribute to suppression of physical interference in the insertion of the shield fixation portion. Accordingly, such a structure further facilitates an operation of assembling the shield elements to enable provision of the configuration of the more suitable electromagnetic shield. 
     A slope angle formed by the guide face  135  with respect to a side of the terminal housing  130  as viewed in a cross section illustrated in  FIG.  10    is not particularly limited as long as the above-described effects are obtained when the shield fixation portion  121  is inserted. For example, the slope angle may be 5° or more and 85° or less, and may be, for example, 10° or more and 70° or less, or 20° or more and 70° or less. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device connector  300  (see  FIG.  3   ) may be a motor side connector that is disposed on a motor device. For example, the electric connector unit of the present disclosure may be applied to a motor device such as an industrial machine or an industrial robot. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric connector unit that is applied in such a motor device may be a composite electric connector unit for a power source and a signal, including an inner cable for supplying a power supply voltage that allows the device to be driven or braked and an inner cable for delivering a signal from an apparatus such as a sensor mounted on the device. 
     In the composite electric connector unit for such a power source and a signal, a terminal for delivering a signal and a terminal for supplying a power supply voltage can be positioned to be next to each other, and mutual interference between the terminals can exist in actuation of the device. Therefore, the terminal for delivering a signal and the terminal for supplying a power source may be housed in different terminal housings, respectively, and the configuration of the electromagnetic shield of the present disclosure may be applied to at least one terminal housing. The mutual interference can be reduced or removed by, for example, forming an opening in the terminal housing that houses the terminal related to the delivery of a signal and applying the configuration of the electromagnetic shield of the present disclosure. In the electric connector unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of an inner cable bundle for a power source and an inner cable bundle for a signal may be included in the cable  200  including the cable shields  220  and the covering element  210 , and the inner cable bundle for a power source and the inner cable bundle for a signal may be separately inserted from the two insertion openings  111  formed in the case housing  110  (see  FIGS.  1  and  3   ). In a further embodiment, a composite cable in which a cable for a power source and a cable for a signal are bundled may be configured to insert such a composite cable into a case housing. 
     The embodiments of the present invention are described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications, such as combinations of the configurations described above, based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible are possible without departing from the gist of claims. 
     For example, the direction of inserting a shield fixation portion and/or cable shields into an opening may be opposite to the direction illustrated in the drawings. In other words, a shield fixation portion  121  and cable shields  220  (for example, conductive elements  221 ) may be inserted from below an opening  131  toward the upward direction although the shield fixation portion  121  and the cable shields  220  (for example, the conductive elements  221 ) are inserted from above the opening  131  toward the downward direction in the drawings (for example,  FIG.  14   ). 
     It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle. 
     Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, an element recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.