Patent Publication Number: US-11664629-B2

Title: Assembly comprising a connector and a cable

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to European Patent Application No. 19192613.8, filed Aug. 20, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a connector and a cable, preferably for automotive and/or multi GHz applications. In particular, the disclosure relates to an H-MTD® (High Speed Modular Twisted-Pair-Data) connector and an assembly comprising such an H-MTD® connector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The so called H-MTD® system is produced by a company called “Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH &amp; Co. KG”. Connectors of said system are meant to allow data transmission up to 15 GHz or 20 Gbps while having a small package size. Applications for the H-MTD® system are 4K camera systems, autonomous driving, radar, lidar, high-resolution displays and rear seat entertainment. 
     There is a need to improve the shielding of the connector in order to achieve a differential impedance match of close to 100Ω. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides an assembly comprising a cable having at least two signal wires and a connector, wherein the connector comprises at least two elongated inner signal contacts each connected to a wire of the cable, wherein the connector comprises a shielding portion formed of an inner shield and an outer shield, and wherein the inner shield at least approximately completely surrounds the wires of the cable and the outer shield at least partially surrounds the inner shield. 
     One basic idea of the invention is therefore to provide an outer shield in addition to an inner shield. The outer shield preferably covers a region of the inner shield where peripheral ends of the inner shield are located at. This improves the shielding for the wires. 
     Embodiments are given in the subclaims, the description and the drawings. 
     According to an embodiment, the connector comprises an outer shielding contact made of one or multiple parts, and the outer shielding contact comprises the shielding portion formed of the inner shield and the outer shield. 
     According to an embodiment, the cable is a shielded cable. In this case, the outer shielding contact can be electrically and/or mechanically connected to a shield of the cable. The cable can be configured to be usable for automotive multi GHz applications. 
     According to another embodiment, the outer shield at least approximately completely surrounds the inner shield. A gap or a joining region can be formed by the inner shield. Furthermore, a gap or a joining region can be formed by the outer shield. The gap or joining region of the inner shield and the gap or joining region of the outer shield can be located at different angular positions. In particular, the inner shield and the outer shield together can form a so called “EMC-labyrinth”, i.e. a shield where interference signals run dead, in a section of the connector. 
     According to an embodiment, a gap is formed between peripheral ends of the inner shield. In other words, the inner shield does not have a closed circumference. 
     According to another embodiment, a gap is formed between peripheral ends of the outer shield. The outer shield therefore may not have a closed circumference either. 
     To further tighten the EMC labyrinth, the outer shield can comprise an embossment extending towards the gap formed between the peripheral ends of the inner shield. 
     Accordingly and to additionally improve the differential impedance match, the inner shield can comprise an embossment extending towards a space between the wires of the cable. In particular, the embossment can extend into the space between the wires of the cable, e.g. a space between insulations of the wires. 
     According to an embodiment, a gap is formed between the two conductors to enable a positioning of an insulative element between the second connection portions. 
     According to an embodiment, the embossment of the inner shield and the embossment of the outer shield are arranged opposite each other and/or extend towards each other. 
     According to an embodiment, the outer shield comprises two shielding wings that are bent towards each other. Accordingly, the inner shield may comprise two shielding wings that are bent towards each other. 
     According to an embodiment, the embossment of the outer shield is in contact with the shielding wings of the inner shield, in particular with the peripheral ends of the shielding wings. A height of the embossment of the outer shield may vary in an axial or plug direction so that only one or more axial sections of the shielding wings of the inner shield can be in contact with the embossment of the outer shield. In order to improve electrical contact between the outer shield and the inner shield, the shielding wings can be biased against the embossment of the outer shield. 
     According to a further embodiment, the peripheral ends of the outer shield are in contact with the inner shield. To improve the electrical contact between the outer shield and the inner shield, the shielding wings of the outer shield can be biased against the inner shield. 
     According to another embodiment, the inner shield has peripheral ends extending inwardly and, in particular, towards a center, i.e. an inner space, of the inner shield. 
     Accordingly, the outer shield can have peripheral ends extending inwardly and, in particular, towards a center, i.e. an inner space, of the outer shield. 
     According to an embodiment, the outer shielding contact is made of a first outer shielding part and a separate second outer shielding part. This simplifies assembly of the connector. 
     In this case, the inner shield can be formed by the first outer shielding part and the outer shield can be formed by the second outer shielding part. 
     Manufacturing of the connector is simplified if the first outer shielding part and/or the second outer shielding part are made from sheet metal. Then, the first outer shielding part and/or the second outer shielding part can be designed as a punched and bent part. 
     According to an embodiment, an end region of the cable includes a stripped portion in which the shield of the cable has been removed. In this case, the shielding portion of the outer shielding contact can be arranged around the stripped portion of the cable. In particular, the shielding portion can surround a stripped portion of the cable where only insulated wires or only insulated wires and a foil are present. At such a portion of the connector, the above described shielding is particularly effective. 
     According to an embodiment, the elongated inner signal contacts comprise a tube-like portion. The inner signal contacts can be used as female inner signal contacts and the connector can be used as a female connector. Alternatively, the inner signal contacts can be used as male inner signal contacts and the connector can be used as a male connector. 
     According to a further embodiment, the outer shielding contact is made from a resilient alloy. This may improve an electrical contact between the inner shield and the outer shield if they are biased against each other. The outer shielding contact can comprise multiple outer spring contacts. These outer spring contacts can be arranged in a region opposite from the cable, i.e. in a region where the connector is attached to a mating connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments and functions of the present disclosure are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings, showing: 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded view of a connector according to the claimed subject matter; 
         FIG.  2 A to  2 C  are assembly instruction for the connector of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an assembly instruction for a second connector according to the claimed subject matter; 
         FIG.  4    is a 2-Port connector with two of the connectors of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a 4-Port 2-Row connector with four of the connectors of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG.  1    from a proximal side; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG.  1    along the dashed line of  FIG.  6 A ; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG.  1    from a proximal side; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG.  1    along the dashed line of  FIG.  7 A ; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a distal end of a connector according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a distal end of a connector according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a perspective view of a proximal end of a connector wherein a crimp section of the connector is covered by an outer crimping tube; 
         FIG.  10 B  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG.  10 A  along the dashed line of  FIG.  10 A ; 
         FIG.  11 A  is a perspective view of inner signal contacts according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  11 B  is a perspective view of the inner signal contacts of  FIG.  11 A  embedded in an insulating element; 
         FIG.  12 A  is a perspective view of inner signal contacts according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG.  12 B  is a sectional top view of the inner signal contacts of  FIG.  12 A  surrounded by a respective insulating element; 
         FIG.  13 A  is a perspective view of overmolded signal contacts; 
         FIG.  13 B  is a sectional top view of the overmolded signal contacts of  FIG.  13 A  placed in an outer shielding part; 
         FIG.  14    is a sectional side view of a signal contact embedded in an insulating element according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  15    is a sectional side view of a signal contact embedded in an insulating element according to a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    depicts an exploded view of a connector  10 , in particular a female connector, comprising two elongated inner signal contacts  12  arranged generally parallel to each other along a plug or axial direction  14  of the connector  10 . The signal contacts  12  have a first connection portion  16  for connecting the connector  10  to a mating connector, in particular a mating male connector, and a second connection portion  18  for connecting the signal contacts  12  to respective conductors or wires  20  of a cable  22 . The second connection portion  18 , as depicted by the two alternatives shown in  FIG.  1   , can be formed as a crimping portion  18   a  having two crimping wings  24  or can be formed as a welding portion  18   b  having a welding opening  26 . The welding opening  26  can be used to connect the signal contacts  12  to respective conductors or wires  20  of the cable  22  via laser welding. Alternatively, resistance welding can be used to connect the signal contacts  12  to respective conductors or wires  20  of the cable  22 . 
     Around the inner signal contacts  12  an insulating element  28  which can be called di-electric housing is arranged. In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   , the insulating element  28  is made out of two separate parts  28   a  and  28   b . The first and second parts  28   a  and  28   b  of the insulating element  28  are attachable to each other by a click-on connection, i.e. a snap fit engagement. The second part  28   b  fulfills the task of locking the signal contacts  12  in an axial direction so that the inner signal contacts  12  remain in their axial position when the connector  10  is connected to a mating connector. A more detailed explanation of this feature will be given in regard to  FIGS.  14  and  15   . 
     The connector  10  further comprises a first shielding part  30  and a second shielding part  32  both formed as half shells which together form an outer shielding contact  34 . The outer shielding contact  34  surrounds the inner signal contacts  12  and the insulating element  28  to provide a shield against interfering signals. However, the outer shielding contact  34  can also be used as an electrical conductor to transport electric power. At a distal end  36  of the connector  10 , the outer shielding contact  34  comprises multiple shielding contacts  38  which are discussed in more detail regarding  FIGS.  8  and  9   . At a proximal end  40  of the connector  10 , the first shielding part  30  forms a cover  42  which is discussed in more detail in regard to  FIG.  7 B . The second shielding part  32  forms a crimping portion  44  at the proximal end  40  of the connector  10  to mechanically and electrically connect the outer shielding contact  34  to the cable  22 . Furthermore, the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  each disclose wings  46 ,  48  to create an inner shield  50  and an outer shield  52  overlapping the inner shield  50 . A more detailed description of the inner and outer shield  50 ,  52  is given in regard to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . 
     In order to better secure the connection between the first shielding part  30  and the second shielding part  32 , a cover  54  comprising a first cover part  56  and a second cover part  58  are placed around the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  and are connected to each other, in particular via a click-on connection. The first and second cover parts  56 ,  58  have a C-shaped cross section so that they can each be placed around a half of the first shielding part  30  and the second shielding part  32 . Furthermore, the connector  10  comprises an inner crimp ferrule  60  which is placed around the cable  22 . 
       FIGS.  2 A to  2 C  depict an assembly instruction for the connector  10  of  FIG.  1   . In a first step, the inner crimp ferrule  60  is crimped onto the cable  22 . The inner crimp ferrule  60  has a first portion  60   a  that is crimped around portion  22   a  of the cable  22  where a protection layer  61  is the outermost layer of the cable  22 . The inner crimp ferrule  60  further has a second part which is formed around a portion  22   b  of the cable  22  where a shield layer  62  of the cable  22  is the outermost layer of the cable  22 , i.e. where the protection layer  61  has been removed. After the inner crimp ferrule  60  is connected to the cable  22 , the shield layer  62  is folded backwards over the inner crimp ferrule  60 . Additionally, end sections  22   c  of the cable  22  are stripped so that the conductors or wires  20  of the cable  22  are not surrounded by insulation material anymore. In the next step, the inner signal contacts  12  are connected to the stripped sections  22   c  of the wires  20 . While the inner signal contacts  12  are connected via crimping in the shown embodiment, the electrical connection between the inner signal contacts  12  and the wires  20  can be improved if the connection is established by welding, in particular laser welding. To improve cycle time of this connecting step, the two inner signal contacts  12  can be connected to the stripped sections of the wires  20  simultaneously. 
     After the inner signal contacts  12  are attached to the wires  20 , the first part  28   a  of the insulating element  28  is put on the inner signal contacts  12  from the axial direction  14  so that the inner signal contacts  12  are assimilated in axial channels  64  of the first part  28   a  of the insulating element  28 . Then, the second part  28   b  of the insulating element  28  is clicked on the first part  28   a  of the insulating element  28  from a radial direction. Thereby, the inner signal contacts  12  are axially fixed to the insulating element  28 . 
     After the insulating element  28  is connected to the inner signal contacts  12 , the first shielding part  30  is placed onto a section extending from a distal end of the insulating element  28  to a section of the cable  22  where the shield layer  62  is folded backwards onto the protection layer  61  of the cable  22 . In order to connect the first shielding part  30  to the insulating element  28 , the first shielding part  30  comprises two connecting wings  66  which are bent around the insulating element  28  in order to radially fixate the first shielding part  30  onto the insulating element  28 . For axial fixation of the first shielding part  30 , blocking elements  68  are formed on an outer surface of the insulating element  28 . The blocking elements  68  engage with the connecting wings  66  in order to limit or prevent axial movement of the first shielding part  30 . Furthermore, in a section of the cable  22  right before the distance between the wires  20  is increased, the shielding wings  46  are placed onto the cable  22  and bent almost all the way around the wires  20  and their respective insulation (cf.  FIG.  6 B ). By placing the first shielding part  30  onto the insulating element  28  and the cable  22 , the cover  42  comes into contact with the back-folded portion of the shield layer  62 . 
     For simplifying explanation of the method of assembling, the assembly is turned in the figures. However, this is not a necessary step in production. 
     After the first shielding part  30  is securely fixed to the insulating element  28  and the cable  22 , the second shielding part  32  is attached to the assembly from an opposite radial side. The second shielding part  32  comprises connecting wings  70  which are bent around the first shielding part  30  to radially fixate the second shielding part  32  onto the first shielding part  30 . A groove  72  extending perpendicular to the axial direction  14  is formed on the outer surface of the first shielding part  30  into which the connecting wings  70  of the second shielding part  32  are placed. Thereby, the second shielding part  32  is axially fixated onto the first shielding part  30 . Additionally, a rather smooth outer surface of the shielding contact  34  is generated. 
     The second shielding part  32  further comprises the wings  48  which are positioned in a corresponding axial section to the section of the wings  46 . In order to establish a so called “EMC-labyrinth”, i.e. a shield where interference signals run dead, the second wings  48 , same as the wings  46 , are bent so that they surround the respective section of the cable  22  almost completely. Since the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are placed around the cable from opposite sides, gaps  74 ,  75  (cf.  FIG.  6 B ) which are present at least in an axial section between peripheral end sections  46   a ,  46   b ,  48   a ,  48   b  of the wings  46 ,  48  are positioned on opposite sides of the cable  22 . 
     The second shielding part  32  also comprises the crimping portion  44  which is arranged in a corresponding axial section to the section of the cover  42  of the first shielding part  30 . The crimping portion  44  comprises two crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b  which are bent around the cable  22  and the cover  42  of the first shielding part  30 . The crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b  define corresponding peripheral ends  45   a ,  45   b . The cover  42  is helpful to hold the shield layer  62 , usually a braid, down while the crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b  are bent around the cable  22 . It has been found that providing such a cover  42  improves production quality and robustness against cable abuse. 
     After the second shielding part  32  is fixated on the first shielding part  30 , the cover  54  is placed around the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  to secure the connection between the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32 . The cover  54 , as mentioned before, comprises two parts: the first cover part  56  and the second cover part  58 . The first cover part  56  is positioned around portions of the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  from a radial direction different from the directions from which the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are placed onto the assembly. The second cover part  58  is also positioned around portions of the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  from a radial direction different from the directions from which the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  and the first cover part  56  are placed onto the assembly. In particular, the first and second cover parts  56 ,  58  are placed onto the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  from opposite radial directions. In order to connect the first and second cover parts  56 ,  58  together, connecting means are provided at the first and second cover parts  56 ,  58 , in particular snap fit engagement means. 
     After the first and second cover parts  56 ,  58  are connected to each other, the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are welded together at welding positions  76 . Then, the connector  10  is inserted into a connector housing  78 , in particular a female connector housing. The shown connector housing  78  is compliant to the standards set for the above mentioned H-MTD® system. In order to attach the connector housing  78  to the connector  10 , the connector housing  78  comprises terminal position assurance (TPA)  80  in form of a pusher. The pusher  80  is pushed radially into the connector housing  78  to axially connect the connector housing  78  to the connector  10 . 
       FIG.  3    depicts an assembly instruction for a connector  10  according to a second embodiment. According to the assembly method, the inner signal contacts  12  are axially inserted into the insulating element  28 . In this example, the insulating element  28  is formed as a single integral part. In the insulating element  28 , two axially extending passage openings  64  are formed which receive the inner signal contacts  12 . The inner signal contacts  12  can be axially fixated on the insulating element  28  by a snap-lock connection as shown in  FIG.  14   . The inner signal contacts  12  can alternatively or additionally be axially fixated on the insulating element  28  by hooks  103  ( FIG.  12 A ) or dimples formed on the inner signal contacts  12  and interfering with the insulating element  28 . An insertion depth controlled by an assembly machine can be used to make sure that both inner signal contacts  12  are inserted the same distance into the insulating element  28 . After the inner signal contacts  12  are pre-assembled with the insulating element  28 , the inner signal contacts  12  are connected to the wires  20  by laser or resistance welding. 
     After the inner signal contacts  12  are connected to the wires  20 , a first shielding part  30  is placed around the insulating element  28  and the cable  22 . However, compared to the assembly process described regarding  FIGS.  2 A to  2 C , the shielding part  30  placed first around the insulating element  28  has the crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b . A second difference between the assembly processes is that the first shielding part  30  in  FIG.  3    has an insulating layer  82   a  which was molded over a section of the first shielding part  30 . The insulating layer  82   a  comprises a rib  84  which is placed between the two wires  20  of the cable  22  to establish a further insulation between the wires  20 . After the first shielding part  30  is placed around the insulating element  28  and the cable  22 , a second shielding part  32  is also placed around the insulating element  28  and the cable  22 . The second shielding part  32  also has as an insulating layer  82   b  which was molded over a section of the second shielding part  32 . As can be seen in  FIG.  3   , the insulating layers  82   a  and  82   b  together form an insulating layer  82  formed on the inside an the outside of the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32 . This insulating layer  82  allows forming multiple quality control elements  86  which can be used to evaluate whether the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are joined together correctly and whether the wires  20  and/or the insulating element  28  are located in the right place. 
     After placing the second shielding part  32  onto the first shielding part  30 , the crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b  of the first shielding part  30  are crimped around the cover  42  of the second shielding part  32  and the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are connected to each other via laser welding. 
       FIGS.  4  and  5    depict options how to group multiple connectors  10  together. In  FIG.  4    a connector collector housing  78  is shown that is connected to two female connectors  10 . The cover parts  56 ,  58  or the insulating layers  82   a  and  82   b  ( FIG.  3   ), in particular their rear edges  77 , can be used to securely lock the connectors  10  within the collector housing  78 . In particular, they can be used to enable a primary and secondary lock of the connector  10  in the housing  78 . Using such a connector collector housing  78  allows faster assembly of an electrical wiring harness of a car. In  FIG.  5   , a connector collector housing  78  capable of taking up four connectors  10  arranged in two lines and 2 rows is shown. This connector housing  78  allows connecting four cables  22  to mating cables at once. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  depict a section of the connector  10  where wings  46 ,  48  of the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are located.  FIG.  6 B  shows a cross sectional view of the above mentioned section along the dashed line shown in  FIG.  6 A . In an inner region of the connector  10 , two insulated conductors or wires  20  extend generally parallel to each other. Around the wires  20 , the inner shield  50  is formed by the wings  46  of the first shielding part  30 . The inner shield  50  almost completely surrounds the wires  20 . Only a small gap  74  is left between the peripheral ends  46   a ,  46   b . As can be seen from  FIG.  6 B , the gap  74  is smaller than a distance between outer surfaces of the conductors  20 . At an opposite side of the gap  74 , an embossment  88  is formed so that the inner shield  50  extends into a free space between insulations of the two wires  20 . One could say that the inner shield  50  therefore has a cross sectional shape similar to two scuba tanks or scuba glasses. Around the inner shield  50 , the outer shield  52  is formed. The outer shield  52  has a similar general shape as the inner shield  50  but it has a larger diameter. Therefore, a second gap  75  is present between the peripheral ends  48   a ,  48   b  of the wings  48 . The gap  75  between the peripheral ends  48   a ,  48   b  of the wings  48  is located at the angular position of the embossment  88  formed in the wing  46 . On the other hand, the outer shield  52  also forms an embossment  89  which is located at the angular position of the gap  74  of the inner shield  50 . The two shields  50 ,  52  create an “EMC-labyrinth” which provides improved shielding to the wires  20  against interfering signals. 
     At an axial beginning and an axial end of the section where wings  46 ,  48  of the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are located, namely the tunnel in tunnel section, the gaps  74  and  75  are closed by the embossment  89  being in contact with the wings  46   a  and  46   b . The wings  46   a  and  46   b  can be pushed against the embossment  89  by mounting the cover part  54  onto the first and second outer shielding contacts  30 ,  32 . In order to make sure that the embossment  89  is in contact with the wings  46   a  and  46   b  only at the axial beginning and the axial end of the tunnel in tunnel section, the embossment can be larger and/or higher at the axial beginning and the axial end in comparison to a middle section of the embossment. As such, a return current which flows on the outer shielding contact  34  does not need to make any detours and can remain running in parallel and close by the signal currents. 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  depict a section of the connector  10  where the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  are connected to the cable  22 . In a center of the cross-section depicted in  FIG.  7 B , two insulated wires  20  are shown. Around the wires  20 , a foil  91  is arranged. Then, the shield layer  62  of the cable  22  is arranged around the foil  91 . The shield layer  62  of the cable  22  is formed as a braid. Around the shield layer  62 , the protection layer  61  of the cable  22  usually forming the outmost layer of the cable  22  is arranged. In the section shown in  FIG.  7 B , the inner crimp ferrule  60  is attached to the outer surface of the protection layer  61 . The shield layer  62  is folded backwards onto the inner crimp ferrule  60 . On top of the back-folded shield layer  62 , in a top section of the cable, the cover  42  of the first shielding part  30  is placed. On top of the cover  42  and the back-folded shield layer  62 , the crimping portion  44  of the second shielding part  32  is placed. As can be seen from  FIG.  7 B , the peripheral ends  45   a ,  45   b  of the crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b  of the second shielding part  30  are placed in an angular section where the cover  42  covers the shield layer  62 . Hence, the shield layer  62  is protected from the peripheral ends  45   a ,  45   b  of the crimp wings  44   a ,  44   b.    
       FIG.  8    depicts a distal end of the connector  10  according to a first embodiment. The shielding contact  34  is formed from the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32 . A distal end portion of the first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  is mirror symmetrical so that the opposite side not shown in  FIG.  8    of said distal end portion looks the same. The shielding contact is oval and thus has two longer sides and two shorter sides. At the longer sides, a first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  are positioned which generally extend in the axial direction  14  and are elastically deformable in a radial direction. At the shorter side of the connector  10 , a second group  38   b  of shielding contacts  38  is formed on the shielding contact  34 . The second group  38   b  of shielding contacts  38  consists of four shielding contacts  38   b  which each comprise two U-shaped portions  90 . The U-shaped portions  90  are design so that the bottom part of each U-shaped portion  90  is closest to the insulating element  28  arranged at an inside of the shielding contact  34 . The second group  38   b  of shielding contacts  38  is connected via a distal ring element  92 . The distal ring element  92  is formed of two ring segments, each connecting two second group shielding contacts  38   b  of the respective first and second shielding part  30 ,  32 . The distal ring element  92  holds the first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  in a pre-loaded position, i.e. the first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  push against an inner side of the distal ring element  92 . This allows plugging the connecter  10  into a mating connector needing less force. The distal ring element  92  also prevents that ends of the shield contacts  38   a  can get caught by another element and be pulled outwards and thus be damaged. Furthermore, each of the shielding contacts  38  has a defined contact point  94  which is defined by an elevation at the outer surface of the respective contact  38 . In order to lower the needed force to plug in the connector  10  in a mating connector, some of the contact points  94  are axially spaced apart from other contact points  94 . In particular, contact points  94   a  of the first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  are axially distanced from contact points  94   b  of the second group  38   b  of shielding contacts  38 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  8   , the first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  has two separate types of shielding contacts  38   a , wherein the first type of shielding contacts  38   a , the two inner shielding contacts, has contact points  94   a  which are axially distanced from contact points of the second type of shielding contacts  38   a , the two outer shielding contacts. 
       FIG.  9    depicts a distal end of the connector  10  according to a second embodiment. Instead of having a first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  having four upper contacts and four lower contacts  38   a , the connector  10  has a first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  which consists of five upper contacts  38   a  and five lower contacts  38   a . One of the first group  38   a  of shielding contacts  38  on each of the sides, the shielding contact  38   a  in the middle of the five shielding contacts  38 , is designed as a sacrificial contact. Compared to the embodiment of  FIG.  8   , the distal ring element  92  of  FIG.  9    is a closed ring element, i.e. the ring segments are connected to each other, e.g. by laser welding. 
     In both embodiments shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the plurality of shielding contacts  38   a ,  38   b  are arranged symmetrically and generally equally distanced from each other. The plurality of shielding contacts  38   a ,  38   b  is integrally formed with their respective first or second shielding part  30 ,  32 . The segments of the distal ring element  92  are also integrally formed with their respective first or second shielding part  30 ,  32 . The first and second shielding parts  30 ,  32  can be made from sheet-metal and can be designed as a stamped/bent part. 
       FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  depict an embodiment, wherein an outer crimping tube  96  is put on the crimping portion  44 . In comparison to the cross-sectional view shown in  FIG.  7 B , in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  10 B , there is additionally shown the outer crimping tube  96 . The outer crimping tube  96 , as is shown in  FIG.  10 A , can be put on the crimping portion  44  from a cable-side instead of a connector-side. Alternatively, a shrink tube (not shown), i.e. an elastic tube which shrinks when heat is being applied to it, can be used to cover the crimping portion  44 . 
       FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  depict the inner signal contacts  12  according to a first embodiment. The two elongated inner signal contacts  12  generally extend parallel to one another. Each inner signal contact  12  has a first connection portion  16  for connecting the signal contact  12  to a mating signal contact and a second connection portion  18  for connecting the signal contacts  12  to a respective wire  20  of a cable  22 . Each of the first connection portions  16  is formed as a tube having a first center axis  98 . Alternatively, the first connection portions  16  can comprise a solid pin welded into a stamped and rolled rear section to form male signal contacts. Each of the second connection portions  18  define a second center axis  100  where a center axis of the cable is placed at. A distance A between the center axes  98  of the first connection portions  16  is larger than a distance B between the center axes  100  of the second connection portions  18 . Alternatively, a distance between the center axes of the first connection portions can be smaller than a distance between the center axes of the second connection portions. In other words, the inner signal contacts  12  are formed so that a pitch translation is generated. 
     Each of the two inner signal contacts  12  are formed so that the first center axis  98  is spaced apart in parallel from the second center axis  100 . In order to achieve this feature, sections  102  of the inner signal contacts  12  extend into a direction oblique to the axial direction  14 . For example, the sections  102  can be formed by flat sheet metal or by a tube-shaped cross section.  FIG.  11 B  depicts the inner signal contacts  12  inserted in the insulating element  28   a  of  FIG.  2 A . 
       FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  depict inner signal contacts  12  according to a second embodiment. The inner signal contacts  12  differ from the inner signal contacts  12  of  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  in that hooks  103  are formed at side surfaces of the flat sections  102 . Hence, the inner signal contacts  12  can be inserted into an insulating element  28  as shown in  FIG.  12 B  and  FIG.  3    and can be axially fixated by the hooks  103 . Furthermore, in the second connection portions  18  of the inner signal contacts  12 , welding openings  26  are formed at an upper side so that the inner signal contacts  12  can be easily connected to the wires  20  of the cable  22  via welding, e.g. laser or resistance welding. Alternatively, not shown crimping wings  24  can be formed at the second connection portions  18  so that the inner signal contacts  12  can be crimped onto the wires  20  of the cable  22 . 
       FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  depict the insulating element  28  according to another embodiment. Here, the insulating element  28  is manufactured by overmolding the inner signal contacts  12 . In order to make sure that the mold does not enter into the tubular first and second connection portions  16 ,  18 , the tubular portions are sealed during the molding process. Similarly, the welding openings  26  or crimping wings  24  are not overmolded to be able to connect the inner signal contacts  12  to wires  20  of the cable  22  later on. 
     Instead of overmolding both inner signal contacts  12  together, it is possible to overmold each inner signal contact  12  individually and later join the two inner signal contacts  12 . 
       FIGS.  14  and  15    depict two different possibilities on how to lock the inner signal contacts  12  in the insulating element  28 . According to a first embodiment shown in  FIG.  14   , the insulating element  28  comprises a locking element  104  in form of an elastically deformable element which creates a snap fit connection between the inner signal contacts  12  and the insulating element  28  in the axial direction  14 . The locking element  104  has a first locking surface  106  which comes into contact with a second locking surface  108  of the inner signal contacts  12  by snapping back from a deformed position into a neutral position in a radial direction. This embodiment allows manufacturing the insulating element  28  as a 1-piece part, e.g. by molding. 
     Contrary thereto, in the embodiment shown in  FIG.  15   , the locking element  104  is a solid part  28   b  which is not formed integrally with the remaining insulating element  28 —as is shown in  FIG.  14   —, but instead, the insulating element  28  is made out of two separate parts  28   a ,  28   b  as is shown in  FIG.  1   . The second part  28   b  of the insulating element  28  functions as the locking element  104  and thus comprises the first locking surface  106  which comes into contact with the second locking surface  108  of the inner signal contacts  12 , in particular when the connector  10  is plugged into a mating connector. Once the outer shielding contact  34  is assembled, the locking element  104  is blocked in position. 
     In general, the inner signal contacts  12  can be formed integrally from sheet metal. In order to manufacture the inner signal contacts  12  in a cost-efficient manner, the inner signal contacts  12  can be designed as stamped/bent parts. 
     With the above described connector  10 , signal integrity can be improved by having less differential impedance mismatch, less long regions of differential impedance mismatch and less skew. 
     REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST 
     
         
           10  connector 
           12  inner signal contact 
           14  plug direction 
           16  first connection portion 
           18  second connection portion 
           20  wire 
           22  cable 
           24  crimping wing 
           26  welding opening 
           28  insulating element 
           30  first shielding part 
           32  second shielding part 
           34  shielding contact 
           36  distal end 
           38  shielding contact 
           38   a  first group 
           38   b  second group 
           40  proximal end 
           42  cover 
           44  crimping portion 
           44   a ,  44   b  crimp wing 
           45   a ,  45   b  peripheral end 
           46  wing 
           46   a ,  46   b  peripheral end 
           48  wing 
           48   a ,  48   b  peripheral end 
           50  inner shield 
           52  outer shield 
           54  cover 
           56  first cover part 
           58  second cover part 
           60  inner crimp ferrule 
           61  protection layer 
           62  shield layer (cable) 
           64  channel 
           66  connecting wing 
           68  blocking element 
           70  connecting wing 
           72  groove 
           74  gap 
           75  gap 
           76  welding position 
           77  rear edge 
           78  connector housing 
           80  terminal position assurance (TPA) 
           82  insulating layer 
           84  rib 
           86  quality control element 
           88  embossment 
           89  embossment 
           90  U-shaped portion 
           91  foil 
           92  distal ring element 
           94  contact point 
           96  outer crimping tube 
           98  center axis 
           100  center axis 
           102  section 
           103  hook 
           104  locking element 
           106  first locking surface 
           108  second locking surface