Wire harness design method, wire harness manufacturing method, and vehicle wire harness

Abstract

Components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wire harness are classified into three layers, i.e., an upstream circuit, an independent domain circuit, and a partition circuit, according to different categories. A wire harness design method includes: a step of determining a configuration of a first sub-wire harness WH1 belonging to an upstream circuit; a step of determining a configuration of a second sub-harness WH2 belonging to the independent domain circuit; a step of determining a configuration of a third sub-harness WH3 belonging to the partition circuit; and a step of integrating the first sub-wire harness, the second sub-wire harness, and the third sub-wire harness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wire harness design method, a wire harness manufacturing method and a vehicle wire harness. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle, it is necessary to supply power from an on-board power supply device to various types of electrical components (auxiliary devices) arranged in a distributed manner in various parts. In addition, it is necessary to transmit signals or perform data communication between multiple electrical components. Such power supply, signal transmission, data communication, etc. are generally performed via wires provided in a wiring harness. Therefore, the wiring harness includes a large number of wires and has a complex shape.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 Figure 1 The communication system of the configuration shown includes a central gateway 11 and a plurality of partition ECUs (Electronic Control Units) 41 and 42. Furthermore, the central gateway and each partition ECU are connected to each other, and various electrical components 18 are connected downstream of each partition ECU via a joint connector (J / C).

[0004] Reference List

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP2021-129278A Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] In implementing Patent Document 1 Figure 1 In the case of the communication system shown, a large number of electrical components can be centrally managed by a central gateway. However, it is necessary to connect all the electrical components to the central gateway, so the number of wires in the wiring harness for connecting these electrical components and the central gateway increases, making its outer diameter larger. Therefore, when the wiring harness is assembled to the vehicle body, it is difficult to perform wiring work.

[0009] In the case where multiple independent partition ECUs are provided for each area of ​​the vehicle body, the length of the wires in the wiring harness for connecting the electrical components of each part and the partition ECU can be shortened. However, in the case where a large number of electrical components are concentratedly arranged in the same area, the number of electrical components connected downstream of each partition ECU increases, so the processing load on the partition ECU may become very large.

[0010] On the other hand, among the electrical components mounted on the vehicle, for example, ECUs for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) or human-machine interface (HMI) systems have a rapid development speed, and therefore need to be frequently replaced according to connection specifications or control specifications. In addition, for example, there are many types of variants in ECUs for power systems, and each type has a different control method, so each type requires a wiring harness with a significantly different configuration.

[0011] Therefore, in the case where the ECUs of auxiliary equipment (such as ADAS systems, HMI systems, and power systems) are connected downstream of the partitioned ECUs close to their respective layout positions, the entire wiring harness must be frequently redesigned every time the specifications or types of the auxiliary equipment are changed, and it is inevitable to increase the burden of design work. In addition, when the design of the wiring harness is changed, it is necessary to remake the wiring harness corresponding to the new specifications, and it is difficult to reuse the wiring harness with existing specifications.

[0012] The present invention is made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wiring harness design method, a wiring harness manufacturing method and a vehicle wiring harness, which can reduce the burden of wiring harness design work or manufacturing work to cope with specification changes or type changes of various auxiliary equipment installed on the vehicle.

[0013] Solution to the problem

[0014] The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.

[0015] A wiring harness design method, comprising:

[0016] When the components set in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness are classified into three layers according to the difference in category, namely, the upstream circuit, the independent domain circuit, and the partition circuit,

[0017] The step of determining a configuration of a first sub-harness belonging to an upstream circuit;

[0018] the step of determining a configuration of a second sub-harness belonging to the independent domain circuit;

[0019] the step of determining a configuration of a third sub-harness belonging to the partitioned circuit; and

[0020] The step of integrating the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness and the third sub-wiring harness.

[0021] A method for manufacturing a wire harness, comprising:

[0022] The step of classifying components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness into three layers according to different categories, the three layers being an upstream circuit, an independent domain circuit, and a partition circuit;

[0023] a step of manufacturing components belonging to an upstream circuit as a first sub-harness;

[0024] a step of manufacturing components belonging to the independent domain circuit as a second sub-harness;

[0025] a step of manufacturing components belonging to the partitioned circuit as a third sub-wiring harness; and

[0026] The step of combining and integrating the manufactured first sub-wiring harness, second sub-wiring harness, and third sub-wiring harness.

[0027] A vehicle wiring harness, comprising:

[0028] a first sub-wiring harness constituting an upstream circuit common to a plurality of vehicle types among components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness;

[0029] A second sub-harness constituting an independent domain circuit belonging to a specific function on the vehicle among components arranged in the entire circuit of the vehicle harness;

[0030] a third sub-wiring harness constituting a partitioned circuit belonging to a specific area on the vehicle body other than the specific function among components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness; and

[0031] A common circuit connection unit electrically connects a common portion of the circuits of the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness.

[0032] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0033] According to the wire harness design method, wire harness manufacturing method and vehicle wire harness of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden of design work or manufacturing work of the wire harness in response to specification changes or type changes of various auxiliary equipment mounted on a vehicle.

[0034] The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention can be clarified by reading the following modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of sub-wiring harnesses classified into three layers.

[0036] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a connection state of circuits provided in each sub-harness.

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a circuit integration unit integrating circuits of a plurality of sub-harnesses.

[0038] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a representative example of an arrangement state of an electric circuit on a vehicle body.

[0039] Figure 5is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a wire harness design method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] <Basic design concept>

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the entire components constituting the wiring harness are classified into three layers, and an independent sub-wiring harness is constructed for each of the three layers. Then, the three-layer sub-wiring harnesses are integrated together to finally form a set of wiring harnesses. A wiring harness obtained by integrating multiple layers of sub-wiring harnesses into one body may be manufactured, or multiple layers of independent sub-wiring harnesses may be integrated when multiple layers of sub-wiring harnesses that can be integrated are manufactured separately and then assembled on a vehicle body.

[0044] The first sub-wiring harness WH1 constituting the first layer is a component necessary for connecting an upstream circuit used as a trunk line in a wiring harness installed on a vehicle. The upstream circuit is a part of a vehicle where common hardware can be used for a long time in a standard and common manner, and specifically, is a circuit that integrates the body system ECU and chassis system ECU of the vehicle.

[0045] The second sub-wiring harness WH2 constituting the second layer is a component necessary for connecting an independent domain circuit, which can be managed independently for each system as desired. Specifically, a circuit that has a fast development speed and needs to be frequently replaced, such as an ADAS system ECU or an HMI system ECU, or a circuit required for connecting a system with multiple types of variants and significantly different control methods for each type, such as a power system ECU, corresponds to an independent domain circuit.

[0046] The third sub-harness WH3 constituting the third layer is a component necessary for connecting a partition circuit that can be individually managed as desired for each area (partition) on the vehicle body, in addition to the above-mentioned upstream circuit and the above-mentioned independent domain circuit.

[0047] <Specific example of appearance>

[0048] Figure 1 An example of the appearance of sub-wiring harnesses classified into three layers is shown. Figure 1 The first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2, and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 shown in FIG. 1 represent an example of the appearance of components of a portion wired near an instrument panel in a wiring harness and other equipment such as various ECUs mounted on a vehicle.

[0049] For example, the wiring harness of this embodiment is combined and integrated Figure 1 The first sub-wire bundle WH1, the second sub-wire bundle WH2 and the third sub-wire bundle WH3 shown are implemented.

[0050] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the center ECU 10, the zone ECUs 11 and 12, the ADAS ECU 13, the HMI ECU 14, etc. are arranged near the instrument panel. The zone ECU 11 is arranged on the left side of the instrument panel, and the zone ECU 12 is arranged on the right side of the instrument panel.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the first sub harness WH1 can connect upstream circuits. That is, the first sub harness WH1 includes an upstream circuit connecting the center ECU 10 and the partition ECUs 11 and 12, an upstream circuit connecting the center ECU 10 and the ADAS ECU 13 and the HMI ECU 14, and an upstream circuit connecting the partition ECUs 11 and 12 and the ADAS ECU 13 and the HMI ECU 14.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the second sub harness WH2 includes an independent domain circuit connecting the center ECU 10 and the ADAS ECU 13 , and an independent domain circuit connecting the center ECU 10 and the HMI ECU 14 .

[0053] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the third sub-wiring harness WH3 includes a partition circuit that connects the partition ECU 11 or 12 of each partition and the terminal equipment in the same partition.

[0054] <Connection status of each circuit>

[0055] Figure 2 The connection state of the circuits provided in each sub-harness is shown. Figure 2 The domain integration ECU 16 shown corresponds to, for example, Figure 1 ADAS ECU 13 or HMI ECU 14 shown. In addition, Figure 2 The partition ECU 17 shown corresponds to, for example, Figure 1 Partition ECUs 11 and 12 are shown.

[0056] The first sub harness WH1 includes upstream circuits 21, 22, and 23. The upstream circuit 21 connects the center ECU 10 and the domain integrated ECU 16. The upstream circuit 22 connects the center ECU 10 and the partition ECU 17. The upstream circuit 23 connects the domain integrated ECU 16 and the partition ECU 17.

[0057] Each of the upstream circuits 21, 22, and 23 provided in the first sub-wiring harness WH1 includes electric wires for connecting power, ground (earth), communication, and signals.

[0058] The second sub-harness WH2 includes an independent domain circuit 24 that connects the domain integrated ECU 16 and the terminal device 18 of the independent system. The independent domain circuit 24 includes wires for connecting power, ground, communication, and signals.

[0059] The third sub-wiring harness WH3 includes a partition circuit 25 connecting the partition ECU 17 and the terminal device 19 in the same partition. The partition circuit 25 includes electric wires for connecting power, ground, communication, and signals.

[0060] <Example of Circuit Integrated Unit>

[0061] Figure 3 An example of the appearance of the circuit integration units 26 and 27 integrating a plurality of sub-harness circuits is shown.

[0062] When the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2, and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 classified into three layers as described above are integrated and assembled on the vehicle body, it is necessary to connect a common circuit among the plurality of sub-wiring harnesses.

[0063] For example, a circuit that supplies power from upstream to downstream or a circuit that processes a common signal needs to be commonly connected to a circuit of a multi-layer sub-wiring harness. However, when the common circuits are connected to each other by using a joint connector, etc., a work process integrating multiple sub-wiring harnesses may be necessary, or the number of components may increase.

[0064] Figure 3 The circuit integrated unit 26 shown includes a common connector 30A and a plurality of sub-harness side connectors 31 and 32. When the two sub-harness side connectors 31 and 32 are arranged adjacent to each other, the opening portion of the common connector 30A is formed into a shape and size consistent with the overall appearance of the two sub-harness side connectors 31 and 32.

[0065] Therefore, the common connector 30A and the two sub-harness side connectors 31 and 32 can be assembled into one body. The circuit on the sub-harness 36 side and the circuit on the sub-harness 37 side can be commonly connected to each other via the circuit on the common connector 30A side.

[0066] The common connector 30A can be mounted on the ECU housing of an auxiliary device, etc. Therefore, the common circuits of the multi-layer sub-harnesses can be connected to each other using the internal circuits on the ECU side. Therefore, the first sub-harness WH1, the second sub-harness WH2, and the third sub-harness WH3 can be manufactured separately in independent processes.

[0067] Figure 3The circuit integrated unit 27 shown includes a common connector 30B and three sub-harness side connectors 33, 34 and 35. In a state where the three sub-harness side connectors 33 to 35 are arranged adjacent to each other, the opening portion of the common connector 30B is formed in a shape and size consistent with the overall appearance of the three sub-harness side connectors 33 to 35.

[0068] Therefore, the common connector 30B and the three sub-harness side connectors 33 to 35 can be assembled into one body. The circuits of the plurality of sub-harnesses can be commonly connected to each other via the circuit on the common connector 30B side.

[0069] In the above description, an example of circuit integration using common connectors 30A and 30B has been described, and as another general example, circuit integration can be performed by directly inserting the terminals into the cavity of a connector provided in at least one sub-wiring harness without using a common connector (although the workability is poor) and integrating the terminals into one connector.

[0070] <Layout example of body parts>

[0071] Figure 4 A representative example of the arrangement state of the circuit on the vehicle body is shown.

[0072] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated example, the center ECU 10 is arranged near the instrument panel of the vehicle body 40 , and the zone ECUs 17A and 17B are arranged on the left and right sides of the center ECU 10 , respectively.

[0073] The domain integrated ECUs 16A and 16B are arranged near the instrument panel. One domain integrated ECU 16A is an ECU having an autonomous driving function or an ADAS function. The other domain integrated ECU 16B is an ECU having an integrated cockpit function.

[0074] On the other hand, the partition ECU 17C, the domain integrated ECUs 16C and 16D, the vehicle-mounted battery (BAT) 41, the BFT 42, and various terminal devices (sensors, loads, etc.) are arranged in the engine compartment area of ​​the vehicle body 40. The domain integrated ECU 16C is an ECU having an engine control function, and the domain integrated ECU 16D is an ECU having a hybrid control function.

[0075] Furthermore, the partition ECU 17D and various terminal devices (switches, sensors, loads, etc.) are arranged in an area on the rear side of the vehicle body 40 .

[0076] like Figure 4As shown, the sub harness constituting the upstream circuits 21 to 23 connects the center ECU 10, the partition ECUs 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D, and the domain integrated ECUs 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D. The sub harness includes power lines, signal lines, communication lines, and the like.

[0077] The sub-wiring harness constituting the partition circuit 25 connects the partition ECU 17B and the terminal equipment (body system switch, load, sensor, etc.) arranged in the same area (or a position close to the partition ECU 17B). Similarly, the partition ECU 17A and the terminal equipment (body system switch, load, sensor, etc.) arranged in the same area are connected to each other through the sub-wiring harness constituting the partition circuit.

[0078] In addition, terminal devices (loads, sensors, etc.) arranged in the engine compartment area of ​​the vehicle body 40 instead of in the independent domain system are connected to the partition ECU 17C via the sub-wiring harness constituting the partition circuit in the same area. In addition, terminal devices (switches, loads, sensors, etc.) arranged in the area on the rear side of the vehicle body 40 instead of in the independent domain system are connected to the partition ECU 17D via the sub-wiring harness constituting the partition circuit in the same area.

[0079] On the other hand, the sub-wiring harness constituting the independent domain circuit 24 connects the domain integrated ECU 16B and the terminal devices (external terminals, displays, switches, etc.) provided in its system. Similarly, the domain integrated ECU 16A and the terminal devices (sensors, cameras, etc.) provided in the same system are connected to each other through the sub-wiring harness constituting the independent domain circuit.

[0080] <Wire Harness Design Program>

[0081] Figure 5 An example of a processing procedure of the wire harness design method according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0082] When designers actually design the wiring harness, a design assistance system including a computer is used according to Figure 5 The process shown designs the wire harness according to a predetermined rule based on the contents of a database (DB) 50 which stores information on a vehicle on which the wire harness to be designed is to be installed.

[0083] The database 50 stores predetermined data such as the shape and size of each vehicle type of the vehicle, the type and specification of each device installed on the vehicle, and the installation position of each device. Figure 5 in the processing process.

[0084] When a wire harness for a newly produced vehicle is initially designed, the process starts from steps S11 and S 12. Then, the design assisting system designs the first sub-wire harness WH1 according to the input operation of the designer.

[0085] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the arrangement positions or basic specifications of the main devices, such as the center ECU 10, the domain integrated ECUs 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, the partition ECUs 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, the vehicle battery 41 and the BFT 42, are predetermined and registered in the database 50. Figure 2 The first sub-wiring harness WH1 shown in FIG. 1 is designed by the designer in step S12. The first sub-wiring harness WH1 includes an upstream circuit 21 connecting the center ECU 10 and the domain integrated ECU 16, an upstream circuit 22 connecting the center ECU 10 and the partition ECU 17, and an upstream circuit 23 connecting the domain integrated ECU 16 and the partition ECU 17. Each of the upstream circuits 21, 22, and 23 includes a power line, a ground line, a communication line, and a signal line. For example, the thickness of the power line to be used is determined according to the basic specifications of the vehicle.

[0086] The hardware at each connecting portion of the upstream circuits 21, 22, and 23 does not change for a long time, and thus can be used in a standard and common manner. Therefore, the work of designing the first sub-wiring harness WH1 only once for the first time is required.

[0087] When the wire harness of a newly produced vehicle is initially designed, or when the specification of the independent domain is changed, the process proceeds from steps S13 and S 14. Then, the design assisting system designs the second sub-wire harness WH2 according to the input operation of the designer.

[0088] That is to say, if Figure 2 In the second sub-harness WH2 shown, the independent domain circuit 24 connecting the domain integrated ECU 16 and the terminal device 18 of the independent system is realized by the second sub-harness WH2. The independent domain circuit 24 includes a power line, a ground line, a communication line, and a signal line.

[0089] For example, in Figure 4 In the case of the vehicle shown, four second sub-wiring harnesses WH2 are designed for each independent domain, namely, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 connecting the domain integrated ECU 16A and its downstream terminal devices, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 connecting the domain integrated ECU 16B and its downstream terminal devices, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 connecting the domain integrated ECU 16C and its downstream terminal devices, and the second sub-wiring harness WH2 connecting the domain integrated ECU 16D and its downstream terminal devices.

[0090] When the wire harness of a newly produced vehicle is initially designed, or when the specification of the vehicle type is changed, the process proceeds from steps S15 and S 16. Then, the design assisting system designs the third sub-wire harness WH3 according to the input operation of the designer.

[0091] That is, as in Figure 2In the third sub-harness WH3 shown, a partition circuit 25 connecting the partition ECU 17 and the terminal device 19 in the same partition is implemented by the third sub-harness WH3. The partition circuit 25 includes a power line, a ground line, a communication line, and a signal line.

[0092] For example, in Figure 4 In the case of the illustrated vehicle, a plurality of third sub-wiring harnesses WH3 are individually designed for each area, as described below.

[0093] The third sub-harness WH3 connects the partition ECU 17A in the left area of ​​the instrument panel and various terminal devices (body system switches, loads, sensors, etc.) in the left area of ​​the vehicle interior

[0094] The third sub-harness WH3 connects the partition ECU 17B in the right area of ​​the instrument panel and various terminal devices (body system switches, loads, sensors, etc.) in the right area of ​​the vehicle interior

[0095] The third sub-harness WH3, which connects the partition ECU 17C in the engine compartment area and various terminal devices in the same engine compartment (body system loads, sensors, etc., excluding the power system)

[0096] The third sub-harness WH3, which connects the zone ECU 17D in the vehicle interior rear area and various terminal devices (body system switches, loads, sensors, etc.) in the same rear area.

[0097] After the design of the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 is completed, these sub-wiring harnesses are integrated in step S17 to design a complete wiring harness. For example, when the first sub-wiring harness WH1 and the second sub-wiring harness WH2 are combined and integrated, the integrated sub-wiring harness (WH1+WH2) and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 are designed as separate bodies and are assembled on the same vehicle body at the same time.

[0098] Furthermore, a design is made in which common circuits among the circuits provided in the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2, and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 are connected to each other so as to span across the plurality of sub-wiring harnesses. Figure 3 In the circuit integrated units 26 and 27 shown, multiple sub-wiring harness side connectors 31 and 32 (or 33 to 35) are designed to be arranged side by side to connect to common connectors 30A and 30B, or the common circuit is electrically connected to the device specifications inside the ECU on the common connector 30A side.

[0099] Accordingly, it is possible to form a path for supplying power from the upstream to the downstream load in a plurality of sub-wiring bundles, to interconnect a common communication path between a plurality of sub-wiring bundles, or to interconnect a common signal path between a plurality of sub-wiring bundles.

[0100] The design data of the wire harness generated by the above-described design is registered in, for example, the database 50, and is used when manufacturing the wire harness or making a design change to the designed wire harness.

[0101] When a change is made to the specification of a previously designed vehicle, optional equipment may be added, or the specification of existing equipment may be changed. However, such a change does not affect the configuration of the first sub-wiring harness WH1, so a design change of the first sub-wiring harness WH1 is unnecessary.

[0102] On the other hand, in the case where the vehicle specification is changed so that the system of the independent domain system is changed, it is necessary to change the configuration of the second sub-harness WH2 for each system of the independent system, so Figure 5 Step S14 in the embodiment is to change the design of the second wiring harness WH2.

[0103] On the other hand, when changes are made to the body system and chassis system other than the independent domain system according to the addition of a new vehicle type or the change of the specifications of each vehicle type, the connection state of each partition circuit 25 of the corresponding system is affected, so the execution Figure 5 Step S16 in the embodiment is to change the design of the third wiring harness WH3.

[0104] <Wire Harness Manufacturing Procedure>

[0105] Figure 6 An example of the processing procedure of the wire harness manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 When the wiring harness designed by the method shown is actually manufactured by the component manufacturer, it is assumed that the wiring harness is Figure 6 The following will describe Figure 6 in the processing process.

[0106] The component manufacturer of the wiring harness creates a production plan (quantity, production plan, etc.) for the first sub-wiring harness WH1 , which is a component common to all vehicle types, based on the actual order situation or future demand forecast of the vehicle manufacturer (step S21 ).

[0107] Furthermore, according to the production plan determined in step S21, the component manufacturer instructs a manufacturing plant of a component manufacturer or a related company to produce the first sub-wire harness WH1 (step S24).

[0108] The component manufacturer of the wiring harness creates a production plan (quantity, production plan, etc.) for the second sub-wiring harness WH2 for each independent system (ADAS system, HMI system, power system, etc.) to be installed on the vehicle to be produced by the vehicle manufacturer based on the actual order situation or future demand forecast for each vehicle type. The second sub-wiring harness WH2 is a different component for each vehicle type (step S22).

[0109] Furthermore, according to the production plan determined in step S22, the component manufacturer instructs a manufacturing plant of a component manufacturer or a related company to produce the second sub-wire harness WH2 (step S25).

[0110] The component manufacturer of the wiring harness creates a production plan (quantity, production plan, etc.) for the third sub-wiring harness WH3, which is a different component for each vehicle type, based on actual order conditions or future demand forecasts for each vehicle type from the vehicle manufacturer (step S23).

[0111] Furthermore, according to the production plan determined in step S23, the component manufacturer instructs a manufacturing plant of a component manufacturer or a related company to produce the third sub-wire harness WH3 (step S26).

[0112] The component manufacturer that manufactures the wiring harness collects the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2, and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 manufactured at the component manufacturer's manufacturing plant or a related company in the same plant, integrates the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2, and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 for each vehicle type (step S27), and transports the wiring harness as a finished wiring harness for each vehicle type to the vehicle manufacturer (step S28). The vehicle manufacturer assembles the delivered wiring harness on the vehicle body to produce the vehicle.

[0113] When executing Figure 6 When the wiring harness manufacturing method is shown, the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 can be manufactured in an independent state. That is, the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 can be manufactured in corresponding factories in different places, and different quantities of the first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2 and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 can be manufactured at different times. Therefore, the manufacturing situation of the wiring harness can be optimized according to the actual order situation or the change of demand forecast.

[0114] As described above, in the wire harness design method and the wire harness manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the components of the wire harness are classified into three layers, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first sub-wiring harness WH1, the second sub-wiring harness WH2, and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 shown are manufactured separately and integrated into one body. Therefore, efficient production of the wiring harness becomes possible. In addition, the first sub-wiring harness WH1 is less likely to be affected by differences in vehicle types and can therefore be mass-produced, which is expected to lead to cost reductions through economies of scale.

[0115] The second sub-wiring harness WH2 connecting the independent domain circuit and the third sub-wiring harness WH3 connecting the partition circuit are layered, so it is possible to prevent a large number of circuits connected downstream of the partition ECU 17 in each partition from being concentrated and to prevent the outer diameter of the sub-wiring harness from increasing. Therefore, difficulties in the work of routing the wiring harness to the vehicle body can be avoided. In addition, by allocating the circuits of a system whose specifications frequently change or a system with multiple types of variations to the second sub-wiring harness WH2 as an independent domain system, frequent changes in vehicle specifications can be accommodated by simply changing the specifications of the second sub-wiring harness WH2. Therefore, it is easy to change the design work or manufacturing process of the wiring harness according to changes in vehicle specifications. In addition, the connection path of the circuit of each independent domain system becomes clear, so the inspection work for optimizing the production method of the wiring harness becomes easy.

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, etc. of the components in the above-described embodiments are freely selectable and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0117] Here, the features of the wire harness design method, the wire harness manufacturing method, and the vehicle wire harness according to the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [5].

[0118] [1] A wiring harness design method, comprising:

[0119] When components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness are classified into three layers, namely, upstream circuits (21 to 23), independent domain circuits (24), and partition circuits (25), according to the difference in categories ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ),

[0120] a step (S12) of determining a configuration of a first wiring sub-harness (WH1) belonging to an upstream circuit;

[0121] a step (S14) of determining a configuration of a second sub-wiring harness (WH2) belonging to an independent domain circuit;

[0122] a step (S16) of determining a configuration of a third sub-wiring harness (WH3) belonging to the partitioned circuit; and

[0123] The step of integrating the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness and the third sub-wiring harness (S17).

[0124] According to the wiring harness design method including the steps in [1] above, for example, when the circuit configuration of a wiring harness designed in the past is changed according to a change in vehicle specifications or the like, the work of specifying the portion to be changed in the design becomes easy, and the number of portions to be actually changed can also be reduced. That is, there is no need to change the design, such as the design across a plurality of sub-wiring harnesses, and thus the design change can be made on a sub-wiring harness basis. Therefore, the work burden of the designer associated with the design change can be reduced.

[0125] [2] The wiring harness design method according to [1], wherein

[0126] When the components of the vehicle wiring harness are classified, circuit elements common to multiple vehicle types are allocated to upstream circuits (21 to 23), circuit elements belonging to specific functions on the vehicle are allocated to independent domain circuits (24), and circuit elements belonging to specific areas on the vehicle body other than the specific functions are allocated to partition circuits (25).

[0127] According to the harness design method including the above-mentioned step [2], there is little need to change the design of the first sub-harness. In addition, for example, when a new optional device is added or the device specification is changed according to a change in the vehicle specification of each vehicle type, there is a possibility that the design change can be completed by only changing the configuration of the third sub-harness WH3 connecting the partition circuit of the corresponding partition. In addition, when the system specification of an independent domain system such as an ADAS system or an HMI system is changed, there is a possibility that the design change can be completed by only changing the configuration of the second sub-harness WH2 of the corresponding system.

[0128] [3] A method for manufacturing a wire harness, comprising:

[0129] Steps for classifying components provided in the entire circuit of a vehicle wiring harness into three layers according to the category (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), the three layers are upstream circuit, independent domain circuit and partition circuit;

[0130] a step of manufacturing a component belonging to an upstream circuit as a first sub-wiring harness (S24);

[0131] a step of manufacturing components belonging to the independent domain circuit as a second sub-harness (S25);

[0132] a step of manufacturing components belonging to the partitioned circuit as a third sub-harness (S26); and

[0133] A step of combining and integrating the manufactured first sub-wiring harness, second sub-wiring harness, and third sub-wiring harness (S27).

[0134] According to the wiring harness manufacturing method including the steps in [3] above, the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness can be manufactured in an independent state. Therefore, for each type, the sub-wiring harness can also be manufactured in each factory at a different location, and for each type, the sub-wiring harness can also be manufactured at a different time. Therefore, it is easy to optimize the manufacturing process according to the demand change or delivery schedule of each type of sub-wiring harness.

[0135] [4] A vehicle wiring harness, comprising:

[0136] a first sub-harness (WH1) constituting an upstream circuit common to a plurality of vehicle types among components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle harness;

[0137] A second sub-harness (WH2) constituting an independent domain circuit belonging to a specific function on the vehicle among components arranged in the entire circuit of the vehicle harness;

[0138] a third sub-wiring harness (WH3) constituting a partition circuit belonging to a specific area on the vehicle body other than the specific function among components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness; and

[0139] The common circuit connection unit (circuit integration units 26, 27) electrically connects the common parts of the circuits of the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness.

[0140] According to the vehicle wiring harness having the configuration in [4] above, the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness exist as independent components, so when the vehicle specification, etc. changes, it is easy to change the design of the entire wiring harness. In addition, the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness can be manufactured in respective independent factories, so the manufacturing process can be easily optimized. In addition, a large number of devices can be prevented from being concentrated downstream of the partition ECU (17) of each partition, so the outer shape of the third sub-wiring harness can be prevented from becoming thick, and the wiring work becomes easy when the third sub-wiring harness is assembled on the vehicle body.

[0141] [5] The vehicle wiring harness according to [4], wherein

[0142] The first sub-harness has a first connector (sub-harness side connector 33), the second sub-harness has a second connector (sub-harness side connector 34), the third sub-harness has a third connector (sub-harness side connector 35), and

[0143] At least two of the first connector, the second connector, or the third connector have shapes that can be simultaneously fitted to common connectors (30A and 30B) of corresponding devices in a state of being arranged adjacent to each other (see Figure 3 ).

[0144] According to the vehicle wiring harness having the configuration in [5] above, when the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness are integrated, the common circuit can be connected to each other between the sub-wiring harnesses without any special connection work. In addition, there is no need to attach a special component such as a joint connector for connecting the circuits between the sub-wiring harnesses, so the configuration can be simplified.

[0145] This application is based on Japanese patent application (No. 2022-183630) filed on November 16, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0146] Reference Symbols List

[0147] 10: Central ECU

[0148] 11, 12, 17, 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D: Zone ECU

[0149] 13: ADAS ECU

[0150] 14: HMI ECU

[0151] 16, 16A, 16B: Domain integrated ECU

[0152] 18: Terminal equipment of independent system

[0153] 19: Terminal devices in the same partition

[0154] 21, 22, 23: Upstream circuit

[0155] 24: Independent domain circuit

[0156] 25: Partition Circuit

[0157] 26, 27: Circuit integration unit

[0158] 30A, 30B: Common connector

[0159] 31, 32, 33, 34, 35: Sub-harness side connector

[0160] 36.37, 38, 39: Sub-harness

[0161] 40: Body

[0162] 41: Car battery

[0163] 42: BFT

[0164] 43: TCM

[0165] 50: Database

[0166] WH1: First sub-harness

[0167] WH2: Second sub-harness

[0168] WH3: The third sub-harness.

Claims

1. A wiring harness design method, comprising: When the components set in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness are classified into three layers according to the difference in category, namely, the upstream circuit, the independent domain circuit, and the partition circuit, a step of determining a configuration of a first sub-harness belonging to said upstream circuit; a step of determining a configuration of a second sub-bundle belonging to said independent domain circuit; the step of determining a configuration of a third sub-harness belonging to said partitioned circuit; and The step of integrating the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness and the third sub-wiring harness.

2. The wiring harness design method according to claim 1, wherein When the components of the vehicle wiring harness are classified, circuit elements common to multiple vehicle types are assigned to the upstream circuit, circuit elements belonging to a specific function on the vehicle are assigned to the independent domain circuit, and circuit elements belonging to a specific area on the vehicle body other than the specific function are assigned to the partition circuit.

3. A wire harness manufacturing method, comprising: The step of classifying components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness into three layers according to different categories, the three layers being an upstream circuit, an independent domain circuit, and a partition circuit; a step of manufacturing components belonging to the upstream circuit as a first sub-wiring harness; a step of manufacturing components belonging to the independent domain circuit as a second sub-harness; a step of manufacturing components belonging to the partitioned circuit as a third sub-wiring harness; and The step of combining and integrating the manufactured first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness.

4. A vehicle wiring harness, comprising: a first sub-wiring harness constituting an upstream circuit common to a plurality of vehicle types among components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness; a second sub-harness constituting an independent domain circuit belonging to a specific function on the vehicle among components arranged in the entire circuit of the vehicle harness; a third sub-wiring harness which constitutes a partition circuit belonging to a specific area on the vehicle body except for a specific function among components provided in the entire circuit of the vehicle wiring harness; and A common circuit connection unit electrically connects a common portion of the circuits of the first sub-wiring harness, the second sub-wiring harness, and the third sub-wiring harness.

5. The vehicle wiring harness according to claim 4, wherein The first sub-harness has a first connector, the second sub-harness has a second connector, the third sub-harness has a third connector, and At least two of the first connector, the second connector, or the third connector have shapes capable of being simultaneously fitted to common connectors of corresponding devices in a state of being disposed at positions adjacent to each other.

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