Electrical appliance module

Abstract

Electrical appliance module (1) comprising the following: a main line module (2) comprising a main line guide body (21) attached to a vehicle (V) and guided along a width-extending element (20) in a vehicle width direction (Y) of the vehicle (V), a branch section (22) inserted into the main line guide body (21), and a branch section retaining element (24) which extends along the laterally extending element (20) and retains the branch section (22); and a sub-module (3) which is connected to the main line module (2) by the branch section (22) and is subject to power supply distribution by the main line guide body (21), characterized by the fact that the main line module (2) contains a main line receiving space section (25) which is partitioned by the element (20) extending in the width direction and the branch section retaining element (24) and contains the main line guide body (21) and the branch section (22), the main line guide body (21) contained in the main line receiving space section (25) includes a standard main line guide body (21A) which is used as a standard circuit and includes a non-standard main line guide body (21B) which is used as a non-standard circuit, the standard main line guide body (21A) and the non-standard main line guide body (21B) are divided into zones and are guided in the main line receiving space section (25) by a standard line holding unit (26A) and a non-standard line holding unit (26B), the standard line holding unit (26A) is provided in the main line receiving space section (25) and holds the standard main line guide body (21A), the non-standard line holding unit (26B) is provided in the main line receiving space section (25) and holds the non-standard main line guide body (21B).

Description

1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical appliance module. 2. Description of the related technology

[0002] In Japanese patent application no. JP 2003-146 150 A, an instrument panel wiring harness device is disclosed, comprising: an instrument panel wiring harness arranged in an instrument panel and containing a standard circuit and a branch connection unit that does not affect a vehicle class or variant; and several submodules containing a branch wiring harness connected to the instrument panel wiring harness, routed according to the vehicle class and variant, and fully routed, as an electrical equipment module of related technology applied to a vehicle.

[0003] However, the instrument panel wiring harness device described above, which is disclosed in Japanese patent application no. JP 2003-146 150 A, has room for further improvement from the point of view of improving mountability.

[0004] From publication DE 100 60 671 A1, an electrical appliance module with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0005] Further state of the art is known from documents DE 101 24 995 A1, US 5 623 169 A and WO 2015 / 186 837 A1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to create an electrical appliance module that can improve the ease of installation in vehicles.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problem, an electrical appliance module according to one aspect of the present invention includes the features of claim 1.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure the electrical device module so that the sub-module is mounted on the branch section and the branch section holding element.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure the electrical appliance module such that the main line module contains a pipe receiving space section which is partitioned into the element extending in the width direction and contains an air conditioning pipe which has an inner section which is designed in a hollow shape through which air can circulate.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is also possible that the electrical device module includes a communication control connector which connects the branch section to the sub-module, wherein the main line module includes a control function unit which is connected to the main line guide body and controls the power supply distribution to the sub-module and the communication with the sub-module, and the communication control connector performs the communication between the sub-module and the control function unit and the control of an instrument provided in the sub-module.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure the electrical device module so that the main line module is contained in an instrument panel of the vehicle.

[0012] The above and further tasks, features and advantages and the technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments of the invention when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical device module according to one embodiment; Fig. Figure 2 is a partially perspective exploded view of the interior of a vehicle in which the electrical equipment module is applied according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective exploded view illustrating a horizontally extending element and a mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective exploded view illustrating the element extending in the width direction and the mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective partial exploded view illustrating the mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment, viewed from the side of the main line receiving space section; and Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating the fastening of the mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by this embodiment. The components of the embodiment described below include a component that a person skilled in the art can easily replace or that can be replaced by an essentially identical component. The embodiment

[0014] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical device module according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a partially perspective exploded view of the interior of a vehicle in which the electrical equipment module is applied according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 are schematic perspective exploded views illustrating a width-extending element and a mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic perspective partial exploded view illustrating the mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment, viewed from the side of the main line receiving space section. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating the fastening of the mounting plate of the main line module of the electrical device module according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates an instrument panel with a line alternating one long and two short strokes to easily understand the main line module of the electrical device module, and is a simplified part of it. Fig. 4. A main line guide body, a standby connector, and the like are not illustrated. Similarly, in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 of the ready connectors and the like are not illustrated, with part of the main line guide body simply illustrated by a line with alternating long and two short strokes.

[0015] An electrical appliance module 1 of this embodiment, which is in Fig. 1 and Fig. The electrical equipment module 1, as illustrated in Figure 2, is used in a vehicle V and is a wiring harness module used for power supply or signal communication by connecting each of the devices mounted on the vehicle V. The electrical equipment module 1 of this embodiment is typically an instrument panel module in which a main line module 2, described below, is arranged in an instrument panel IP of the vehicle V along a vehicle width direction Y. The instrument panel IP is an element located on the interior of the vehicle V and on its front in a vehicle longitudinal direction X along the vehicle width direction Y. That is, the electrical equipment module 1, as the instrument panel module, is a structural module in which the main line module 2 is arranged on the interior of the vehicle V and on its front in the vehicle longitudinal direction X along the vehicle width direction Y.More specifically, in the electrical equipment module 1, the main line module 2 is arranged in a receiving space section SP, which is partitioned by a wall surface on the front of a body BO of the vehicle V in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle and the instrument panel IP.

[0016] In the vehicle V in which the electrical device module 1 is applied, the "vehicle longitudinal direction X" typically corresponds to the overall longitudinal direction of the vehicle V; in other words, it corresponds to a direction along the longitudinal straight-ahead orientation of the vehicle V. The "vehicle width direction Y" typically corresponds to the overall width direction of the vehicle V and corresponds to the vehicle's right-left direction. A "vehicle height direction Z" typically corresponds to the vehicle's height direction.The vehicle's longitudinal direction X, which is a first direction, the vehicle's width direction Y, which is a second direction, and the vehicle's height direction Z, which is a third direction, are orthogonal to each other. In a state where the vehicle V is positioned on a horizontal surface, the vehicle's longitudinal direction X and the vehicle's width direction Y run along a horizontal direction, while the vehicle's height direction Z runs along a vertical direction. In the following description, there is a case where a side along which the vehicle V is moving forward is referred to as the "front" in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X, while a side along which the vehicle V is moving backward is referred to as the "back" in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. There is also a case where a left side (a left side in ) Fig. 2) towards the front in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle is referred to as a “left side” in the vehicle width direction Y, while a right side (a right side in Fig. 2) The front side in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X is referred to as a "right side" in the vehicle's width direction Y. There is a case where the top side in the vertical direction is referred to as a "top" in the vehicle's height direction Z, while a bottom side in the vertical direction is referred to as a "bottom" in the vehicle's height direction Z. Unless specifically stated otherwise, each of the directions used in the following description indicates a direction in which units are mounted to one another.

[0017] The electrical device module 1 of this embodiment connects various submodules 3 to the main line module 2, which extends along the vehicle width direction Y on the instrument panel IP, thus improving its mountability with respect to the vehicle V. The configuration of the electrical device module 1 is described in detail below with respect to each of the drawings.

[0018] Specifically, the electrical device module 1 contains the main line module 2, the sub-module 3 and a communication control connector 4.

[0019] In the instrument panel IP, more specifically in the receiving compartment section SP, the main line module 2 is an instrument panel internal structure module that extends along the vehicle width direction Y, with the submodule 3 described below connected to it. The main line module 2 comprises a main line guide body 21, a junction box 22 as a branch section, a control function unit 23, and a mounting plate 24 as a branch section retaining element, wherein a main line is configured by guiding the main line guide body 21 through the junction box 22 along a width-extending element 20. The main line module 2 can be modularized by including the width-extending element 20 itself and can be modularized without including the width-extending element 20.

[0020] The laterally extending element 20 is mounted on the vehicle V, and it is an element that extends along the vehicle's width direction Y in the instrument panel IP, more specifically in the receiving compartment section SP. In this embodiment, the laterally extending element 20 is a structural strength element, a so-called reinforcement, that extends along the vehicle's width direction Y in the instrument panel IP and supports a steering mechanism ST in the body BO. The reinforcement that forms the laterally extending element 20 can be a metallic material or a resin material exhibiting high stiffness. Here, the reinforcement that forms the laterally extending element 20 is made of a metallic material having an approximately H-shaped cut (the more specific shape is described in [reference]). Fig. 3, which is described in detail below). In the laterally extending element 20, both end sections are attached to the body BO in the vehicle width direction Y. The laterally extending element 20 extends from an end on the right side along the vehicle width direction Y in the instrument panel IP, in a state in which it is attached to the body BO, to an end on the left side.

[0021] The main line guide body 21 is a main line guide body that is guided along the element 20 extending in the width direction. Here, the main line guide body 21 is located along the vehicle width direction Y in a main line receiving space section 25 (see the following description). Fig. 3) guided, which is partitioned between the laterally extending element 20 and the retaining plate 24 described below. The main line guide body 21 is configured by bundling several electrical wires that configure a power line for power supply, a communication line for signal communication, a ground wire for grounding, and the like. The electrical wire that configures the main line guide body 21 is configured, for example, by including a conductor section (a core wire) in which several conductive metal strands are twisted together and an insulating cover section that covers the outside of the conductor section. The main line guide body 21 may contain a cable for optical communication.

[0022] The junction box is a section inserted into the main line guide body 21 that allows a circuit configured from the main line guide body 21 to branch off. It is a connection section to which the submodule 3 described below is electrically connected (or, if required, optically connected) within the main line module 2 (the phrase "optically connected if required" hereafter applies similarly to the same description). The junction box 22 distributes power electricity, a signal, and the like, which are transmitted through the main line guide body 21 to each of the submodules 3. The junction box 22 can be configured by including a circuit protection device, such as a fuse, which protects an electrical circuit of each of the submodules 3 from a high current greater than or equal to a rated current.The junction box 22 can be extended by including a ready connector 221 described below (see the following description). Fig. 3) be configured, which is a section for connecting to the submodule 3 and the like in each junction box 22. According to the number of submodules 3 described below, several junction boxes 22, here seven junction boxes 22, are arranged in the main line guide body 21. It is typically preferred that the main line guide body 21, which is guided to connect the respective junction boxes 22 to each other, is configured as a linear object that is electrically connected to each of the junction boxes 22 by a connecting unit, such as a connector, and that does not contain a branch itself.

[0023] The control unit 23 is connected to the main line guide body 21 and controls the power distribution to the sub-module 3 and the communication with the sub-module 3. The control unit 23 is connected to each of the two ends of the main line guide body 21 in the vehicle width direction Y. Each control unit 23 is connected to the main line guide body 21 by a connector or the like. Here, each of the control units 23 is not restricted to a configuration in which the control units 23 each contain a power supply control box 23a and a communication control box 23b, and they may, for example, have a structure in which the power supply control box 23a and the communication control box 23b are integrated.It is not necessary for the control function unit 23 to be arranged at each of the two ends of the main line guide body 21, whereby the control function unit 23 can be arranged at only one end of the main line guide body 21.

[0024] Each power supply control box 23a is designed as a unit in which a function for executing the power supply distribution with respect to the sub-module 3 connected to the main line module 2, a function for executing the power supply control, and the like are integrated by an electronic functional component built into a housing. In other words, each of the power supply control boxes 23a can be configured by including a function of a so-called electrical connection box, which is referred to as a junction box, a fuse box, a relay box, and the like, which distributes the electricity supplied by the power supply to the various instruments of each of the sub-modules 3 that are connected to the main line module 2.Each of the power supply control boxes 23a can be configured as a unit in which the power supply mounted on the vehicle V, e.g., a power generator such as a three-phase generator, a power protection function such as a battery fuse, and the like, are integrated, as well as by the electronic functional component built into the housing. That is to say, each of the power supply control boxes 23a can be described as an electronic component unit in which various functions, such as power supply distribution, control of each unit, power supply protection, and the like, are combined. The electronic functional component built into each of the power supply control boxes 23a consists of various elements to perform the various functions described above and is configured by incorporating different functional components.The electronic functional components installed in each of the power supply control boxes 23a include, for example, at least one power supply distribution functional component, which performs the power supply distribution with respect to submodule 3; one power supply control functional component, which performs the power supply control; and one power supply fuse functional component, which performs the fuse with respect to the power supply mounted on the vehicle V. The power supply distribution functional component is, for example, a power supply control box or the like, in which a relay, a fuse, a resistor, a transistor, and an intelligent power switch (IPS) are used. The power supply control functional component is, for example, an electronic control unit, which includes a microcomputer, an ECU, and the like.In other words, the power supply backup functional component is a distributed power supply functional component, where it is, for example, a capacitor, a condenser, a secondary cell unit, a thin-film cell, and the like.

[0025] Each of the communication control boxes 23b is designed as a unit in which a function for performing various communications with submodule 3, a function for performing communication control, and the like are integrated by means of an electronic functional component, an optical functional component, and the like, which are installed in the housing. Each of the communication control boxes 23b can be designed as a unit in which a function for wireless communication, and the like, in the vehicle V is also integrated by means of the electronic functional component, the optical functional component, and the like, which are installed in the housing. That is to say, each of the communication control boxes 23b can be described as an electronic component unit in which various functions relevant to communication are combined.The electronic functional component and the optical functional component built into each of the communication control boxes 23b are different elements designed to perform the various functions described above and are configured by incorporating different functional components. For example, the electronic functional components and the optical functional components built into each of the communication control boxes 23b include at least one communication functional component that performs various communications, a communication control functional component that performs communication control, and a wireless communication functional component that performs wireless communication. The communication functional component consists, for example, of various transmitters / receivers and the like. The communication control functional component is, for example,An electronic control unit containing a microcomputer, an ECU, and the like. The functional component for wireless communication is, for example, a transceiver, an antenna, and the like, in various forms such as near-field communication (NFC), such as wireless LAN (WLAN), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The antenna can receive, for example, electronic toll collection (ETC) information, global positioning system (GPS) information, telephone information (TEL), and vehicle information and communication system (VICS) information (registered trademark), and the like.

[0026] As in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 6, the retaining plate 24 is an element that extends along the laterally extending element 20, holding the multiple junction boxes 22. Here, the retaining plate 24 is formed approximately in the form of a rectangular plate along the vehicle's width direction Y, with the main line receiving space section 25 being formed between the retaining plate 24 and the laterally extending element 20 described above. Here, the reinforcement that configures the laterally extending element 20 is designed to have an approximately H-shaped cross-section, as described above. More specifically, the laterally extending element 20 includes a pair of flat plate sections 20a and a connecting section 20b.Each of the pair of flat plate sections 20a is approximately rectangular in shape, with the vehicle height direction Z becoming the plate thickness direction, and extends along the vehicle width direction Y. The pair of flat plate sections 20a is arranged at intervals along the vehicle height direction Z and is connected by a connecting section 20b approximately in the midsection of the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. The connecting section 20b is approximately rectangular in shape, with the vehicle's longitudinal direction X becoming a plate thickness direction, and extends along the vehicle width direction Y, connecting the pair of flat plate sections 20a. The element 20 extending in the width direction has an approximately H-shape, in which the pair of flat plate sections 20a and the connecting section 20b are integrated, and both sides are open in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X.The retaining plate 24 is approximately rectangular in shape, with the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle becoming a plate thickness direction, and extends along the vehicle width direction Y. The retaining plate 24 is then arranged to block the opening along the rear of the width-extending element 20 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, being mounted to the width-extending element 20 by various mounting mechanisms. The main line receiving space section 25 is then formed between the retaining plate 24 and the width-extending element 20, as described above.The main line receiving space section 25 is a space section containing the main line guide body 21, which is partitioned by the laterally extending element 20 and the retaining plate 24, and each of the branch boxes 22, and extends along the vehicle width direction Y. More specifically, the main line receiving space section 25 is a space section partitioned by the pair of flat plate sections 20a and the connecting section 20b of the laterally extending element 20 and the retaining plate 24. The main line guide body 21, which leads to and is contained within the main line receiving space section 25, extends in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0027] Then a retaining opening section 24a is created in the retaining plate 24 (see Fig. 2 and the like), which exposes a portion of each of the junction boxes 22 to the outside of the main line receiving space section 25 and holds the junction box 22. The retaining opening section 24a is formed approximately in the shape of a rectangular tube by causing it to project towards a side opposite the main line receiving space section 25 along the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, i.e., at the rear. In the retaining opening section 24a, a hollow inner section penetrates the retaining plate 24 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, in other words, in the direction of the plate thickness. Along the vehicle width direction Y, several retaining opening sections 24a, here seven retaining opening sections 24a, are arranged according to the number of submodules 3 described below.A part of each of the junction boxes 22 is fitted into each of the holding opening sections 24a, with the part of each of the junction boxes 22 consequently being exposed to the outside of the main line receiving space section 25 (see in particular . Fig. 3 and the like). Here, each of the junction boxes 22 is configured by including a ready connector 221, which is a section for connecting to the sub-module 3 in each of the junction boxes 22. The ready connector 221 is then fitted into each of the retaining opening sections 24a, whereby the ready connector 221 is consequently held by being exposed to the outside of the main line receiving space section 25. The ready connector 221, which is held in each of the retaining opening sections 24a, forms part of the junction box 22, wherein the ready connector 221 is a so-called self-adjusting connector, being adjusted to a connector together with the mounting of the sub-module 3.

[0028] Here, the main line guide body 21, which is contained in the main line receiving space section 25, which is configured as described above, can be configured, for example, by including a standard main line guide body 21A, which is used as a standard circuit regardless of the vehicle class, variant, and the like, and a non-standard main line guide body 21B as a non-standard circuit added according to the vehicle class, variant, and the like (see Fig. 3 and the like). In this case, it is preferred that the standard main line guide body 21A and the non-standard main line guide body 21B are divided into zones and guided within the guided main line receiving space section 25. In the examples according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. For example, the standard main line guide bodies 21A are guided together on the underside in the vehicle height direction Z by a standard line holding unit 26A, which is arranged in the main line receiving space section 25, and are held in the main line receiving space section 25. On the other hand, the non-standard main line guide bodies 21B are guided together on an upper section in the vehicle height direction Z by a non-standard line holding unit 26B, which is arranged in the main line receiving space section 25, and are held in the main line receiving space section 25. The standard line holding unit 26A and the non-standard line holding unit 26B have slightly different shapes and are designed in the form of a hook to project from the surface of the retaining plate 24 on the side of the main line receiving space section 25 to the side of the main line receiving space section 25.Several standard cable holding units 26A are arranged on the underside in the vehicle height direction Z at intervals along the vehicle width direction Y in the main cable receiving space section 25. Conversely, several non-standard cable holding units 26B are arranged on the top side in the vehicle height direction Z at intervals along the vehicle width direction Y in the main cable receiving space section 25. The ready connector 221 described above is further configured by including a standard ready connector 221A, which is arranged relative to the standard main cable guide body 21A, and a non-standard ready connector 221B, which is arranged relative to the non-standard busbar guide body 21B. Here, a standard ready connector 221A and a non-standard ready connector 221B can be fitted into and held in each of the holding opening sections 24a.The standard standby connector 221A and the non-standard standby connector 221B are, for example, held in two stages along the vehicle height direction Z and exposed to the outside of the main line receiving space section 25 in a state in which both the standard standby connector 221A and the non-standard standby connector 221B are fitted into the holding opening section 24a (see in particular . Fig. 3 and the like).

[0029] The standard main line guide body 21A and the non-standard main line guide body 21B, which configure the main line guide body 21, are guided along the vehicle width direction Y in the main line receiving space section 25 and can be attached to the width-extending element 20, for example, by a fastening tool such as various clamps or clips. The standard main line guide body 21A and the non-standard main line guide body 21B, which configure the main line guide body 21, can also be mounted in the width-extending element 20, for example, by a so-called noise ground clamp or the like, which, together with the mounting, can establish a ground connection.In the following description, where it is not necessary to specifically distinguish between the standard main line guide body 21A and the non-standard main line guide body 21B, the standard main line guide body 21A and the non-standard main line guide body 21B are simply referred to as the main line guide body 21. Similarly, where it is not necessary to specifically distinguish between the standard standby connector 221A and the non-standard standby connector 221B, the standard standby connector 221A and the non-standard standby connector 221B are simply referred to as the standby connector 221.

[0030] Here, the main line module 2 of the embodiment contains a pipe space partitioning plate 27, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. The pipe space partitioning plate 27 is approximately rectangular in shape, with the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle becoming a plate thickness direction, and extends along the vehicle width direction Y. The pipe space partitioning plate 27 is then arranged to block the opening along the front face of the width-extending element 20 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, being mounted to the width-extending element 20 by various mounting mechanisms. A pipe receiving space section 28 is formed between the pipe space partitioning plate 27 and the width-extending element 20.The pipe compartment section 28 is a space section partitioned by the laterally extending element 20 and the pipe compartment partitioning plate 27, and contains an air conditioning pipe AD, extending along the vehicle width direction Y. More specifically, the pipe compartment section 28 is a space section partitioned by the pair of flat plate sections 20a and the connecting section 20b of the laterally extending element 20 and the pipe compartment partitioning plate 27. The air conditioning pipe AD is designed in a hollow form, allowing air to circulate through an inner section of it. The air conditioning pipe AD, which leads to and is contained within the pipe compartment partitioning plate 27, extends along the vehicle width direction Y.Accordingly, the main line module 2, the element 20 extending in the width direction and the air conditioning pipe AD can be used in the electrical device module 1 of this embodiment.

[0031] In Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. Submodule 3 is electrically connected to various instruments via a guide circuit element, such as an electrical wire and a busbar. Submodule 3 is modularized to form a circuit with high density and high efficiency, allowing for a specific arrangement within the vehicle V. Submodule 3 is connected to the main line module 2 via the junction box 22 and is subject to power distribution at least through the main line guide element 21. Typically, submodule 3 is connected to the junction box 22 of the main line module 2 via a connector (e.g., the communication control connector 4 described below), and it provides power or signal communication between various instruments and the control unit 23 or the like through the main line guide element 21 or the like.Submodule 3 can perform part of the signal communication wirelessly in various ways through the wireless communication functional component or the like of each of the communication control boxes 23b described above. Submodule 3 can be powered by contactless power supply in various ways. Submodule 3 can connect various instruments within it in a wired manner through a guide circuit body, such as an electrical wire and busbar, or it can use wireless communication in various ways. Several submodules 3 are arranged. Here, a total of seven submodules 3 are arranged, comprising a glove box module 3A, a center cluster module 3B, a console box module 3C, a lower cover module 3D, a gauge module 3E, a steering module 3F, and a lower cover module 3G.

[0032] The glove box module 3A contains various instruments arranged in a glove box GB. The glove box GB is an opening container located in the front of the passenger seat of the vehicle V, in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. The glove box module 3A includes, for example, a lighting device that is off when the glove box GB is closed and on when it is open, and the various other instruments.

[0033] The center cluster module 3B contains various instruments arranged within a center cluster CC. The center cluster CC is a fixed container located approximately in the center of the instrument panel IP in the vehicle's width direction Y. The center cluster module 3B contains, for example, various switches that operate an audio, multimedia, or climate control instrument, a navigation device, and so on, in addition to the various instruments.

[0034] The console box module 3C contains various instruments arranged in a console box CB. The console box CB is an opening container located between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat in the vehicle V. The console box module 3C includes, for example, a connection for external instruments, such as a 100V plug, a 12V socket, a USB socket, and an HDMI socket (registered trademark); a contactless power supply capable of wirelessly charging handheld devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming instruments; a transceiver capable of wireless communication with the handheld device; and other similar instruments.

[0035] The lower cover module 3D contains various instruments arranged on a lower cover LC. The lower cover LC is a cover element that covers the underside of the instrument panel IP on the right side in the vehicle's vertical direction Z and width direction Y. The lower cover module 3D contains, for example, various switches, such as a trunk release, in addition to the various instruments.

[0036] The measuring instrument module 3E contains various instruments arranged within a measuring instrument ME. The measuring instrument ME is a display device positioned in the instrument panel IP, in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle, in front of the driver's seat. The measuring instrument module 3E includes, for example, an analog instrument, a graphic display device, and similar components that display various information relevant to the vehicle V, such as the vehicle's speed V, accumulated mileage, coolant temperature, the output speed of a power source used for driving, remaining fuel level, battery charge level, warning information (in a display instrument), a gear shift indicator, and information relevant to eco-driving.

[0037] The steering module 3F contains various instruments arranged in the steering unit ST. The steering module 3F includes, for example, various switches that operate an audio, multimedia, and climate control instrument, and the like; various sensors that detect the steering angle ST, and an airbag device, a horn device, and the like. The steering module 3F performs signal communication, for example, with an instrument that configures an operating system involved in driving the vehicle V, such as various sensors that detect the steering angle ST, or with an instrument that configures a safety system, such as an airbag device and a horn device, in a wired manner via a connector (e.g.,...).the communication control connector 4 described below), the main line guide body 21 and the like between various instruments and the control function unit 23 or the like. On the other hand, the steering module 3F can, for example, execute signal communication by wireless communication in various ways with respect to an instrument that is not involved in the driving or safety of the vehicle V, such as various switches or the like that operate an audio, multimedia, climate control instrument and the like, through the wireless communication function component of each of the communication control boxes 23b and the like.In this case, the steering module 3F can be powered in a wired manner via a connector, the main line guide body 21, and the like, between various instruments and the control function unit 23, or it can be powered wirelessly via a contactless power supply in various ways. The steering module 3F includes a wireless communication module and the like, and consequently performs all communications wirelessly, with the steering module 3F itself supplying power to, for example, various power generation units, such as...a piezoelectric element or solar collector, or a secondary cell which contains a cell which generates power and can store power, and which configures a power system independent of the other modules, and which may consequently have a torsion springless configuration which does not contain a so-called torsion spring (a ribbon-like electrical wiring) or the like.

[0038] The lower cover module 3G contains various instruments arranged within a lower cover UC. The lower cover UC is a cover element that conceals the opening in the lower cover LC, which is formed on the underside in the vehicle's vertical direction Z. The lower cover module 3G includes, for example, a lighting device that illuminates the ground, an on-board diagnostic (OBD) instrument, a connection unit that links to the software update connectors of the various instruments, and similar components.

[0039] The communication control connector 4 is a connection function component that electrically connects the submodule 3 to the main line module 2. More specifically, the communication control connector 4 electrically connects the junction box 22 to the submodule 3, performing the communication between the submodule 3 and the control function unit 23 and controlling the instrument of the submodule 3. Here, the communication control connector 4 is configured as a connection function component that connects the standby connector 221 of the junction box 22 to the submodule 3, being arranged in a connection section with respect to the standby connector 221 of the submodule 3.The communication control connector 4 is configured by including a connection port for connecting the ready connector 221 of the junction box 22 to the submodule 3, a housing that holds the connection port, and the like, with the control function component, such as an electronic control unit containing a microcomputer for various controls and an ECU, being installed in the housing. The communication control connector 4 can communicate with each function component of the control function unit 23 through the control function component and performs the communication between the submodule 3 and the control function unit 23 and the control of the instrument of the submodule 3.

[0040] Each of the submodules 3 is connected to the junction box 22 via the communication control connector 4. As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, for example, the glove box module 3A, the center cluster module 3B, the measuring instrument module 3E, and the steering module 3F are directly coupled to the ready connector 221 in submodule 3. The communication control connector 4 is held by this connector and exposed in the retaining opening section 24a of the mounting plate 24. Consequently, they are mounted directly to the ready connector 221 of the junction box 22 and the retaining opening section 24a of the mounting plate 24. In this case, for example, in the glove box module 3A, the center cluster module 3B, the measuring instrument module 3E, and the steering module 3F, the communication control connector 4 is arranged in a recessed fitting section 3a formed in an outer surface of each of the modules. In the outer surface of each of the modules, the recessed fitting section 3a is formed in a surface that faces the retaining opening section 24a in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.Then the glove box module 3A, the center cluster module 3B, the instrument cluster module 3E, and the steering module 3F are mounted on the mounting plate in a positional relationship in which the mounting opening section 24a is fitted into the recessed fitting section 3a, with the communication control connector 4 and the ready connector 221 being adapted and connected to each other. Accordingly, in the glove box module 3A, the center cluster module 3B, the instrument cluster module 3E, and the steering module 3F, the mounting with respect to the mounting plate 24 and the connection between the ready connector 221, which is ready in the mounting opening section 24a of the mounting plate 24, and the communication control connector 4 are carried out together in a single operation. On the other hand, in the console box module 3C, the lower cover module 3D, and the module 3G of the lower cover in the sub-module 3, for example,the communication control connector 4 is arranged at the top of an extension material 3b that forms part of each of the modules and extends from each of the modules, as shown in . Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. The extension material 3b is, for example, an intermediate guide body configured with an electrical wire (configured as a power line for power supply), a communication line (for signal communication), a ground wire (for ground connection), a busbar, a cable (for optical communication), and the like. Then, in the console box module 3C, the lower cover module 3D, and the lower cover module 3G, the communication control connector 4, located at the top of the extension material 3b, is connected to the ready connector 221, which is located in the retaining opening section 24a of the retaining plate 21. A connector corresponding to the communication control connector 4 can be located on the side of the main line module 2 of the electrical equipment module 1.This means that a communication control connector corresponding to communication control connector 4 can, for example, be arranged as the standby connector 221 by being changed to communication control connector 4, and can be included in the junction box 22.

[0041] The electrical equipment module 1 described above contains the main line module 2 and the sub-module 3. The main line module 2 contains the main line guide body 21, which is attached to the vehicle V and guided along the laterally extending element 20 in accordance with the vehicle width direction Y of the vehicle V; the junction box 22, which is inserted into the main line guide body 21; and the retaining plate 24, which extends along the laterally extending element 20 and holds the junction box 22. The sub-module 3 is connected to the main line module 2 via the junction box 22 and is subject to power supply distribution through the main line guide body 21.

[0042] Therefore, in the electrical device module 1, the main line module 2 is configured by guiding the main line guide body 21 through the junction box 22 along the laterally extending element 20, with the sub-module 3 being connected to the main line module 2 via the junction box 22. In this case, the electrical device module 1 has a configuration in which the junction box 22, to which the sub-module 3 is connected (here, the ready connector 221 of the junction box 22), can be held by the retaining plate 24, which extends along the laterally extending element 20, its position on the main line module 2 being fixed. Consequently, it is possible to improve the workability when assembling the main line module 2 and the sub-module 3 in the vehicle V and connecting the main line module 2 and the sub-module 3 to each other. As a result, it is possible to... B.In the electrical device module 1, it is possible to make assembly work more efficient by reducing the work relevant to guiding the main cable guide body 21, connecting the sub-module 3, or the like, and to improve its ease of assembly with respect to the vehicle V. The electrical device module 1 is configured as a linear object in which the main cable guide body 21, which configures the main cable module 2, inserts the junction box 22 without having a branch in the main cable guide body 21 itself. Consequently, it has a more compact and space-saving configuration due to the simplified shape of the main cable module 2. Therefore, it is possible to improve processability during assembly, reduce the number of configuration components, and thus improve manufacturing efficiency.In other words, in the electrical device module 1, the branch between the main line module 2 and the instrument of each of the submodules 3 is combined with each of the junction boxes 22 inserted into the main line guide body 21, thus simplifying the overall shape of the electrical device module 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve manufacturability during assembly, reduce the number of configuration components, and so on. Consequently, it is possible, for example, to simplify the handling or arrangement of the various guide bodies and improve mountability in relation to the vehicle V.

[0043] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7 and the like, the electrical equipment module 1 can jointly use the retaining plate 24, which holds the ready connector 221 of the junction box 22 described above and determines its position, as a so-called rod holder device. In this case, a worker or the like, for example, replaces the main line guide body 21, which contains the ready connector 221 at the end section, into a known dedicated rod holder device, holding and securing the rod holder device by fitting each ready connector 221 into the retaining opening section 24a, which is arranged on the retaining plate 24, while inserting the rod holder device into each standard line holding unit 26A (see Figure 7). Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and the like) and each non-standard line holding unit 26B (see Fig. 5, Fig.6 and the like) which are arranged on the retaining plate 24, and consequently adjusts the main line guide body 21 or the like so that it is in a so-called rod-holding state. Then the worker or the like mounts the retaining plate 24 on the surface of the laterally extending element 20 on the side of the main line receiving space section 25, while the main line guide body 21, in a state in which it is rod-held on the retaining plate 24, which is used together as the rod-holding device, is directly contained in the main line receiving space section 25 without being subjected together with the retaining plate 24 to a so-called binding work or the like, thereby carrying out the assembly of the main line module 2 with respect to the laterally extending element 20.As described above, the electrical device module 1 can use the mounting plate 24 as a so-called rod mounting device, thereby eliminating the working time relevant for the binding work or the like of a so-called guide body. Therefore, it is possible to easily mount the main line module 2 in the vehicle V, and from this perspective, it is possible to improve the mountability with respect to the vehicle V.

[0044] According to the electrical device module 1 described above, sub-module 3 is mounted on the junction box 22 and the mounting plate 24. In this case, the electrical device module 1 can connect sub-module 3 directly to the junction box 22 and the mounting plate 24. Specifically, the electrical device module 1 can simultaneously perform the mounting of sub-module 3 (e.g., glove box module 3A, center cluster module 3B, measuring instrument module 3E, and steering module 3F) with respect to the mounting plate 24 and the connection between the ready connector 221 of the junction box 22, which is located in the mounting opening section 24a of the mounting plate 24, and the communication control connector 4. As a result, the electrical device module 1 can, for example, perform the connection of sub-module 3 with respect to the junction box 22 of the main line module 2 in a single process, thus improving the ease of connection.

[0045] According to the electrical equipment module 1 described above, the main cable module 2 contains the main cable guide body 21, which is partitioned by the laterally extending element 20 and the retaining plate 24, and the main cable receiving space section 25, which contains the junction box 22. Therefore, in the electrical equipment module 1, the main cable receiving space section 25 is partitioned by the laterally extending element 20 and the retaining plate 24, thus ensuring that the main cable receiving space section 25 can be considered a dedicated space to contain the main cable guide body 21 and the junction box 22, separated from other spaces. Consequently, it is possible to easily perform the work relevant to guiding the main cable guide body 21 or arranging the junction box 22.

[0046] According to the electrical equipment module 1 described above, the main line module 2 contains the pipe receiving space section 28, which is partitioned into the laterally extending element 20 and contains the air conditioning pipe AD, which has an inner section designed in a hollow shape through which air can circulate. Therefore, the electrical equipment module 1 can utilize the main line module 2, the laterally extending element 20, and the air conditioning pipe AD, making it possible to mount the main line module 2, the laterally extending element 20, and the air conditioning pipe AD together in the vehicle V, thereby further improving the ease of assembly of the vehicle V.

[0047] According to the electrical device module 1 described above, the communication control connector 4, which connects the junction box 22 to the sub-module 3, is provided, the main line module 2 is connected to the main line guide body 21, the control function unit 23, which controls the power supply distribution to the sub-module 3 and the communication with the sub-module 3, is provided, and the communication control connector 4 carries out the communication between the sub-module 3 and the control function unit 23 and the control of the instrument of the sub-module 3.Therefore, the electrical device module 1 can integrally perform the communication between the sub-module 3 and the control function unit 23 and the control of the instrument of the sub-module 3 by the communication control connector 4 itself in a case in which the instrument of the sub-module 3 is not individually connected to the control function unit 23 by the main line module 2, furthermore making it possible to improve the mountability with respect to the vehicle V by further reducing the work relevant for driving or the like.

[0048] According to the electrical device module 1 described above, the main line module 2 is located on the instrument panel IP of the vehicle V. Therefore, the electrical device module 1 can improve the mountability of the vehicle V to an instrument panel module in which the main line module 2 is located on the instrument panel IP of the vehicle V.

[0049] The electrical device module described above according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but various modifications can be made within the scope of protection of the claims.

[0050] A vehicle in which the electrical equipment module 1 described above is used can, for example, be a vehicle capable of highly functional automated driving, where no steering operation or similar action by a driver is required. In this case, the vehicle in which the electrical equipment module 1 is used can be a reinforcement-free vehicle, meaning it does not contain a structural element extending along the vehicle width direction Y on the instrument panel IP and supporting the steering ST on the body BO, a so-called reinforcement. In this case, the vehicle is, for example, in a so-called wire-steering mode, where the steering ST is not mechanically connected to a steering wheel, and the steering ST is supported, for example, by a support arm or the like on the floor of the body BO. The vehicle can, for example,The steering ST may have a configuration in which, at the time of executing automated driving or the like, where driver operation is not required, it can be confined to a predetermined confinement position along with various pedals. In this case, the element extending laterally can be the other element extending along the vehicle's width direction Y in the instrument panel IP, e.g., a structure generally mounted on the vehicle's instrument panel IP, such as an air conditioning duct or the like, formed in a hollow shape allowing air to circulate through an inner section. The element extending laterally can be a dedicated component configured separately from the air conditioning duct and used to guide the main line guide body 21.

[0051] In the above description, the reinforcement that configures the element 20 extending in the width direction has been described as having an approximately H-shaped cross-section, but it is not limited to this and can have an approximately circular or rectangular cross-section.

[0052] In the above description, the main line module 2 has been described as comprising a main line receiving space section 25, which is partitioned by the laterally extending element 20 and the retaining plate 24, and the pipe receiving space section 28, which is partitioned by the laterally extending element 20 and the pipe space partitioning plate 27, but is not limited to the main line guide body 21 and the air conditioning pipe AD being arranged on the outside of the laterally extending element.

[0053] In the above description, the retaining plate 24 has been described as being mounted on the element 20 extending in the width direction, but it is not limited to this and can, for example, be mounted on the body BO.

[0054] In the above description, the connector that connects the standby connector 221 of the junction box 22 to the sub-module has been described as the communication control connector 4, but it is not limited to this and can be a connector that does not have a function of performing communication, a function of performing control of the instrument of the sub-module 3, and the like.

[0055] In the electrical device module 1 described above, the main line module 2 can be electrically connected to another on-board module.

[0056] The above description has described that a total of seven modules are arranged, which include the glove box module 3A, the center cluster module 3B, the console box module 3C, the lower cover module 3D, the instrument panel module 3E, the steering module 3F and the lower cover module 3G, but the sub-module 3 is not limited to this.

[0057] The electrical device module 1 described above has been described as an instrument panel module that is arranged along the vehicle width direction Y on the instrument panel IP of the vehicle V, but it is not limited to this and can be an on-board module that is arranged at another position of the vehicle V.

[0058] In the electrical device module according to the present embodiment, the main line module is configured by guiding the main line guide body through the branch section along the laterally extending element, with the sub-module being connected to the main line module via the branch section. In this case, the electrical device module has a configuration in which the branch section to which the sub-module is connected can be held by the branch section retaining element, which extends along the laterally extending element, its position on the main line module being fixed. Consequently, it is possible to improve workability during the assembly of the main line module and the sub-module in the vehicle and during the connection of the main line module and the sub-module to each other. As a result, the electrical device module has the effect that, for example,This enables efficient assembly work by reducing the work relevant to guiding the main line guide body, connecting the sub-module, or similar tasks, and improves vehicle-side assembly.

Claims

[1] Electrical appliance module (1) comprising the following: a main line module (2) comprising a main line guide body (21) attached to a vehicle (V) and guided along a width-extending element (20) in a vehicle width direction (Y) of the vehicle (V), a branch section (22) inserted into the main line guide body (21), and a branch section retaining element (24) which extends along the laterally extending element (20) and retains the branch section (22); and a sub-module (3) which is connected to the main line module (2) by the branch section (22) and is subject to power supply distribution by the main line guide body (21), characterized by , that the main line module (2) contains a main line receiving space section (25) which is partitioned by the element (20) extending in the width direction and the branch section retaining element (24) and contains the main line guide body (21) and the branch section (22), the main line guide body (21) contained in the main line receiving space section (25) includes a standard main line guide body (21A) which is used as a standard circuit and includes a non-standard main line guide body (21B) which is used as a non-standard circuit, the standard main line guide body (21A) and the non-standard main line guide body (21B) are divided into zones and are guided in the main line receiving space section (25) by a standard line holding unit (26A) and a non-standard line holding unit (26B), the standard line holding unit (26A) is provided in the main line receiving space section (25) and holds the standard main line guide body (21A), the non-standard line holding unit (26B) is provided in the main line receiving space section (25) and holds the non-standard main line guide body (21B). [2] Electrical appliance module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sub-module (3) is mounted on the branch section (22) and the branch section retaining element (24). [3] Electrical appliance module (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the main line module (2) includes a pipe receiving space section (28) which is partitioned into the element (20) extending in the width direction and includes an air conditioning pipe (AD) which has an inner section which is formed in a hollow shape through which air can circulate. [4] Electrical appliance module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a communication control connector (4) that connects the branch section (22) to the sub-module (3), wherein the main line module (2) contains a control function unit (23) which is connected to the main line guide body (21) and controls the power supply distribution to the sub-module (3) and communication with the sub-module (3), and the communication control connector (4) performs the communication between the sub-module (3) and the control functional unit (23) and controls an instrument provided in the sub-module (3). [5] Electrical device module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main line module (2) is contained in an instrument panel (IP) of the vehicle (V).

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