WIRING HARNESS

Abstract

Wiring harness (1), comprising: at least two electrical lines (21, 23); and a connecting unit (30) via which each of the at least two electrical lines (21, 23) is connected, characterized in that the connecting unit (30) comprises: a housing (31); a printed circuit board (35) housed within the housing (31) and connected to the at least two electrical lines (21, 23); and a conductor element (40) extending downwards from the circuit board (35), the conductor element (40) being electrically connected to a ground pattern (E) on the circuit board (35), and a part of the conductor element (40) is arranged in the housing (31) in an embedded state to expose the part to the outside, and wherein the connecting unit (30) is fixed to a vehicle body (B) in a state in which the part of the conductor element (40) is in contact with a grounding conductor provided on the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is arranged on the vehicle body (B).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiring harness having a plurality of electrical wires and a connecting unit through which the plurality of electrical wires are connected. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A wire harness mounted on a vehicle, such as an automobile, is generally configured as an assembly obtained by bundling, for example, a plurality of sub-harnesses, each manufactured for each system. The sub-harnesses to be bundled are formed according to the various required specifications of the wire harness.

[0003] In particular, there are a variety of electrical components that can be installed on vehicles according to the vehicle types, vehicle classes, and optional equipment (sound system, power window system, etc.), which are selected according to the requirements of a vehicle customer (driver). Thus, the electrical wiring, etc., serving as a power supply line, a ground line, a signal line, and a communication line connected to the various electrical components are different. To accommodate such differences in the electrical wiring, a bundle of electrical wires that are installed as standard (standard electrical wiring) is provided as a standard sub-harness for the operation of each drive system per drive system, such as an engine. Furthermore, a bundle of electrical wires that are installed as standard (standard electrical wiring) is provided for the operation of optional equipment, etc., which is mounted selectively, a bundle of electrical wires that are additionally (optional electrical wires) and selectively mounted, provided as an optional sub-harness.

[0004] In recent years, the application of information technology (IT) to vehicles, such as automatic driving technology and external environment sensing technology, has developed rapidly. The number of standard wiring and optional wiring also tends to increase with the introduction of IT. This means that the number of types (kinds) of sub-harnesses that need to be prepared in advance when assembling a wiring harness in a vehicle has increased significantly.

[0005] To prevent an increase in the number of types of sub-harnesses, conventionally, a wiring harness comprising a circuit substrate and a plurality of sub-harnesses is formed by connecting the plurality of sub-harnesses to the circuit substrate and connecting the electrical wires of the sub-harnesses through a circuit pattern on the circuit substrate (see, for example, JP 2015-230873 A). In this wiring harness, a circuit such as a branch in the circuit board can be provided for both the standard sub-harness and the optional sub-harness.

[0006] In the wiring harness according to JP 2015-230873 A, it is not necessary to create a branch to both the standard sub-cable and the optional sub-harness via the circuit board. Thus, a branch-free sub-harness design can be simplified and the entire system standardized.

[0007] The tastes and hobbies of every vehicle customer are becoming increasingly diverse and highly detailed. The increase in the number of optional electrical wiring that can be selectively added depending on the type and class of a particular vehicle can be significant. Therefore, there is a need to standardize only the optional sub-harnesses that incorporate optional electrical wiring, and a reduction in the number of such types is expected in the future.

[0008] To meet this demand, a large number of connection units are provided to accommodate the above-described printed circuit board and actively utilize the printed circuit board. When the connection unit is provided on a vehicle body, the printed circuit board of the connection unit must be connected to a ground wire formed on the vehicle body. However, if a large number of connection units including a printed circuit board must be arranged, the arrangement of the connection units can be complicated.

[0009] From US 5 608 611 A a wiring harness according to the introductory part of claim 1 is known.

[0010] Further prior art is known from document DE 10 2008 027 042 A1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a wiring harness in which the connection of the circuit board to ground can be simplified and the assembly efficiency of the wiring harness can be improved.

[0012] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0014] According to the aspect of the present invention, the conductor element extending downward from the circuit board is provided on the connecting unit and is in contact with and electrically connected to the grounding conductor of the vehicle body when the connecting unit is mounted on the vehicle body. Therefore, the circuit board can be directly grounded via the conductor element only by disposing the connecting unit on the vehicle body. Accordingly, even when a large number of connecting units including a circuit board are used, the work of connecting the circuit board to the ground can be simplified, and the assembly efficiency of the wiring harness can be improved.

[0015] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, details of the present invention will be further explained by reading an embodiment for carrying out the present invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing main parts of a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connecting unit of the Fig. 1 is reversed. Fig. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing main parts of a housing of the connection unit of the Fig. 1 represents. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a conductor element of the Fig. 3. Fig. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mounting member of the Fig. 3 is mounted on a hollow section. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a wire harness of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] A wire harness 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to 5 described. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing main parts of a wire harness 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a state in which a connection unit 30 of the Fig. 1 is shown in reverse. Fig. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing main portions of a housing 31 of the connecting unit 30 of the Fig. 1 represents. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a conductor element 40 of the Fig. 3. Fig. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mounting member 52 of the Fig. 3 is mounted on a hollow section 50. (Overall structure of the wiring harness)

[0018] First, an overall structure of the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 1, the wiring harness 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiring harness 1 includes first and second main wires 11, 12 mounted on a vehicle body B, and a connecting unit 30 provided in a stacked manner on top of the first and second main wires 11, 12. A stud bolt S (grounding conductor) is uprightly disposed on the vehicle body B, and the stud bolt S serves as an electrical ground connection for the vehicle.

[0020] The first main line 11 of the wiring harness 1 extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction of a vehicle body B. The second main line 12 of the wiring harness 1 intersects the first main line 1 substantially at a right angle and extends or is routed in a transverse direction (width direction) of the vehicle. That is, the wiring harness 1 of the present embodiment includes a crossing portion 13 that is routed substantially in a cross shape. The first main line 11 intersects the second main line 12 at the crossing portion 13.

[0021] At the intersection portion 13 of the wire harness 1, the first and second main wires 11, 12 are provided in such a way as to avoid bulkiness by intertwining them into units of the electric wires 21, 23 as described below. The intersection portion 13 of the wire harness 1 and a periphery thereof are wrapped and covered with a tape T.

[0022] A portion of the first main line 11 located on a vehicle front side is referred to as a front side portion 1A of the wire harness 1 with reference to the crossing portion 13 of the wire harness 1. Similarly, a portion located on a vehicle rear side is referred to as a rear side portion 1B of the wire harness 1. A portion of the second main line 12 provided on a left side of the vehicle is referred to as a left side portion 1C of the wire harness 1, and a portion provided on a right side of the vehicle is referred to as a right side portion 1C of the wire harness 1.

[0023] The wiring harness 1 includes a standard sub-harness 20 formed from a plurality of standard electrical wires 21, and an optional sub-harness 22 formed from a plurality of optional electrical wires 23 (first electrical wire, second electrical wire). The standard sub-harness 20 and the optional sub-harness 22 are bundled in both the first and second main wires 11, 12 of the wiring harness 1, and the first and second main wires 11, 12 are formed as an assembly including these sub-harnesses 20, 22.

[0024] Two optional sub-harnesses 22 are branched from the second main line 12 at the rear side portion 1B of the wire harness 1. A harness-side connector 24, which is fixed to an equipment-side connector 38 of a connection unit 30 as described below, is provided at a tip end portion of the optional sub-harness 22.

[0025] The wire-side connector 24 is a plug and is molded into a flat box shape from an electrically insulating resin or the like. The optional electrical wires 23 of the optional sub-harness 22 are connected to a side surface of one end of the wire-harness-side connector 24. Furthermore, a plurality of conductive connection receiving portions (not shown) are also provided on a side surface of the other end, which are attached to the device-side connector 38 of the connection unit 30, and the connection receiving portions are respectively electrically connected to the optional electrical wires 23 of the optional sub-harness 22. A ground wire 14 of the wire harness 1 is also similarly branched at the rear side portion 1B of the wire harness 1, and a ground terminal 15 is provided at a tip end of the ground wire 14.The grounding terminal 15 of the grounding wire 14 is a round terminal with a ring shape, which is electrically grounded by inserting the threaded bolt S into the interior of the ring shape.

[0026] The connection unit 30 includes a substantially box-shaped housing 31 and a circuit board 35 housed in the housing 31. The housing 31 is formed of an electrically insulating resin or the like, and a cover 32 is detachably provided on one surface thereof. Maintenance or replacement of the circuit board 35 in the housing 31 can be performed by removing the cover 32. Two mounting holes 33 are formed adjacent to each other on the vehicle-side rear surface of the connection unit 30 in the vehicle width direction, and the device-side connectors 38 are respectively mounted in the mounting holes 33 so as not to be exposed to the outside.

[0027] The device-side connector 38 is formed into a substantially box shape by an electrically insulating resin or the like, and a side surface of the other end of the device-side connector 38 is formed to be open toward the vehicle rear, exposing a plurality of conductive connection portions 39. When the harness-side connector 24 of the optional sub-harness 22 is mounted to the device-side connector 38 of the connection unit 30, the connection portion 39 of the device-side connector 38 is electrically connected to the connection receiving portion of the harness-side connector 24.

[0028] The configuration of the components is described in more detail below. <Konfiguration des Standard-Subkabelbaums und die optionalen Subkabelbaums>

[0029] The configurations of the standard sub-harness 20 and the optional sub-harness 22 are described in more detail below.

[0030] As in Fig. 1, the standard sub-wire harness 20 includes a plurality of standard electrical wires 21. The optional sub-wire harness 22 includes a plurality of optional electrical wires 23. At least one of the plurality of standard electrical wires 21 and the optional electrical wires 23 is an electrical wire for supplying power, and at least one is a ground wire for grounding, and at least one is a signal wire or a communication wire for transmitting a signal.

[0031] The standard electrical wires 21 and the optional electrical wires 23 are obtained by covering a periphery of a conductor such as a stranded wire with an electrically insulating resin or the like. A thickness of the conductor of the standard electrical wires 21, a thickness of the coating, and a material thereof are determined according to a current value and a voltage value, which vary depending on specifications such as the vehicle type and vehicle class. Furthermore, a length or the like of the optional electrical wire 23 is determined according to the specification of the optional sub-harness 22.

[0032] Many of the standard electrical wiring 21 relate to basic functions of a vehicle, such as a drive system, such as a powertrain and an engine, and are electrical wiring that are installed as standard in all vehicles. On the other hand, many of the optional electrical wiring 23 relate to additional (optional) functions of a vehicle, such as a sound system and a power window system, and are electrical wiring that are selectively and additionally installed according to a vehicle customer's (driver's) demand. <Konfiguration der Verbindungseinheit>

[0033] The configuration of the connection unit is described in more detail below.

[0034] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the connection unit 30 is formed in a box shape and accommodates the printed circuit board 35 therein. Specifically, the connection unit 30 includes the substantially box-shaped housing 31 and the printed circuit board 35 housed in the housing 31. In the connection unit 30, an optional electrical wire 23 (first electrical wire) of one optional sub-harness 22 is connected to an optional electrical wire 23 (second electrical wire) of the other optional sub-harness 22 via the printed circuit board 35. In addition, the connection unit 30 is stacked on the intersection portion 13 of the main wires 11, 12 of the wire harness 1.

[0035] A circuit network 37 is provided on the circuit board 35. Specifically, the circuit board 35 includes an electrically insulating substrate body 36, and the circuit network 37 is formed as a printed circuit board (print pattern) on the substrate body 36. The circuit network 37 forms part of the electrical wiring to selectively provide additional specifications for the wire harness 1. When a relatively complex network 37 is to be formed, a multilayer printed circuit board is used to form the relatively complex circuit network 37 on the substrate body 36 of the circuit board 35. In addition, the two device-side connectors 38 are arranged on the circuit board 35, and the device-side connectors 38 face outward through the mounting holes 33 of the housing 31.

[0036] The circuit network 37 is formed as a wiring pattern made of a conductive foil, such as a copper foil, which is attached to a front surface, a back surface, or a cut surface of the layers in a thickness direction of the substrate body 36 of the circuit substrate 35. That is, the circuit network 37 includes a plurality of wirings in the wiring pattern and is electrically connected to the side surface of one end of the device-side connector 38 via the wiring of the circuit network 37. That is, the device-side connections 38 are connected to the circuit network 37 of the printed circuit board 35 via the connection terminals 39. The two device-side connections 38 are also partially or completely connected to each other via the wiring of the circuit network 37.

[0037] The plurality of wirings are electrically separated from each other. Alternatively, some of the wirings are electrically connected to each other. When the plurality of wirings are separated at intersection positions in a plane, the wirings on different planes or layers are arranged to be electrically separated. When the wirings arranged on different planes or layers are connected to each other, the substrate body 36 of the switch board 35 is electrically connected using a through-hole penetrating the thickness direction. As described above, the connection or disconnection of the optional electrical wirings 23 of the optional sub-harnesses 22 and the switching of connections, such as branching of these optional electrical wirings 23, can be easily realized by appropriately modifying the circuit network 37 of the printed circuit board 35.

[0038] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, a grounding pattern E for grounding is formed on the circuit board 35 by the circuit network 37. A hollow portion 50 having a triangular column shape is formed in the longitudinal direction of the casing 31 on a side wall facing the vehicle body B when the connecting unit 30 is mounted on the vehicle body B in the casing 31 of the connecting unit 30, that is, a rear surface of the casing 31. A conductor member 40 projecting downward from the circuit board 35 is provided, and a part of the conductor member 40 is fixed to a side surface of the hollow portion 50 in an embedded state. At this time, the conductor member 40 is electrically connected to the grounding pattern E on the circuit board 35. In the casing 31 of the connecting unit 30, a mounting member 52 is provided, which is configured to fill the hollow portion 50.

[0039] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a housing groove 34 for receiving the crossing portion 13 of the wire harness 1 and its peripheral portion is formed into a substantially cruciform shape on a rear surface of the housing 31 of the connector unit 30. A cross section of the housing groove 34 is formed into an arc shape with a predetermined gap relative to a cross-sectional outer shape of the first and second main lines 11, 12.

[0040] The cross-section of the housing groove 34 of the housing 31 may have a substantially C-shape, such that a width of an opening of the housing groove 34 is smaller than a diameter of the arc. In this case, the first and second main lines 11, 12 can be stably held in the housing groove 34. <Konfiguration des Leiterelements, des Hohlabschnitts und des Montageelements>

[0041] The configuration of the conductor element 40, the hollow section 50 and the mounting element 52 is described in more detail below.

[0042] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the connecting unit 30 includes the hollow portion 50 and the mounting member 52. As described above, a part of the conductor member 40 is disposed in an embedded state in the hollow portion 50. The conductor member 40, the hollow portion 50, and the mounting member 52 are provided at a corner of a side wall facing the vehicle body B, that is, at the rear surface of the housing 31, when the connecting unit 30 is mounted on the vehicle body B.

[0043] As described above, the hollow portion 50 is formed into a triangular columnar shape, and its cross section has the shape of an equilateral triangle. The hollow portion 50 is formed by cutting out from a side surface toward the rear of the housing 31 of the connecting unit 30, and a rectangular portion of the triangular columnar shape is arranged adjacent to the side surface of the housing. At the rectangular portion of the hollow portion 50, a concave engaging portion 51 (engaging portion), obtained by removing part of the edge portion thereof, is formed at the center of an edge portion extending in the height direction.

[0044] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the conductor element 40 is formed from a conductive rod-shaped metal element, which in particular has a semi-cylindrical shape divided into two parts along an axial direction, and an arcuate flange 41 is provided at a tip end of the conductor element 40. The flange 41 contacts the printed circuit board 35 at an end face of the flange 41 and establishes a conductive connection to the grounding pattern E on the printed circuit board 35 (see Fig. 3). A thread groove 42 corresponding to a thread groove of the threaded bolt S is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the conductor element 40. In the hollow portion 50 of the connecting unit 30, the conductor element 40 is fixed to a side surface of the hollow portion 50 that is inclined relative to another side surface of the housing 31, so that an axial direction of the conductor element 40 extends along the height direction of the housing 31. At this time, the conductor element 40 is arranged such that the flange 41 of the conductor element 40 is located on the upper side and the thread groove 42 of the conductor element 40 is exposed to the outside.

[0045] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the mounting member 52 is formed of an electrically insulating resin or the like and serves to fill the hollow portion 50. Specifically, the mounting member 52 is formed into a triangular prism shape similar to the hollow portion 50, and a cross section thereof is shaped into an isosceles right-angled triangle. A thread groove 54 is formed on one side surface of the mounting member along the height direction corresponding to the side surface of the hollow portion 50, which is inclined relative to another side surface of the housing 31. When the mounting member 52 is mounted on the hollow portion 50, the thread groove 42 of the conductor member 40 and the thread groove 54 of the mounting member 52 are engaged with each other and brought into contact with the threaded bolt S of the vehicle body B.

[0046] A convex engaging portion (engaging portion) 53, obtained by protruding part of an edge portion, is formed at the center of the edge portion extending in the height direction in a rectangular portion of the mounting member 52. That is, the convex engaging portion 53 of the mounting member 52 and the concave engaging portion 51 of the hollow portion 50 are formed such that their shapes correspond to each other. When the mounting member 52 is mounted on the hollow portion 50, the hollow portion 50 and the mounting member 52 are engaged with each other to receive both the engaging portion 51 of the hollow portion 50 and the engaging portion 53 of the mounting member 52. By this engagement, relative movement between the hollow portion 50 and the mounting member 52 is limited. <Befestigung des Kabelbaums>

[0047] The fastening of the wiring harness 1 is described in more detail below.

[0048] In the wire harness 1 configured as described above, the harness-side connector 24 of the optional sub-harness 22 branching from the second main wire 12 of the wire harness 1 is attached to the device-side connector 38 of the connection unit 30. The optional electrical wires 23 of the optional sub-harness 22 are connected to the circuit network 37 of the printed circuit board 35 through this attachment. Furthermore, when the housing 31 of the connection unit 30 is stacked and fixed to cover the intersection portion 13 of the wire harness 1 and its surroundings, a part of the first and second main wires 11, 12 is accommodated in the housing groove 34 of the housing 31. As a result, the housing 31 of the connecting unit 30 is stably supported by surface contact with the vehicle body B at a portion other than the housing groove 34, while bypassing the first and second main lines 11, 12 on the rear surface thereof.

[0049] Furthermore, if, as in Fig. 5, when the connecting unit 30 is attached to the vehicle body B, the conductor member 40 disposed on the hollow portion 50 is brought into contact with the threaded bolt S of the vehicle body B in the radial direction. When the mounting member 52 is mounted on the hollow portion 50 under this contact state between the conductor member 40 and the threaded bolt S, the connecting unit 30 can be attached to the vehicle body B by this mounting. At this time, the hollow portion 50 engages with the mounting member 52, and the concave engaging portion 51 of the hollow portion 50 and the convex engaging portion 53 of the mounting member 52 engage with each other. In this way, the circuit board 35 of the connecting unit 30 is grounded via the conductor member 40 as it is. <Vorteile des Kabelbaums der vorliegenden Ausführungsform>

[0050] According to the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the connecting unit 30 is formed with the conductor member 40 extending downward from the circuit board 35 as described above. When the connecting unit 30 is mounted on the vehicle body B, the conductor member 40 contacts and is electrically connected to the stud bolt S (grounding conductor) of the vehicle body B. Thus, the circuit board 35 can be directly grounded via the conductor member 40 simply by mounting the connecting unit 30 on the vehicle body B. Thus, even if a large number of the connecting units 30 including the circuit board 35 need to be provided, the work of connecting the circuit board 35 to the ground can be simplified, and the assembly efficiency of the wire harness 1 can be improved.

[0051] According to the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the connecting unit 30 includes the hollow portion 50 and the mounting member 52 to be mounted on the hollow portion 50 to fill the hollow portion 50, and a part of the conductor member 40 is provided in the hollow portion 50. Thus, when the connecting unit 30 is arranged, the mounting member 50 of the connecting unit 30 is mounted on the hollow portion 50 to mount the connecting unit 30 on the vehicle body B. Thus, the contact state between the stud bolt S (ground conductor) of the vehicle body B and the conductor member 40 is stably maintained, and the circuit board 35 is more reliably connected to the ground, and the ground connection state can be stably maintained even when the vehicle body vibrates.

[0052] According to the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the connecting unit 30 has a box shape and accommodates the printed circuit board 35 therein. The conductor member 40, the hollow portion 50, and the mounting member 52 are formed at a corner of a side wall of the connecting unit 30 facing the vehicle body B during attachment. Thus, alignment of the connecting unit 30 with the threaded bolt S (ground wire) of the vehicle body B is facilitated during the assembly work of the connecting unit 30. This can improve the assembly efficiency of the wire harness 1.

[0053] According to the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the hollow portion 50 and the mounting member 52 are each provided with engaging portions 51, 53 having corresponding shapes, and the mounting member 52 is mounted on the lighting portion 50. At this time, the hollow portion 50 engages the mounting member 52, and the engaging portion 51 of the hollow portion 50 and the engaging portion 53 of the mounting member 52 are connected to each other, so that the mounting member 52 can be stably fixed to the hollow portion 50 by limiting relative movement by the engaging portions 51 and 53. Thus, the connection of the circuit board 35 to the ground can be performed easily and more reliably.

[0054] According to the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the conductor member 40 is formed in a rod shape, the flange 41 is provided at a tip end of the conductor member 40, and an end surface of the flange is in contact with the circuit board 35, so that the conductor member is electrically connected to the ground pattern E on the circuit board 35. Thus, the circuit board 35 and the conductor member 40 can be brought into contact with each other more reliably, whereby the connection of the circuit board 35 to the ground can be performed more easily and reliably.

[0055] According to the present embodiment, the conductor element 40, the hollow portion 50, and the mounting element 52 are formed at one corner of the rear surface of the housing 31. The conductor element 40, the hollow portion 50, and the mounting element 52 may be formed at multiple corners of the rear surface of the housing 31. At this time, if the threaded bolt S is located at a position corresponding to each of the conductor element 40, the hollow portion 50, and the mounting element 52, the connecting unit 30 can be more firmly attached to the threaded bolt S.

[0056] Although the specific embodiments have been described above, aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment and may be appropriately modified, improved, etc.

[0057] According to one aspect of the present invention, a wiring harness (1) comprises at least two electrical wires (one of the electrical selection wires and the other of the electrical selection wires 23), and a connection unit (30) via which each of the at least two electrical wires (one of the electrical selection wires and the other of the electrical selection wires 23) is connected. The connection unit (30) comprises a circuit board (35) connected to the at least two electrical wires (one of the electrical selection wires and the other of the electrical selection wires 23), and a conductor element (40) extending downward from the circuit board (35), the conductor element (40) being electrically connected to a ground pattern (E) on the circuit board (35).The connecting unit 30 is fixed to a vehicle body (B) in a state that the conductor member (40) is in contact with a grounding conductor (stud S) provided on the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is mounted on the vehicle body (B).

[0058] According to the aspect of the present invention, the connecting unit (30) comprises a hollow portion (50) formed on a side wall and facing the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is mounted on the vehicle body (B), and a mounting member (52) mounted on the hollow portion (50) to fill the hollow portion (50). A part of the conductor member (40) is provided on the hollow portion (50). The mounting member (52) is mounted on the hollow portion (50) such that the connecting unit (30) is fixed to the vehicle body (B) in a state in which the conductor member (40) is in contact with the grounding conductor (threaded bolt S) formed on the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is mounted on the vehicle body (B).

[0059] According to the aspect of the present invention, the connecting unit (30) has a box shape in which the circuit board (35) is accommodated. The conductor element (40), the hollow portion (50), and the mounting element (52) are formed on at least one corner of the side wall of the connecting unit (30).

[0060] According to the aspect of the present invention, engagement portions (a concave engagement portion (51) and a convex engagement portion (53)) having corresponding shapes are provided on the hollow portion (50) and the mounting member (52). The mounting member (52) is mounted on the hollow portion (50) such that the hollow portion (50) engages with the mounting member (52), thereby engaging the engagement portions (the concave engagement portion (51) and the convex engagement portion (53)) of the mounting member (52) and the hollow portion (50) with each other.

[0061] According to the aspect of the present invention, the conductor element (40) has a rod shape. A flange (41) is provided at a tip end of the conductor element (40), and an end surface of the flange is in contact with the circuit board (35) such that the conductor element (40) is electrically connected to the ground pattern (E) on the circuit board (35).

[0062] According to the aspect of the present invention, the conductor element extending downward from the circuit board is provided in the connecting unit and is in contact and electrically connected with the grounding conductor of the vehicle body when the connecting unit is mounted on the vehicle body. Therefore, only by disposing the connecting unit on the vehicle body, the circuit board can be directly connected to the ground via the conductor element. Accordingly, even with a large number of connecting units including a circuit board, the connection of the circuit board to the ground can be simplified, and the assembly efficiency of the wiring harness can be improved.

[0063] According to the aspect of the present invention, the connecting unit includes the hollow portion and the mounting member mounted on the hollow portion to fill the hollow portion, and a part of the conductor member is arranged on the hollow portion. Therefore, in the arrangement of the connecting unit, the mounting member of the connecting unit is fixed to the hollow portion to fix the connecting unit to the vehicle body. This allows the contact state between the ground conductor and the vehicle body on the conductor member to be stably maintained, the circuit board can be reliably grounded, and the ground connection state can be stably maintained even when the vehicle body is subjected to vibration.

[0064] According to the aspect of the present invention, the conductor member, the hollow portion, and the mounting member are formed on at least one corner of the side wall facing the vehicle body when the connecting unit is arranged, so that the alignment of the connecting unit relative to the grounding conductor of the vehicle body is simplified when the connecting unit is mounted, and the mounting efficiency of the wire harness is improved.

[0065] According to the aspect of the present invention, when the mounting member is attached to the hollow portion, the hollow portion engages the mounting member, and the engaging portions of the mounting member and the hollow portion are connected to each other, so that the mounting member can be firmly attached to the hollow portion by limiting its relative movement by the engaging portions. Thus, the grounding of the circuit board can be performed even more easily and reliably.

[0066] According to the aspect of the present invention, a flange is provided at the tip end of the conductive element, and one end surface of the flange is in contact with the circuit board, so that the conductive element is electrically connected to the ground pattern on the circuit board. This allows for more reliable contact between the circuit board and the conductive element, and connecting the circuit board to ground can be performed more easily and reliably. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 wiring harness 1A Front side section 1B Rear side section 1C Left side section 1D Right side section 11 First main line 12 Second main line 13 Intersection section 14 Earthing wire 15 Earth connection 20 standard sub-harness 21 Standard electrical cable 22 Optional sub-cable harness 23 Optional electrical cable (first electrical cable, second electrical cable) 24 Wiring harness connection 30 connection unit 31 housings 32 lids 33 insertion hole 34 Housing groove 35 circuit board 36 substrate bodies 37 Power grid 38 Device-side connection 39 connecting section 40 ladder element 41 Flange 42 thread groove 50 hollow sections 51 Concave engagement section (engagement section) 52 Mounting element 53 Convex engagement portion (engagement portion) 54 thread groove T-Band B vehicle body S threaded bolt (earthing conductor) E Grounding pattern

Claims

[1] Wiring harness (1), comprising: at least two electrical lines (21, 23); and a connecting unit (30) via which each of the at least two electrical lines (21, 23) is connected, characterized by , that the connecting unit (30) comprises: a housing (31); a printed circuit board (35) housed within the housing (31) and connected to the at least two electrical lines (21, 23); and a conductor element (40) extending downwards from the circuit board (35), the conductor element (40) being electrically connected to a ground pattern (E) on the circuit board (35), and a part of the conductor element (40) is arranged in the housing (31) in an embedded state to expose the part to the outside, and wherein the connecting unit (30) is fixed to a vehicle body (B) in a state in which the part of the conductor element (40) is in contact with a grounding conductor provided on the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is arranged on the vehicle body (B). [2] A wiring harness (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting unit (30) further comprises: a hollow portion (50) formed on a side wall of the housing (31) and facing the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is arranged on the vehicle body (B); and a mounting member (52) mounted on the hollow portion (50) to fill the hollow portion (50) in the embedded state to have a semi-cylindrical shape and to expose an inner peripheral surface of the conductor member (40) to the outside, wherein a part of the conductor element (40) is arranged on the hollow section (50), and wherein the mounting member (52) is mounted on the hollow portion (50) so that the connecting unit (30) is fixed to the vehicle body (B) in a state in which the inner peripheral surface of the conductor member (40) is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped grounding conductor provided on the vehicle body (B) when the connecting unit (30) is arranged on the vehicle body (B). [3] Cable harness (1) according to claim 2, wherein the housing (31) of the connecting unit (30) has a box shape in which the printed circuit board (35) is accommodated, and wherein the conductor element (40), the hollow portion (50) and the mounting element (52) are formed on at least one corner of the side wall of the housing (31). [4] Cable harness (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein engaging portions (51) with matching shapes are provided on the hollow portion (50) and the mounting element (52), respectively, and wherein the mounting element (52) is mounted on the hollow portion (50) such that the hollow portion (50) engages with the mounting element (52), and the engaging portions (51) of the mounting element (52) and the hollow portion (50) engage with each other. [5] Cable harness (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conductor element (40) is designed to have a rod shape, wherein a flange (41) is provided at a tip end of the conductor element (40), and wherein an end surface of the flange (41) is in contact with the circuit board (35) so that the conductor element (40) is electrically connected to the ground pattern (E) on the circuit board (35).

Images