wiring module

Abstract

Wiring module (310) comprising: a common power supply line (211) of which one end is electrically connected to a power source (12) and which supplies power to several loads (16); a reinforcement (292) of an elongated shape; and several power supply branch sections (251, 253) provided along the common power supply line, wherein the power supply branch sections (251, 253) each comprise at least one set of a power supply branch line (251) and an overcurrent blocking part (253), wherein the power supply branch line that supplies power to one of the loads (16) branches off along the common power supply line and the overcurrent blocking part is provided in the power supply branch line to achieve a non-conductive state when a current exceeding a permissible current flows in the power supply branch line (251); the several power supply branch sections (251,253) are arranged in the reinforcement (292) and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) comprises several conductor bodies (322A, 322B) which are divided by the power supply branching part, cross-sectional areas of the several conductor bodies (322A, 322B) decrease successively with increasing distance from the power source (12), the common power supply line (211) is arranged along the reinforcement (292), while at least a part of the common power supply line (211) is housed in the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) comprises a flat conductor body (222) which is arranged along a surface of the reinforcement (292).

Description

Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a wiring module having a power supply line.Background ArtThe power supply device disclosed in JP 2017-052473 A includes a plurality of fuses connected in series between the main battery and the load. The plurality of fuses are accommodated in a fuse box and fixed to a vehicle.JP 2003-118506 A discloses that an instrument panel harness is mounted along a reinforcement.JP 2016-147 558 A discloses a connection system for electrical equipment of a vehicle including a base harness connected to a power source junction box to which power supply is supplied by a vehicle-side main power supply, and a plurality of pieces of commonly connected electrical equipment of a standard system connect an attachment object vehicle; an additional connection member whose one end is branched and connected to at least one communication line or a signal line of the base harness and whose other end is connected to the electrical equipment of the extension system that is selectively retrofitted to the attachment object vehicle; and a semiconductor fuse provided in the additional connection member for controlling and protecting the electrical equipment of the extension system.DE 197 42 092 A1 discloses an electrically conductive cable for establishing a connection between consumers and a voltage supply device, having a common plug to which the electrical consumers can be connected, characterized in that the cable is divided into sections in which it has different cross sections, wherein the cross sections decrease from the plug to the consumers.US 6 166 453 A discloses an apparatus for operating electric loads provided on a vehicle by supplying power to the electric loads, including a power source for supplying power to a plurality of electric loads provided on a vehicle.SummaryObject of the InventionAccording to the technique disclosed in JP 2017-052473 A, the plurality of fuses and a number of loads corresponding to the fuses are separately connected to the power supply line. Therefore, in the vehicle, the plurality of power supply lines must be wired over a long distance.According to the technique disclosed in JP 2003-118506 A, assuming a case where the instrument panel wire harness includes the power supply line, there arises a problem that heat generated in the power supply line is hardly radiated to the outside.Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to reduce the overall length of a power supply line as much as possible. A second object is to radiate heat generated in the power supply line.Means for Achieving the ObjectIn order to achieve the above objects, a wiring module according to a first aspect comprises the features of claim 1.A second aspect is a wiring module according to the first aspect, wherein the overcurrent blocking part includes a semiconductor switch.A third aspect is a wiring module according to the first or second aspect, wherein an electronic control part is integrated with the power supply branching part.A fourth aspect is a wiring module according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the power supply branching part includes a connector for connecting the power supply branching line to a load.According to a sixth aspect, a wiring module comprises the features of claim 6.Effects of the InventionAccording to the first to fourth aspects, the power supply branching part is provided along the common power supply line. The common power supply line supplies electric power to a portion ranging from the power source to the power supply branching part, and also supplies electric power to the portion farther from the power source than the power supply branching part. Electric power is supplied from the common power supply line to each load via the overcurrent blocking part and the power supply branching line in the power supply branching part. Electric power may be supplied via the common power supply line, and the common power supply line may be branched by the power supply branching part near each load to supply electric power, therefore, the overall length of a power supply line may be reduced as much as possible. Accordingly, the first problem can be solved.According to the second aspect, the overcurrent blocking part includes a semiconductor switch, therefore, even when current exceeding the allowable current flows and the semiconductor switch becomes the non-conductive state, the semiconductor switch can easily return to the conductive state, and maintenance can be simplified.According to the first aspect, cross-sectional areas of the plurality of line bodies decrease sequentially as the distance from the power source increases, therefore weight can be reduced and cost can be lowered.According to the third aspect, an electronic control function can be incorporated into the power supply branching part.According to the first aspect, the wiring module can be disposed on a reinforcement as compactly as possible.According to the first aspect, the common power supply line includes a flat line body disposed along a surface of the reinforcement, therefore, heat generated in the flat line body can be easily radiated via the reinforcement.According to the first aspect, the power supply branching part can be easily connected to the load via the connector.Brief Description of the Drawings[FIG. 1 ] A block diagram illustrating a wiring module according to a first embodiment.[FIG. 2 ] A block diagram illustrating a comparative example.[FIG. 3 ] A schematic view illustrating a wiring module according to a second embodiment.[FIG. 4 ] A schematic cross-sectional view of the above-described wiring module.[FIG. 5 ] AN explanatory view illustrating a wiring module according to a third embodiment mounted on a vehicle.[FIG. 6 ] A schematic perspective view illustrating a wiring module installed in a reinforcement.[FIG. 7 ] A schematic perspective view illustrating a wiring module before being installed in the reinforcement.[FIG. 8 ] A schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in FIG. 6.[FIG. 9 ] A circuit diagram according to an example of the wiring module.[FIG. 10 ] A perspective exploded view illustrating an example of a configuration of a middle branch box.[FIG. 11 ] AN explanatory view illustrating an example of an internal structure of the middle branch box.[FIG. 12 ] A schematic view illustrating a first modified example.[FIG. 13 ] A cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a part in cross section taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12 is accommodated in a reinforcement.[FIG. 14 ] A cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a part in cross section taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12 is accommodated in the reinforcement.[FIG. 15 ] A diagram illustrating a second modified example of attaching the wiring module to the reinforcement.[FIG. 16 ] A diagram illustrating a third modified example of attaching the wiring module to the reinforcement.[FIG. 17 ] A diagram illustrating a fourth modified example of attaching the wiring module to the reinforcement.[FIG. 18 ] A diagram illustrating a fifth modified example of attaching the wiring module to the reinforcement.Description of Embodiment(s)[First Embodiment]Next, a wiring module according to a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wiring module according to the first embodiment.The wiring module 10 includes a common power supply line 20 and power supply branching parts 30A and 30B. The wiring module 10 is a wiring that is installed in a vehicle, for example, to supply electric power from a power source 12 installed in the vehicle to a load 16 installed in the vehicle. The power source 12 is, for example, a vehicle-mounted battery. The load 16 is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU), a motor, a lamp, or a sensor mounted on the vehicle.The common power supply line 20 is a wiring having one end electrically connected to the power source 12. The common power supply line 20 is composed of a general wiring member such as a metal sheet for wiring, an electric wire, and a printed circuit formed on a substrate, or a combination of these members. The metal sheet for wiring is formed as a band-shaped member formed of a metal sheet of, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. The metal sheet for wiring is preferably covered with an insulating cover such as a resin. The electric wire is a member in which an insulating cover such as a resin is formed around a wire core formed of, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. The printed circuit formed on the substrate is a circuit formed of a metal foil such as copper on a main surface of a substrate such as a resin. When the common power supply line 20 is formed by this combination, all the members are connected to each other via contacts or by soldering or welding, for example.The plurality of power supply branching parts 30A and 30B are provided along the common power supply line 20. Here, the power supply branching parts 30A and 30B are provided in this order along the common power supply line 20 in the order of increasing distance from the power source 12. A termination intermediate part of the power supply 40 is provided at a position farthest from the power source 12 in the common power supply line 20.The power supply branching part 30A includes at least one set of power supply branching lines 31A 1 and 32A 2 and overcurrent blocking parts 34A 1 and 34A 2, and here includes two sets.The power supply branching line 32A 1 branches along the common power supply line 20, and the power supply branching line 32A 1 is composed of a general wiring member such as a metal sheet for wiring, an electric wire, and a printed circuit formed on a substrate, or a combination of these members. The power supply branch line 32A 1 is connected to the load 16 directly or via the other wiring member.The overcurrent blocking part 34A 1 is provided in the power supply branch line 32A 1, and is configured to be in a non-conductive state when a current that permissibly flows in the power supply branch line 32A 1. As the overcurrent blocking part 34A 1, a configuration including a current monitoring circuit that monitors the current flowing in the power supply branching line 32A 1, a semiconductor switch built in the power supply branching line 32A 1, and an electronic control unit that performs ON-OFF control of the semiconductor switch based on the detection result of the current monitoring circuit may be used. In this case, the semiconductor switch is in the ON state (conductive state) in the normal state, and when it is determined that the current flowing in the power supply branch line 32A 1 exceeds a preset allowable current in accordance with the detection result of the current monitoring circuit, the semiconductor switch is switched to the OFF state, and the semiconductor switch becomes the non-conductive state. A relay may be used instead of the semiconductor switch. A conventional fuse may be used as the overcurrent blocking part 34A 1.The power supply branching line 32A 2 branches along the common power supply line 20 at the same location as the above-described power supply branching line 32A 1. The power supply branching line 32A 2 has a similar configuration to the power supply branching line 32A 1, and the overcurrent blocking part 34A 2 provided therein has a similar configuration to the overcurrent blocking part 34A 1 described above.The power supply branching part 30B is provided along the common power supply line 20 at a position farther from the power source 12 than the power supply branching part 30A.The power supply branching part 30B includes at least one set of the power supply branching line 32B and the overcurrent blocking part 34B, and thereby includes one set. The power supply branching line 32B has a configuration similar to the power supply branching line 32A 1, and the overcurrent blocking part 34B provided here has a configuration similar to the overcurrent blocking part 34A 1 described above.It goes without saying that a power supply branching part may also be used, and three or more may also be used.The termination intermediate part 40 of the power supply is connected to the common power supply line 20 at a position farther from the power source 12 than the power supply branching parts 30A and 30B.The intermediate termination part 40 of the power supply includes at least one set of the termination line 42 of the power supply and the overcurrent blocking part 44, and includes one set thereof. The power supply termination line 42 is connected to a termination of the common power supply line 20, and the overcurrent blocking part 44 provided therein has a configuration similar to that of the above-described overcurrent blocking part 34A 1.In the wiring module 10, the power supply branching parts 30A and 30B are provided along the common power supply line 20. The common power supply line 20 supplies electric power to a portion ranging from the power source 12 to the power supply branching part 30A. Here, the common power supply line 20 supplies electric power to a portion ranging from the power source 12 to the power supply branching part 30A closest to the power source 12. The common power supply line 20 also supplies electric power to a portion between the power supply branching parts 30A and 30B. In each of the power supply branching parts 30A and 30B, the electric power is supplied from the common power supply line 20 to each load 16 via the power supply branching lines 32A 1, 32A 2, and 32B and the overcurrent blocking parts 34A 1, 34A 2, and 34B. A configuration can be achieved that the electric power is supplied via the common power supply line 20 and that the common power supply line 20 branches near each load 16 via the power supply branching parts 30A and 30B to supply electric power, therefore the total length of a power supply line can be reduced as much as possible.FIG. 2 illustrates, as a comparative example, a case where an overcurrent blocking part 800 is provided in the vicinity of the power source 12 and separate power supply lines 820 extending from the overcurrent blocking part 800 to each load 16. In this case, even if each power supply line 820 extending from the overcurrent blocking part 800 to each load 16 passes through common paths 821, 822, 823, and 824 in a portion near the overcurrent blocking part 800, a separate wiring member needs to be used, therefore the overall length of each power supply line 820 increases.In contrast, in the above-described embodiment, the common power supply line 20 can be matched with the power supply line extending to each load 16 between the power source 12 and the power supply branching part 30A. The common power supply line 20 can also be matched with the power supply line extending from below between the power supply branching part 30A and the power supply branching part 30B to each load 16. Therefore, the total length of the power supply line can be reduced as much as possible.Since the power supply lines extending to each load 16 can be gathered as a common power supply line 20, the number of wiring members and a cross-sectional area can be reduced, and the power supply wiring as a whole can be made thin.The configuration including the semiconductor switch is configured with the overcurrent blocking parts 34A 1, 34A 2, and 34B, therefore, even when a current exceeding the allowable current flows and the semiconductor switch becomes the non-conductive state, the semiconductor switch can easily return to the conductive state. Accordingly, the procedure of replacing a fuse is not necessary as compared with a case where, for example, a fuse is used as the overcurrent blocking part, therefore maintenance can be simplified.[Second Embodiment}A wiring module according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a wiring module 110 according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the above-described wiring module 110.The wiring module 110 is disposed along a surface of a fixing target member 190. The wiring module 110 includes a flat power supply line body 150 and a flat ground line body 160.The flat power supply line body 150 is disposed along a surface of the attachment target member 190. More specifically, the flat power supply line body 150 includes a flat power supply conductor 151 and a cover part 152. The flat power supply conductor 151 is a metal band-like member made of, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. Here, the flat power supply conductor 151 extends linearly, but may be curved along in the direction of its width or thickness. The cover part 152 is an insulating member made of, for example, resin and covers the vicinity of the flat power supply conductor 151.The ground flat line body 160 is disposed along a surface of the power supply flat line body 150 on the opposite side to the fixing target member 190. More specifically, the ground flat line body 160 includes a ground flat conductor 161 and a cover part 162. The ground flat conductor 161 is a metal band-like member made of, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. Here, the ground flat conductor 161 is formed in the same width dimension and thickness dimension as the power supply flat conductor 151, and has the same cross-sectional area as the power supply flat conductor 151. The cover part 162 is an insulating member made of, for example, resin and covers the vicinity of the ground flat line body 160. At least one of the cover members 152 and 162 described above may be omitted. For example, if both cover parts 152 and 162 are omitted, it is possible to put an insulating plate material made of resin between the flat power supply conductor 151 and the flat ground conductor 161 to achieve insulation therebetween.The power supply flat line body 150 and the ground flat line body 160 are combined with each other to be stacked with their extension direction extending in the same direction. Such attachment may be obtained, for example, with adhesive tape or an adhesive or accommodation in a gutter-shaped housing.The wiring module 110 may be fixed to the fixing target member 190 with adhesive tape or adhesive, for example, or a configuration is thus applicable that a fixing member fitted or screwed to the fixing target member 190 presses the wiring module 110 to the fixing target member 190.In the wiring module 110 according to the second embodiment, the flat power supply line body 150 comes into contact with the fixing target member 190 with a relatively large area. Therefore, heat generated in the flat power supply line body 150 is easily transferred to the fixing target member 190. Therefore, heat generated in the flat power supply line body 150 can be easily radiated to the outside via the fixing target member 190. In particular, assuming that the fixing target member 190 is a member such as a metal body part of a vehicle and a reinforcement described below extending relatively widely in the vehicle, therefore, the heat generated in the flat power supply line body 150 can be efficiently radiated into the fixing target member 190 having a relative surface.[Third Embodiment]A wiring module 210 according to a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating the wiring module 210 mounted on a vehicle 290.The power source 12 is installed in the engine room 291 in the vehicle 290 as a battery, for example. An ECU 214 (electromagnetic control unit) that performs the engine control is provided in the engine compartment 291. A ground pad using a ground contact such as a round contact is provided in the engine room 291. The power source 12, the ECU 214, and the installation location may be disposed at a position other than the engine room 291.For example, a power supply line 211 aconnected to the power source 12, a ground line 211 bconnected to ground, and a control line 211 cconnected to the ECU 214 are wired to a gain 292. The reinforcement 292 is a reinforcement member provided inside an instrument panel, for example, and is provided in an elongated shape extending along the direction of a vehicle width. The power supply line 211 a, the ground line 211 b, and the signal line 211 care wired toward one end portion of the reinforcement 292.The wiring module 210 is a wiring member disposed along the reinforcement 292 described above. The wiring module 210 is a wiring member that connects the power supply line 211 a, the ground line 211 b, and the signal line 211 cto each load 16 disposed along the reinforcement 292. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the loads 16 are provided at the two end portions of the reinforcement 292, and at least one load 16 (of the two loads 16 shown here) is provided in a center portion of the reinforcement 292 as viewed in the extending direction. The power supply line 211 a, the ground line 211 b, and the signal line 211 care branched in a power supply side branch box 240 and connected to the load 16, branched in a middle branch box 250 and connected to the load 16, and connected to the load 16 via a termination box 270.The power supply line 211 a, the ground line 211 b, and the signal line 211 care connected to each terminal in the wiring module 210 at one end portion of the reinforcement 292. Each terminal in the wiring module 210 may be formed in association with and in series with the power supply line 211 a, the ground line 211 b, or the signal line 211 c. Alternatively, for example, each terminal in the wiring module 210 may be connected to the power supply line 211 a, the ground line 211 b, and the signal line 211 cvia a connector.FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the wiring module 210 installed in the reinforcement 292, FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the wiring module 210 before installation in the reinforcement 292, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6.The wiring module 210 is integrated with the reinforcement 292.Here, the reinforcement 292 is a member made of, for example, metal and is formed in an elongated shape. The two end portions of the reinforcement 292 are fixed to a metal body in a vehicle by welding or using a bolt, for example.The reinforcement 292 includes a bottom 293 and a pair of side wall portions 294.The base 293 is formed in an elongated plate-like shape. Here, the bottom part 293 includes an outer plate 293 aand an inner plate 293 b, and therefore has a double structure with a space between the outer plate 293 aand the inner plate 293 b. The base may be made of a piece of long plate.The pair of side wall parts 294 are formed in an elongated plate-like shape, and stand on a main surface of the base 293 and extend on both sides of the base 293. Thus, an elongated space capable of housing the wiring module 210 between the bottom 293 and the pair of side wall parts 294 is formed.The wiring module 210 includes a wiring part 220 and at least one middle branch box 250. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an example of the power supply side branch box 240 and a middle branch box 250.The wiring part 220 is a member for wiring that connects the power supply side branch box 240 and at least one middle branch box 250 and the termination box 270.The wiring part 220 is disposed along the reinforcement 292, which is the attachment target member, and includes a flat power supply line body 222, a flat ground line body 224, and a signal line body 226.The flat power supply line body 222 is disposed along a surface of the reinforcement 292. Here, the flat power supply line body 222 includes a flat power supply conductor 222 aand a cover part 222 bformed in the vicinity of the flat power supply conductor 222 ain a similar manner to the flat power supply line body 150 described above in the second embodiment. The flat power supply line body 222 is disposed in the reinforcement 292 with one of its surfaces in contact with an inner surface of the inner plate 293 bor the base 293.The ground flat line body 224 includes a ground flat line 224 aand a cover part 224 bformed in the vicinity of the ground flat line body 224 ain a similar manner to the ground flat line body 160 described in the second embodiment. The ground flat line body 224 is disposed in the reinforcement 292 in a state of being stacked on the power flat line body 292 along a surface of the power flat line body 222 on the opposite side to the above-described base 293.Therefore, the flat power supply line body 222 and the flat ground line body 224 are relatively compactly accommodated in the reinforcement 292 utilizing the space in the reinforcement 292. When heat is generated in the flat power supply line body 292, the heat is efficiently transmitted to the bottom 293 of the reinforcement 292 which is in planar contact with the flat power supply line body 222 and radiated to the outside over the entire surface of the reinforcement 292.The signal line body 226 is a flat line body in which a plurality of signal lines 226 aare laid in parallel. More specifically, as the signal line body 226, a configuration in which a covered electric wire is used as the signal line 226 aand in which the plurality of signal lines 226 aarranged in parallel are each sandwiched between a pair of resin films may be used. The state in which a pair of resin films include the signal lines 226 amay be achieved by an adhesive or by welding such as ultrasonic welding. Other configurations usable for the signal line body 226 are that a plurality of bare core wires are laid in parallel with a space and enclosed by a pair of resin films, parallel laid signal lines are formed of a metal foil such as copper foil on a main surface of a resin base material, and a softened resin covers, by extrusion, a periphery of bare core wires laid in parallel with space to form a cover part.The signal line body 226 is provided on the opposite side of the flat power supply line body 222 from the reinforcement 292. Here, the signal line body 226 is stacked on the power supply flat line body 222 and the ground flat line body 224 in a state of being disposed along the surface of the ground flat line body 224 on the opposite side to the power supply flat line body 222. In this state, the signal line body 226 is also accommodated in the reinforcement 292.The power supply flat line body 222, the ground flat line body 224, and the signal line body 226 are branched and connected to each load 16 in each of the power supply side branch box 240, the middle branch box 250, and the termination box 270. In the middle junction box 250, the power supply flat line body 222, the ground flat line body 224, and the signal line body 226 may be formed separately or sequentially. Here, as described below, the flat power supply line body 222, the flat ground line body 224, and the signal line body 226 are separated by the middle junction box 250, and are connected to each other via a circuit formed in the middle junction box 250. The signal line body 226 is not separated but is formed sequentially in the middle branch box 250.FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram according to an example of the wiring module 210. FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration focused on the central junction box 250, therefore, for example, the power supply side junction box 240 of the power source is omitted.As illustrated in FIG. 9, the wiring module 210 includes the common power supply line 211, a common ground line 212, and a plurality of signal lines 213. A connector 242 is provided in the power supply side branch box 240, and the power supply common line 211, the ground common line 212, and the plurality of signal lines 213 are connected to the power source 12, the ECU 214, and a position where the ground is connected in the other position in the vehicle via the connector 242 and a wire harness connected to the connector 242.In the middle junction box 250, a power supply junction line 251 is connected along the common power supply line 211 to branch off from the common power supply line 211. The two power supply branch lines 251 are illustrated here, but three or more power supply branch lines 251 may be provided.An overcurrent blocking part 253 is provided in the power supply branching line 251. Here, the overcurrent blocking part 253 is a semiconductor switch. The overcurrent blocking part 253 may also be, for example, a relay or a fuse. A current monitoring part 254 is provided in the power supply branching line 251. A known configuration for monitoring the current flow in the power supply branch line 251 may be used as the current monitoring part 254. The current detection signal detected by the current monitoring part 254 is supplied to an ECU 255 installed in the middle branch box 250. The overcurrent blocking part 253 is in the conductive state in the normal state, and the current for operating the load 16 flows in the power supply branch line 251. The ECU 255 switches the overcurrent blocking part 253 to a non-conductive state based on the detection result in the current monitoring part 254 when it determines that the current flowing in the power supply branch line 251 exceeds a preset allowable current. Accordingly, the power supply branch line 251 is blocked, and the overcurrent flowing in the power supply branch line 251 is suppressed. For example, when an abnormal state in which an overcurrent flows is resolved, the overcurrent blocking part 253 returns to the conductive state under control of the ECU 255, and comes back to a state in which electric current can be supplied to the load 16. At this time, a maintenance operation such as changing a fuse for the middle branch box 250 itself is not necessary. When a plurality of power supply branch lines 251 are provided, the above-described overcurrent blocking part 253 and the current monitoring part 254 are provided in each of the plurality of power supply branch lines 251.In the middle junction box 250, a ground junction line 256 is connected along the common ground line 212 to branch off from the common ground line 212. Two ground branch lines 256 are shown here, but one or three or more ground branch lines 256 may also be provided.The power supply branch line 251 and the ground branch line 256 are connected via a connector contact provided in a connector 257 in the middle branch box 250. The connector provided at an end portion of the wire harness led out from the load 16 is connected to the connector 257, therefore electric power is supplied to the load 16. The connector 257 may be provided on each load 16 or common to the loads 16. Even in the latter case, the plurality of electric wires connected to the common connector 257 may be branched along the wire harness for connection to each of the loads 16. FIG. 1 illustrates one connector 257, but a plurality of connectors may be provided. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a case where two connectors 257 are provided.Some of the plurality of signal lines 213 are connected to the ECU 255 in the middle branch box 250, some others are connected to a GWECU 258 (Gateway ECU), others are connected to the load 16, and the others pass through the middle branch box 250 and are connected to the other middle branch box 250, the termination box 270, or the load 16. There may also be a case where the signal line 213 connected to the load 16 is routed to the middle branch box 250 and installed as a new signal wiring.The ECU 255 is an electronic control unit that performs, for example, ON-OFF control of the overcurrent blocking part 253 and control of the load 16 described above, and is installed in the middle branch box 250. The ECU 255 is also connected to the load 16 via other wiring and the connector 257 in some cases, for example.The GWECU 258 (Gateway ECU) is a communication control unit that performs protocol conversion in in in-vehicle communication, for example, and is installed in the middle branch box 250. Some of the signal lines 213 are connected to the GWECU 258, and the GWECU 258 is connected to the load 16 via, for example, other wiring and the connector 257.Some of the plurality of signal lines 213 may be directly connected to the contacts of the connector 257 and the load 16.The above-described ECU 255 and the GWECU 258 may be omitted.The power supply side junction box 240 of the power source may have a similar configuration to the middle junction box 250 described above, except that it includes the connector for connection to the power source 12, the ECU 214, and the location where the ground is routed. The termination box 270 may also have a similar configuration to the above-described middle branch box 250 except that the relaying direction power supply line, the ground line, and the signal line are omitted.FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of configuration of the middle branch box 250, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of an internal structure of the middle branch box 250.The middle junction box 250 includes a housing 261, a first substrate 262, and a second substrate 263.The housing 261 is formed as a resin sub-rack, for example. Here, the housing 261 includes a housing body part 261 aand a cover part 261 b.A connector opening 261a1 is formed in the housing body portion 261a to lead out the connector. A bottom of the case body part 261 ais opened, and the opening located on the outside is closed by the cover part 261 b. Openings 261 a 2 are formed in parts of both end portions of the case body part 261 ain its extending direction. The wiring part 220 is inserted into the case 261 through the opening 261 a 2.The first substrate 262 and the second substrate 263 have a configuration that a predetermined wiring circuit is formed of, for example, metal foil such as copper foil or a bus bar of copper metal sheet on an insulating substrate formed of, for example, resin. Various constituent components constituting, for example, the above-described overcurrent blocking part 253, the current monitoring part 254, the ECU 255, and the GWECU 258 are configured on the first substrate 262 and the second substrate 263.The connector 257 is mounted on the first substrate 262. The connector contact of the connector 257 is electrically and mechanically connected to a circuit formed on the first substrate 262 by, for example, soldering or an interference fit structure. An interposer 259 is provided between the first substrate 262 and the second substrate 263. An intermediate contact incorporated into the interposer 259 is electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit formed in the first substrate 262 and the second substrate, for example, by soldering or a press fit structure.The wiring circuit formed on the first substrate 262 and the second substrate 263 constitutes the power supply line, the ground line, and the signal line in the middle junction box 250 in the electric circuit illustrated in FIG. 9.The flat power supply line body 222 is divided into one disposed closer to the power source 12 and one disposed farther from the power source 12 in the middle branch box 250.The cover part 222 bis partially peeled off at an end portion of the flat power supply line body 222. Here, the cover part 222 blocated near one side is peeled off at the end portion of the flat power supply line body 222, and the flat power supply conductor 222 ais exposed by the peeled off part. A power supply interposer 222T is connected to a main surface of the exposed flat power supply conductor 222 a, and the power supply interposer 222T protrudes from a main surface of the flat power supply line body 222. The intermediate power supply contact 222T is thus formed as an L-shaped member made of, for example, a copper metal sheet. An end portion of the intermediate power supply contact 222T is connected to a main surface of the flat power supply conductor 222 a, for example, by soldering. A plurality of protruding parts are formed on the other end portion of the intermediate power supply contact 222T. The second substrate 263 is disposed on the top surface of the two flat power supply line bodies 222 whose end portions are opposed to each other, and each protruding part at the other end portion of the intermediate power supply contact 222T is inserted into a through hole formed in the second substrate 263 and soldered to the second substrate 263. Flat conductors provided on both sides of the central junction box may be directly connected to each other.The ground flat line body 224 is divided into one disposed closer to the power source 12 and one disposed farther from the power source 12 in the middle branch box 250.The cover part 224 bis partially peeled off at an end portion of the ground flat line body 224. Here, the cover part 224 blocated close to one side is peeled off at the end part of the ground flat line body 224, and the ground flat line 224 ais exposed by the peeled off part. A ground intermediate contact 224T is connected to a main surface of the exposed ground flat conductor 224 a, and the ground intermediate contact 224T protrudes from a main surface of the ground flat conductive body 224. The ground intermediate contact 224T is thus formed as an L-shaped member made of, for example, a copper metal sheet. An end portion of the ground intermediate contact 224T is connected to a main surface of the ground flat conductor 224 a, for example, by soldering. A plurality of protruding parts are formed on the other end portion of the intermediate contact 224T for grounding. The second substrate 263 is disposed on top of the two flat grounding conductor bodies 224 whose end portions are opposed to each other. A space through which the above-described intermediate contact 222T for power supply passes is provided between the end portions of the two flat grounding conductor bodies 224. Each protruding part at the other end portion of the intermediate contact 224T for grounding is inserted into a through hole formed in the second substrate 263 and soldered to the second substrate 263. Accordingly, the ground flat conductors 224 aare electrically connected to the ground branch line 256 formed in the second substrate 263 or the first substrate 262 via the intermediate contact 224T to ground. The ground flat conductors 224 aare connected via an intermediate ground circuit formed in the second substrate 263 or the first substrate 262. It goes without saying that flat conductors provided on both sides of the central junction box can be directly connected to each other.The signal line body 226 is a flat line body joined to both sides of the central branch box 250. A partially concave portion 226r is formed in a central portion of the signal wiring body 226 in its extending direction. Here, the rectangular concave portion 226r is formed by removing a side part in a rectangular shape at the central portion of the signal line body 226 in its extending direction. The above-described intermediate contact 222T for power supply and the intermediate contact 224T for ground are directed toward the second substrate 263 through the concave portion 226 r.A signal interposer 227 is provided on the signal line body 226. The signal interposer 227 is formed by installing the signal interposer 227T in a case of, for example, resin. The signal interposer 227 is electrically and mechanically connected to at least one wire core in the plurality of signal lines 226 ain the signal line body 226 on one end side (lower side) of the signal interposer 227, for example, by soldering or an interference fit structure. Here, the signal lines 226 aare connected to the signal interconnection 227T on both sides of the concave portion 226 rin the signal line body 226. The signal interposer 227T protrudes from the signal interposer 227 on the other end side (upper side) of the signal interposer 227, and is electrically and mechanically connected to the above-described circuit of the second substrate 263, for example, by soldering or an interference-fit structure.The signal line 226 aseparated by the concave portion 226 rmay be led out to one side of the second substrate 263 or the second substrate 263 via the intermediate contact 227T. The signal line 226a not separated by the concave portion 226r can pass through a side portion of the concave portion of the signal line body 226 without change. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which the signal line body 226 is disconnected in the middle branch box 250 and the disconnected signal lines are connected via the signal interposer, the first substrate, or the second substrate.In the middle junction box 250, the first substrate 262 and the second substrate 263 stacked in multiple layers with space via the interposer 259 are housed in the upper part of the housing 261. The connector 257 of the first substrate 262 is now led out through the connector opening 261a1. Therefore, the load 16 side connector can be connected to the connector 257. The first substrate 262 and the second substrate 263 are fixed in the case 261 with a bolt, a press-fit structure, or an adhesive, for example, as necessary.The flat power supply line body 222, the flat ground line body 224, and the signal line body 226, which are integrated with the second substrate 263 via the intermediate contact 222T for power supply, the intermediate contact 224T, and the intermediate contact 226T, are housed in the lower part in the housing 261. The power supply flat line body 222, the ground flat line body 224, and the signal line body 226 are led out through the openings 261 a 1 on both sides of the housing 261.The cover part 261 bis attached to the case 261 in this state to close the opening at the bottom of the case 261. The cover part 261 bis fixed to the housing 261 with, for example, a screw, an interference structure, or an adhesive as necessary.The power supply side junction box 240 and the terminal box 270 may have a similar configuration to the above-described middle junction box 250 as long as the wiring part 220 extending from the middle junction box 250 extends in only one direction.In the wiring module 210, at least a part of the wiring part 220 and at least a part of the middle branch box 250 are accommodated in the reinforcement 292, while the wiring part 220 is mounted along an inner surface of the base 293 in the reinforcement 292. Here, the whole wiring part 220 is accommodated in the reinforcement 292, and a part of the middle junction box 250 other than the connector 257 protruding from the housing 261 is accommodated in the reinforcement 292. The wiring module 210 may be fixed to the reinforcement 292 by, for example, double-sided adhesive tape and a screw.After the wiring module 210 has such a configuration, the power supply branching part including the power branching line 251 and the overcurrent blocking part 253 is provided along the common power supply line 211. Therefore, electric power is supplied to the portion that reaches from the power source 12 to the power supply branching part through the flat power supply line body 222 that is part of the common power supply line 211, and electric power is also supplied to a portion that is farther from the power source 12 than the power supply branching part through the flat power supply line body 222 that is part of the common power supply line 211. Electric power is supplied to the load 16 via the overcurrent blocking part 253 and the power supply branch line 251 in the power supply branch part. Electric power can be supplied via the common power supply line 211, and the common power supply line 211 can be branched by the power supply branching part in the vicinity of each load 16 to supply electric power, therefore the overall length of the power supply line can be reduced as much as possible.Accordingly, as described in the first embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the flat power supply line body 222 can be reduced.The configuration including the semiconductor switch is selected here for the overcurrent blocking part 253, therefore, even when current exceeding the allowable value flows and the semiconductor switch becomes the non-conductive state, the semiconductor switch can easily return to the conductive state thereafter. Accordingly, the operation of replacing a fuse is no longer necessary compared with the case where, for example, a fuse is used as the overcurrent blocking part 253, therefore maintenance can be simplified. The overcurrent blocking part 253 can be made smaller, and then the middle junction box 250 can be made more compact by using the semiconductor switch.Electronic control parts such as ECU 255 and GWECU 258 are integrated into the middle branch box 250, therefore, electronic control functions necessary for, for example, connection of the wiring module 210 and the load 16 can be divided for each function necessary for the function of the middle branch box 250 or the load connected thereto to integrate the electronic control function into the middle branch box 250. Accordingly, limitations in the layout of the communication wiring can be reduced, and the performance of communication can be reduced by, for example, reducing the communication distance between the devices. The above-described ECU 255 has the function of performing the ON-OFF control of the overcurrent blocking part 253 and the function of controlling the load 16 to be connected, thereby enabling integration of the electronic control function and contributing to power saving and less fuel consumption.The flat power supply line body 222 is disposed along the reinforcement 292, while at least a part of the flat power supply line body 222 constituting the common power supply line 211 and at least a part of the middle junction box 250 including the power supply junction part are accommodated in the reinforcement 292, therefore, the wiring module 210 can be disposed along the reinforcement 292 as compactly as possible.The wiring module 210 includes the flat power supply line body 222 mounted along the reinforcement 292 which is a fixing target member, therefore the flat power supply line body 222 comes into contact with the reinforcement 292 with a relatively large area. Heat generated in the flat power supply line body 222 is easily transmitted to the reinforcement 292, therefore, the heat generated in the flat power supply line body 222 can be easily radiated to the outside via the reinforcement 292.Since the flat power supply line body 222 has a flat shape, the space for accommodating the flat power supply line body 222 can be made as small as possible. Also, since the ground flat line body 224 has a flat shape, the space for accommodating the ground flat line body 224 can be made as small as possible. Moreover, the signal line body 226 also has a flat shape and therefore can be compactly arranged in the shape of the flat line body, for example, along the power supply flat line body 222.The power supply flat line body 222, and here, the ground flat line body 224 and further the signal line body 226 are disposed in the reinforcement 292, therefore they can be mounted in the reinforcement 292 with good space utilization.The reinforcement 292 has a configuration that the pair of side wall parts 294 stand on both sides of the base 293, therefore the flat power supply line body 222, here the flat ground line body 224 and further the signal line body 226, can be easily integrated into the reinforcement 292. The width dimension of the flat power supply line body 222 preferably coincides with a dimension between the pair of side wall parts 294 in order to effectively utilize the space in the reinforcement 292, but this configuration is not necessary. It is also preferable that the ground flat line body 224 and the signal line body 226 are formed so that their width dimension coincides with the dimension between the pair of side wall parts 294, but this configuration is also not necessary.The power supply branching part includes the connector 257 to connect the power supply branching line 251 to the load, therefore the power supply branching part can be easily connected to the load via the connector 257.[Modified Example]Modified examples will be described on the premise of the above-described embodiments.FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a first modified example based on the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a cross-sectional part cut along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12 is accommodated in the reinforcement 292, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a cross-sectional part cut along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12 is accommodated in the reinforcement 292. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the signal line body 226 has been omitted.A wiring module 310 is different from the wiring module 210 according to the third embodiment in the following point. Namely, in that the wiring module 310 includes a plurality of flat power supply line bodies 322A and 322B as a plurality of line bodies divided by a middle branch box 350 including the power supply branching part. The flat power supply line body 322A is a power supply wiring that is closer to the power source, and the flat power supply line body 322B is a power supply wiring that is farther from the power source than the flat power supply line body 322A.Cross-sectional areas of the plurality of flat power supply line bodies 322A and 322B decrease in order as the distance from the power source increases. The thickness dimension of a conductor 322Aa of the power supply flat line body 322A is larger than that of a conductor 322Ba of the power supply flat line body 322B, and a width dimension of the conductor 322Aa of the power supply flat line body 322A and a width dimension of a conductor 322Ba of the power supply flat line body 322B are set to be equal to each other.The common power supply line including the plurality of flat power supply line bodies 322A and 322B branches in the middle branching box 250 and is connected to the load 16, therefore, the current flowing in the conductor 322Ba of the plurality of flat power supply line bodies 322B is smaller than the current flowing in the conductor 322Aa of the flat power supply line body 322A. Therefore, it is possible to relatively increase the cross-sectional area of the conductor 322Aa of the flat power supply line body 322A that is closer to the power source, and to relatively decrease the cross-sectional area of the conductor 322Ba of the flat power supply line body 322B that is farther from the power source.Accordingly, for example, consumption of metal constituting the conductors of the entire wiring module 210 can be reduced, therefore weight saving and cost reduction can be achieved.In the third embodiment described above, an example in which the wiring module 210 is integrated into the reinforcement 292 including the lower part 293 of a double structure and a pair of side wall parts 294 will be described, but this configuration is not necessary.For example, as is the case in the second modified example illustrated in FIG. 15, the wiring module 210, specifically, the power supply flat line body 222 and the ground flat line body 224 may be integrated into a reinforcement 400 having a U-shape in cross section and including a bottom 401 in a single structure and a pair of side wall parts 402.As is the case in the third modified example illustrated in FIG. 16, the wiring module 210, specifically, the flat power supply line body 222 and the flat ground line body 224 may be integrated into an outer surface of a reinforcement 410. In the example illustrated in FIG. 16, the power supply flat line body 222 and the ground flat line body 224 are integrated into an outer surface of the reinforcement 410 that is in the shape of a rectangular cylinder.As is the case in the fourth modified example illustrated in FIG. 17 or the fifth modified example illustrated in FIG. 18, the wiring module 210, specifically, the power supply flat line body 222 and the ground flat line body 224 may be integrated into reinforcements 420 and 430 each having a cylindrical shape.In the fourth modified example illustrated in FIG. 17, a wiring module 510, specifically, a flat power supply line body 522 and a flat ground line body 524 are integrated into an inner circumferential surface of the reinforcement 420 that is in the shape of a cylinder. In the present example, the flat power supply line body 522 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the reinforcement 420 with a contact area as large as possible, therefore the flat power supply line body 522 is formed in an arc curved shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extending direction of the flat power supply line body 522. The radius of curvature on the outer circumferential side of the flat power supply line body 522 coincides with the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the reinforcement 420. Here, the ground flat line body 524 similarly has a curved shape in cross section.In the fifth modified example illustrated in FIG. 17, the reinforcement 420 has a structure of being divided into two along its axial direction, so that the power supply flat line body 522 and the ground flat line body 524 can be easily accommodated in the reinforcement 420. The reinforcement 420 having the divided structure may be held together by, for example, welding or a screw after the wiring module 510 is attached.However, such a structure for the reinforcement 420 is not necessary, therefore, the power supply flat line body 522 and the ground flat line body 524 may be attached so as to pass through an opening in an end portion of the reinforcement 420.In the present modified example, when a connector that is externally connected (with respect to the connector 257 in the third embodiment) is provided, it is preferable that an opening that exposes the connector to outside is formed at a partial position in the extension direction of the reinforcement 420.In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, a wiring module 610, specifically, a flat power supply line body 622 and a flat ground line body 624 is integrated into an outer circumferential surface of the reinforcement 430 formed in a cylindrical shape. In the present example, the flat power supply line body 622 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the reinforcement 430 with a contact area as large as possible, therefore the flat power supply line body 622 is formed in an arc curved shape in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat power supply line body 622. A radius of curvature on the outer circumferential side of the flat power supply line body 622 coincides with the radius of curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the reinforcement 430. The ground flat line body 624 has a curved shape in cross section in a similar manner here as well.In the above embodiments and modified examples, each of the flat power supply line bodies, the flat ground line bodies, and the signal line body is made of a single layer, but at least one of them may be made as multiple layers. For example, when there are a plurality of power sources each having a different voltage, a different flat power supply line body may be provided in accordance with each voltage. In this case, at least one flat power supply line body should be in contact with a fixing target member.Any configuration described in the above embodiments and modified examples may be combined as appropriate as long as there is no contradiction.Although the present invention has been described in detail herein, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative only and does not limit the invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention.Explanation of Reference Numerals10, 110, 210, 310, 510, 610 Wiring module 12 Electric wire 16 Load 20, 211 Common power supply line 30A, 30B Power supply branching part 32A 1, 32A 2, 32B, 251 Power supply branching line 34A 1, 34A 2, 34B, 253 Overcurrent blocking part 150, 222, 322A, 522, 622 Flat power supply line body 151, 222 a, 322Aa Flat power supply conductor 152, 222 bCover part 160, 224, 322B, 524, 624 Flat ground line body 161, 224 a, 322Ba Flat ground conductor 162, 224 bCover part 190 Fixing target member 212 Common ground line 213 Signal line 220 Wiring part 226 Signal wiring body 226 aSignal line 250, 350 Middle junction box 254 Current monitoring part 255 ECU 256 Ground branch line 257 Connector 258 GWECU 292, 400, 410, 420, 430 Reinforcement 293, 401 Bottom part 294, 402 Side wall part

Claims

A wiring module (310) comprising: a common power supply line (211) having one end electrically connected to a power source (12) and supplying power to a plurality of loads (16); a reinforcement (292) having an elongated shape; and a plurality of power supply branching parts (251, 253) provided along the common power supply line, wherein the power supply branching parts (251, 253) each include at least one set of the power supply branching line (251) and the overcurrent blocking part (253), wherein the power branching line supplying power to one of the loads (16) branches along the common power supply line, and the overcurrent blocking part is provided in the power supply branching line to achieve a non-conductive state when a current exceeding an allowable current, in the power supply branching line (251), the plurality of power supply branching parts (251, 253) are arranged in the reinforcement (292) and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) includes a plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) divided by the power supply branching part, cross-sectional areas of the plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) decrease in order as the distance from the power source (12) increases, the common power supply line (211) is arranged along the reinforcement (292), while at least a part of the common power supply line (211) is accommodated in the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) includes a flat line body (222) arranged along a surface of the reinforcement (292).The wiring module according to claim 1, wherein the overcurrent blocking part (253) includes a semiconductor switch.The wiring module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an electronic control part (255) is integrated with the power supply branching part (251, 253).The wiring module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply branching part (251, 253) includes a connector (257) for connecting the power supply branching line to a load (16).The wiring module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an end portion of the common power supply line (211) is connected to a load via a power supply termination connection portion (40).A wiring module (310) comprising: a common power supply line (211) having one end electrically connected to a power source (12) and supplying power to a plurality of loads (16); a reinforcement (292) having an elongated shape; and a plurality of power supply branching parts (251, 253) provided along the common power supply line, wherein the power supply branching parts (251, 253) each include at least one set of the power supply branching line (251) and the overcurrent blocking part (253), wherein the power branching line supplying power to one of the loads (16) branches along the common power supply line, and the overcurrent blocking part is provided in the power supply branching line to achieve a non-conductive state when a current exceeding an allowable current, in the power supply branching line (251), the plurality of power supply branching parts (251, 253) are arranged in the reinforcement (292) and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) includes a plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) divided by the power supply branching part, cross-sectional areas of the plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) decrease in order as the distance from the power source (12) increases, and width dimensions of the plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) coincide with each other, and thickness dimensions of the plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) decrease in order as the distance from the power source (12) increases, and therefore cross-sectional areas of the plurality of line bodies (322A, 322b) are sequentially decreased, and the common power supply line (211) includes a flat line body (222) disposed along a surface of the reinforcement (292).The wiring module according to claim 6, wherein the width dimensions of the plurality of wiring bodies (322A, 322B) coincide with a width dimension of a space in which the reinforcement (292) accommodates the plurality of wiring bodies.A wiring module (310) comprising: a common power supply line (211) having one end electrically connected to a power source (12) and supplying power to a plurality of loads (16); a reinforcement (292) having an elongated shape; and a plurality of power supply branching parts (251, 253) provided along the common power supply line, wherein the power supply branching parts (251, 253) each include at least one set of the power supply branching line (251) and the overcurrent blocking part (253), wherein the power branching line supplying power to one of the loads (16) branches along the common power supply line, and the overcurrent blocking part is provided in the power supply branching line to achieve a non-conductive state when a current exceeding an allowable current, in the power supply branching line (251), the plurality of power supply branching parts (251, 253) are arranged in the reinforcement (292) and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) includes a plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) divided by the power supply branching part, cross-sectional areas of the plurality of line bodies (322A, 322B) decrease in order as the distance from the power source (12) increases, and the common power supply line (211) is arranged along a reinforcement (292) while at least a part of the common power supply line (211) is accommodated in the reinforcement (292), the power supply branching part (251, 253) includes a connector (257) for connecting the power supply branching line (251) to a load (16), the power supply branching part (251, 253) is provided along a course of the plurality of wire bodies (251, 253) extending linearly, at least a part of the common power supply line (211) is accommodated in the reinforcement (292) while the connector (257) is exposed to an outside of the reinforcement (292), and the common power supply line (211) includes a flat line body (222) disposed along a surface of the reinforcement (292).

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