Arrangement structure of flat wire harness

The flat wire harness arrangement structure addresses interference issues by positioning branch lines from the second edge of the main line and optimizing connector placement, ensuring minimal interference and efficient space utilization within vehicles.

JP2025001420APending Publication Date: 2025-01-08SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023101008
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-20
Publication Date
2025-01-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Flat wire harnesses face interference issues with surrounding members due to branch lines branching from the main line, which can lead to structural and operational complications.

Method used

A flat wire harness arrangement structure where the branch line extends from the second edge of the main line, overlapping with the main line when viewed perpendicularly, and connectors are positioned to minimize interference with peripheral members, allowing for efficient space utilization and support within the vehicle's limited space.

Benefits of technology

This arrangement effectively suppresses interference between branch lines and peripheral members, facilitates easy connector connection, and optimizes space usage within the vehicle, enhancing the overall structural integrity and ease of installation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing that a branch line part branched from a main line part interferes with a peripheral member.SOLUTION: In an arrangement structure 20 of a flat wire harness, a flat wire harness 30 is arranged along a reinforcement 11 in a vehicle. The flat wire harness 30 comprises a main line part 31 and a branch line part 44. In a vehicle 10, a first peripheral member 50 is positioned on a lateral side of a first marginal part 39 at a branch position. The branch line part 44 extends out from an intermediate part along a second marginal part 40 or in a width direction of the main line part 31, and extends toward the first marginal part 39. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to a principal surface of the main line part 31, a part of the branch line part 44 overlaps with the main line part 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an arrangement structure of a flat wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wiring member mounting structure in which a flat wiring member is mounted to a reinforcement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-196101 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A flat wire harness may have a branch portion branched off from a trunk portion, and it is desirable to be able to prevent the branch portion from interfering with surrounding members.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of preventing a branch line portion branching off from a trunk line portion from interfering with surrounding members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The flat wire harness arrangement structure of the present disclosure is an arrangement structure of a flat wire harness in which a flat wire harness is arranged along a reinforcement in a vehicle, the flat wire harness including a trunk portion formed flat and extending along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement, and a branch portion branching off from the trunk portion, the position at which the branch portion branches off along the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion is a branching position, and edges on one side and the other side along the width direction are a first edge portion and a second edge portion, in the vehicle, a first peripheral member is located on the side of the first edge portion at the branching position, and the branch portion extends from the second edge portion or a middle portion along the width direction of the trunk portion and extends toward the first edge portion, and a portion of the branch portion overlaps with the trunk portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the trunk portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the branch wires branching off from the trunk wire from interfering with surrounding members. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a part of a vehicle in which the arrangement structure of a flat wire harness according to the first embodiment is incorporated. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view seen from an arrow A1 in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the layout structure of the flat wire harness. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the layout structure of the flat wire harness. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The layout structure of the flat wire harness of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) An arrangement structure of a flat wire harness in which a flat wire harness is arranged along a reinforcement in a vehicle, the flat wire harness including a trunk portion formed flat and extending along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement, and a branch portion branching off from the trunk portion, a position in the trunk portion where the branch portion branches off along the longitudinal direction is a branching position, and edges on one side and the other side along the width direction are a first edge portion and a second edge portion, a first peripheral member is located on the side of the first edge portion at the branching position in the vehicle, the branch portion extends from the second edge portion or a middle portion along the width direction of the trunk portion and extends toward the first edge portion, and a portion of the branch portion overlaps with the trunk portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the trunk portion.

[0012] According to the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness of (1), the branch wire portion extends from the second edge portion or the middle portion along the width direction toward the first edge portion, rather than from the first edge portion of the trunk portion to the side of which the first peripheral member is located, thereby suppressing interference between the branch wire portion and the first peripheral member.

[0013] (2) In the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness of (1), a connector may be provided at an end of the branch wire portion, and the connector may be connected to a mating connector at a position where the connector overlaps the trunk wire portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk wire portion. This allows the space above the main surface of the trunk wire to be used as an arrangement space for a connector pair in which the connector and the mating connector are fitted together.

[0014] (3) In the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness of (2), the mating connector may be provided at an end of a wire harness other than the flat wire harness, and a connector pair in which the connector and the mating connector are fitted together may be supported on the trunk portion. The connector pair to be connected wire-to-wire is preferably supported by a support member. Even in this case, since the connector pair is supported on the trunk portion, it is not necessary to provide a separate support member for supporting the connector pair.

[0015] (4) In the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness of (1), a connector may be provided at an end of the branch wire portion, the branch wire portion may cross the trunk portion and extend to a side of the first edge portion, and the connector may be connected to a mating connector to the side of the first edge portion. This allows the connector to be connected to the side of the first edge portion even if a first peripheral member is located to the side of the first edge portion.

[0016] (5) In the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to any one of (1) to (4), the branch wire portion may extend from the second edge portion, which makes it easy to pull out the branch wire portion from the trunk portion.

[0017] (6) In the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to any one of (1) to (4), in the vehicle, a second peripheral member may be located on the side of the second edge portion at the branching position, and the branch portion may extend from the intermediate portion along the width direction of the trunk portion. This can also prevent the branch portion from interfering with the second peripheral member on the side of the second edge portion of the trunk portion.

[0018] (7) In the arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to any one of (1) to (6), the reinforcement may extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle inside an instrument panel of the vehicle, a bracket may be provided on the reinforcement so as to protrude laterally from the reinforcement, and the trunk portion at the branching position may be supported by the bracket in a position in which the width direction is inclined relative to the horizontal direction. This makes it easy to arrange the flat wire harness even if the horizontal dimension of the arrangement space for the trunk portion inside the instrument panel is small.

[0019] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the layout structure of the flat wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0020] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the flat wire harness arrangement structure 20 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a part of a vehicle 10 in which the flat wire harness arrangement structure 20 according to the first embodiment is incorporated. FIG. 2 is a view seen from an arrow A1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. In the following description, when referring to up / down, front / rear, and left / right, each direction is defined as follows. First, the traveling direction when the vehicle 10 is traveling is the front (FRONT), and the opposite side is the rear (REAR). When a user is seated in a seat of the vehicle 10 facing forward, the left of the user is the left (LEFT) of the vehicle 10, and the opposite side is the right (RIGHT). The side of the vehicle 10 where the wheels come into contact with the road surface is the bottom (LOW), and the opposite side is the top (UP). The width direction of the vehicle 10 is the left / right direction of the vehicle 10.

[0021] In the arrangement structure 20 of the flat wire harness, the flat wire harness 30 is arranged along a reinforcement 11 in a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile. In the vehicle 10, the arrangement location of the reinforcement 11 is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately. Here, the reinforcement 11 is described as being arranged inside an instrument panel 14 of the vehicle 10. Such a reinforcement 11 is also called an instrument panel reinforcement. The reinforcement 11 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and the like. One end of the steering shaft protrudes rearward from the instrument panel 14 and supports a steering wheel (not shown).

[0022] The reinforcement 11 includes a reinforcement body 12 and a bracket 13. The reinforcement 11 is formed, for example, by integrating the reinforcement body 12 and the bracket 13, which are formed as separate metal parts, by welding or the like.

[0023] The reinforcement body 12 is formed in a tubular shape, such as a cylindrical shape or a square tubular shape. When the reinforcement 11 is disposed in the instrument panel 14, the reinforcement body 12 extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10. One longitudinal end of the reinforcement body 12 is connected to the left wall portion of the vehicle body, and the other end is connected to the right wall portion of the vehicle body.

[0024] The bracket 13 protrudes from the outer surface of the reinforcement body 12 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement body 12. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the bracket 13 extends downward from the reinforcement body 12. A flat wire harness 30 is attached to the bracket 13. The bracket 13 may be provided at a plurality of positions spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement body 12.

[0025] The instrument panel 14 is located in front of the driver's seat and passenger seat. Instruments such as a speedometer are built into the instrument panel 14. The instrument panel 14 has an upper panel 15 facing upward and a lower panel 16 facing rearward with respect to the forward movement of the vehicle 10. The lower panel 16 is connected to the rear edge of the upper panel 15. The lower panel 16 is oriented closer to the direction of gravity than the upper panel 15. A dash panel 17 is located in front of the space inside the instrument panel 14. The dash panel 17 separates the space inside the instrument panel 14 from the engine room.

[0026] The flat wire harness 30 includes a trunk portion 31 and a branch portion 44. The trunk portion 31 is formed flat. The trunk portion 31 extends along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement 11. The trunk portion 31 includes a plurality of linear transmission members 32 and a base material 35. The base material 35 holds the plurality of linear transmission members 32 in a flat lined state. In the trunk portion 31, the plurality of linear transmission members 32 extend along the reinforcement body 12. The branch portion 44 branches off from the trunk portion 31. The branch portion 44 includes a portion of the linear transmission members 32A of the plurality of linear transmission members 32 in the trunk portion 31. The portion of the linear transmission members 32A branches off from the other linear transmission members 32 in the trunk portion 31.

[0027] The linear transmission member 32 may be any linear member that transmits electricity or light. The linear transmission member 32 is, for example, an electric wire that transmits electricity or an optical fiber that transmits light. Here, the linear transmission member 32 is described as being an electric wire 32. Each of the multiple electric wires 32 is a coated electric wire. The coated electric wire has a conductor core wire 33 and a coating layer 34 that covers the conductor core wire 33.

[0028] In the trunk portion 31, the extension direction of the multiple electric wires 32 is the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 31. The parallel direction of the multiple electric wires 32 is the width direction of the trunk portion 31. The lamination direction of the electric wires 32 and the base material 35 is the thickness direction of the trunk portion 31. In the trunk portion 31, the dimension in the extension direction and the dimension in the width direction are larger than the dimension in the thickness direction. The width dimension of the trunk portion 31 may be, for example, the same as or larger than the width dimension of the reinforcement body 12. In the trunk portion 31, the position where the branch portion 44 branches along the longitudinal direction is the branching position JP. In the trunk portion 31, the edge on one side along the width direction is the first edge portion 39, and the edge on the other side is the second edge portion 40. In the vehicle 10, a first peripheral member 50 is located on the side of the first edge portion 39 at the branching position JP. The first peripheral member 50 may be a device or a member other than a device.

[0029] The parallel structure of the multiple electric wires 32 is not particularly limited as long as they are arranged flat. For example, the multiple electric wires 32 may be arranged in a scattered state on the main surface of the base material 35. The multiple electric wires 32 may be held in a line or in a stacked line. In each row, adjacent electric wires 32 may be separated from each other as shown in FIG. 3. In each row, adjacent electric wires 32 may be in contact with each other.

[0030] The electric wires 32 may be bundled together and disposed on the main surface of the base material 35. In this case, the electric wires 32 may be divided into a plurality of groups. Specifically, the electric wires 32 are bundled together in groups to form a plurality of bundles. The bundles are arranged along the main surface. This makes it easier to keep the electric wires 32 flat.

[0031] Here, the base material 35 is formed in a sheet shape. The structure for holding the plurality of electric wires 32 in a state arranged flat on the base material 35 is not particularly limited. For example, each of the plurality of electric wires 32 may be fixed to the base material 35 by welding (including ultrasonic welding, heat and pressure welding, hot air welding, high frequency welding, or welding by a solvent), an adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, or the like. In this case, it is easier to keep the plurality of electric wires 32 in a flat state. Also, each of the plurality of electric wires 32 may be fixed to the base material 35 by sewing thread. Also, the plurality of electric wires 32 and the base material 35 may be bound by a binding member wound around the plurality of electric wires 32 and the base material 35. The binding member may be, for example, a cable tie (also called a cable tie) or an adhesive tape.

[0032] Here, a plurality of wiring bodies 36 are stacked to form the trunk section 31. In each wiring body 36, a plurality of electric wires 32 are held by a base material 35. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the number of stacked layers of the wiring body 36 is three, but it may be two or four or more layers. In the trunk section 31, the wiring body 36 may be only one layer without being stacked.

[0033] The base material 35 has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite directions. Here, when the wiring body 36 is not formed into a laminate but exists independently, the multiple electric wires 32 are arranged only on the first surface of the base material 35. No electric wires 32 are arranged on the second surface. The multiple electric wires 32 may be arranged separately on the first surface and the second surface of the base material 35.

[0034] The configuration for maintaining the stacked state of the multiple wiring bodies 36 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. For example, the stacked state of the multiple wiring bodies 36 may be maintained by fixing the side edges of the multiple base materials 35 to each other by welding, adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, etc. Also, for example, the stacked state of the multiple wiring bodies 36 may be maintained by a bundling member wrapped around the multiple wiring bodies 36.

[0035] In the trunk portion 31, the electric wires 32 in the wiring body 36 are fixed to one base material 35, and when the wiring body 36 is not laminated but exists alone, the portions of the electric wires 32 facing the opposite side to the base material 35 are exposed. By laminating a plurality of wiring bodies 36, the electric wires 32 of the wiring body 36 in the intermediate layer are covered by the base material 35 of the wiring body 36 laminated on one side or the other side. Even if the electric wires 32 of the first wiring body are in contact with the base material 35 of the second wiring body, the contact portion is not fixed.

[0036] In the trunk portion 31, the cover 37 is provided on the wiring body 36 of the first layer, which is the surface layer. The cover 37 covers the electric wire 32 from the opposite side to the base material 35. This prevents the electric wire 32 from being exposed on the main surface of the trunk portion 31. Even if the cover 37 is not provided separately from the base material 35, the wiring body 36 of the first layer may be oriented so that the electric wire 32 faces the wiring body 36 of the second layer, thereby preventing the electric wire 32 from being exposed on the main surface of the trunk portion 31 by the base material 35. In the trunk portion 31, the cover 37 may not be provided, and the electric wire 32 of the wiring body 36 of the first layer may be exposed on the main surface of the trunk portion 31. The side edge of the cover 37 may be fixed to the side edge of the base material 35. Even if the electric wire 32 of the wiring body 36 of the first layer is in contact with the cover 37, the contact portion may not be fixed.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the branch wire portion 44 includes a plurality of electric wires 32A. The branch wire portion 44 may be configured to include only one electric wire 32A. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of electric wires 32A in the branch wire portion 44 extend from the same wiring body 36 among the plurality of wiring bodies 36. The plurality of electric wires 32A in the branch wire portion 44 may include an electric wire extending from a first wiring body and an electric wire extending from a second wiring body among the plurality of wiring bodies 36. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electric wire 32A to be the branch wire portion 44 extends on the second edge portion 40 side in the wiring body 36 and extends from the second edge portion 40 without straddling other electric wires 32. The electric wire 32A to be the branch wire portion 44 may extend on the middle portion or the first edge portion 39 side in the wiring body 36 and extend from the second edge portion 40 straddling other electric wires 32.

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the branch line portion 44 is not provided with the base material 35. The branch line portion 44 may also be provided with the base material 35. The electric wire 32A of the branch line portion 44 may be folded back together with the base material 35. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electric wire 32A is not provided with an exterior member in the branch line portion 44. The electric wire 32A may be provided with an exterior member other than the base material 35 in the branch line portion 44. The exterior member may be, for example, an adhesive tape or a tube such as a corrugated tube.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the duct 18 is located above the reinforcement body 12, and the trunk portion 31 is located below the reinforcement body 12. Here, the trunk portion 31 is attached to the bracket 13. The trunk portion 31 may be attached to the reinforcement body 12 instead of the bracket 13. The manner of attachment of the trunk portion 31 and the reinforcement 11 is not particularly limited and can be set appropriately. For example, a clamp provided on the trunk portion 31 may be engaged with an attachment hole formed in the reinforcement 11. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the bracket 13 and the branch position JP are located at different positions from each other along the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 31. The bracket 13 and the branch position JP may be located at the same position from each other along the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 31.

[0040] At the branch position JP, the trunk portion 31 is supported by the bracket 13 in a position in which the width direction of the trunk portion 31 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction (the front-rear direction in this case). In the example shown in Fig. 3, the trunk portion 31 is supported by the bracket 13 in a position in which the width direction of the trunk portion 31 is inclined relative to the vertical direction as well. The first edge portion 39 is located vertically below the second edge portion 40. The first peripheral member 50 is located below the trunk portion 31, and the branch portion 44 extends from the second edge portion 40 to the upper side of the trunk portion 31 and then turns around and faces downward.

[0041] The trunk portion 31 is supported in a position extending straight in the width direction. The second edge portion 40 is supported by the bracket 13 along the width direction of the trunk portion 31, and the first edge portion 39 is a free end and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. Even in this state, the trunk portion 31 has a first rigidity that allows the first edge portion 39 to maintain a position extending straight in the width direction without sagging down. A part of the trunk portion 31 along the width direction may be bent in the thickness direction relative to another part. In a state in which the second edge portion 40 is supported by the bracket 13 and the first edge portion 39 is a free end and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, the trunk portion 31 may have a second rigidity that bends the first edge portion 39 so as to hang down vertically downward. Each wiring body 36 in the trunk portion 31 may have a second rigidity by itself, while the trunk portion 31 in which a plurality of wiring bodies 36 are stacked and integrated may have a first rigidity.

[0042] The reinforcement body 12 is located on the side of the second edge portion 40. The reinforcement body 12 is separated from the trunk portion 31. The branch portion 44 extends from the second edge portion 40 of the trunk portion 31 or from the middle portion along the width direction, and extends toward the first edge portion 39. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk portion 31, a part of the branch portion 44 overlaps with the trunk portion 31. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the branch portion 44 extends from the second edge portion 40 toward the reinforcement body 12. The branch portion 44 extending from the second edge portion 40 is folded back in front of the reinforcement body 12 and heads toward the first edge portion 39. The folded back portion is located on the side of the second edge portion 40.

[0043] A connector C1 is provided at the end of the branch line portion 44. The connector C1 is connected to a mating connector C2. The connector C1 includes a terminal and a connector housing. The terminal is made of a conductor and is connected to an end of the conductor core wire 33. When the connector C1 is connected to the mating connector C2, the terminal is connected to a terminal of the mating connector C2. The connection between the terminal and the electric wire 32 may be by crimping, pressure welding, welding, or the like. The connector housing is made of resin and holds the terminal in a predetermined position and orientation. When the connector C1 is connected to the mating connector C2, the connector housing fits into the housing of the mating connector C2 and guides the connection between the terminal and the terminal of the mating connector C2.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a view seen from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk portion 31. As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk portion 31, the connector C1 is connected to the mating connector C2 at a position where it overlaps with the trunk portion 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the area between two surfaces S1 and S2 that pass through the first edge portion 39 and the second edge portion 40 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk portion 31 is defined as an overlapping area WA. It can be said that the members located in the overlapping area WA are located in a position where they overlap with the trunk portion 31 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk portion 31. It is not necessary that the entire connector C1 is contained in the overlapping area WA. It is sufficient that a part of the connector C1 is in the overlapping area WA, and a part of the connector C1 may protrude from the overlapping area WA.

[0045] Here, the mating connector C2 is provided at an end of a wire harness WH that is different from the flat wire harness 30. The connector C1 is disposed near the first edge 39 along the width direction of the trunk. The length dimension of the branch wire portion 44 from the trunk portion 31 can be shorter when it extends from the first edge 39 than when it extends from the second edge 40. However, since the first peripheral member 50 is located to the side of the first edge 39, the branch wire portion 44 cannot extend from the side of the first edge 39. For this reason, the branch wire portion 44 is configured to extend from the second edge 40.

[0046] 3, the branch line portion 44 extends to face the first main surface 41 of the trunk line portion 31, and the connector C1 is positioned to face the first main surface 41 of the trunk line portion 31. The branch line portion 44 may extend to face the second main surface 42 of the trunk line portion 31, and the connector C1 may be positioned to face the second main surface 42.

[0047] A connector pair CP in which a connector C1 and a mating connector C2 are fitted together is supported by the trunk portion 31. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the connector pair CP is fixed to the trunk portion 31 by an adhesive tape TP. The adhesive tape TP is wrapped around the connector pair CP and the trunk portion 31. However, the support structure of the connector pair CP is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. In addition, the connector pair CP does not have to be supported by the trunk portion 31. A support member that supports the connector pair CP may be provided separately from the trunk portion 31.

[0048] 2, the connector pair CP is supported by the trunk portion 31 in a position where the mating direction of the connector C1 and the mating connector C2 is along the longitudinal direction of the trunk portion 31. The connector pair CP may be supported by the trunk portion 31 in a position where the mating direction is along the width direction of the trunk portion 31. The connector pair CP may be supported by the trunk portion 31 in a position where the mating direction is along a direction intersecting the longitudinal and width directions of the trunk portion 31.

[0049] <Effects, etc.> According to the flat wire harness arrangement structure 20 configured as described above, the branch wire portions 44 extend from the second edge portion 40 or the middle portion along the width direction toward the first edge portion 39, rather than from the first edge portion 39 of the trunk portion 31 where the first peripheral member 50 is located to the side, thereby suppressing interference between the branch wire portions 44 and the first peripheral member 50.

[0050] Furthermore, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the trunk portion 31, the connector C1 is connected to the mating connector C2 at a position where it overlaps with the trunk portion 31. This allows the space on the main surface of the trunk portion 31 to be used as an arrangement space for a connector pair CP in which the connector C1 and the mating connector C2 are fitted together.

[0051] Further, the mating connector C2 is provided at an end of a wire harness WH separate from the flat wire harness 30, and a connector pair CP in which the connector C1 and the mating connector C2 are fitted together is supported by the trunk portion 31. The connector pair CP that is connected wire-to-wire is preferably supported by a support member to prevent it from dangling. Even in this case, since the connector pair CP is supported by the trunk portion 31, it is not necessary to provide a separate support member for supporting the connector pair CP.

[0052] In addition, the branch wire portion 44 extends from the second edge portion 40. This makes it easy to pull out the branch wire portion 44 from the trunk portion 31. In particular, when the trunk portion 31 is a laminate of a plurality of wiring bodies 36, the electric wire 32A that becomes the branch wire portion 44 can be easily pulled out from the wiring body 36 of any layer.

[0053] Furthermore, the trunk portion 31 at the branch position JP is supported by the bracket 13 in a position in which the width direction of the trunk portion 31 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction. This makes it easy to arrange the flat wire harness 30 even when the horizontal dimension of the arrangement space for the trunk portion 31 inside the instrument panel 14 is small.

[0054] [Note] <First Modification> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement structure 120 of a flat wire harness according to a first modified example, as viewed from the same direction as Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4.

[0055] Although the connector C1 has been described so far as being located at a position overlapping the main surface of the trunk portion 31, this is not a required configuration. As in the example shown in Fig. 4, the branch portion 44 may extend across the trunk portion 31 to a position laterally beyond the first edge portion 39, and the connector C1 may be connected to the mating connector C2 laterally beyond the first edge portion 39. This allows the connector C1 to be connected to the side of the first edge portion 39 even when the first peripheral member 50 is located to the side of the first edge portion 39.

[0056] Further, although it has been described so far that branch line portion 44 extends so as to face first main surface 41 of trunk portion 31, this is not a required configuration. As in the example shown in Fig. 5, branch line portion 44 may extend so as to face second main surface 42 of trunk portion 31. Also, as in the example shown in Fig. 5, branch line portion 44 may be disposed so as not to come into contact with the main surface of trunk portion 31.

[0057] Further, although the mating connector C2 to be connected to the connector C1 has been described above as being provided at the end of the wire harness WH, this is not a required configuration. As shown in the example of Fig. 5, the mating connector C2 to be connected to the connector C1 may be provided in a device 52. Such a device 52 is provided separately from the first peripheral member 50. When the first peripheral member 50 is a device, the mating connector C2 may be provided in the first peripheral member 50.

[0058] <Second Modification> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an arrangement structure 220 of a flat wire harness according to a second modified example, as viewed from the same direction as Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6.

[0059] 6, in the vehicle 10, the second peripheral member 54 may be located on the side of the second edge portion 40 at the branch position JP. In this case, the branch line portion 44 may extend from a middle portion along the width direction of the trunk line portion 31. This can also prevent the branch line portion 44 from interfering with the second peripheral member 54 on the side of the second edge portion 40 of the trunk line portion 31. The second peripheral member 54 may be a device or a member other than a device (such as a duct).

[0060] In the case where the branch wire portion 44 extends from a middle portion along the width direction of the trunk wire portion 31 and the trunk wire portion 31 is provided with a cover 37, the branch wire portion 44 can be drawn out by forming a slit in the cover 37 at the branch position JP or by configuring the cover 37 so as not to be partially provided with the cover 37. As an example of a configuration in which the cover 37 is partially not provided, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a through hole 38 for drawing out the branch wire portion 44 may be provided in the cover 37. In addition, for example, a recess may be formed in the cover 37 from the middle portion in the width direction of the trunk wire portion 31 to the second edge portion 40. Also, for example, a first cover may cover one side of the branch position JP along the longitudinal direction of the trunk wire portion 31, and a second cover may cover the other side, and the branch wire portion 44 may be drawn out from between the first cover and the second cover.

[0061] 6, the electric wire 32A of the branch wire portion 44 extends in the longitudinal direction of the trunk wire portion 31 so as to pass through the through hole 38. The electric wire 32A of the branch wire portion 44 may extend in the width direction of the trunk wire portion 31 so as to pass through the through hole 38.

[0062] 7, the electric wire 32A of the branch wire portion 44 is provided in the wiring body 36 of the first layer in the trunk 31. The electric wire 32A of the branch wire portion 44 may be provided in the wiring body 36 of the intermediate layer in the trunk 31. In this case, a hole through which the electric wire 32A of the branch wire portion 44 passes may be formed in the base material 35 of the wiring body 36 on the surface layer of the wiring body 36 of the intermediate layer.

[0063] In addition, although the portion of the trunk portion 31 including the branch position JP has been described so far as not being placed vertically above the reinforcement body 12, this is not a required configuration. The portion of the trunk portion 31 including the branch position JP may be placed vertically above the reinforcement body 12. A part of the trunk portion 31 along the longitudinal direction may be placed vertically above the reinforcement body 12, and another part may be placed not to be placed on the reinforcement body 12. The trunk portion 31 may be arranged so as to twist along the periphery of the reinforcement body 12 from one part along the longitudinal direction to another part. The trunk portion 31 may also be oriented such that the width direction is horizontal.

[0064] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Vehicles 11 Reinforcement 12 Reinforcement body 13 Bracket 14 Instrument Panel 15 Upper Panel 16 Lower Panel 17 Dash Panel 18 Duct 20, 120, 220 arrangement structure 30 Flat Wire Harness 31 Main Line 32, 32A Electric wire (linear transmission component) 33 Conductor core wire 34 Covering layer 35 Base material 36 Wiring body 37 Cover 38 Through hole 39 First edge 40 Second edge 41 First main surface 42 Second main surface 44 Branch line section 50 First peripheral member 52 Equipment 54 Second peripheral member C1 Connector C2 Mating Connector CP Connector Pair JP Branch position TP Adhesive Tape WA overlap area WH Wire harness

Claims

1. A flat wire harness arrangement structure in which a flat wire harness is arranged along a reinforcement in a vehicle, The flat wire harness includes a trunk portion formed flat and extending along a longitudinal direction of the reinforcement, and a branch portion branched from the trunk portion, In the trunk portion, a position where the branch portion branches off along a longitudinal direction is defined as a branching position, and edges on one side and the other side along a width direction are defined as a first edge portion and a second edge portion, In the vehicle, a first peripheral member is located on a side of the first edge at the branching position, the branch line portion extends from the second edge portion or a middle portion along the width direction of the trunk line portion and extends toward the first edge portion, An arrangement structure of a flat wire harness, wherein a portion of the branch wire portion overlaps with the trunk wire portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the trunk wire portion.

2. The arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to claim 1, A connector is provided at an end of the branch line, An arrangement structure of a flat wire harness, in which the connector is connected to a mating connector at a position where it overlaps the trunk portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the trunk portion.

3. The arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to claim 2, The mating connector is provided at an end of a wire harness other than the flat wire harness, A connector pair in which the connector and the mating connector are fitted together is supported on the trunk portion.

4. The arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to claim 1, A connector is provided at an end of the branch line, the branch portion crosses the trunk portion and extends laterally beyond the first edge portion, The connector is connected to a mating connector laterally of the first edge portion, in a flat wire harness arrangement structure.

5. The arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An arrangement structure of a flat wire harness, wherein the branch portion extends from the second edge portion.

6. The arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 4, In the vehicle, a second peripheral member is located on a side of the second edge at the branching position, The branch wire portion extends from the intermediate portion of the trunk wire portion along the width direction of the trunk wire portion.

7. The arrangement structure of the flat wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The reinforcement extends in a left-right direction of the vehicle inside an instrument panel of the vehicle, The reinforcement is provided with a bracket protruding laterally from the reinforcement, The main portion at the branching position is supported by the bracket in such a manner that the width direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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