Cable

Abstract

To provide a cable capable of achieving both proper fixing of wires such as a plurality of electric wires and reduction of manufacturing cost and weight.SOLUTION: A cable 2 including a plurality of wires 10 includes a wire group 1 having a plurality of wires 10 arranged so as to be aligned in an arrangement direction intersecting an axial direction of the cable 2, and a first bundling body 20 arranged at a plurality of locations of the cable 2 in the axial direction and bundling the plurality of wires 10, and a second bundling body 30 arranged at a plurality of locations of the cable 2 in the axial direction and bundling the plurality of wire groups 1 in a state in which the plurality of wire groups 1 are arranged so as to be stacked in a thickness direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the arrangement direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable comprising multiple wire groups. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, flat cables have been proposed in which a plurality of electric wires arranged in a planar shape are integrated by covering them with a resin, etc. For example, in one conventional flat cable, the plurality of electric wires are sandwiched between a pair of resin films coated with an adhesive, and then the films are heated and pressed together to integrate the plurality of electric wires (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-115346 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional flat cable described above, the multiple electric wires are entirely covered with a resin film and an adhesive, which has the advantage of firmly fixing the multiple electric wires, but the disadvantage is that the use of a resin film and an adhesive for fixing increases manufacturing costs and weight. In other words, with conventional flat cables, it has been difficult to achieve both proper fixing of the multiple electric wires and reductions in manufacturing costs and weight.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cable that can properly fix a plurality of wires such as electric wires while reducing manufacturing costs, weight, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cable according to the present invention has the following features.

[0007] A cable comprising a plurality of wire groups, Each of the plurality of wire groups includes: The cable has a plurality of wires arranged in an arrangement direction intersecting the axial direction of the cable, and a first binder arranged at a plurality of locations on the cable in the axial direction to bundle the plurality of wires, The cable in question is: and a second binder disposed at a plurality of locations on the cable in the axial direction to bundle the plurality of wire groups, with the plurality of wire groups being stacked in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction. It's a cable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the cable of the present invention, multiple wires (e.g., electric wires) are arranged in a line in the arrangement direction, and first binders (e.g., strings) arranged at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable bundle the wires. Furthermore, multiple wire groups formed by bundling wires in this manner are arranged stacked in the thickness direction, and second binders (e.g., strings) arranged at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable bundle the wires. By distributing the first binders and second binders at multiple locations, the cable's manufacturing cost and weight can be reduced compared to conventional flat cables in which the entire wire is covered with a resin film or the like. Furthermore, by bundling multiple wires with the first binder to form a wire group and then bundling such multiple wire groups with the second binder, the multiple wires can be properly bundled. Therefore, the cable of the present invention can achieve both proper fixing of multiple wires and reduced manufacturing cost and weight.

[0009] Furthermore, as another effect, the cable of the present invention does not require large-scale manufacturing equipment as compared with conventional flat cables, and therefore has excellent productivity and a small environmental impact.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in the first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in the second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in the third modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in the fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> A cable 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the cable 2 is a laminated flat cable formed by laminating wire groups 1, which are so-called flat cables each composed of a plurality of electric wires 10 arranged in a planar shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the plurality of electric wires 10 is composed of a rod-shaped conductor core wire 11 and a cylindrical resin insulating coating 12 that covers the outer periphery of the conductor core wire 11. In this example, the electric wire 10 is exemplified as the "wire" used in each of the plurality of wire groups 1 that constitute the cable 2. The "wire" may be, for example, an electric wire such as a twisted wire or a shielded wire, a communication cable, a hose, or a wire cable. Furthermore, the "wire" may be provided with an outer tube, a protector, a tape, or other components.

[0013] In each wire group 1, the multiple electric wires 10 arranged in a plane are bundled at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable 2 (corresponding to the front-to-back direction in Figure 1; hereinafter referred to as the "axial direction") by first binders 20 so that they are lined up in a row in an arrangement direction (corresponding to the left-to-right direction in Figures 1 and 2; hereinafter referred to as the "arrangement direction") that intersects with the axial direction of the cable 2. Note that the electric wires 10 may be enameled wires that do not have a resin insulating coating 12. For ease of explanation, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and arrangement direction of the cable 2 will be referred to as the "thickness direction" (corresponding to the up-down direction in Figures 1 and 2), one side of the thickness direction will be referred to as the "upper" side, and the other side of the thickness direction will be referred to as the "lower" side.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first bundling body 20 is specifically composed of an upper thread 21 that contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper sides of the plurality of electric wires 10 aligned in the arrangement direction, and a lower thread 22 that contacts the outer peripheral surfaces of the lower sides of the plurality of electric wires 10 aligned in the arrangement direction. The upper thread 21 and the lower thread 22 are independent threads (separate threads). The first bundling body 20 bundles the plurality of electric wires 10 in a so-called machine stitching manner that can be performed using a "sewing machine device of a general configuration that uses an upper thread and a lower thread." The upper thread 21 and the lower thread 22 are preferably the same type of thread, but may be different types of thread.

[0015] 3, the upper thread 21 extends over the entire area in the arrangement direction of the plurality of electric wires 10 such that, for example, wire covering portions 21a curved convexly upward along the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper sides of the electric wires 10 and engaging portions 21b curved convexly downward and located between adjacent electric wires 10 are alternately continuous along the arrangement direction. The lower thread 22 extends over the entire area in the arrangement direction of the plurality of electric wires 10 such that, for example, wire covering portions 22a curved convexly downward along the outer peripheral surfaces of the lower sides of the electric wires 10 and engaging portions 22b curved convexly upward and located between adjacent electric wires 10 are alternately continuous along the arrangement direction. Then, at each of a plurality of locations corresponding to the spaces between adjacent electric wires 10 in the arrangement direction, the engaging portions 21b of the upper thread 21 and the engaging portions 22b of the lower thread 22 engage with each other in a pulling manner in the thickness direction, whereby the first binding body 20 bundles the plurality of electric wires 10 so as to be aligned in a line in the arrangement direction. 3, the position where the engaging portion 21b and the engaging portion 22b engage with each other may vary in the thickness direction in Fig. 3 depending on the magnitude relationship between the tension applied to the upper thread 21 and the tension applied to the lower thread 22. As a result, the position where the engaging portion 21b and the engaging portion 22b engage with each other is not necessarily between adjacent electric wires 10, and may be located above or below the electric wire 10.

[0016] The type, material, thickness, color, stretch rate, and tensile strength characteristics of the upper thread 21 and the lower thread 22 are not particularly limited, as long as they are selected so as to be suitable for fastening the electric wires 10. Furthermore, the upper thread 21 and the lower thread 22 may have the same characteristics or different characteristics. Because the first bundling body 20 bundles the plurality of electric wires 10 in this manner, in this example, the wire group 1 does not have a resin coating that covers the entire plurality of electric wires 10 at once, as in conventional flat cables.

[0017] At each of the ends of the first bundle 20 in the arrangement direction, the end 21c of the upper thread 21 and the end 22c of the lower thread 22 are fixed to each other so as not to separate, as shown in FIG. 4. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the end 21c of the upper thread 21 and the end 22c of the lower thread 22 are tied together and fixed to each other so as not to separate. The end 21c of the upper thread 21 and the end 22c of the lower thread 22 may be fixed to each other so as not to separate using a fastener (not shown), or may be fixed to each other so as not to separate by welding or adhesive. In this way, the upper thread 21 and the lower thread 22 are fixed to each other at the ends in the arrangement direction so as not to separate, making it easy to fix the upper thread 21 and the lower thread 22 from outside the wire group 1.

[0018] 2 and 3, the upper thread 21 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the electric wire 10 and the lower thread 22 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the electric wire 10 are different filament-like bodies. In contrast, the upper thread 21 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the electric wire 10 and the lower thread 22 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the electric wire 10 may be the same filament-like body, as long as the engaging portion 21b of the upper thread 21 and the engaging portion 22b of the lower thread 22 are engaged with each other so as to attract each other in the thickness direction. In other words, the bundle may bundle multiple electric wires in the form of a single-thread type "sewing machine stitch."

[0019] 1 and 2, in cable 2, a laminate of wire groups 1, in which a plurality of wire groups 1 having the above-described structure are stacked in the thickness direction, is bundled at each of a plurality of locations in the axial direction by second binders 30. In the example shown in FIG. 2, second binder 30 is composed of a single filament. Second binder 30 is wound around the outer periphery of the laminate of wire groups 1 at least once, and is disposed so as to surround the laminate of wire groups 1 as a whole, thereby bundling the laminate of wire groups 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, both ends 30a of the filaments constituting the second bundle 30 are tied together to prevent separation. The both ends 30a of the filaments constituting the second bundle 30 may be secured to prevent separation by fasteners, or by welding or adhesive. In the example shown in FIG. 1, in the cable 2, the first bundles 20 bundling each wire group 1 and the second bundles 30 bundling the stack of wire groups 1 are arranged alternately in the axial direction. By distributing the first bundles 20 and the second bundles 30 at multiple locations in the axial direction in this manner, the cable 2 does not have a resin coating that covers the entire stack of wire groups 1.

[0021] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the cable 2 of this embodiment, multiple wires (e.g., electric wires 10, etc.) are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction, and first binders 20 (e.g., threads) arranged at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable 2 bundle the wires 10. Furthermore, multiple wire groups 1 formed by bundling the wires 10 in this manner are arranged stacked in the thickness direction, and second binders 30 (e.g., threads) arranged at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable 2 bundle the wires 1. By distributing the first binders 20 and the second binders 30 at multiple locations, the manufacturing cost and weight of the cable 2 can be reduced compared to conventional flat cables in which the entire wires 10 are covered with a resin film or the like. Furthermore, by bundling each wire group 1 with a first binder 20 and then bundling multiple wire groups 1 with a second binder 30, the multiple wires 10 can be properly bundled. Therefore, the cable 2 of this embodiment can achieve both proper fixing of the multiple wires 10 and reduced manufacturing cost and weight.

[0022] Furthermore, in the cable 2 according to this embodiment, the first binder 20 includes a first binder member (upper thread) 21 that contacts a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the wires 10 and a second binder member (lower thread) 22 that contacts another portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the wires 10. The first binder member 21 and the second binder member 22 engage with each other in a mutually attracting manner in the thickness direction of the cable 2, thereby bundling the wires 10. In other words, the first binder 20 bundles the wires 10 in a so-called "sewing" fashion. This allows the wires 10 to be properly bundled without providing a resin coating that completely covers the wires 10, as in conventional flat cables. Furthermore, such a first binder 20 is generally less expensive and lighter in weight than the resin films and adhesives used in the above-described conventional flat cables.

[0023] Furthermore, with the cable 2 according to this embodiment, when the first bundling member 21 and the second bundling member 22 are independent filaments, a sewing machine with a general configuration of a so-called two-thread type (using an upper thread and a lower thread) can be used to bundle multiple wires 10. When the first bundling member 21 and the second bundling member 22 are configured from one part and the other part of a common filament, a sewing machine with a single thread can be used to bundle multiple wires 10.

[0024] Furthermore, in the cable 2 according to this embodiment, the second binder 30 bundles the plurality of wire groups 1 so as to collectively surround the plurality of wire groups 1. This makes it easy to bundle the plurality of wire groups 1.

[0025] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0026] For example, in the above embodiment, the second binding body 30 is composed of a single filament (see Figure 2). In contrast, as in the first modified example shown in Figure 5, the second binding body 30 may be composed of an upper thread (third binding member) 31 and a lower thread (fourth binding member) 32, similar to the first binding body 20 in the above embodiment (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0027] In the first modified example shown in FIG. 5, the stack of wire groups 1 is arranged such that the stacking direction of the wire groups 1 coincides with the arrangement direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5) (i.e., the arrangement direction of the multiple electric wires 10 constituting each wire group 1 coincides with the thickness direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 5)). The second bundle 30 is composed of an upper thread 31 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the multiple wire groups 1 arranged in the arrangement direction, and a lower thread 32 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the multiple wire groups 1 arranged in the arrangement direction. The upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32 are independent threads (separate threads). This second bundle 30 bundles the stack of wire groups 1 in a so-called machine stitching manner that can be performed using a "sewing machine device of a general configuration using an upper thread and a lower thread." The upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32 are preferably the same type of thread, but may be different types of threads.

[0028] 5 , the upper thread 31 extends over the entire area in the arrangement direction of the wire groups 1, such that, for example, wire covering portions 31a curved convexly upward along the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the wire group 1 and engaging portions 31b curved convexly downward and located between adjacent wire groups 1 are alternately continuous along the arrangement direction. The lower thread 32 extends over the entire area in the arrangement direction of the wire groups 1, such that, for example, wire covering portions 32a curved convexly downward along the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the wire group 1 and engaging portions 32b curved convexly upward and located between adjacent wire groups 1 are alternately continuous along the arrangement direction. The engaging portions 31b of the upper thread 31 and the engaging portions 32b of the lower thread 32 engage with each other in the thickness direction at each of a plurality of locations corresponding to the spaces between adjacent wire groups 1 in the arrangement direction, thereby causing the second bundling body 30 to bundle the wire groups 1 so that they are aligned in a line in the arrangement direction. 5, depending on the magnitude relationship between the tensions applied to the upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32. As a result, the position where the engaging portions 31b and 32b engage with each other is not necessarily between adjacent wire groups 1, and may be located above or below the wire group 1.

[0029] There are no particular limitations on the type, material, thickness, color, stretch rate, and tensile strength of the upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32, as long as they are selected to be suitable for fixing the wire group 1. Furthermore, the upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32 may have the same characteristics or different characteristics.

[0030] At each of the two ends of the second binding body 30 in the arrangement direction, the end 31c of the upper thread 31 and the end 32c of the lower thread 32 are fixed to each other so as not to separate, as shown in FIG. 5. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the end 31c of the upper thread 31 and the end 32c of the lower thread 32 are tied together and fixed to each other so as not to separate. The end 31c of the upper thread 31 and the end 32c of the lower thread 32 may be fixed to each other so as not to separate using a fastener (not shown), or may be fixed to each other so as not to separate by welding or adhesive. In this way, the upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32 are fixed to each other so as not to separate at the ends in the arrangement direction, making it easy to fix the upper thread 31 and the lower thread 32 from outside the cable 2.

[0031] In the second bundle 30 according to the first modified example shown in Fig. 5, the upper thread 31 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the wire group 1 and the lower thread 32 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the wire group 1 are different filament-like bodies. However, as long as the engaging portion 31b of the upper thread 31 and the engaging portion 32b of the lower thread 32 are engaged with each other so as to attract each other in the thickness direction, the upper thread 31 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper side of the wire group 1 and the lower thread 32 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lower side of the wire group 1 may be the same filament-like body. In other words, the bundle may bundle multiple electric wires in the form of a single-thread "machine stitching."

[0032] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a laminate of wire groups 1, in which multiple wire groups 1 are stacked in the thickness direction, is bundled by the second binder 30. In other words, each of the multiple layers constituting the laminate bundled by the second binder 30 is composed of multiple electric wires 10 bundled by the first binder 20 so as to be aligned in the arrangement direction. In contrast, as in a second modified example shown in FIG. 6 , in the laminate bundled by the second binder 30, multiple unbound electric wires 10A that are not bundled by the first binder 20 may be arranged so as to be aligned in the arrangement direction so as to be sandwiched between one (top layer) wire group 1 and another (bottom layer) wire group 1 in the thickness direction. In this way, by sandwiching the multiple unbundled electric wires 10A between a pair of bundled wire groups 1, the shape of the cable 2 can be properly maintained even when the cable 2 has multiple unbundled electric wires 10A.

[0033] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each of the multiple wire groups 1 included in the laminate bundled by the second binder 30 is composed of multiple electric wires 10 bundled by a first binder 20 composed of an upper thread 21 and a lower thread 22. In contrast, as in a third modified example shown in FIG. 7 , the laminate bundled by the second binder 30 may include a wire group 1 in which multiple electric wires 10 are bundled by a first binder 20 composed of a fastening portion 23, and a wire group 1 in which multiple electric wires 10 are bundled by a first binder 20 composed of a sheet-like member 24. The fastening portion 23 fastens the multiple electric wires 10 to bundle the multiple electric wires 10 so that they are aligned in a line in the arrangement direction, and is specifically formed by a resin molded body such as an insert molding, an adhesive, or the like. The sheet-like member 24 fastens the multiple electric wires 10 to one surface thereof by gluing, welding, or the like, thereby bundling the multiple electric wires 10 so that they are aligned in a line in the arrangement direction. In the third modified example shown in Figure 7, multiple electric wires 10A that are not bundled in the first binding body 20 are arranged side by side in the arrangement direction so as to be sandwiched between a (top layer) wire group 1 in which multiple electric wires 10 are bundled by a fixing portion 23 and a (bottom layer) wire group 1 in which multiple electric wires 10 are bundled by a sheet-like member 24.

[0034] Furthermore, as in a fourth modification shown in FIG. 8 , a plate-shaped conductor 25 may be disposed in a laminate bundled by a second binder 30 so as to be sandwiched between one wire group 1 and another wire group 1 in the thickness direction. Specifically, the conductor 25 is made of a metal foil or the like and functions as a shielding layer for blocking electromagnetic noise. In the fourth modification shown in FIG. 8 , the conductor 25 is disposed between the (top layer) wire group 1 in which a plurality of electric wires 10 are bundled by an upper thread 21 and a lower thread 22 and the (bottom layer) wire group 1 in which a plurality of electric wires 10 are bundled by a sheet-like member 24. Furthermore, the conductor 25 is also disposed at the top end (above the top layer wire group 1) of the laminate bundled by the second binder 30. A drain wire 26 is provided along one surface of the conductor 25 located between the top layer wire group 1 and the bottom layer wire group 1. This ensures the conductor 25's function as a shielding layer. In addition to the above, a ground wire or the like may be provided.

[0035] Here, the features of the embodiment of the cable 2 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [8].

[0036] [1] A cable (2) comprising a plurality of wire groups (1), Each of the plurality of wire groups (1) The cable (2) includes a plurality of wires (10) arranged in an arrangement direction intersecting the axial direction of the cable (2), and first binders (20) arranged at a plurality of locations on the cable (2) in the axial direction to bundle the plurality of wires (10), The cable (2) is and second binders (30) arranged at a plurality of locations on the cable (2) in the axial direction to bundle the plurality of wire groups (1) in a state in which the plurality of wire groups (1) are stacked in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction. Cable(2).

[0037] According to the cable having the configuration [1] above, multiple wires (e.g., electric wires) are arranged in a line in the arrangement direction, and first binders (e.g., strings) arranged at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable bundle the wires. Furthermore, multiple wire groups formed by bundling wires in this manner are arranged stacked in the thickness direction, and second binders (e.g., strings) arranged at multiple locations in the axial direction of the cable bundle the wires. By distributing the first binders and second binders at multiple locations, the manufacturing cost and weight of the cable can be reduced compared to conventional flat cables in which the entire wire is covered with a resin film or the like. Furthermore, by bundling multiple wires with the first binder to form a wire group and then bundling such multiple wire groups with the second binder, the multiple wires can be properly bundled. Therefore, the cable of the present invention can achieve both proper fixing of multiple wires and reduced manufacturing cost and weight.

[0038] Furthermore, as another effect, the cable of the present invention does not require large-scale manufacturing equipment as compared with conventional flat cables, and therefore has excellent productivity and a small environmental impact.

[0039] [2] In the cable (2) described in [1] above, The first binding body (20) is The wire bundling device is configured to include a first bundling member (21) that contacts a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of wires (10) and a second bundling member (22) that contacts another portion of the outer circumferential surface, and the first bundling member (21) and the second bundling member (22) engage with each other so as to attract each other in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction, thereby bundling the plurality of wires (10). Cable(2).

[0040] According to the cable of the above-mentioned configuration [2], the first binder has a first binder member that contacts a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of wires and a second binder member that contacts another portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of wires. The first binder member and the second binder member engage with each other in a mutually attracting manner in the thickness direction of the cable, thereby bundling the plurality of wires. In other words, the first binder bundles the plurality of wires in a so-called "sewing" manner. This allows the plurality of wires to be properly bundled without the need for a resin coating that completely covers the wires, as in conventional flat cables. Furthermore, such a first binder is generally less expensive and lighter in weight than the resin film and adhesive used in the above-mentioned conventional flat cables.

[0041] [3] In the cable (2) described in [2] above, The first binding member (21) and the second binding member (22) are formed from independent filaments, or from a part and another part of a common filament. Cable(2).

[0042] According to the cable of the configuration [3] above, when the first bundling member and the second bundling member are independent filaments, a commonly used two-thread type (using an upper thread and a lower thread) sewing machine can be used to bundle multiple wires. When the first bundling member and the second bundling member are formed from one part and the other part of a common filament, a single-thread type sewing machine can be used to bundle multiple wires.

[0043] [4] The cable (2) according to the above [1], The second binding body (30) is The wire bundle is configured to be arranged so as to collectively surround the plurality of wire groups (1) arranged in a stacked manner, and to bundle the plurality of wire groups (1). Cable(2).

[0044] According to the cable having the configuration [4] above, the second binder surrounds and bundles the plurality of wire groups together, which makes it easy to bundle the plurality of wire groups.

[0045] [5] The cable (2) according to the above [1], The second binding body (30) is The wire bundling device includes a third bundling member (31) that contacts a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of wire groups (1) and a fourth bundling member (32) that contacts another portion of the outer circumferential surface, and the third bundling member (31) and the fourth bundling member (32) are configured to engage with each other so as to attract each other in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction, thereby bundling the plurality of wire groups (1). Cable(2).

[0046] According to the cable of the configuration [5] above, the second binder includes a third binder member that contacts a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the wire groups, and a fourth binder member that contacts another portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the wire groups. The third binder member and the fourth binder member engage with each other in a pulling manner in the thickness direction of the cable, thereby bundling the wire groups. In other words, the second binder bundles the wire groups in a so-called "sewing" fashion. This allows the wires to be properly bundled without the need for a resin coating that completely covers the wires, as in conventional flat cables. Furthermore, such a binder is generally less expensive and lighter in weight than the resin films and adhesives used in the above-mentioned conventional flat cables.

[0047] [6] The cable (2) according to the above [1], The wire bundle further includes a plurality of unbound wires (10A) that are arranged so as to be sandwiched between one of the wire groups (1) and another of the wire groups (1) in the thickness direction and that are not bound to the first bundling body (20). Cable(2).

[0048] According to the cable having the configuration [6] above, the plurality of wires that are not bundled in the first binder are arranged so as to be sandwiched between one group of wires and another group of wires in the thickness direction. This allows the plurality of unbundled wires to be sandwiched between a pair of bundled groups of wires, thereby making it possible to properly maintain the shape of the cable even when the cable has a plurality of unbundled wires.

[0049] [7] In the cable (2) described in [1] above, The first binding body (20) is The wires (10) are fixed to each other by fastening portions (23, 24) configured to fasten and bundle the wires (10). Cable(2).

[0050] According to the cable of the configuration [7] above, the first binder has a fixing portion that bundles multiple wires. This allows multiple wires to be properly bundled and fixed without the need to provide a resin film or the like to cover the entire wires, as in conventional flat cables. Furthermore, by distributing the fixing portions at multiple locations, the manufacturing cost and weight of the cable can be reduced compared to conventional flat cables in which the entire wires are covered with a resin film or the like.

[0051] [8] The cable (2) according to the above [1], The wire bundle further includes an attachment member (25) arranged along the plurality of wire groups (1) and bundled together with the plurality of wire groups (1) by the second bundling body (30). Cable(2).

[0052] According to the cable having the configuration [8] above, a plate-shaped conductor (such as a shielding layer for blocking electromagnetic noise) is arranged so as to be sandwiched between one group of wires and another group of wires, thereby improving the functionality of the cable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 group of wires 2 Cables 10 Electrical Wires 10A wire 20 1st bundle 21 Upper thread (first binding member) 22 Lower thread (second binding member) 23 Fixation part 24 Sheet-like member (fixing part) 25 Conductors (accessories) 30 Second bundle 31 Upper thread (third binding member) 32 Lower thread (fourth binding member)

Claims

1. A cable comprising a plurality of wire groups, Each of the plurality of wire groups includes: The cable has a plurality of wires arranged in an arrangement direction intersecting the axial direction of the cable, and a first binder arranged at a plurality of locations on the cable in the axial direction to bundle the plurality of wires, The cable in question is: and a second binder disposed at a plurality of locations on the cable in the axial direction to bundle the plurality of wire groups, with the plurality of wire groups being stacked in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction. cable.

2. 2. The cable of claim 1, The first binding body is The wire bundling device is configured to have a first bundling member that contacts a part of the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of wires and a second bundling member that contacts another part of the outer circumferential surface, and the first bundling member and the second bundling member engage with each other so as to attract each other in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction, thereby bundling the plurality of wires. cable.

3. 3. The cable according to claim 2, The first binding member and the second binding member are formed from independent filaments, or are formed from a part and another part of a common filament. cable.

4. 10. The cable of claim 1, The second binding body is The wire bundle is configured to be arranged so as to collectively surround the plurality of wire groups arranged in a stacked manner, and to bundle the plurality of wire groups. cable.

5. 10. The cable of claim 1, The second binding body is a third bundling member contacting a portion of the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of wire groups, and a fourth bundling member contacting another portion of the outer circumferential surface, and the third bundling member and the fourth bundling member are configured to engage with each other so as to attract each other in a thickness direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the arrangement direction, thereby bundling the plurality of wire groups. cable.

6. 10. The cable of claim 1, The wire bundle further includes a plurality of unbound wires that are arranged so as to be sandwiched between one of the wire groups and another of the wire groups in the thickness direction and that are not bound to the first bundle. cable.

7. 2. The cable of claim 1, The first binding body is a fastening portion configured to fasten and bundle the plurality of wires; cable.

8. 10. The cable of claim 1, The wire bundle further includes an attachment member arranged along the plurality of wire groups and bundled together with the plurality of wire groups by the second bundling body. cable.

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