Flat cable material

Abstract

To be flexible in adapting to circuit configurations. [Solution] The device comprises a plurality of pieces 10 arranged according to a power distribution route, and a connecting sheet member 40 provided between two adjacent pieces 10. Each piece 10 is of at least one type, comprising a base sheet member 20 molded into a flat plate shape from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material, and at least one conductive member 30 joined to one plane of the base sheet member 20. The conductive member 30 has one end and the other end protruding from the peripheral edge of the base sheet member 20. The connecting sheet member 40 is molded to fill the gap between the respective base sheet members 20 between two adjacent pieces 10, and has at least one connecting groove 40a into which the ends of the conductive members 30 of the two adjacent pieces 10 can be fitted and electrically connected to each other in the groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to flat cable materials.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a cable material for connecting between electrical devices, etc., a cable bundle in which a plurality of electric wires are bundled is known. However, even if a plurality of electric wires are laid flat, the cable bundle has thickness and weight. Furthermore, the cable bundle gets entangled during transportation, resulting in the need for untangling work, or cable laying work while restoring a deformed path to its original shape, so it cannot be said to have excellent assembly workability. A flat cable material is a cable material that can improve all of these, and a flexible printed circuit board is known as a representative example thereof (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, a flexible printed circuit board includes various films (base film and cover film) formed flat with flexibility as an insulating coating, and a circuit pattern such as a copper foil is formed on at least one of these various films (base film). However, a flexible printed circuit board is a dedicated product for each circuit pattern and cannot respond flexibly to circuit changes.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a flat cable material that can flexibly respond to circuit configurations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The flat cable routing material according to the present invention comprises a plurality of pieces arranged according to a power distribution path, and a connecting sheet member provided between two adjacent pieces, wherein at least one type of piece is used, each piece comprising a base sheet member molded into a flat plate shape from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material, and at least one conductive member joined to one plane of the base sheet member, wherein one end and the other end of the conductive member protrude from the peripheral edge of the base sheet member, and the connecting sheet member is molded to fill the gap between each of the base sheet members between two adjacent pieces, and has at least one connecting groove into which the ends of the conductive members of the two adjacent pieces can be fitted and electrically connected to each other in the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The flat cable routing material according to the present invention can create a variety of circuit configurations to accommodate various power distribution routes by changing the combination and arrangement of multiple pieces. Furthermore, the flat cable routing material according to the present invention can create an even greater variety of circuit configurations to accommodate various power distribution routes by changing the combination of intermediate connectors (connecting sheet members, connecting conductors). In other words, the flat cable routing material according to the present invention can flexibly adapt to circuit configurations corresponding to various power distribution routes. Moreover, since the ends of the conductive members are fitted into the connecting grooves of the connecting sheet member, misalignment between the two pieces sandwiching the connecting sheet member can be suppressed. Therefore, the flat cable routing material according to the present invention can suppress misconnections between conductive members between two adjacent pieces. Consequently, the flat cable routing material according to the present invention can accurately and flexibly produce circuit configurations that suppress misconnections. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of a flat cable guide (before the cover sheet member is assembled) according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing an example of a flat cable guide (after the cover sheet member has been assembled) according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a connecting sheet member and a connecting conductor. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connecting sheet member and a connecting conductor. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of the first piece. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view showing an example of the second piece. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of the third piece. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing an example of the fourth piece. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a plan view showing another example of the flat cable guide material (before the cover sheet member is assembled) of the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view showing another example of the flat cable guide (after the cover sheet member has been assembled) of the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a connecting sheet member and connecting conductor. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a connecting sheet member and connecting conductor. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram comparing the thickness of the pieces with that of wiring materials made of electric wires. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a plan view showing another example of the flat cable guide (after the cover sheet member has been assembled) of the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing another example of a connecting sheet member and connecting conductor. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a connecting sheet member and connecting conductor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment of the flat cable guide according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the flat wire harness according to the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 16.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 4 indicates the flat wire harness of this embodiment. This flat wire harness 1 includes a plurality of pieces 10 arranged according to the power distribution path.

[0012] The piece 10 includes a base sheet member 20 formed in a flat plate shape and at least one conductive member 30 joined to one plane of the base sheet member 20 (FIGS. 1 to 4). In the flat wire harness 1, at least one type of piece 10 is used.

[0013] The base sheet member 20 is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material, for example, in a rectangular flat plate shape. The conductive member 30 projects the one end portion and the other end portion from the peripheral edge portion of the base sheet member 20, respectively. Therefore, the conductive member 30 is formed of a metal material, such as copper or a copper alloy, in a linear flat plate shape.

[0014] In the flat wire harness 1, adjacent ones of the plurality of pieces 10 are electrically connected to each other. That is, the two adjacent pieces 10 electrically connect the end portions of the conductive member 30 in one piece 10 and the conductive member 30 in the other piece 10. For example, the base sheet member 20 of a certain piece 10 is provided adjacent to the base sheet member 20 of the adjacent piece 10. In the two adjacent pieces 10, the end portion of the conductive member 30 protruding from the peripheral edge portion of the base sheet member 20 in one piece 10 and the end portion of the conductive member 30 protruding from the peripheral edge portion of the base sheet member 20 in the other piece 10 are electrically connected. The flat wire harness 1 includes a connection sheet member 40 provided between two adjacent pieces 10 in order to electrically connect the end portions of the respective conductive members 30 to each other (FIGS. 1 to 4).

[0015] The connecting sheet member 40 is molded into a flat plate shape from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material. For example, this connecting sheet member 40 is molded into a rectangular flat plate shape from the same synthetic resin material as the base sheet member 20. This connecting sheet member 40 is molded to fill the gap between the respective base sheet members 20 between two adjacent pieces 10, and electrically connects the ends of the respective conductive members 30 of the two adjacent pieces 10 at that position. Therefore, this connecting sheet member 40 has at least one connecting groove 40a into which the ends of the respective conductive members 30 of the two adjacent pieces 10 can be fitted and electrically connected to each other in the groove (Figures 3 and 4).

[0016] In this connecting sheet member 40, the ends of the conductive members 30 of two adjacent pieces 10 may be butted together in the groove of the connecting groove 40a, and these ends may be physically and electrically connected by laser welding or the like, as described later (not shown). Alternatively, in this connecting sheet member 40, another conductive member (hereinafter referred to as "connecting conductor") 50 may be interposed in the groove of the connecting groove 40a between the ends of the conductive members 30 of two adjacent pieces 10, and these ends may be electrically connected by physically and electrically connecting them to the connecting conductor 50 by laser welding or the like, as described later (Figures 3 and 4).

[0017] Specifically, the connecting sheet member 40 is provided with multiple connecting grooves 40a. In this connecting sheet member 40, by using the presence or absence of connecting conductors 50 in the connecting grooves 40a, it is possible to electrically connect the ends of the conductive members 30 in all connecting grooves 40a, or to mix connecting grooves 40a that electrically connect the ends of the conductive members 30 with connecting grooves 40a that do not electrically connect the ends of the conductive members 30. Therefore, among the multiple connecting grooves 40a, in the groove into which the ends of the conductive members 30 of two adjacent pieces 10 are fitted as targets for electrical connection between them, a connecting conductor 50 is installed to physically and electrically connect the ends of the respective conductive members 30 (Figures 3 and 4).

[0018] For example, in this embodiment, the connecting groove 40a is formed in a straight line shape that spans between two adjacent pieces 10 (Figures 3 and 4). The flat cable member 1 includes a connecting conductor 50 (hereinafter referred to as "first connecting conductor 51") which is formed in a straight line shape along the connecting groove 40a (Figures 3 and 4). Here, the connecting groove 40a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped space shape, and the first connecting conductor 51 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape that fits into the bottom of the connecting groove 40a.

[0019] The flat cable guide 1 is molded into a flat plate shape that spans multiple arranged pieces 10, and includes a cover sheet member 60 that covers the conductive members 30 provided by these pieces from the opposite side from the base sheet member 20 and the connecting sheet member 40 (Figure 2). This cover sheet member 60 is molded from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material. For example, this cover sheet member 60 is molded from the same synthetic resin material as the base sheet member 20. In the flat cable guide 1, all pieces 10 may be covered with a single cover sheet member 60. Alternatively, in the flat cable guide 1, all pieces 10 may be divided into multiple sections, and a cover sheet member 60 may be provided for each of these divided sections of arranged pieces 10.

[0020] This flat cable material 1 is manufactured by a manufacturing method comprising: a piece manufacturing process for manufacturing the pieces 10; an intermediate connector manufacturing process for manufacturing an intermediate connector consisting of a connecting sheet member 40 and a connecting conductor 50; a connection process for connecting a plurality of pieces 10 arranged according to the power distribution route to the intermediate connector; and a cover assembly process for assembling a cover sheet member 60.

[0021] In the piece manufacturing process, a base sheet member 20 is placed, at least one conductive member 30 is placed on one plane of the base sheet member 20, and the one plane of the base sheet member 20 and the conductive member 30 are joined to manufacture at least one type of piece 10. For example, in this piece manufacturing process, laser light is irradiated from a laser irradiation device to join the conductive member 30 to one plane of the base sheet member 20. Alternatively, in this piece manufacturing process, the one plane of the base sheet member 20 and the conductive member 30 may be joined using an adhesive or other technique well known in the art.

[0022] In the intermediate connector manufacturing process, a connecting sheet member 40 is installed, and a connecting conductor 50 is placed at the bottom of the connecting groove 40a of the connecting sheet member 40. In this intermediate connector manufacturing process, the connecting conductor 50 is placed in the connecting groove 40a, which electrically connects the ends of the conductive members 30 within the groove. For example, in this intermediate connector manufacturing process, a laser beam is irradiated from a laser irradiation device to join the connecting conductor 50 to the bottom of the connecting groove 40a. Alternatively, in this intermediate connector manufacturing process, the bottom of the connecting groove 40a and the connecting conductor 50 may be joined using an adhesive or other technique known in the relevant art.

[0023] In the connection process, at least one intermediate connector (connecting sheet member 40 and connecting conductor 50) is installed, or multiple intermediate connectors (connecting sheet member 40 and connecting conductor 50) are installed with gaps between them, and multiple pieces 10 are arranged according to the power distribution path so as to sandwich the intermediate connectors (connecting sheet member 40 and connecting conductor 50). At this time, the end of the conductive member 30 that protrudes from the periphery of the base sheet member 20 is fitted into the connection groove 40a of the connecting sheet member 40. In the connection groove 40a, if a connecting conductor 50 is installed in the groove, the end of the conductive member 30 is placed on top of the connecting conductor 50. In this connection process, the end of the conductive member 30 and the connecting conductor 50 are connected physically and electrically. For example, in this connection process, a laser beam is irradiated from a laser irradiation device to join the end of the conductive member 30 and the connecting conductor 50. Furthermore, in this connection process, if the quality of the connecting sheet member 40 can be maintained, the ends of the conductive member 30 and the connecting conductor 50 may be joined using other techniques well known in this art, such as heat welding or ultrasonic bonding.

[0024] In the cover assembly process, the cover sheet member 60 is placed over multiple pieces 10 arranged and connected according to the power distribution route, and at least one intermediate connector (connecting sheet member 40 and connecting conductor 50). Then, in the cover assembly process, the base sheet member 20 and the cover sheet member 60, and the connecting sheet member 40 and the cover sheet member 60 are joined together, for example, by heat welding.

[0025] Figures 1 and 2 show a flat cable routing member 1A formed by combining four types of pieces 10 (first piece 11A, second piece 11B, third piece 11C, and fourth piece 11D) together with an intermediate connector (connecting sheet member 40 and connecting conductor 50).

[0026] All four types of pieces 10 utilize a base sheet member 20 that is molded into a square, flat plate shape.

[0027] The first piece 11A comprises six linearly shaped conductive members 30 (hereinafter referred to as "first conductive members 31A") (Figure 5). In this first piece 11A, the six first conductive members 31A are arranged at equal intervals along a pair of parallel sides 20a and 20b of the base sheet member 20. In this first piece 11A, one end of each of the six first conductive members 31A protrudes from one of the pair of sides 20a and 20b (hereinafter referred to as "first side") 20a, and the other end of each of the six first conductive members 31A protrudes from the other of the pair of sides 20a and 20b (hereinafter referred to as "second side") 20b (Figure 5).

[0028] The second piece 11B comprises six conductive members 30 (hereinafter referred to as "second conductive members 31B"), each molded into an L-shape of a different length (Figure 6). In this second piece 11B, the bent portions of the six second conductive members 31B are placed on the diagonal of the base sheet member 20 and arranged at equal intervals (Figure 6). The distance between two adjacent second conductive members 31B is the same as the distance between two adjacent first conductive members 31A in the first piece 11A. Furthermore, in this second piece 11B, one end of each of the six second conductive members 31B protrudes from one of the pair of orthogonal sides 20a, 20c of the base sheet member 20 (first side) 20a, and the other end of each of the six second conductive members 31B protrudes from the other side of the pair of sides (hereinafter referred to as "third side") 20c (Figure 6).

[0029] The third piece 11C comprises four first conductive members 31A and one L-shaped conductive member 30 (hereinafter referred to as "third conductive member 31C") (Figure 7).

[0030] In this third piece 11C, the four first conductive members 31A are arranged at equal intervals along a pair of parallel sides 20a and 20b of the base sheet member 20, just like in the first piece 11A, with one end of each of the four first conductive members 31A protruding from the first side 20a and the other end of each of the four first conductive members 31A protruding from the second side 20b (Figure 7). The spacing between two adjacent first conductive members 31A is the same as the spacing between two adjacent first conductive members 31A in the first piece 11A.

[0031] For example, in this third piece 11C, four first conductive members 31A are arranged such that the first conductive member 31A closest to the third side 20c is connected to the first conductive member 31A closest to the third side 20c in the first piece 11A.

[0032] Furthermore, in this third piece 11C, one end of the third conductive member 31C protrudes from the other side (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth side") 20d of the base sheet member 20 that is perpendicular to the pair of sides 20a and 20b, and the other end of the third conductive member 31C protrudes from the second side 20b (Figure 7). The third conductive member 31C is positioned on the base sheet member 20 with the shaft portion on the other end side spaced on the fourth side 20d side relative to the first conductive member 31A closest to the fourth side 20d. This spacing is the same as the spacing between two adjacent first conductive members 31A.

[0033] The fourth piece 11D comprises four first conductive members 31A and two L-shaped conductive members 30 of the same shape (hereinafter referred to as "fourth conductive member 31D") (Figure 8).

[0034] In this fourth piece 11D, the four first conductive members 31A are arranged at equal intervals along a pair of parallel sides 20a and 20b of the base sheet member 20, just like in the first piece 11A, with one end of each of the four first conductive members 31A protruding from the first side 20a and the other end of each of the four first conductive members 31A protruding from the second side 20b (Figure 8). The spacing between two adjacent first conductive members 31A is the same as the spacing between two adjacent first conductive members 31A in the first piece 11A.

[0035] Furthermore, in this fourth piece 11D, one end of one fourth conductive member 31D protrudes from the fourth side portion 20d of the base sheet member 20, and the other end of one fourth conductive member 31D protrudes from the second side portion 20b of the base sheet member 20 (Figure 8). The shaft portion of one fourth conductive member 31D is positioned on the base sheet member 20 with a gap on the fourth side portion 20d side relative to the first conductive member 31A closest to the fourth side portion 20d. This gap is the same as the gap between two adjacent first conductive members 31A. Also, in this fourth piece 11D, one end of the other fourth conductive member 31D protrudes from the third side portion 20c, and the other end of the other fourth conductive member 31D protrudes from the second side portion 20b (Figure 8). The other fourth conductive member 31D is positioned on the base sheet member 20 with its other end portion spaced apart from the first conductive member 31A on the third side 20c side. This spacing is the same as the spacing between two adjacent first conductive members 31A.

[0036] This flat cable member 1A is formed into a rectangular flat plate shape and includes a connecting sheet member 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "first connecting sheet member 41") on one of its planes, with six straight connecting grooves 40a formed thereon (Figures 3 and 4). All of the connecting grooves 40a of this first connecting sheet member 41 are fitted with straight first connecting conductors 51. Figures 3 and 4 show the two first pieces 11A and the first connecting sheet member 41 sandwiched between them.

[0037] In this flat cable guide 1A, 20 first pieces 11A, 4 second pieces 11B, 1 third piece 11C, and 1 fourth piece 11D are arranged in appropriate combinations, and the same type of intermediate connector (first connecting sheet member 41 and first connecting conductor 51) is placed between two adjacent pieces 10 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0038] In this flat cable guide 1A, all of its pieces 10 and intermediate connectors (first connecting sheet member 41 and first connecting conductor 51) are covered with a single cover sheet member 60 (hereinafter referred to as "first cover sheet member 61") (Figure 2).

[0039] In this flat cable routing material 1A, five first pieces 11A serve as the ends of the power distribution path, and connectors CONN are connected to the ends of the first conductive members 31A of these five first pieces 11A (Figure 2).

[0040] Figures 9 and 10 show a flat cable guide 1B formed by combining two types of pieces 10 (first piece 11A, second piece 11B) with two types of intermediate connectors.

[0041] In this flat cable member 1B, a connecting sheet member 40 (hereinafter referred to as "second connecting sheet member 42") is used in one location, separate from the first connecting sheet member 41 of the flat cable member 1A (Figures 9 and 10). This second connecting sheet member 42 has a plurality of connecting grooves 40a formed in the same linear shape as the first connecting sheet member 41, and has a connecting groove 40b that connects two adjacent connecting grooves 40a (Figures 11 and 12). This second connecting sheet member 42 is provided with at least one connecting groove 40b for each combination of two adjacent connecting grooves 40a. The second connecting sheet member 42 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and on one of its planes, six linear connecting grooves 40a and two connecting grooves 40b are provided for each combination of two adjacent connecting grooves 40a (Figures 11 and 12).

[0042] The second connecting sheet member 42 can be provided with a first connecting conductor 51 installed at each connecting groove 40a, similar to the flat cable member 1A, and a connecting conductor 50 (hereinafter referred to as "second connecting conductor 52") installed across multiple connecting grooves 40a (Figures 11 and 12).

[0043] The first connecting conductor 51 is formed into a straight shape along the connecting groove 40a. The second connecting sheet member 42 can be used in place of the first connecting sheet member 41 by combining only this straight-shaped first connecting conductor 51.

[0044] The second connecting conductor 52 is positioned in the connecting groove 40a on one side of two adjacent pieces 10 and has at least one first connecting portion 52a that physically and electrically connects the end of the conductive member 30 of that piece 10 (Figure 12). The second connecting conductor 52 is also positioned in the connecting groove 40a on the other side of two adjacent pieces 10 and has multiple second connecting portions 52b that physically and electrically connect the end of the conductive member 30 of the other piece 10 (Figure 12). These second connecting portions 52b have an electrical connection with the first connecting portion 52a either within the connecting groove 40a common to the first connecting portion 52a or within a connecting groove 40a separate from the connecting groove 40a of the first connecting portion 52a. The second connecting conductor 52 also has a connecting portion 52c that connects multiple second connecting portions 52b via a communication groove 40b (Figure 12).

[0045] The second connecting conductor 52 shown here has one first connecting portion 52a, one second connecting portion 52b located in the same connecting groove 40a as the first connecting portion 52a, one second connecting portion 52b located in the adjacent connecting groove 40a, and a connecting portion 52c that connects the two second connecting portions 52b. This second connecting conductor 52, for example, branches the current flowing through the first connecting portion 52a to the two second connecting portions 52b.

[0046] The second connecting sheet member 42 may consist only of the second connecting conductor 52, or it may be a mixture of the first connecting conductor 51 and the second connecting conductor 52. The second connecting sheet member 42 shown here has four first connecting conductors 51 and one second connecting conductor 52 installed (Figure 12). The flat cable member 1B shown here is equipped with the first connecting conductors 51 and the second connecting conductor 52 as connecting conductors 50, but it may also be equipped with other connecting conductors.

[0047] In this flat cable guide 1B, 16 first pieces 11A and 4 second pieces 11B are arranged in appropriate combinations, with first intermediate connectors placed between 18 adjacent pairs of pieces 10 and a second intermediate connector placed between 1 adjacent pairs of pieces 10 (Figures 9 and 10). The first intermediate connector comprises a first connecting sheet member 41 and first connecting conductors 51 installed in all the connecting grooves 40a of the first connecting sheet member 41. The second intermediate connector comprises a second connecting sheet member 42, first connecting conductors 51 installed in the four connecting grooves 40a of the second connecting sheet member 42, and a second connecting conductor 52 installed across two connecting grooves 40a of the second connecting sheet member 42. In the first intermediate connector, as previously shown, the first connecting sheet member 41 may be replaced with the second connecting sheet member 42.

[0048] In this flat cable guide 1B, all of its pieces 10, the first intermediate connector (first connecting sheet member 41 and first connecting conductor 51), and the second intermediate connector (second connecting sheet member 42, first connecting conductor 51, and second connecting conductor 52) are covered with a single cover sheet member 60 (hereinafter referred to as "second cover sheet member 62") (Figure 10).

[0049] These flat wiring members 1 (1A, 1B) can create diverse circuit configurations to accommodate various power distribution routes by changing the combination and arrangement of multiple pieces 10. Furthermore, these flat wiring members 1 (1A, 1B) can create even more diverse circuit configurations to accommodate various power distribution routes by changing the combination of intermediate connectors (connecting sheet members 40, connecting conductors 50).

[0050] Thus, the flat cable guides 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment can easily accommodate various circuit configurations, for example, depending on the presence or absence of auxiliary equipment and other parts due to differences in vehicle specifications, or the presence or absence of optional equipment. Furthermore, the flat cable guides 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment can easily accommodate design changes in the circuit configuration, for example, from flat cable guide 1A to flat cable guide 1B. Therefore, the flat cable guides 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment can flexibly accommodate circuit configurations according to various power distribution routes. Thus, the flat cable guides 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment can be said to be suitable for high-mix, low-volume production.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flat cable guide 1 (1A, 1B) has the end of the conductive member 30 fitted into the connection groove 40a of the connection sheet member 40, thus preventing misalignment of the two pieces 10 that sandwich the connection sheet member 40. Therefore, this embodiment of the flat cable guide 1 (1A, 1B) can prevent incorrect connection of the conductive members 30 between two adjacent pieces 10. As a result, this embodiment of the flat cable guide 1 (1A, 1B) can, for example, avoid rework due to incorrect connection and suppress an increase in cycle time, thereby suppressing cost increases. Consequently, this embodiment of the flat cable guide 1 (1A, 1B) can accurately and flexibly produce circuit configurations that prevent incorrect connections.

[0052] Furthermore, the flat wiring material 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment allows the piece 10 to be shared among various circuit configurations, thus reducing costs.

[0053] Furthermore, the flat cable routing material 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment is formed by arranging multiple pieces 10 and physically and electrically connecting the ends of conductive members 30 between two adjacent pieces 10. Therefore, the flat cable routing material 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment is more suitable for automating the production process compared to cable routing materials that require multiple wires to be routed according to the routing path and then bundled together.

[0054] Furthermore, the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment can suppress the thickness (thickness t2 < t1) of each piece 10 compared to the cable member We (thickness t1) made of a wire bundle (FIG. 13), so that the thickness can be reduced. Therefore, the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment is easier to install in a narrow space in a vehicle or the like compared to the cable member made of a wire bundle. In addition, the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment can suppress the occupancy rate in the space to a low level compared to the cable member made of a wire bundle, so that the space after installation can be widely used.

[0055] Furthermore, the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment does not require chemicals such as when forming the circuit pattern of a flexible printed board, and post-treatment such as disposing of chemicals afterwards is also unnecessary. Therefore, compared to such a flat cable member, it has high environmental performance.

[0056] Furthermore, when the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment is stored in a storage box and transported, the storage efficiency in the storage box is high compared to the cable member made of a wire bundle, and the gap in the box can be reduced. Therefore, a large number of them can be transported at once.

[0057] Furthermore, the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment may become thicker compared to the flat cable member made of a flexible printed board by giving thickness to the base sheet member 20 and the cover sheet member 60. However, since the thickness of the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment leads to an increase in the rigidity of the base sheet member 20 and the cover sheet member 60, the durability can be improved. And the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment is easier to maintain its shape due to the rigidity of the base sheet member 20 and the cover sheet member 60 compared to the cable member made of a wire bundle, and does not get entangled during transportation. Therefore, it can be taken out from the storage box and immediately assembled to a vehicle or the like. That is, the flat cable member 1 (1A, 1B) of the present embodiment can reduce the number of man-hours until the assembly work compared to the cable member made of a wire bundle, and has excellent assembly workability.

[0058] Incidentally, among the multiple pieces 10 of the flat cable member 1, there may be end pieces 10e that have adjacent pieces 10 connected via a connecting sheet member 40 only on one end side of the conductive member 30, and that have multiple conductive members 30 that electrically connect the other ends that protrude from the periphery of the base sheet member 20 (Figures 14 to 16). This flat cable member 1 is equipped with an end connecting sheet member 70 and an end connecting conductor 80 that are connected to the end piece 10e on the other end side of the conductive member 30 (Figures 14 to 16).

[0059] In the flat cable routing material 1, the piece 10 located at the end of the power distribution path can become the terminal piece 10e. For example, here we take flat cable routing material 1C as an example in which one of the five first pieces 11A at the end of the power distribution path in flat cable routing material 1A is designated as the terminal piece 10e (Figure 14). In this flat cable routing material 1C, the connector CONN connected to the terminal piece 10e in flat cable routing material 1A is replaced with a terminal connection sheet member 70 and a terminal connection conductor 80.

[0060] The end connection sheet member 70 is molded into a flat plate shape from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material. For example, this end connection sheet member 70 is molded into a rectangular flat plate shape from the same synthetic resin material as the connection sheet member 40. This end connection sheet member 70 is provided with multiple end connection grooves 70a in the same direction and in a straight shape for fitting the other end of the conductive member 30 of the end piece 10e, and at least one end communication groove 70b is provided for each combination of two adjacent end connection grooves 70a (Figures 15 and 16). Note that the connection sheet member 40 may be used instead of this end connection sheet member 70.

[0061] The terminal connecting conductor 80 is provided for each other end of the conductive member 30 that is electrically connected within the terminal piece 10e, and has a terminal connecting portion 80a that is physically and electrically connected to the other end within the groove of the terminal connecting groove 70a into which the other end is fitted, and a terminal connecting portion 80b that connects a plurality of terminal connecting portions 80a via a terminal communication groove 70b (Figure 16). The other end of the conductive member 30 and the terminal connecting portion 80a are physically and electrically connected by laser welding or the like, in the same way as the connection between the end of the conductive member 30 and the connecting conductor 50.

[0062] One plane of the end connection sheet member 70 shown here has six straight end connection grooves 70a and two end communication grooves 70b provided for each combination of two adjacent end connection grooves 70a (Figures 15 and 16). The end connection sheet member 70 is provided with an end connection conductor 80 (hereinafter referred to as the "first end connection conductor 81") which connects two end connection parts 80a with one end connection part 80b, and an end connection conductor 80 (hereinafter referred to as the "second end connection conductor 82") which connects four end connection parts 80a with one end connection part 80b (Figures 15 and 16).

[0063] The first terminal conductor 81 is formed by connecting terminal connection portions 80a, each positioned in two adjacent terminal connection grooves 70a, with a single terminal connecting portion 80b. The second terminal conductor 82 is formed by providing a pair of terminal connection portions 80a, each positioned in two adjacent terminal connection grooves 70a with a gap in between, and connecting these four terminal connection portions 80a with a single terminal connecting portion 80b.

[0064] The other ends of the two conductive members 30 in the end piece 10e are physically and electrically connected to the end connection portion 80a of the first end connection conductor 81 within the grooves of their respective end connection grooves 70a (Figures 15 and 16). The other ends of the remaining four conductive members 30 in the end piece 10e are physically and electrically connected to the end connection portion 80a of the second end connection conductor 82 within the grooves of their respective end connection grooves 70a (Figures 15 and 16). As a result, in this flat cable guide 1C, it is possible to create a circuit in which two conductive members 30 are electrically connected and a circuit in which four conductive members 30 are electrically connected within the end piece 10e.

[0065] In this flat cable guide 1C, not only the pieces 10 and the first intermediate connector (second connecting sheet member 42 and first connecting conductor 51) and the second intermediate connector (second connecting sheet member 42, first connecting conductor 51 and second connecting conductor 52), but also the end connecting sheet member 70 and the end connecting conductor 80 are covered with a single cover sheet member 60 (hereinafter referred to as the "third cover sheet member 63") (Figure 14). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1,1A,1B,1C Flat wiring material 10 pieces 10e end piece 11A First piece 11B 2nd piece 11C 3rd piece 11D 4th piece 20 Foundation sheet member 30 Conductive material 31A First conductive member 31B Second conductive member 31C Third conductive member 31D Fourth conductive member 40 Connecting sheet member 40a Connection groove 40b Communication groove 41 First connecting sheet member 42 Second connecting sheet member 50 Connecting conductors 51 First connecting conductor 52 Second connecting conductor 52a First connection section 52b Second connection section 52c connection part 60 Cover sheet component 61 First cover sheet member 62 Second cover sheet member 63 Third cover sheet member 70 End connection sheet member 70a End connection groove 70b End communication groove 80 Terminal connecting conductor 80a End connection 80b End connection 81 First terminal connecting conductor 82 Second terminal connecting conductor

Claims

1. Multiple pieces arranged according to the power distribution route, A connecting sheet member provided between two adjacent pieces, Equipped with, The aforementioned piece comprises at least one type, which includes a base sheet member molded into a flat plate shape from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material, and at least one conductive member joined to one plane of the base sheet member. The conductive member has one end and the other end that protrude from the peripheral edge of the base sheet member, The connecting sheet member is molded to fill the gap between each of the base sheet members between two adjacent pieces, and is characterized by having at least one connecting groove into which the ends of the conductive members of each of the two adjacent pieces can be fitted and electrically connected to each other in the groove.

2. The connecting sheet member is provided with a plurality of connecting grooves. The flat cable arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that, among the plurality of connection grooves, in the groove into which the ends of the conductive members of two adjacent pieces are fitted as targets for electrical connection between them, a connecting conductor is installed to physically and electrically connect the ends of the respective conductive members.

3. The connecting groove is formed in a straight line shape that spans between two adjacent pieces. The flat cable material according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting conductor is formed into a straight shape along the connecting groove.

4. The connecting groove is formed in a straight line shape that spans between two adjacent pieces. The connecting sheet member is provided with at least one connecting groove for each combination of two adjacent connecting grooves, The flat cable material according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting conductor has at least one first connecting portion which is positioned in the connecting groove on one of the two adjacent pieces and physically and electrically connects the end of the conductive member of that piece, and has a plurality of second connecting portions which are positioned in the connecting groove on the other of the two adjacent pieces and physically and electrically connect the end of the conductive member of the other piece, and has a connecting portion which connects the plurality of second connecting portions via the communication groove.

5. The connecting groove is formed in a straight line shape that spans between two adjacent pieces. The connecting sheet member is provided with at least one connecting groove for each combination of two adjacent connecting grooves, The connection conductors include a first connection conductor installed in each of the connection grooves and a second connection conductor installed across a plurality of the connection grooves. The first connecting conductor is formed into a straight shape along the connecting groove, The flat cable material according to claim 2, characterized in that the second connecting conductor has at least one first connecting portion that is positioned in the connecting groove on one of the two adjacent pieces and physically and electrically connects the end of the conductive member of that piece, and has a plurality of second connecting portions that are positioned in the connecting groove on the other of the two adjacent pieces and physically and electrically connect the end of the conductive member of the other piece, and has a connecting portion that connects the plurality of second connecting portions via the communication groove.

6. A flat cable arrangement material according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, characterized in that it is molded from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material into a flat plate shape that spans a plurality of the arranged pieces, and comprises a cover sheet member that covers the conductive members provided therein from the side opposite to the base sheet member and the connecting sheet member.

7. The plurality of pieces include end pieces that have adjacent pieces connected via the connecting sheet member only on one end side of the conductive member, and that have a plurality of conductive members that electrically connect the other ends that protrude from the periphery of the base sheet member. The end piece is provided with an end connecting sheet member and an end connecting conductor, which are connected to the other end of the conductive member. The end connection sheet member is provided with a plurality of end connection grooves arranged in the same direction and in a straight shape for fitting the other end of the conductive member of the end piece, and at least one end communication groove is provided for each combination of two adjacent end connection grooves. The flat cable member according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, characterized in that the terminal connecting conductor has a terminal connecting portion provided for each other end of the conductive member to be electrically connected within the terminal piece, which is physically and electrically connected to the other end in the groove of the terminal connecting groove into which the other end is fitted, and a terminal connecting portion that connects a plurality of the terminal connecting portions via the terminal communication groove.

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