Flat wiring member

Abstract

The purpose of the invention is to reduce a gap as much as possible at a joint of a shield member when a plurality of linear transmission members directly fixed at the contact portions thereof to a base sheet are surrounded by the shield member. The flat wiring member includes a plurality of linear transmission members, a base sheet having a fixing surface 31, and a shield member surrounding the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet. The plurality of linear transmission members are directly fixed at the contact portions thereof to the fixing surface in a parallel state, and the shield member includes an overlapping side part and an overlapping object side part. The overlapping side part and the overlapping object side part are overlapped without the base sheet being interposed therebetween.

Description

Flat wiring material

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flat wiring member.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a sheet includes a first portion to which a first linear transmission member is fixed and a second portion to which a second linear transmission member is fixed, the first portion being folded back onto the second portion so that the first linear transmission member and the second linear transmission member are surrounded by the first portion and the second portion. The document also shows an example in which the first portion and the second portion include a radio wave shielding layer on the outer periphery.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which an insulated wire is sandwiched between two sheets of metal layer-containing material.

[0004] JP 2019-204743 A JP 2021-157927 A

[0005] As in Patent Document 1, the plurality of linear transmission members can be kept flat by fusing the plurality of linear transmission members to a base sheet. In this case, it is desirable to minimize gaps at the joints of the shielding member surrounding the plurality of linear transmission members.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to minimize gaps at the joints of the shielding members when surrounding a plurality of linear transmission members whose contact portions are directly fixed to a base sheet with the shielding members.

[0007] The flat wiring member of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of linear transmission members, a base sheet having a fixing surface, and a shielding member surrounding the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet, wherein the plurality of linear transmission members are directly fixed to the fixing surface in parallel at contact sites, the shielding member includes an overlapping side portion and an overlapping side portion, and the overlapping side portion and the overlapping side portion are overlapped without the base sheet interposed therebetween.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when a plurality of linear transmission members whose contact portions are directly fixed to a base sheet are surrounded by a shielding member, gaps at the joints of the shielding member can be minimized.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a flat wiring member according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a flat wiring member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a flat wiring member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a flat wiring member according to a modified example.

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] The flat wiring member of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0012] (1) A flat wiring member comprising a plurality of linear transmission members, a base sheet having a fixing surface, and a shielding member surrounding the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet, wherein the plurality of linear transmission members are directly fixed to the fixing surface in parallel at contact portions, the shielding member includes an overlapping side portion and an overlapping target side portion, and the overlapping side portion and the overlapping target side portion are overlapped without the base sheet interposed therebetween.

[0013] With this flat wiring member, the overlapping side portion and the overlapping target side portion are overlapped without the interposition of a base sheet, so that the gap between the overlapping side portion and the overlapping target side portion can be made small. Therefore, when multiple linear transmission members fixed to the base sheet are surrounded by a shielding member, the gap at the joint of the shielding member can be made as small as possible.

[0014] (2) In the flat wiring member of (1), the shielding member may include a first shielding sheet and a second shielding sheet, the overlapping side portion may include one side portion and the other side portion of the first shielding sheet, the overlapping side portion may include one side portion and the other side portion of the second shielding sheet, the one side portion of the first shielding sheet and the one side portion of the second shielding sheet may be kept overlapping outside the one side portion of the base sheet, and the other side portion of the first shielding sheet and the other side portion of the second shielding sheet may be kept overlapping outside the other side portion of the base sheet.

[0015] In this case, the first shielding sheet and the second shielding sheet are overlapped to easily surround the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet.

[0016] (3) In the flat wiring member of (1), the shielding member may include a shielding sheet, the overlapping side portion may be one side portion of the shielding sheet, the overlapping side portion may be the other side portion of the shielding sheet, and the shielding sheet may surround the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet more than once, with the one side portion and the other side portion of the shielding sheet maintained in an overlapping state.

[0017] This allows a single shielding sheet to surround a plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet.

[0018] (4) In a flat wiring member according to any one of (1) to (3), the base sheet may include a plurality of divided sheets positioned apart from each other along the extension direction of the plurality of linear transmission members.

[0019] This allows the base sheet to be made lighter and also reduces material costs.

[0020] (5) The flat wiring member according to any one of (1) to (4) may further include a bare drain wire surrounded by the shielding member.

[0021] The bare drain wire makes it easy to ground the shielding member, and also reduces the exposed portion of the bare drain wire from the shielding member.

[0022] (6) In the flat wiring member of (5), the shielding member may have a laminated structure including a resin layer and a metal layer, and the metal layer may be located more inward than the resin layer.

[0023] The resin layer reinforces the shielding member and insulates it from the outside. The inner metal layer can be brought into contact with the bare drain wire to provide electrical continuity.

[0024] (7) In the flat wiring member of (6), the shielding member may include a conductive adhesive layer provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer, and the overlapping side portion and the overlapping target side portion may be kept overlapped via the conductive adhesive layer.

[0025] In this case, the shielding member can be adhered to the bare drain wire via the conductive adhesive layer. The conductive adhesive layer easily contacts the bare drain wire over a wide area. Furthermore, the overlapping side portion and the overlapping side portion can be kept overlapped via the conductive adhesive layer. This reduces gaps between the overlapping side portion and the overlapping side portion, further enhancing the shielding effect.

[0026] (8) In the flat wiring member of (6), the shielding member may include an adhesive layer provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer, the adhesive layer extending in a striped region intersecting the bare drain wire, and the overlapping side portion and the overlapping target side portion being maintained in an overlapping state via the adhesive layer.

[0027] In this case, the shielding member can be adhered to the base sheet, the multiple linear transmission members, and the bare drain wires via an adhesive layer. Because the adhesive layer intersects with the bare drain wires, the bare drain wires can easily come into contact with the metal layer exposed between the striped adhesive layers. Furthermore, the overlapping side portions and the overlapping target side portions can be maintained in an overlapping state via the adhesive layer. In this case, because the striped adhesive layer intersects with the direction of extension of the overlapping side portions and the overlapping target side portions, gaps between the overlapping side portions and the overlapping target side portions can be suppressed, further enhancing the shielding effect.

[0028] (9) In a flat wiring member according to any one of (6) to (8), the shielding member may include an adhesive layer provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer, and the shielding member may adhere to the bare drain wire via the adhesive layer to keep the bare drain wire aligned with the plurality of linear transmission members.

[0029] In this case, even if the bare drain wire is not fixed to the base sheet, the shielding member can keep the bare drain wire aligned with the linear transmission member.

[0030] (10) In the flat wiring member of (9), the shielding member may hold the bare drain wire in position on the base sheet.

[0031] This makes it easier to maintain the bare drain wire and the plurality of linear transmission members in a parallel state on the base sheet.

[0032] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the flat wiring member 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.

[0033] [Embodiment 1] A flat wiring member according to embodiment 1 will be described below. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a flat wiring member 10. Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the flat wiring member 10. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. Note that in each figure, some parts may be exaggerated or simplified for the purpose of explanation. For example, the thickness of each layer of the shielding member 40 is exaggerated and depicted as being thick.

[0034] <Overall Structure> The flat wiring member 10 includes a plurality of linear transmission members 20 , a base sheet 30 , and a shielding member 40 .

[0035] The multiple linear transmission members 20 are fixed to the base sheet 30 and maintained in a parallel state. The shielding member 40 surrounds the multiple linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30. This allows the shielding member 40 to electromagnetically shield the multiple linear transmission members 20. Preferably, the drain wire 28 is surrounded by the shielding member 40. The drain wire 28 is in contact with the shielding member 40 on the inside thereof and is electrically connected. The drain wire 28 is drawn out of the shielding member 40, and the shielding member 40 can be grounded via the drain wire 28. Here, the grounding type of the drain wire 28 can be one-end grounded or both-end grounded, but both-end grounding is preferred to enhance the shielding effect.

[0036] In order to improve the electromagnetic shielding properties of the shield member 40, it is desirable to minimize gaps at the joints of the shield member. The present disclosure includes a disclosure for minimizing such gaps.

[0037] A more specific explanation will be given below.

[0038] <Regarding the Linear Transmission Member> The linear transmission member 20 is a linear member that transmits electricity, light, or the like. It is assumed that the linear transmission member 20 is a member that connects components in a vehicle. The linear transmission member 20 includes a transmission line main body 22 and a coating layer 24. The transmission line main body 22 is a transmission path that transmits electricity or light. For example, if the linear transmission member 20 is an electric wire, the transmission line main body 22 is a conductor core wire. The conductor core wire is composed of one or more element wires. The element wires are formed from copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or the like. Furthermore, if the linear transmission member 20 is an optical fiber, the transmission line main body 22 is a core and clad. The coating layer 24 is a layer that covers the transmission line main body 22. For example, if the linear transmission member 20 is an electric wire, the coating layer 24 is an insulating coating. The coating layer 24 is composed of, for example, a resin material. The resin material that constitutes the coating layer 24 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. The linear transmission member 20 may be, for example, a general electric wire having a core wire and a coating layer surrounding the core wire, or may be a shielded wire, a twisted wire, an enameled wire, a nichrome wire, an optical fiber, etc. The linear transmission member 20 may be a member in which a plurality of electric wires are bundled together.

[0039] The linear transmission member 20 that transmits electricity may be any of various signal lines and power lines. A part of the linear transmission member 20 that transmits electricity may be used as an antenna, a coil, or the like that sends or receives a signal or power to or from space.

[0040] Furthermore, the linear transmission member 20 may be a single-core wire. A single-core wire is a single linear object. A single-core wire is a linear transmission member 20 with one transmission path. The linear transmission member 20 may be a multi-core wire. A multi-core wire is a composite of multiple linear objects. A multi-core wire is a linear transmission member 20 with multiple transmission paths. A multi-core wire may be, for example, a twisted wire, a cable in which multiple linear objects are assembled and covered with a sheath, or the like.

[0041] A connector 26, for example, is provided at the end of the linear transmission member 20. The connector 26 includes a connector housing made of insulating resin and connector terminals as transmission members. The end of the linear transmission member 20 is connected to the connector terminals. The connector housing holds multiple connector terminals, thereby maintaining the multiple connector terminals in a predetermined arrangement. The connector 26 is connected to a mating connector provided on a mating part of the flat wiring member 10.

[0042] The number of linear transmission members 20 provided in the flat wiring member 10 is not particularly limited as long as the flat wiring member 10 includes a plurality of linear transmission members 20. The flat wiring member 10 may also include a plurality of linear transmission members 20 of different thicknesses or types.

[0043] <Regarding the base sheet> The base sheet 30 has a fixing surface 31. A plurality of linear transmission members 20 are directly fixed to the fixing surface 31 in parallel at the contact portions. The base sheet 30 is not particularly limited in material, structure, etc. as long as it can directly fix the linear transmission members 20 at the contact portions. Regarding the material constituting the base sheet 30, here, the base sheet 30 is formed from a resin material. It is considered that the base sheet 30 is formed from a resin material and does not contain metal.

[0044] The base sheet 30 may have a single-layer structure, a two-layer structure, or a multi-layer structure of three or more layers. The base sheet 30 may include at least a fusion layer. The linear transmission member 20 is fused and fixed to the fusion layer. The fusion layer includes a resin material, preferably a thermoplastic resin material. The resin material of the fusion layer softens and is fused to the fusion partner. The type of such resin material is not particularly limited, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. can be used.

[0045] The structure of the fusion layer is not particularly limited. For example, the fusion layer may be a solid sheet (also called a non-foamed sheet or a solid sheet) having a uniform solid cross section. Alternatively, the fusion layer may be a foamed sheet. Alternatively, the fusion layer may be a fibrous sheet such as a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric. One surface of the first layer serves as the fixing surface 31 of the base sheet 30.

[0046] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the base sheet 30 has a single-layer structure. An additional layer may be added to the base sheet 30. The additional layer may be formed of a different material or have a different structure from the fusion layer. The additional layer may enhance the function of the fusion layer or add a function not present in the fusion layer to the base sheet 30.

[0047] The base sheet 30 may be a flexible member. For example, the base sheet 30 may be bendable in the thickness direction so as to be able to follow the bending of the linear transmission member 20.

[0048] The paths of the multiple linear transmission members 20 are set according to the positions of the components to which they are connected, etc. By fixing the multiple linear transmission members 20 to the base sheet 30, the multiple linear transmission members 20 are maintained in a state along wiring paths according to the positions of the components to which they are connected, etc.

[0049] In this embodiment, a plurality of linear transmission members 20 are fixed in a parallel state to the fixing surface 31. The paths of the plurality of linear transmission members 20 may be linear paths only, or may be configured by a combination of linear paths and curved paths. Thus, the fixing surface 31 may hold the plurality of linear transmission members 20 in a parallel state along a linear path, or may hold the plurality of linear transmission members 20 in a parallel state along a path that is a combination of linear paths and curved paths. In this embodiment, the plurality of linear transmission members 20 are held in a parallel state along a linear path. Adjacent members of the plurality of linear transmission members 20 may be in contact with each other or may be spaced apart.

[0050] Here, the plurality of linear transmission members 20 extend along the same path. Some of the plurality of linear transmission members 20 may branch off from the other linear transmission members 20. The branching point may be on the base sheet 30 or may be at a position away from the base sheet 30.

[0051] <Regarding the fixing structure> The plurality of linear transmission members 20 are directly fixed to the fixing surface 31 of the base sheet 30 at contact portions. Direct fixing at contact portions means that the linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30 are directly bonded and fixed to each other without the use of a separate adhesive or the like. In direct fixing at contact portions, it is considered that the linear transmission members 20 are bonded and fixed to each other by, for example, melting a resin contained in at least one of the base sheet 30 and the linear transmission members 20. In this embodiment, the linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30 are fixed to each other via fusion-bonded fixing portions 38.

[0052] When such a state of direct fixation of the contact regions is formed, the resin may be melted by, for example, heat or a solvent. That is, the state of direct fixation of the contact regions may be a state of direct fixation of the contact regions by heat or a state of direct fixation of the contact regions by a solvent. Preferably, the state of direct fixation of the contact regions is a state of direct fixation of the contact regions by heat.

[0053] In this case, the means for forming the state of direct fixation at the contact sites is not particularly limited, and known means such as fusion can be used. For example, when forming the state of direct fixation at the contact sites by heat fusion, various fusion means can be used, such as ultrasonic fusion, heat and pressure fusion, hot air fusion, and high-frequency fusion. Furthermore, when the state of direct fixation at the contact sites is formed by these means, the linear transmission member 20 and the base sheet 30 are directly fixed at the contact sites by that means. Specifically, for example, when the state of direct fixation at the contact sites is formed by ultrasonic fusion, the linear transmission member 20 and the base sheet 30 are directly fixed at the contact sites by ultrasonic fusion. Therefore, fusion fixation is one form of direct fixation at the contact sites.

[0054] Here, the outermost layer of the linear transmission member 20 and the fixing surface 31 of the base sheet 30 are fused together. The outermost layer of the linear transmission member 20 is the covering layer 24 located at the outermost periphery. The covering layer 24 is made of a material that can be fused to the fixing surface 31 of the base sheet 30. The resin material that constitutes the covering layer 24 may be of the same type as the resin material that constitutes the fixing surface 31.

[0055] The linear transmission member 20 may be fixed to the base sheet 30 intermittently or continuously along the extending direction of the linear transmission member 20 .

[0056] The linear transmission member 20 may be fixed to both sides of the base sheet 30 .

[0057] <Regarding Divided Sheets> The base sheet 30 includes a plurality of divided sheets 32 that are spaced apart from one another along the extension direction of the plurality of linear transmission members 20. Three divided sheets 32 are shown in Fig. 2. The number of divided sheets 32 included in the flat wiring member 10 is arbitrary, and may be two, three or more.

[0058] The length of the dividing sheet 32 ​​in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the linear transmission members 20 need only be large enough to hold multiple linear transmission members 20 in a parallel state, and may, for example, be greater than or equal to the sum of the diameters of the multiple linear transmission members 20.

[0059] The length of the split sheet 32 ​​along the extension direction of the linear transmission members 20 may be, for example, 1 cm to 10 cm, as long as it is strong enough to hold a plurality of linear transmission members 20. For example, the length of the split sheet 32 ​​along the extension direction of the linear transmission members 20 may be shorter than the length of the split sheet 32 ​​in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the linear transmission members 20.

[0060] The spacing between the multiple divided sheets 32 may be large enough to maintain the multiple linear transmission members 20 in a parallel state between the divided sheets 32, and may be, for example, 2 cm to 30 cm.

[0061] From the viewpoint of reducing the material cost of the base sheet 30 and reducing the weight of the flat wiring member 10, it is preferable that the spacing between the multiple divided sheets 32 is longer than the length of the divided sheets 32 along the extension direction of the linear transmission member 20.

[0062] In addition, it is not necessary for multiple divided sheets 32 to be present between one end and the other end of the linear transmission member 20, and only one base sheet 30 may be provided between one end and the other end of the linear transmission member 20.

[0063] <Regarding the Shielding Member> The shielding member 40 surrounds the plurality of linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30. In other words, the shielding member 40 is a member that spreads out in a sheet shape. The shielding member 40 is not a member formed in a seamless cylindrical shape, but spreads out in a sheet shape. Therefore, the shielding member 40 is formed into a cylindrical shape by connecting the side portions together, with the shielding member 40 surrounding the plurality of linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30 one or more times.

[0064] In this embodiment, the shielding member 40 includes an overlapping side portion 44 and an overlapping side portion 48. If the base sheet 30 is interposed between the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 when they are overlapped, a gap corresponding to the thickness of the base sheet 30 will be created between the shielding member 40, which may cause electromagnetic wave leakage. Therefore, the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 are overlapped without the base sheet 30 interposed therebetween.

[0065] In this embodiment, the shielding member 40 includes a first shielding sheet 42 and a second shielding sheet 46 .

[0066] The widths of the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 are set to be greater than the width of the base sheet 30. Therefore, both side portions of the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 can be positioned beyond the base sheet 30 to the outside in the width direction.

[0067] The length of the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 in the longitudinal direction of the linear transmission member 20 may be set to a length that exceeds the area where the multiple divided sheets 32 are present. In this case, the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 can cover the entire area of ​​the multiple linear transmission members 20 that is held by the multiple divided sheets 32. However, some of the multiple divided sheets 32 may be located outside the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46.

[0068] One side and the other side of the first shielding sheet 42 are overlapping side portions 44. For example, a plurality of divided sheets 32 and a plurality of linear transmission members 20 are arranged on the first shielding sheet 42. The divided sheet 32 ​​is arranged so as to be in contact with the first shielding sheet 42. Both side portions of the first shielding sheet 42 that are located outward from both side portions of the plurality of divided sheets 32 are overlapping side portions 44.

[0069] One side and the other side of the second shielding sheet 46 are the overlapping side portions 48. For example, the second shielding sheet 46 is placed on top of the multiple divided sheets 32 and multiple linear transmission members 20 on the first shielding sheet 42. The second shielding sheet 46 is arranged so as to be in contact with the multiple linear transmission members 20. Both side portions of the second shielding sheet 46 that are located outward from both side portions of the multiple divided sheets 32 are the overlapping side portions 48.

[0070] Outside the other side portions of the multiple divided sheets 32, the overlapping side portion 44, which is the other side portion of the first shielding sheet 42, and the overlapping target side portion 48, which is the other side portion of the second shielding sheet 46, are kept overlapping.

[0071] As a result, the plurality of linear transmission members 20 are surrounded by being sandwiched between the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46. Furthermore, since the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 are overlapped on the outside in the arrangement direction of the plurality of linear transmission members 20 without the base sheet 30 therebetween, the gap at the joint between the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 can be made as small as possible.

[0072] The overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 may be held together by any suitable means, such as an adhesive layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an adhesive, or welding.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 have adhesive layers 41c. The overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 are kept overlapped via the adhesive layers 41c.

[0074] More specifically, each of the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 constituting the shielding member 40 has a laminated structure including a resin layer 41a and a metal layer 41b. The metal layer 41b is a metal foil, such as aluminum foil or copper foil. The resin layer 41a is overlaid on the metal layer 41b. The resin layer 41a reinforces the metal layer 41b. Furthermore, the metal layer 41b is insulated from one main surface side.

[0075] The metal layer 41b is located more inward than the resin layer 41a. That is, the resin layer 41a is located on the outer periphery of the metal layer 41b, and the metal layer 41b is insulated from the outside by the resin layer 41a.

[0076] Each of the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 constituting the shielding member 40 includes an adhesive layer 41c provided on the inner circumferential side of the metal layer 41b.

[0077] The adhesive layer 41c preferably extends in a stripe-like region. That is, the adhesive layer 41c preferably has a plurality of strip-shaped adhesive portions extending parallel to each other with a gap therebetween. In this case, the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46 can be adhered to other portions at the portions where the adhesive layer 41c is present. Furthermore, the metal layer 41b is exposed in the gaps between the strip-shaped adhesive portions of the adhesive layer 41c. Therefore, the metal layer 41b can be in conductive contact with other conductive portions at the gaps in the adhesive layer 41c.

[0078] It is preferable that the direction in which the stripes of the adhesive layer 41 c extend, that is, the direction in which the strip-shaped adhesive portions extend, intersects with the direction in which the linear transmission member 20 extends.

[0079] The overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 are adhered to each other via the adhesive layer 41c. In this case, if the stripes of the adhesive layer 41c, i.e., the strip-shaped adhesive portions, intersect with the extending directions of the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48, the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 can be easily adhered to each other without any gaps.

[0080] Furthermore, if the direction in which the stripes of the adhesive layer 41c extend on the overlapping side portion 44 intersects with the direction in which the stripes of the adhesive layer 41c extend on the overlapping side portion 48, the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping side portion 48 are more likely to be adhered together without any gaps.

[0081] The adhesive layer may be spread over the entire metal layer 41b, or may be provided in a grid pattern or with a plurality of ceiling portions scattered across the metal layer 41b.

[0082] <Regarding the Drain Wire> As described above, the flat wiring member 10 may include the drain wire 28 surrounded by the shield member 40. The drain wire 28 is a conductive path for grounding to a metal body of a vehicle or the like. The grounding path may be via a connector, which allows the insulating shrink tube to be shortened, providing a cost advantage. The drain wire 28 is electrically connected to the shield member 40.

[0083] In this embodiment, the drain wire 28 is a bare drain wire in which the conductor core wire is exposed. The drain wire 28 may be made of the same material as the transmission line body 22 of the linear transmission member 20, or may be made of a different material. However, the drain wire 28 may be a coated wire from which the coating has been partially removed. The drain wire 28 may be a stranded wire in which multiple metal wires are twisted together, or may be a solid wire.

[0084] The drain wire 28 is arranged along the plurality of linear transmission members 20. The position of the drain wire 28 is arbitrary, and may be on the outside of the plurality of linear transmission members 20 in the parallel arrangement direction, or may be on a position between the plurality of linear transmission members 20. If the drain wire 28 is located on the outside of the plurality of linear transmission members 20 in the parallel arrangement direction, it is easy to bring the shield member 40 into contact with the drain wire 28.

[0085] The drain wires 28 may be located on the base sheet 30, or may be located on the widthwise outer side of the base sheet 30. If the drain wires 28 are located on the base sheet 30, it is easy to keep the drain wires 28 parallel to the multiple linear transmission members 20. If the drain wires 28 are located on the widthwise outer side of the base sheet 30, it is possible to sandwich the drain wires 28 with the shielding member 40, which makes it easy to increase the contact area between the shielding member 40 and the drain wires 28.

[0086] The drain wire 28 may or may not be in contact with the linear transmission member 20. If the drain wire 28 is spaced apart from the linear transmission member 20, the shielding member 40 can surround a larger portion of the drain wire 28, making it easier to increase the contact area between the shielding member 40 and the drain wire 28. If the drain wire 28 is in contact with the linear transmission member 20, the linear transmission member 20 can support the drain wire 28 from the opposite side when pressing the shielding member 40 against the drain wire 28, making it easier to press the shielding member 40 against the drain wire 28 with a strong force, and the shielding member 40 is firmly adhered to the drain wire 28.

[0087] In this embodiment, the drain wire 28 is located on one side of the parallel direction of the plurality of linear transmission members 20, on the fixing surface 31 of the base sheet 30. The outer surface of the drain wire 28 is made of metal, and the fixing surface of the base sheet 30 is made of resin. The drain wire 28 is not fused to the base sheet 30, and the drain wire 28 is separable from the base sheet 30.

[0088] When the first shielding sheet 42 and second shielding sheet 46 of the shielding member 40 surround the base sheet 30 and the plurality of linear transmission members 20, the overlapping side portions 44 and the overlapping target side portions 48 are overlapped via the adhesive layer 41c on each of the two outer sides of the base sheet 30. Furthermore, between the overlapping portions of the overlapping side portions 44 and the overlapping target side portions 48 on both sides, the first shielding sheet 42 is adhered to the base sheet 30, and the second shielding sheet 46 is adhered to the plurality of linear transmission members 20 on the opposite side of the base sheet 30. Note that the first shielding sheet 42 is adhered to the plurality of linear transmission members 20 between the divided sheets 32.

[0089] The second shielding sheet 46 is maintained in a state covering the base sheet 30 by adhering to the first shielding sheet 42 and the plurality of linear transmission members 20, so that the second shielding sheet 46 is pressed against the drain wires 28 located on the base sheet 30 and adheres to the drain wires 28 via the adhesive layer 41 c. This maintains the drain wires 28 in position on the base sheet 30 along the plurality of linear transmission members 20.

[0090] Because the adhesive layer 41c is provided in striped regions on the metal layer 41b, the metal layer 41b can contact and be electrically connected to the drain wire 28 through the gaps in the adhesive layer 41c. In particular, because the striped regions of the adhesive layer 41c intersect with the drain wire 28, exposed regions of the metal layer 41b appear at regular intervals in the gaps between the stripes of the adhesive layer 41c when observed along the extension direction of the drain wire 28. This allows the drain wire 28 to more reliably contact the metal layer 41b. If the adhesive layer 41c is a conductive adhesive, it can be provided on the entire surface, which reduces the contact resistance between the metal portion of the shielding member 40 and the drain wire, enhancing the shielding effect and improving adhesive strength.

[0091] The flat wiring member 10 may be sandwiched between other flat wiring members. The other flat wiring members may be flat wiring members having a base sheet that extends wider than the dividing sheet 32.

[0092] <Effects, etc.> With the flat wiring member 10 configured as described above, the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping target side portion 48 are overlapped without the base sheet 30 therebetween, so that the gap between the two joined metal layers 41 b can be made small. Therefore, when the plurality of linear transmission members 20 fixed to the base sheet 30 are surrounded by the shielding member 40, the gap at the joints of the shielding member 40 can be made as small as possible, and the electromagnetic shielding properties can be improved.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, when there are multiple sets of signal wires, it is possible to use shielded wires in which each set of signal wires is individually covered with a cylindrical braid or shielding foil. In this case, the processing for fusing and fixing the shielded wires to the base sheet may be more expensive than the processing for fusing and fixing general electric wires to the base sheet. In addition, the use of shielded wires may lead to an increase in size.

[0094] In this embodiment, the multiple linear transmission members 20 fused to the base sheet 30 are collectively surrounded by the shielding member 40. This makes it easier to achieve lower costs and smaller size than when multiple sets of signal lines are individually shielded using shielded wires. In addition, since the effects of fusion are less likely to extend to the shielding member 40, stable shielding performance is easily achieved.

[0095] In fact, when the shielding performance was evaluated in the frequency band of 9 kHz to 1 GHz using the absorbing clamp method, it was confirmed that a shielding effect was obtained that was practically acceptable.

[0096] The shielding member 40 also includes a first shielding sheet 42 and a second shielding sheet 46, with overlapping side portions 44 on both sides of the first shielding sheet 42 and overlapping target side portions 48 on both sides of the second shielding sheet 46 being kept overlapped on the outer side of both sides of the base sheet 30. Therefore, by overlapping the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46, the plurality of linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30 can be easily surrounded.

[0097] Furthermore, since the base sheet 30 includes a plurality of divided sheets 32 positioned apart from each other along the extension direction of the plurality of linear transmission members 20, the weight of the base sheet 30 can be reduced and material costs can also be reduced.

[0098] Furthermore, since the flat wiring member 10 includes the bare drain wire 28 surrounded by the shielding member 40, the shielding member 40 can be easily grounded by the bare drain wire 28. Furthermore, the exposed portion of the bare drain wire 28 from the shielding member 40 can be reduced.

[0099] Furthermore, because the shielding member 40 has a laminated structure including a resin layer 41a and a metal layer 41b, the resin layer 41a can reinforce the shielding member 40 and insulate the metal layer 41b from the outside. Furthermore, the inner metal layer 41b can be brought into contact with the bare drain wire 28 to obtain electrical continuity. Furthermore, because the bare drain wire 28 can be in contact with the shielding member 40 over a larger area within the shielding member 40, it is easy to reliably ground the shielding member 40 via the drain wire 28.

[0100] The shielding member 40 also includes an adhesive layer 41c provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer 41b. The adhesive layer 41c extends in a striped region that intersects with the bare drain wires 28. This allows the shielding member 40 to adhere to the base sheet 30, the multiple linear transmission members 20, and the bare drain wires 28 via the adhesive layer 41c. Because the adhesive layer 41c intersects with the bare drain wires 28, the bare drain wires 28 can easily come into contact with the metal layer 41b exposed between the adhesive layer 41c extending in the striped region. Furthermore, the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping target side portion 48 can be maintained in an overlapping state via the adhesive layer 41c. Since the striped region in which the adhesive layer 41c extends intersects with the extending direction of the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping target side portion 48, gaps between the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping target side portion 48 can be suppressed, thereby further enhancing the shielding effect.

[0101] Furthermore, the shielding member 40 adheres to the bare drain wires 28 via the adhesive layer 41c, and can keep the drain wires 28 aligned with the plurality of linear transmission members 20. Therefore, even if it is difficult to fix the bare drain wires 28, whose metal is exposed, to the base sheet 30, the shielding member 40 can keep the bare drain wires 28 aligned with the linear transmission members 20.

[0102] Furthermore, the bare drain wire 28 is maintained in position on the base sheet 30 by the shielding member 40 , so that the drain wire 28 and the plurality of linear transmission members 20 are easily maintained in a parallel state on the base sheet 30 .

[0103] [Embodiment 2] A flat wiring member 110 according to embodiment 2 will be described. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the flat wiring member 110. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 3. In the description of this embodiment, components similar to those described in embodiment 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0104] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the shielding member 40 includes the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46. It is not essential that the base member includes the first shielding sheet 42 and the second shielding sheet 46, and the base member 140 may include a single shielding sheet 142, as in the present embodiment.

[0105] The shielding sheet 142 is formed to have a width that is more than twice the width of the parallel-arranged linear transmission members 20. One side of the shielding sheet 142 is an overlapping side portion 144, and the other side is an overlapping target side portion 148.

[0106] The shielding sheet 142 then surrounds the plurality of linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30 more than once. For example, the base sheet 30 is placed in an area on one widthwise side of the shielding sheet 142, and the plurality of linear transmission members 20 are placed on top of the base sheet 30. The central portion of the shielding sheet 142 in the widthwise direction is bent, and the area on the other widthwise side of the shielding sheet 142 is placed on the plurality of linear transmission members 20 on the opposite side of the base sheet 30.

[0107] The overlapping side portion 148 is bent out from the side of the shielding sheet 142 on the side opposite to the bent portion in the width direction center of the shielding sheet 142, and is overlapped on the outside of the overlapping side portion 144. The adhesive layer 41c of the overlapping side portion 148 is adhered to the resin layer 41a on the outside of the overlapping side portion 144.

[0108] The adhesive layer 41 c of the overlapping side portion 44 and the adhesive layer 41 c of the overlapping side portion 148 may be adhered to each other while facing each other at positions that extend outside the shielding sheet 142 .

[0109] The bare drain wires 28 are located on the base sheet 30, outside the arrangement direction of the plurality of linear transmission members 20. The shielding sheet 142 is pressed against the drain wires 28 and adhered via the adhesive layers 41c. In addition, the metal layers 41b exposed between the adhesive layers 41c come into contact with the bare drain wires 28, thereby electrically connecting the drain wires 28 and the shielding sheet 142.

[0110] This embodiment can provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment, except for the difference in the number of base sheets.

[0111] Furthermore, since a single shielding sheet 142 can surround a plurality of linear transmission members 20 and the base sheet 30, the number of parts used during manufacturing can be reduced.

[0112] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a flat wiring member 210 according to a modified example, which shows a portion without a base sheet.

[0113] In this modification, a shielding member 240 corresponding to the shielding member 40 includes an adhesive layer 241c instead of the adhesive layer 41c. The adhesive layer 241c is a conductive adhesive layer. For example, the adhesive layer 241c may be an adhesive mixed with a conductive filler. The conductive filler may be, for example, a metal such as carbon or Ni. In this case, the adhesive layer 241c extends over the entire area covering at least the drain wire 28. The adhesive layer 241c may also extend over the entire inner surface of the metal layer 41b. This reduces the contact resistance between the adhesive layer 241c and the drain wire 28, and the metal layer 41b is connected to the drain wire 28 with low electrical resistance. This enhances the shielding effect provided by the metal layer 41b.

[0114] It is also preferable that the adhesive layer 241c adheres to the drain wire 28 over as large an area as possible. Therefore, the adhesive layer 241c may be bent to form a partial cylinder so as to fit the outer shape of the drain wire 28, and then adhered to the drain wire 28.

[0115] The adhesive layers 241c on both sides of the drain wire 28 may be adhered to each other on both sides of the drain wire 28 so that the adhesive layers 241c adhere to the drain wire 28 over as large an area as possible. For example, the second shielding sheet 46 may be pressed toward the first shielding sheet 42 on both sides of the drain wire 28. In this case, the adhesive layers 241c may be adhered to each other with the metal layer 41b covering at least halfway around the drain wire 28.

[0116] The drain wire 28 may be thickened to increase the contact area between the adhesive layer 241c and the drain wire 28. For example, the drain wire 28 may be thicker than the linear transmission member 20.

[0117] In this modified example, the shielding member 240 can be adhered to the drain wire 28 via the conductive adhesive layer 241c. The conductive adhesive layer 241c can easily come into contact with the drain wire 28 over a wide area. Furthermore, the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping target side portion 48 can be kept overlapped via the conductive adhesive layer 241c. This can reduce gaps between the overlapping side portion 44 and the overlapping target side portion 48, further improving the shielding effect.

[0118] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0119] 10, 110, 210 Flat wiring member 20 Linear transmission member 22 Transmission line main body 24 Covering layer 26 Connector 28 Drain wire 30 Base sheet 31 Fixing surface 32 Divided sheet 38 Fusion fixing portion 40, 140, 240 Shielding member 41a Resin layer 41b Metal layer 41c, 241c Adhesive layer 42, 142 First shielding sheet 44, 144 Overlapping side portion 46 Second shielding sheet 48, 148 Overlapping target side portion

Claims

1. A flat wiring member comprising: a plurality of linear transmission members; a base sheet having a fixing surface; and a shielding member surrounding the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet, wherein the plurality of linear transmission members are directly fixed to the fixing surface in parallel at contact portions, and the shielding member includes an overlapping side portion and an overlapping side portion, and the overlapping side portion and the overlapping side portion are overlapped without the base sheet interposed therebetween.

2. A flat wiring member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shielding member comprises a first shielding sheet and a second shielding sheet, the overlapping side portions comprise one side portion and the other side portion of the first shielding sheet, the overlapping side portions comprise one side portion and the other side portion of the second shielding sheet, the one side portion of the first shielding sheet and the one side portion of the second shielding sheet are maintained in an overlapping state outside the one side portion of the base sheet, and the other side portion of the first shielding sheet and the other side portion of the second shielding sheet are maintained in an overlapping state outside the other side portion of the base sheet.

3. A flat wiring member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shielding member includes a shielding sheet, the overlapping side is one side of the shielding sheet, the side to be overlapped is the other side of the shielding sheet, and the shielding sheet surrounds the plurality of linear transmission members and the base sheet more than once, with the one side and the other side of the shielding sheet being maintained in an overlapping state.

4. A flat wiring member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base sheet includes a plurality of divided sheets positioned apart from each other along the extension direction of the plurality of linear transmission members.

5. A flat wiring member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a bare drain wire surrounded by the shielding member.

6. A flat wiring member according to claim 5, wherein the shielding member has a laminated structure including a resin layer and a metal layer, and the metal layer is located more inward than the resin layer.

7. A flat wiring member according to claim 6, wherein the shielding member includes a conductive adhesive layer provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer, and the overlapping side portion and the side portion to be overlapped are maintained in an overlapping state via the conductive adhesive layer.

8. A flat wiring member according to claim 6, wherein the shielding member includes an adhesive layer provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer, the adhesive layer extending in a striped region intersecting the bare drain wire, and the overlapping side portion and the overlapping target side portion being maintained in an overlapping state via the adhesive layer.

9. A flat wiring member according to claim 6, wherein the shielding member includes an adhesive layer provided on the inner periphery of the metal layer, and the shielding member adheres to the bare drain wire via the adhesive layer, thereby maintaining the bare drain wire in alignment with the plurality of linear transmission members.

10. A flat wiring member according to claim 9, wherein the shielding member keeps the bare drain wire in position on the base sheet.

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