JPH02148200A - On-vehicle wiring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the diameter and weight of a wire harness by transmitting a switch signal through an optical fiber after converting the switch signal into optical signals and supplying electric power to a load after converting the optical signals sent through the optical fiber into electric signals. CONSTITUTION:When, for example, a switch 11a is set to ON side, electric power is supplied to an electrooptical converter (E/O converter) 22a from the power source circuit 22a of an input unit 18 and optical signals are outputted from the converter 22a. The optical signals outputted from the converter 22a are supplied to the O/E converter 24a of an output unit 19, where the optical signals are converted into electric signals, through an optical fiber 20a. The electric signals are supplied to a power switch 10a. When the power switch 10a is turned on, electric power is supplied to a load 12a from a power source circuit 23 and the load 12a operates. Therefore, the diameter and weight of a wire harness can be reduced at a low cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a wiring system installed in a vehicle, and particularly to a vehicle wiring system that can reduce the diameter and weight of a wire harness.

"Prior Art" Conventionally, multiplex control and remote control have been employed to reduce the diameter and weight of wire harnesses that constitute in-vehicle wiring systems.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an in-vehicle wiring system that employs multiple control. In this figure, ``■'' is a battery, the negative end of which is grounded, and the positive end connected via a fuse 2 to the power input terminal (path shown) of each of the multiplex units 3 and 4. Each multiplex unit 3.4 has the function of creating a message based on a signal supplied from the outside and outputting it to the outside, and controlling a load (for example, a lamp, a wiper, etc.) based on the message supplied from the outside. It is configured to have a control function. Here, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of each of the multiplex units 3.4, and as shown in this figure, each of the multiplex units 3.4 includes:
power supply section 5, bus driver/renver 6, communication control section 7,
It is configured to include a logic control section 8, a human power interface section 9, and a power switch 10a. Next, 11a, flb, . . . shown in FIG. 7 are mainly used to operate the car! (This is a switch mounted on the channel. Each of the switches 1la, 11b, . . . has one end grounded and the other end connected to the multiplex unit 3.12a,
12b, . are each loads, one end of which is grounded, and the other end connected to the multiplex unit 4. Reference numeral 13 denotes a metal signal line (for example, a twisted pair line), which is connected at one end to the multiplex unit 3 and at the other end to the multiplex unit 4.

In the in-vehicle wiring system configured in this manner, for example, when the switch Ila is turned on, a switch signal is output from the switch Ila and supplied to the multiplex unit 3. The multiplex unit 3 creates a predetermined message based on the received switch signal and transmits it to the multiplex unit 4 via the signal line 13. The multiplex unit 4 supplies power to the load 12a via the power line I3L based on the received message. This causes the load 12a to operate. Similarly, other switches Ilb, .
...When each switch is turned on, power is supplied to the load corresponding to these switches.

Next, FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a method for transmitting messages between multiplex units in the above-mentioned in-vehicle wiring system 1 using optical fibers, in which the multiplex units 3a,
Optical fibers 13a and 13b are used to send and receive messages between 4a.
The multiplexing units 3 and 4 have the same functions as each of the multiplexing units 3 and 4 shown in FIG. In this case, since the optical fibers 13a and 13b are used, the multiplex units 3a and 4a include an optical/electrical converter (O/E) + 4 and an electrical/optical converter (Elo), as shown in FIG. )+
5 are built-in. Note that the optical fiber 13a
, 13b are made of plastic from the viewpoint of cost.

Next, FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an in-vehicle wiring system that employs remote control. In this figure, switch I
One end of each of la, Ilb, and Ilc is connected in common, and is also connected to the positive end of battery 1 via fuse 2. On the other hand, the other ends of the switches lla, jlb, and ILc are connected to the unit 16 via signal lines 17a to 17C.

In this case, each of the signal lines 17a to 17c uses a small-sized electric wire (for example, 0.3 mm2). Here, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the unit 16. As shown in the figure, the unit 16 includes power switches 10a, IOb, .... In this case, )(power switches 10a, IOb, ...)
,...each uses a small mechanical relay.

In the in-vehicle wiring system configured as described above, for example, when the switch lla is turned on, the signal line 1
7<power switch IOa in unit 16 via 7a
Power is supplied to the Therefore, the power switch 10
a is turned on, and power is supplied to the load 12a via the power line BL.

Similarly, when each of the other switches llb, . . . is turned on, power is supplied to the loads corresponding to these switches.

``Problem to be solved by the invention, ff1J By the way, in the above-mentioned in-vehicle wiring system that employs conventional multiplex control, the number of wires can be reduced and signals with low current values are handled, so the wiring harness However, on the other hand, there is a problem that the structure and control contents of the multiple units 3, 4, 3a, 4a themselves become complicated, resulting in high cost.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned in-vehicle wiring system that uses conventional remote control does not use multiple units, so it can reduce costs, but it requires the same number of signal lines as the number of switches to be routed from the same switch to the unit. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the wire harness due to the increased weight of these signal lines. In particular, since electric wires are used for the signal lines, as the distance between the switch and the unit becomes longer, the reliability of the entire signal line increases significantly. In addition, since it is only necessary to flow a current of a value that operates the power switch to each signal line, it is possible to use a small diameter (1.8 mmφ) signal bus line, but as mentioned above, these signal lines are connected to the number of switches. It is difficult to reduce the diameter of the wire harness because the same number of wire harnesses are required. Note that when remote control is not performed, an electric wire with a diameter of 1°8 to 2.9 mm is used.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide an in-vehicle wiring system that allows the wire harness to be made smaller in diameter and lighter in weight at low cost.

1. Means for Solving Problem 1 The present invention provides a method for manually operating a load corresponding to the switch by manually inputting a switch signal output from at least one switch provided on an operation panel of an automobile. The in-vehicle wiring system includes: an input unit that converts the switch signal into an optical signal and outputs it to the outside; an optical fiber that transmits the optical signal output from the input unit;
and an output unit that converts the optical signal transmitted from the input unit through the optical fiber into an electrical signal, turns on the switch means based on the electrical signal, and supplies power to the load. It is characterized by

"Operation" According to the present invention, when a switch signal is supplied to the input unit, the switch signal is converted into an optical signal. This optical signal is then supplied to an output unit via an optical fiber. When an optical signal is supplied to the output unit, the optical signal is converted into an electrical signal, and based on this electrical signal, the switch means is turned on, and power is supplied to the load.

"Embodiments" Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle wiring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, parts common to those in FIG. 7 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

In this figure, I8 is an input unit, which converts switch signals output from switches Ila, fib, . . . into optical signals and outputs them to the outside. Here, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the input unit 18.

In this figure, 2I is a power supply circuit, the output end of which is connected to one end of each of the switches Ila, Ilb, . . . . 22a, 22b, . . . are electrical/optical converters (
(hereinafter referred to as Elo), which converts electrical signals into optical signals. In this case, the other end of the switch Ila is connected to the input end of the E10 converter 22a, and one end of the optical fiber 20a is optically coupled to the output end. Similarly, E
Switch llb, at the input end of the 10 converters 22b,...
... is connected to the other end, and the converter 22b, ...
One end of the optical fiber 20b, . . . is optically coupled to the output end of the optical fiber 20b, . Here, the optical fibers 20a, 20b
, . . . each may be quartz-based or plastic-based.

The silica optical fiber has an outer diameter of 0.6Iφ and a weight of 0.
．． 4g/ms or plus deck optical fiber has an outer diameter of 1.00mmφ and a weight of 0.8g/m, compared to the conventionally used outer diameter of 1.8+nm.
φ (of which the diameter of the conductor is 0.3 mmφ), weight 6.4 g
It is clearly smaller in diameter and lighter than a thin insulated wire of /m. Next, I9 shown in FIG. 1 is an output unit, which converts an optical signal supplied from the outside into an electrical signal, and controls the loads 12a, 12b, etc. based on this electrical signal. Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the output unit 19. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in FIG. 12 which are overlapped. In this figure, 23 is a power supply circuit, which has the same function as the above-mentioned power supply circuit 21 (see FIG. 2).

24a, 24b, ... are optical/electrical (hereinafter, O/E
This converter converts an optical signal supplied from the outside into an electrical signal. In this case, the other end of the optical fiber 20a is optically coupled to the input end of the O/E converter 24a, and the input end of the power switch IOa is connected to the output end. Similarly, the other end of the optical fiber 20b is optically coupled to the input end of the O/E converter 24b, .
The power switch IO is installed at the output end of the converter 24b,...
The input ends of b, . . . are connected. Moreover, each power supply terminal of the O/E converters 24a, 24b, . . .
connected to the output end of the The output end of the power switch 10a is connected to one end of the load 12a, and similarly the output end of the power switch lOb, . . . is connected to the load +2b,
...is connected to one end of the...

In the in-vehicle wiring system configured in this way, for example, when the switch lla is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 21 of the input unit 18 to the E10 converter 22a, and thereby an optical signal is output from the converter 22a. Output. In this case, the optical signal is output until the switch Ila is turned off. The optical signal output from the E10 converter 22a is transmitted through the optical fiber 20a and supplied to the O/E converter 24a of the output unit 19, where it is converted into an electrical signal and supplied to the power switch 10a. When an electric signal is supplied to the power switch 10a, the switch IOa is turned on.

As a result, power is supplied from the II source circuit 23 to the load 12a, and the load 12a operates. In this case, for example, if the load 12a is a stop lamp, this is lit. Similarly, when the other switches 11b, Ilc, . . . are turned on, power is supplied to the loads corresponding to these switches.

Next, FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an application example of the above-mentioned in-vehicle wiring system, and as shown in this figure, four switches Ila to Ild are connected to the input unit 18. Also, an input unit! 8 and the output unit 19 are connected by optical fibers 20a and 20b, and the input unit 18 and the output unit 27 are connected by the optical fiber 20.
C, 20 (connected by 1. Thus, 1
Two input units 18 and two output units 19, 2
Loads 12a to 12 (1) connected to 7 are controlled.

Here, for reference, FIGS. 5 and 6 show schematic configuration diagrams in which the above-mentioned in-vehicle wiring system is applied to an automobile. Moreover, in these figures, the upper part is the front part (front) of the automobile.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the power switches lOa, J
Although small mechanical relays are used for ob, . . . , MOSFETs, smart power ICs, etc. may also be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the switches lla, Ilb,
The same number of optical fibers 20a, 20b, . . .
was used, but the 0N of each switch Ila, Ilb,...
By outputting signals corresponding to the combinations of 10FFs, it is possible to transmit the same signals using fewer optical fibers than the number of switches.

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, according to the present invention, there is provided an input unit that converts a switch signal into an optical signal, an optical fiber that transmits the optical signal output from this input unit, and a Equipped with an output unit that converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal and supplies power to the load, it is easy to control, and the number of parts can be reduced, resulting in lower costs. Since optical fibers are used, the wire harness can be made smaller in diameter and lighter in weight.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic ÷1 growth diagram showing an in-vehicle wiring system that is an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a large horn unit that is a component of the system, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of a large horn unit that is a component of the system. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an output unit which is another component of the on-vehicle wiring system, FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an application example of the on-vehicle wiring system, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing how the application example of the in-vehicle wiring system is applied to an automobile; FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional in-vehicle wiring system; FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multiplex unit that makes up the system, Figure 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another conventional in-vehicle wiring system, and Figure 10 is the electrical configuration of the multiplex unit that makes up the system. FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing a conventional remote control system, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of units constituting the system. 11a, I lb, l lc, l Id, --switch, 2a, 12b, ...... Load, 8...
...Input unit, 9.27...Output unit, Oa, 20b, ......Optical fiber.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an on-vehicle wiring system that inputs a switch signal output from at least one switch provided on an operation panel of an automobile to operate a load corresponding to the switch, the switch signal is converted into an optical signal and transmitted to the outside. an optical fiber that transmits the optical signal output from the input unit; an optical fiber that converts the optical signal transmitted from the input unit via the optical fiber into an electrical signal; An on-vehicle wiring system comprising: an output unit that turns on a switch and supplies power to the load.