Abstract: The claimed invention provides an ultrasonic welding method, whereupon joint portions in which a copper foil portion and a twisted-wire electric cable are placed one upon the other in each groove of a resin casing, the grooves having a through-hole portion. In the through-hole portion, the copper foil portion and the twisted-wire electric cable are placed one upon the other. Welding is performed in a state in which the piled-up portion is sandwiched between a welding tip formed at an end of a welding head and an anvil. Thus, the joint portion between the copper foil portion and the twisted-wire electric cable invade and are invaded by a portion of the resin casing softened by welding heat. The joint portion is fastened not only by welding, but also by the solidified resin.

Abstract: A method for detecting a trouble location in wire harnesses can easily detect a position of trouble such as breakage, short circuit, or the like in the wire harnesses without bringing enlargement and complication into the wire harnesses. This method includes the steps of: setting each of electric wires (2) in a main line part (4) and a branch line part (5) of a wire harness (1) as a sensing line, the wires (2) being juxtaposed to each other in the respective parts (4, 5); transmitting a pulse wave in a measuring line of a trouble electric wire in the wire harness and the sensing line corresponding to the measuring line at their ends by a pulse generating unit (11); receiving a pulse wave reflected at a trouble point and measuring a difference in time between the transmitted pulse wave and the reflected pulse wave by a synchroscope (12); and computing a distance from a measuring point to the trouble point in accordance with the difference in time and a pulse propagation velocity by a computing unit (13).

Abstract: A vehicle electronic apparatus (1) includes an electronic control section (2) received in an accommodation cavity (23) in an instrument panel (22) in a vehicle for effecting an electronic function in the vehicle, a switch section (3) detachably attached to the electronic control section (2) for controlling the electronic control section (2), and a cover panel (4) to be fitted in the accommodating cavity (23) in the instrument panel (22) to cover the switch section (3) at the front side. It is possible to use in common the electronic section (2) which is an expensive electronic element and also to design the cover panel (4) with flexibility. The switch section (3) can be produced in compliance with the designed cover panel (4). A common use of electronic parts will achieve a reduction of cost and enhance a flexibility in design of an interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having superior shock and vibration resistance is provided. The circuit breaker has a handle pivoted from an off position to an on position. The circuit is closed by bringing a movable contact point into contact with a fixed contact point via lever mechanisms. The circuit breaker has an electromagnetic coil which holds the movable iron piece in a non-attraction position away from an electromagnetic trip coil until power is applied to the electromagnetic trip coil. When the movable iron piece is attracted to the electromagnetic trip coil, the lever mechanisms are released from the constrained state, and the movable contact point is separated from the fixed contact point to thereby open the circuit, and the handle returns to the off position in conjunction with the lever mechanisms.

Abstract: An inexpensive flat electric wire for a wire harness and an inexpensive wire harness utilizing the flat electric wire can be produced. A flat electric wire (P) is produced by juxtaposing a plurality of insulator-sheathed electric wire elements (a), each having a single core, on a plane; and by applying a reinforcing tape (51) on the juxtaposed wire elements (a) at a desired position over the width of the elements (a), whereby the wire elements (a) are secured together to each other by the tape (51) to form the flat electric wire (P) for a wire harness.

Abstract: An internal circuit, which is constituted by one of a printed circuit board and an FPC, and has small-current conductive paths arranged at a small pitch, is provided within a casing and of the electric connection box, and a small integrated fuse is mounted on the printed circuit board or the FPC, and fuses of the small integrated fuse are connected respectively to the small-current conductive paths, and electronic devices are mounted on the printed circuit board or the FPC.

Abstract: A connector connecting structure comprises a first connector supported on a mounting portion, and a second connector connected to the first connector. A spherical support portion is formed in a projected manner on one of a bottom of the first connector and a wall surface of the mounting portion, while a holding portion for holding the support portion is provided on the other, and when connecting the second connector to the first connector, the first connector is pivotally displaced about the support portion.

Abstract: A first connector is connected to a second connector while inserting an instrument unit into a unit insertion recess in an instrument panel, and the unit is positioned by pins, and is fixed. The unit insertion recess has an introductory portion and an open portion, and guide grooves for respectively guiding stabilizers formed on the unit are formed in the introductory portion. The second connector is displaceably mounted. When the instrument unit reaches a position where the second connector is slightly fitted in the first connector, and the pins on the panel are not yet passed respectively through positioning holes in the instrument unit, the stabilizers are disengaged respectively from the guide grooves to be received in the open portion, so that the position limitation is released.

Abstract: An electric power distribution system is shown where even if supply of electric power is interrupted, other normal electric part systems can be operated. A number of electric power distribution portions are supplied with electric power through at least two systems of electric power lines. The amounts of electric currents in the two systems of the trunk lines respectively are detected and monitored by a sensor and each current detection portion. Moreover, a controller controls a switch corresponding to a sensor which has detected an abnormal value among output values from a number of current detection portions to make non-conductive the trunk line from which the abnormal value has been detected. If a fault takes place in, for example, the trunk line between the electric power distribution portions, the two ends of the trunk line respectively are disconnected by the switch.

Abstract: Various electric equipment which are increasing more and more are accommodated in a glove box. The accommodating means has such a structure in which a computer C, a cellular telephone T and the like are fitted on rails provided on a glove box cover. By the fitting of those equipments, power sources and signals can be delivered (supplied) between the electric equipment and other various equipment provided in an instrument panel through connectors and cords. The delivery is performed under distribution and processing in a conversion substrate. A glove box lamp is attached to a substrate on a opening of the glove box so as to be connected to the current conduction path. A switch for turning on/off the glove box lamp is further attached to the substrate so as to be connected to the current conduction path. Respective lead wires of wire harness W/H are connected directly to the current conduction path of the substrate without interposition of any connector.

Abstract: An insulation plate (20) is provided with a window or a slot (21). A fusible element or circuit (31) with reinforced portion (22) is laid on a surface of the insulation plate (20) across the window (21). When the circuit (31) is heated by current-conduction, a fusible path (33) of the circuit (31) spanned in air across the window (21) melts at a predetermined current level, since heat generated in the fusible path (31) is not absorbed in the insulation plate (20). It is possible to transform the plate fuse depending on the conditions of use, and its configuration is substantially flexible.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a wire harness includes first and second connectors. The connector assembly has a simple structure. The assembly effectively protects electric wires for a wire harness which is provided in a second unit and facilitates to interconnect the first and second connectors when the second unit is coupled to a first unit. In the connector assembly, a protector (WP) for a wire harness includes a protector body (18) which protects the wire harness and a connector holder (20) which supports the second connector (C2) connected to a distal end of the electric wires in the wire harness. The protector (WP) is provided in the second unit while the first connector (C1) to be coupled to the second connector (C2) is secured to the first unit. The securing position is set so that the connectors (C1, C2) are opposed to each other when the units are coupled to each other.

Abstract: An instrument panel harness is arranged between an instrument panel and a body, and can be easily connected to other wire harnesses, thereby reducing the time and labor required for the operation. A junction box, connected to an instrument panel harness is divided into a first junction box, having a large-current circuit, and a second junction box having a small-current circuit, and a pair of collective-fitting connector portions, fitted together, are provided on the first and second junction boxes, respectively. The first junction box is attached to an instrument panel, and is connected to the instrument panel harness. The second junction box is attached to a body panel and a plurality of harness connector portions, fitted respectively on wire harnesses, are provided on the second junction box.