Electric wire for automobile

• US 7,528,319 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 05/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation), Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoshimura, Masanobu, Kondo, Mamoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayo, III; William H
• Application Number:
  US10/792,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20040231883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• Field of Search: 174/128.1, 174/126.1, 174/130, 174/36
• US Class Current: 174/36
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 1/147 comprising electric conductors or elements for information transfer D07B1/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/441 from alkenes
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/443 from vinylhalogenides or other halogenoethylenic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/445 from vinylfluorides or other fluoroethylenic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 5/104 composed of metallic wires, e.g. steel wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0009 Details relating to the conductive cores

Abstract

A conductor for an automobile is provided that exhibits the characteristics of slender structure, improved strength and reduced weight. The conductor is configured by compressing a plurality of surrounding wires that surround a central wire. Individual wires of differing materials are combined in various combinations to achieve the slender structure, improved strength and reduced weight. Materials from which individual wires are formed in one embodiment are one of stainless steel, copper or copper alloy. Materials from which individual wires are formed in another embodiment are one of stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Claims

1. A conductor for an automobile, comprising:

a central wire, the central wire consisting of stainless steel; and

a plurality of surrounding wires surrounding and closely contacting the central wire, the plurality of surrounding wires consisting of copper,

wherein the conductor is formed by compressing the plurality of surrounding wires and the central wire, and

wherein the surrounding wires comprise two layers surrounding the central wire, a first layer of the two layers comprising six wires surrounding the central wire, and a second layer of the two layers comprising twelve wires, the second layer surrounding the first layer.

2. The conductor according to claim 1, wherein a sectional area of the central wire in a range of 0.002 to 0.07 mm² before being compressed.

3. The conductor according to claim 1, wherein a sectional area of each of the plurality of the surrounding wires is in a range of 0.0021 to 0.1 mm² before being compressed.

4. An electric wire comprising the conductor according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the electric wire is about 1 mm.

5. A conductor for an automobile, comprising:

a central wire consisting of stainless steel; and

a plurality of surrounding wires surrounding and closely contacting the central wire, the plurality of surrounding wires consisting of copper alloy,

wherein the conductor is formed by compressing the plurality of surrounding wires and the central wire, and

wherein the surrounding wires comprise two layers surrounding the central wire, a first layer of the two layers comprising six wires surrounding the central wire, and a second layer of the two layers comprising twelve surrounding wires, the second layer surrounding the first layer, each of the twelve surrounding wires in the second layer consisting of copper alloy.

6. The conductor according to claim 5, wherein a sectional area of the central wire in a range of 0.002 to 0.07 mm² before being compressed.

7. The conductor according to claim 5, wherein a sectional area of each of the plurality of the surrounding wires is in a range of 0.0021 to 0.1 mm² before being compressed.

8. An electric wire comprising the conductor according to claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of the electric wire is about 1 mm.

9. A conductor for an automobile comprising:

a central wire consisting of stainless steel; and

a plurality of surrounding wires surrounding and closely contacting the central wire, the plurality of surrounding wires comprising a plurality of first surrounding wires, the plurality of first surrounding wires consisting of stainless steel, and a plurality of second surrounding wires, the plurality of second surrounding wires consisting of copper alloy, and individual wires of the plurality of first surrounding wires and the plurality of second surrounding wires are alternately arranged with one another surrounding the central wire,

wherein the conductor is formed by compressing the plurality of surrounding wires and the central wire.

10. The conductor according to claim 9, wherein the surrounding wires comprise a single layer surrounding the central wire, the single layer comprising six surrounding wires.

11. The conductor according to claim 9, wherein a sectional area of the central wire in a range of 0.002 to 0.07 mm² before being compressed.

12. The conductor according to claim 9, wherein a sectional area of each of the plurality of the surrounding wires is in a range of 0.0021 to 0.1 mm² before being compressed.

13. An electric wire comprising the conductor according to claim 9, wherein an outer diameter of the electric wire is about 1 mm.

14. A conductor for an automobile, comprising:

a central wire, the central wire consisting of copper alloy; and

a plurality of surrounding wires surrounding and closely contacting the central wire, the plurality of surrounding wires comprising a plurality of first surrounding wires, the plurality of first surrounding wires consisting of stainless steel, and a plurality of second surrounding wires, the plurality of second surrounding wires consisting of copper alloy, and individual wires of the plurality of first surrounding wires and the plurality of second surrounding wires are alternately arranged with one another surrounding the central wire,

wherein the conductor is formed by compressing the plurality of surrounding wires and the central wire.

15. The conductor according to claim 14, wherein the surrounding wires comprise a single layer surrounding the central wire, the single layer comprising six surrounding wires.

16. The conductor according to claim 14, wherein a sectional area of each of the plurality of the surrounding wires is in a range of 0.0021 to 0.1 mm² before being compressed.

17. An electric wire comprising the conductor according to claim 14, wherein an outer diameter of the electric wire is about 1 mm.