Patent Publication Number: US-11031154-B2

Title: Composite cable and composite harness

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2018-229647 filed on Dec. 7, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a composite cable and a composite harness, in particular, to a composite cable and a composite harness which are routed from a vehicle body to a wheel. 
     RELATED ART 
     In recent years, composite cables used for wiring from, e.g., a vehicle body to a wheel have been proposed (see, e.g., JP 2017/76515 A). 
     The composite cable described in JP 2017/76515 A is provided with a twisted assembly formed by twisting a first twisted pair wire, a second twisted pair wire and a pair of first electric wires together, and a sheath covering the outer surface of the twisted assembly. 
     In the cross section of the composite cable, the first twisted pair wire is arranged on one side of the center line connecting the centers of the pair of first electric wires, and the second twisted pair wire is arranged on the other side of the center line. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In the composite cable disclosed in JP 2017/76515 A, however, when a distance along a longitudinal direction between two corresponding points at Which any of electric wires constituting the first twisted pair wire is located at the same position in a circumferential direction of the first twisted pair wire (hereinafter, also referred to as “twist pitch”) is different from a twist pitch of the second twisted pair wire or when the twist phase is different between the first twisted pair wire and the second twisted pair wire, the outer shape of the twisted assembly, i.e., the cross-sectional shape of the twisted assembly may change along the longitudinal direction of the composite cable. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a composite cable and a composite harness in which change in outer shape of a twisted assembly along a longitudinal direction of the composite cable can be prevented even when a twist pitch of a first twisted pair wire is different from a twist pitch of a second twisted pair wire or the twist phase is different between the first twisted pair wire and the second twisted pair wire. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a composite cable defined in [1] to [7] below and a composite harness defined in [8] to [9] below will be provided. 
     [1] A composite cable ( 1 ), comprising: a pair of first single core wires ( 10 ); a first multicore wire ( 20 ) that is arranged in one of regions facing each other across a center plane passing through the central axes ( 0 ) of the pair of first single core wires ( 10 ), comprises an electric wire with a solid (non-hollowed) structure comprising a first twisted pair wire ( 210 A) formed by twisting a pair of second single core wires ( 210 ) with a smaller cross-sectional area than the first single core wire ( 10 ) and a first inner sheath ( 220 ) covering the first twisted pair wire ( 210 A) so as to fill a space between the pair of second single core wires ( 210 ), and has an outer diameter that is not less than 70% and not more than 160% of the outer diameter of the first single core wire ( 10 ); and a second multicore wire ( 30 ) that is arranged in the other of the regions facing each other across the center plane passing through the central axes ( 0 ) of the pair of first single core wires ( 10 ), comprises an electric wire with a solid (non-hollowed) structure comprising a second twisted pair wire ( 310 A) formed by twisting a pair of third single core wires ( 310 ) with a smaller cross-sectional area than the first single core wire ( 10 ) and a second inner sheath ( 320 ) covering the second twisted pair wire ( 310 A) so as to fill a space between the pair of third single core wires ( 310 ), and has an outer diameter that is not less than 70% and not more than 160% of the outer diameter of the first single core wire ( 10 ), wherein a twisted assembly ( 1 A) is formed by twisting the pair of first single core wires ( 10 ), the first multicore wire ( 20 ) and the second multicore wire ( 30 ) together.
 
[2] The composite cable ( 1 ) according to [1], wherein the pair of second single core wires ( 210 ) and the pair of the third single core wires ( 310 ) comprise signal lines for rotational speed sensors ( 104 A) that detect a rotational speed, and the rotational speed sensors ( 104 A) are respectively attached to end portions of the pair of second single core wires ( 210 ) and the pair of the third single core wires ( 310 ).
 
[3] The composite cable ( 1 ) according to [1] or [2], wherein a binding tape ( 40 ) is provided around the twisted assembly ( 1 A).
 
[4] The composite cable ( 1 ) according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein an outer sheath ( 50 ) is provided around the binding tape ( 40 ).
 
[5] The composite cable ( 1 ) according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first single core wire ( 10 ) comprises a conductor ( 11 ) formed by twisting a plurality of equal-diameter strands together.
 
[6] The composite cable ( 1 ) according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the outer diameter of the first multicore wire ( 20 ) and the outer diameter of the second multicore wire ( 30 ) are not less than 85% and not more than 145% of the outer diameter of the pair of first single core wire ( 10 ).
 
[7] The composite cable ( 1 ) according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the first multicore wire ( 20 ) and the second multicore wire ( 30 ) are identical.
 
[8] A composite harness ( 6 ), comprising:
 
     the composite cable ( 1 ) according to any one of [1] to [7]; and 
     a connector ( 61 ) attached to an end portion of the pair of first single core wires ( 10 ). 
     [9] The composite harness ( 6 ) according to [8], wherein the first multicore wire ( 20 ) and the second multicore wire ( 30 ) are arranged at a distance from each other. 
     Effects of Invention 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a composite cable and a composite harness can be provided in which change in outer shape of a twisted assembly along a longitudinal direction of the composite cable can be prevented even when a twist pitch of a first twisted pair wire is different from a twist pitch of a second twisted pair wire or the twist phase is different between the first twisted pair wire and the second twisted pair wire. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a vehicle in which a composite cable in an embodiment of the present invention is used. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view showing an exemplary configuration of the composite cable in the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view showing a twisted assembly extracted from the composite cable shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a composite harness in the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the composite harness in a modification of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 
     An embodiment of the invention will be described in reference to the appended drawings. The embodiment below is described as a preferred example for implementing the invention. Although some part of the embodiment specifically illustrates various technically preferable matters, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to such specific aspects. In addition, a scale ratio of each constituent element in each drawing is not necessarily the same as the actual scale ratio of the composite cable and the composite harness. 
     (Vehicle in which the Composite Cable is Used) 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle in which a composite cable in the present embodiment is used. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  100  is provided with an electric parking brake (hereinafter, also referred to as “EPB”)  101  as an electrically operated brake unit. The EPB  101  is provided with an EPB motor  101   a  and an EPB control unit  101   b.    
     The EPB motor  101   a  is mounted on a wheel  102  of the vehicle  100 . The EPB control unit  101   b  is mounted on an ECU (electronic control unit)  103  of the vehicle  100 . Alternatively, the control unit  101   b  may be mounted on a control unit other than the ECU  103 , or may be mounted on a dedicated hardware unit. 
     The EPB motor  101   a  is provided with a piston to which brake pads are attached even though it is not illustrated, and it is configured that the piston moved by rotary drive of the EPB motor  101   a  presses the brake pads against a disc rotor of a wheel (the wheel  102 ) to generate a braking force. A pair of first electric wires  10  as power lines (see  FIG. 2 ) are connected to the EPB motor  101 . a  to supply a drive current to the EPB motor  101   a.    
     The EPB control unit  101   b  is configured to output a drive current to the EPB motor  101   a  for a predetermined period of time (e.g., for 1 second) when a parking brake activation switch  101   c  is turned from an OFF′ state to an ON state during the stationary state of the vehicle  100  so that the brake pads are pressed against the disc rotor of the wheel  102  and a braking force to be applied to the wheel  102  is generated. 
     The EPB control unit  101   b  is configured to output a drive current to the EPB motor  101   a  also when the parking brake activation switch  101   c  is turned from the ON state to the OFF state or when an accelerator pedal is depressed so that the brake pads move away from the disc rotor of the wheel and the braking force on the wheel  102  is released. 
     In other words, it is configured that an operating state of the EPB  101  is maintained from when the parking brake activation switch  101   c  is turned on to when the parking brake activation switch  101   c  is turned off or the accelerator pedal is depressed. The parking brake activation switch  101   c  may be a switch of either a lever-type or pedal-type. 
     An ABS device  104  is also mounted on the vehicle  100 . The ABS device  104  is provided with an ABS sensor  104   a  and an ABS control unit  104   b . The ABS sensor  104   a  is an example of the rotational speed sensor. 
     The ABS sensor  104   a  is mounted on the wheel  102  to detect a rotation speed of the wheel  102  during motion of the vehicle. The ABS control unit  104   b  is mounted on the ECU  103  to control the EPB  101  based on an output of the ABS sensor  104   a  to adjust a braking force applied to the wheel  102  so that the wheel  102  is not locked when suddenly stopped. Second electric wires  210  and third electric wires  310  (see  FIG. 2 ) as signal lines are connected to the ABS sensor  104   a.    
     A composite cable  1  in the present embodiment is obtained by covering all of the first electric wires  10 , a first multicore wire  20  and a second multicore wire  30  with an outer sheath  5  (see  FIG. 2 ). The composite cable  1  extending out of the wheel  102  side is connected to a wire group  107  inside a junction box  106  provided on a vehicle body  105  and is then connected to the ECU  103  and a battery (not shown) via the wire group  107 . 
     Although only one wheel  102  is shown in  FIG. 1  to simplify the drawing, the EPB motor  101   a  and the ABS sensor  104   a  may be mounted on each of the wheels  102  of the vehicle  100 , or may be mounted on, e.g., only front wheels or only rear wheels of the vehicle  100 . 
     (Composite Cable  1 ) 
     The composite cable  1  in the present embodiment will be described in reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view showing an exemplary configuration of the composite cable  1  in the embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view showing a twisted assembly extracted from the composite cable  1  shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the composite cable  1  is provided with the pair (two) of first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  configured to include a first twisted pair wire  210 A formed by twisting the pair (two) of second electric wires  210  having a smaller outer diameter than the first electric wires  10 , the second multicore wire  30  configured to include a second twisted pair wire  310 A formed by twisting the pair (two) of third electric wires  310  having a smaller outer diameter than the first electric wires  10 , a tape member  40  spirally wound around a twisted assembly  1 A which is formed by twisting the pair of first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  together, and an outer sheath  50  provided to cover the periphery of the tape member  40 . 
     The composite cable  1  has six electric wires in total, as described above. The first electric wire  10  is an example of the first single core wire. The second electric wire  210  is example of the second single core wire. The third electric wire  310  is an example of the third single core wire. 
     (First Electric Wire  10 ) 
     In the present embodiment, the first electric wire  10  is constructed of a power line for supplying a drive current to the motor  101   a  for the EPB  101  mounted on the wheel  102  of the vehicle  100 . The first electric wire  10  is configured such that a first conductor  11  formed by twisting equal-diameter strands together is covered with a first insulation  12  formed of, e.g., an insulating resin such as cross-linked polyethylene. The strand is formed of, e.g., a highly conductive material such as copper. “Equal” of “equal-diameter” not only means completely the same but also means to include a small error which occurs during, e.g., manufacturing of the strands. The small error refers to, e.g., an error of not more than 5%. The first conductor  11  is an example of the conductor. 
     Strands having a diameter of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 0.30 mm can be used to form the first conductor  11 . When using strands having a diameter of less than 0.05 mm, sufficient mechanical strength may not be obtained, causing a decrease in flex resistance. When using strands having a diameter of more than 0.30 mm, flexibility of the composite cable  1  may decrease. 
     The outer diameter of the first conductor  11  and the thickness of the first insulation  12  are appropriately adjusted according to magnitude of required drive current. For example, considering that the first electric wire  10  is a power line for supplying a drive current to the motor  101   a  for the EPB  101 , the outer diameter of the first conductor  11  is preferably set to not less than 1.5 mm and not more than 3.0 mm. 
     (First Multicore Wire  20 ) 
     The second electric wire  210  is constructed of a signal line for the ABS sensor  104   a  mounted on the wheel  102 , The first multicore wire  20  is configured to include the first twisted pair wire  210 A formed by twisting the pair (i.e., two) of second electric wires  210  together, and a first inner sheath  220  provided to cover the periphery of the first twisted pair wire  210 A. 
     The second electric wire  210  is configured such that a second conductor  211  formed by twisting highly conductive strands of copper, etc., is covered with a second insulation  212  formed of an insulating resin such as cross-linked polyethylene. Strands having a diameter of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 0.30 mm can be used to form the second conductor  211 , in the same manner as the strands used to form the first conductor  11 . 
     The outer diameter of the second electric wire  210  is smaller than that of the first electric wire  10 . From the viewpoint of making the outer diameter of the composite cable  1  close to a circular shape, it is desirable to use the second electric wire  210  which is about half the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . In detail, it is possible to use the second electric wire  210  which has an outer diameter of not less than 1.0 mm and not more than 1.8 mm and is formed using the second conductor  211  having an outer diameter of not less than 0.4 mm and not more than 1.0 mm. 
     Furthermore, from the viewpoint of making the outer shape of the composite cable  1  close to a circular shape in cross section, the outer diameter of the first multicore wire  20  is preferably not less than 70% and not more than 160% of the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . The outer diameter of the first multicore wire  20  is more preferably not less than 85% and not more than 145% of the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . When, e.g., the outer diameter R 3  of the first electric wire  10  is about 3 mm, the outer diameter R 4  of the first multicore wire  20  is preferably about not less than 2.10 mm and not more than 4.80 mm (more preferably, not less than 2.55 mm and not more than 4.35 mm). 
     The first inner sheath  220  has a substantially-cylindrical outer circumferential surface  220   a  and covers the outer surface of the first twisted pair wire  210 A. The first inner sheath  220  is formed of, e.g., a urethane-based resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane. In addition, the first inner sheath  220  fills a space between the pair of second electric wires  210  and is provided in such a manner that any gap is not formed in the entire area T, from an outer circumferential surface  210   a  of each second electric wire  210  to the outer circumferential surface  220   a  of the first inner sheath  220 , In other words, the first multicore wire  20  is an electric wire with a solid (non-hollowed) structure in which the first inner sheath  220  covers the first twisted pair wire  210 A while filling the space between the pair of second electric wires  210 . In such solid (non-hollowed) structure, the entire outer circumferential surfaces  210   a  of the pair of second electric wires  210 , except a portion where the pair of second electric wires  210  are in contact with each other, are in contact with the first inner sheath  220 . 
     A twist pitch of the first twisted pair wire  210 A (hereinafter, also referred to as “first twist pitch”) is set by taking into account the outer diameter of the second electric wire  210  so that an unnecessary load is not applied to the second electric wires  210 . The first twist pitch here is a distance along the longitudinal direction of the first twisted pair wire  210 A between two corresponding points at which a given second electric wire  210  is located at the same position in a circumferential direction of the first twisted pair wire  210 A. 
     (Second Multicore Wire  30 ) 
     The third electric wire  310  is constructed of a signal line for the ABS sensor  104   a  mounted on the wheel  102 . The second multicore wire  30  is configured to include the second twisted pair wire  310 A formed by twisting the pair (i.e., two) of third electric wires  310  together, and a second inner sheath  320  provided to cover the periphery of the second twisted pair wire  310 A. 
     The third electric wire  310  is configured such that a third conductor  311  formed by twisting highly conductive strands of copper, etc., is covered with a third insulation  312  formed of an insulating resin such as cross-linked polyethylene, in the same manner as the second electric wire  210 , Strands having a diameter of not less than 0.05 mm and not more than 0.30 mm can be used to form the third conductor  311 , in the same manner as the strands used to form the first conductor  11  and the second conductor  211 . 
     The outer diameter of the third electric wire  310  is smaller than the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . More preferably, the outer diameter of the third electric wire  310  is substantially the same as the second electric wire  210 . It is desirable to use the third electric wire  310  which is about half the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . In particular, it is possible to use the third electric wire  310  which has an outer diameter of not less than 1.0 mm and not more than 1.8 mm and is formed using the third conductor  311  having an outer diameter of not less than 0.4 mm and not more than 1.0 mm. 
     Furthermore, from the viewpoint of making the outer shape of the composite cable  1  close to a circular shape in cross section, the outer diameter of the second multicore wire  30  is preferably not less than 70% and not more than 160% of the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . The outer diameter of the second multicore wire  30  is more preferably not less than 85% and not more than 145% of the outer diameter of the first electric wire  10 . When, e.g., the outer diameter R 3  of the first electric wire  10  is about 3 mm, the outer diameter R 4  of the second multicore wire  30  is preferably about not less than 2.10 mm and not more than 4.80 mm (more preferably, not less than 2.55 mm and not more than 4.35 mm). 
     The second inner sheath  320  has a substantially-cylindrical outer circumferential surface  320   a  and covers the outer surface of the second twisted pair wire  310 A, in the same manner as the first inner sheath  220 . The second Miner sheath  320  is formed of, e.g., a urethane-based resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane. In addition, the second inner sheath  320  also fills a space between the pair of third electric  310  and is provided in such a manner that any gap is not formed in the entire area T, from an outer circumferential surface  310   a  of each third electric wire  310  to the outer circumferential surface  320   a  of the second inner sheath  320 , in the same manner as the first inner sheath  220 . In other words, the second multicore wire  30  is an electric wire with a solid (non-hollowed) structure in which the second inner sheath  320  covers the second twisted pair wire  310 A while filling the space between the pair of third electric wires  310 . In such solid (non-hollowed) structure, the entire outer circumferential surfaces  320   a  of the pair of third electric wires  310 , except a portion where the pair of third electric wires  310  are in contact with each other, are in contact with the second inner sheath  320 . 
     A twist pitch of the second twisted pair wire  310 A (hereinafter, also referred to as “second twist pitch”) is set by taking into account the outer diameter of the electric wire  310  so that an unnecessary load is not applied to the third electric wires  310 , in the same manner as the first pitch. In addition, the second twist pitch may be either substantially the same as or different from the first twist pitch, but it is more advantageous than the conventional technique when the second twist pitch is different from the first twist pitch. 
     (Relation Between the First Multicore Wire  20  and the Second Multicore Wire  30 ) 
     The first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  are identical. The term “identical” as used herein means that there is no specific difference in attribute information including configuration, dimension and properties, etc., between the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 . In more details, “identical” means that the material of the inner sheath, the diameter of the inner sheath, the material of the conductor, the diameter of the conductor, the strand diameter of the conductor and the twist pitch are the same for the both. “The diameter of the conductor, the strand diameter of the conductor and the twist pitch are the same for the both” here not only means completely the same but also means to include a small error (not more than about 5%) which occurs during manufacturing. 
     (Twisted Assembly  1 A) 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the twisted assembly  1 A is formed by twisting the pair of first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  together. In the present embodiment, the first electric wires  10  and the first multicore wire  20 /the second multicore wire  30  are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction C of the twisted assembly  1 A. In other words, the pair of first electric wires  10  are positioned to face each other, and the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  are positioned to face each other. 
     In further other words, the first multicore wire  20  is arranged in one of regions facing each other across the center plane passing through the central axes O of the pair of first electric wires  10 , and the second multicore wire  30  is arranged in the other of the regions. That is, when viewed in the cross section of the composite cable  1 , the first multicore wire  20  is arranged on one side of the center line L connecting the centers (see “O”) of the pair of first electric wires  10 , and the second multicore wire  30  is arranged on the other side of the center line L. 
     In such arrangement, the first electric wire  10  is in contact with the first multicore wire  20  as well as the second multicore wire  30  on both adjacent sides in the circumferential direction C of the twisted assembly  1 A. In addition, the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  are separated from each other by the pair of first electric wires  10  and are arranged at a certain distance from each other. In other words, the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  are arranged so as not to be in direct contact with each other. As a result, even when the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  are used during the same period of time (e.g., during motion of the vehicle), it is possible to prevent crosstalk between the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 . In addition, the outer diameter of the first multicore wire  20  and the outer diameter of the second multicore wire  30  are greater than the distance between the pair of first electric wires  10 . This prevents one of the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  from moving to the other side by passing through between the pair of first electric wires  10 . 
     The twisted assembly  1 A has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape with a short diameter R 1  and a long diameter R 2  (R 1 &lt;R 2 ), where the short diameter R 1  is the largest outer diameter in a direction of a straight line passing through the centers of the pair of first electric wires  10 , and the long diameter R 2  is the largest outer diameter in a direction of a straight line passing through the centers of the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 . That is, the cross section of the twisted assembly  1 A has a substantially elliptical (outer) shape with a minor axis in the vertical direction of  FIG. 3  and a major axis in the horizontal direction of  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the twisted assembly  1 A, i.e., the outer shape of the twisted assembly  1 A is a circle (R 1 =R 2 ). Note that, in  FIG. 3 , the cross section of the twisted assembly  1 A is depicted as a circle with R 1 =R 2  for convenience of explanation. 
     Each of the short diameter R 1  and the long diameter R 2  of the twisted assembly  1 A is, e.g., about 5 mm to 9 mm. A twist pitch of the twisted assembly  1 A (hereinafter, also referred to as “third twist pitch”) is set by taking into account the outer diameter of the twisted assembly  1 A so that an unnecessary load is not applied to the first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 . The third twist pitch here is a distance along the longitudinal direction of the twisted assembly  1 A between two corresponding points at which a given electric wire among the first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  is located at the same position in the circumferential direction C of the twisted assembly  1 A. 
     (Tape Member  40 ) 
     The tape member  40  is spirally wound around the twisted assembly  1 A. The tape member  40  is, e.g., a binding tape. The tape member  40  is in contact with the pair of first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 . The tape member  40  is provided between the twisted assembly  1 A and the outer sheath  50  and reduces friction between the twisted assembly  1 A and the outer sheath  50  when bent, thereby serving to improve flex resistance. 
     The tape member  40  is desirably slidable (desirably has a low friction coefficient) with respect to the first insulation  12 , the second insulation  212  and the third insulation  312 , and can be formed of, e.g., a non-woven fabric, a paper or a resin (a resin film, etc.). The tape member  40  with a multilayer structure composed of not less than two layers may alternatively be used. The width of the tape member  40  is determined so that the tape member  40  is not creased when the tape member  40  is wound. The tape member  40  does not necessarily need to be spirally wound around the twisted assembly  1 A and may be longitudinally wrapped around the twisted assembly  1 A. 
     (Outer Sheath  50 ) 
     The outer sheath  50  is provided around the tape member  40 . The outer sheath  50  is formed of, e.g., a urethane resin such as thermoplastic polyurethane. Although a shield conductor around the tape member  40  is omitted in the present embodiment since the first electric wires  10  are used to supply a drive current to the EPB motor  101   a  and the drive current flows through the first electric wires  10  in a relatively short time, a shield conductor may be provided between the tape member  40  and the outer sheath  50  or around the outer sheath  50  depending on the intended use, etc., of the first electric wires  10 . The shield conductor is formed by, e.g., braiding conductive wires. 
     (Filler) 
     The twisted assembly  1 A may additionally have plural string-shaped (fibrous) fillers (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the composite cable  1  and may be configured that the fillers are arranged in each gap U formed between the first electric wire  10 , the first multicore wire  20  or the second multicore wire  30  and the tape member  40  and are twisted together with the first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 , By providing the plural tillers, it is possible to make the cross-sectional shape after winding the tape member  40  around the twisted assembly  1 A closer to a circular shape. The fillers may be additionally arranged in a valley portion V surrounded by the pair of first electric wires  10 , the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 . 
     As the fillers, it is possible to use a fibrous material such as polypropylene yarn, spun rayon yarn (rayon staple fiber), aramid fiber, nylon fiber or fiber plastic, a paper or a cotton yarn. 
     (Composite Harness Using the Composite Cable  1 ) 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a composite harness in the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a composite harness  6  is provided with the composite cable  1  in the present embodiment, a connector  61  attached to an end portion of the first electric wires  10 , and a molded member  62  attached to end portions of the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  and formed by molding a resin. 
     The connector  61  attached to an end portion of the pair of first electric wires  10  is a wheel-side power connector for connection to the EPB motor  101   a . A first ABS sensor  104   a A (see “S 1 ” in  FIG. 4 ) is attached to an end portion of the first multicore wire  20 , and a second ABS sensor  104   a B (see “S 2 ” in  FIG. 4 ) is attached to an end portion of the second multicore wire  30 . The configuration with the two ABS sensors  104   a A and  104   a B increases redundancy of the sensor. Thus, even if one of the first ABS sensor  104   a A and the second ABS sensor  104   a B is damaged, the other can still function and it is thereby possible to improve safety of the vehicle. 
     The first ABS sensor  104   a A and the second ABS sensor  104   a B are housed together inside a protruding portion  621  provided on the molded member  62 . The protruding portion  621  of the molded member  62  is configured to be fitted to an insertion hole (not shown) which is formed on the ABS device  104  and has a predetermined shape. Such configuration allows two ABS sensors to be put together in one head portion. 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  are arranged at a distance also inside the molded member  62 , such that the molded member  62  covers the periphery (see “R” in  FIG. 4 ) of the first multicore wire  20  and the periphery (see “R” in  FIG. 4 ) of the second multicore wire  30 . In such configuration, the molded member  62  is melted and bonded to each of the inner sheaths  220  and  320  (the entire outer circumferential surfaces  220   a  and  320   a ), thereby preventing water ingress into the molded member  62  from between the molded member  62  and the inner sheaths  220  and  320 . 
     Although the connector and the molded member are separately provided on the first electric wire  10  and the first multicore wire  20 /the second multicore wire  30  in this example, one dedicated connector connecting these electric wires all together may be provided. 
     (Modification of the Composite Harness  6 ) 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the composite harness in a modification of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , separate molded resin portions may be respectively provided on the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30 , In detail, the composite harness in the present modification is provided with a first molded member  62 A which covers the first multicore wire  20  and the first ABS sensor  104   a A together, and a second molded member  62 B which is provided at a distance from the first molded member  62 A and covers the second multicore wire  30  and the second ABS sensor  104   a B together. 
     The first molded member  62 A has a first protruding portion  621 A which houses the first ABS sensor  104   a A. The second molded member  62 B has a second protruding portion  621 B which houses the second ABS sensor  104   a B. The first molded member  62 A and the second molded member  62 B may alternatively be integrated by connecting end portions thereof (e.g., the tip portions on the ABS sensors  104   a A and  104   a B side). The first protruding portion  621 A and the second protruding portion  621 B are configured to be respectively fitted to a first insertion hole (not shown) and a second insertion hole (not shown) which are formed on the ABS device  104 . 
     (Functions and Effects of the Embodiment) 
     Since the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore, wire  30  have a solid (non-hollowed) structure and are respectively arranged on one side and the other side of the center plane passing through the central axes O of the pair of first electric wires  10 , it is possible to prevent change in the outer shape of the twisted assembly  1 A along the longitudinal direction of the composite cable  1  even when the twist pitch of the first twisted pair wire  210 A (the first twist pitch) and the twist pitch of the second twisted pair wire  310 A (the second twist pitch) are different in the configuration in which two rotational speed sensors are provided to have redundancy. Since the first multicore wire  20  and the second multicore wire  30  have a solid (non-hollowed) structure, change in the shape of the first inner sheath  220  and the second inner sheath  320  due to pressure during extrusion molding can be prevented at the time of extruding the outer sheath  50  around the twisted assembly  1 A. This allows for further prevention of change in the outer shape of the twisted assembly  1 A along the longitudinal direction of the composite cable  1 . 
     In addition, since the change in the outer shape of the twisted assembly  1 A along the longitudinal direction of the composite cable  1  is prevented, non-uniformity of the thickness of the outer sheath  50  along the circumferential direction C of the twisted assembly  1 A can be prevented at any positions in the longitudinal direction of the composite cable  1 . This improves terminal processability of the composite cable  1 . If the outer sheath  50  has a large non-uniformity in thickness, the outer sheath  50  may not be sufficiently cut at some portions when cutting the outer sheath  50  to terminate composite cable  1 . When some portions of the outer sheath  50  are not sufficiently cut, it may be difficult to strip the outer sheath  50  froth the twisted assembly  1 A. According to the twisted assembly  1 A of the invention, it is possible to prevent such difficulty and thereby improve terminal processability of the composite cable  1 . 
     Although the embodiment of the invention has been described, the invention according to claims is not to be limited to the embodiment described above. Further, please note that all combinations of the features described in the embodiment are not necessary to solve the problem of the invention.