wire harness

By setting unique flange shapes on the connectors of the wire harness and using special fixtures, the problem of incorrect connector assembly in wire harness manufacturing was solved, and the correct assembly process was achieved.

CN115693255BActive Publication Date: 2026-03-31YAZAKI CORP
View PDF 6 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-07-12
Publication Date
2026-03-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In wire harnesses using similar connectors, the similarity of the connectors may lead to incorrect assembly during manufacturing, such as a connector of a different type than the one that is installed correctly being installed to the end of the cable.

Method used

In connectors mounted on multiple cable ends of a wire harness, each connector housing has a different flange shape, giving the flanges a unique concave-convex shape between each connector. They are assembled using a special fixture to prevent incorrect assembly.

Benefits of technology

By setting different flange shapes and special clamps, incorrect assembly of connectors during the manufacturing process is effectively prevented, ensuring the correct assembly of wire harnesses.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN115693255B_ABST
    Figure CN115693255B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A wire harness includes a cable composed of a plurality of electric wires bundled together to provide a plurality of cable ends, and a plurality of connectors mounted one-to-one to the plurality of cable ends, wherein each of the plurality of connectors includes a connector terminal connected to a terminal end of the electric wire, a tubular housing body that houses the connector terminal, and a flange formed to protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the housing body. The flange has a concave-convex shape that is different between the plurality of connectors on a mating side for mating with a counterpart connector.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wire harness in which a connector is mounted at the end of a cable. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, wire harnesses with connectors mounted at the cable ends are widely used for connections in various electrical and electronic devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In some wire harnesses as described above, the connectors mounted at multiple cable ends are similar connectors, with similar shapes of the housing bodies, housing body constructions for accommodating connector terminals, etc. In manufacturing, using such similar connectors offers many advantages, such as in the common assembly process of connectors during manufacturing.

[0003] Existing technology

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP 2019-098978 A Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by this invention

[0006] However, in wire harnesses using similar connectors, this similarity can lead to incorrect assembly during wire harness manufacturing. For example, a connector that is different from the one intended to be installed correctly may be installed at the end of the cable.

[0007] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness that can prevent incorrect assembly of connectors during manufacturing.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, in one aspect of the invention, a wire harness is provided, comprising: a cable consisting of a plurality of wires bundled together to provide a plurality of cable ends; and a plurality of connectors mounted one-to-one to the plurality of cable ends, wherein each of the plurality of connectors comprises: a connector terminal connected to the end of the wire; a tubular housing body therein receiving the connector terminal; and a flange formed to project from an outer peripheral surface of the housing body, wherein, on a mating side for engaging with a mating connector, the flange has different convex and concave shapes among the plurality of connectors.

[0010] Beneficial effects of the present invention

[0011] According to the above-described wiring harness, each housing body of the multiple connectors mounted on multiple cable ends is provided with flanges having different concave and convex shapes among the multiple connectors. Therefore, even when the multiple connectors are identical connectors, incorrect assembly of the connectors during manufacturing can be prevented by assembling the housing bodies on fixtures that mate with the concave and convex shapes of each flange. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the first connector of the wire harness shown;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the second connector of the wire harness shown;

[0015] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 The diagram shows the housing and shield of the first connector, with each diagram arranged vertically and viewed from their mating side.

[0016] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 The diagram shows the housing of the second connector and the second shield, with each diagram arranged vertically and viewed from its mating side.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how the housing body is mounted onto the fixture during the assembly operation of the first connector; and

[0018] Figure 7 This shows the view when viewed from the mounting side of the housing body. Figure 6 The plan view of the fixture is shown, and it is consistent with... Figure 4 Similarly, a plan view of the fixture is shown next to a plan view of the housing body.

[0019] Reference tag list

[0020] 1. Wiring harness

[0021] 11 Cables

[0022] 11a Cable end

[0023] 12 First Connector

[0024] 13 Second Connector

[0025] 14 Shielding braided fabric

[0026] 15 First Shielding Cover

[0027] 15a, 16a Fastening Rings

[0028] 16 Second shielding cover

[0029] 111 Wire

[0030] 121 and 131 connector terminals

[0031] 122, 132 Shell body

[0032] 122a, 132a opening

[0033] 122b outer peripheral surface

[0034] 123, 133 First flange

[0035] Rectangular plate sections 123a, 124a, 133a, 134a

[0036] 123b, 124b, 133b, 134b Peripheral wall section

[0037] 123c, 124c, 133c, 134c ribs

[0038] 124, 134 Second flange

[0039] 125 and 135 connectors with mating seals

[0040] 126, 136 wire seals

[0041] 127, 137 Rear Retainer

[0042] 127a, 137a First Holder

[0043] 127b, 137b Second Holder

[0044] 151, 161 Cover Body

[0045] 151a and 161a pipe holes

[0046] 152, 162 flange

[0047] 152a arm

[0048] 152b and 162b through holes

[0049] 153, 163 First flange recess

[0050] 154, 164 Second flange recess

[0051] 162a Eaves

[0052] Intervals d11, d12, d13, d14

[0053] Axial directions D11, D12

[0054] D13, D14 Zhou Xiang

[0055] G11 clamp

[0056] G111 Insertion Hole

[0057] G112 Seat

[0058] G113 mounting hole

[0059] G114 protrusion

[0060] W11, W13 First Width

[0061] W12, W14 Second Width Detailed Implementation

[0062] An embodiment of the wire harness is described below.

[0063] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the first connector of the wire harness shown, and Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the second connector of the wire harness shown.

[0064] Figures 1 to 3 The wiring harness 1 shown is a component that connects two electrical and electronic devices (not shown) to each other and is used to transmit high-frequency electrical signals. The wiring harness 1 includes a plurality of connectors (two in this embodiment) that are connected to a cable 11 housed within a tubular shielding braid 14. In addition, the wiring harness 1 includes the cable 11, a first connector 12, a second connector 13, a shielding braid 14, a first shielding cover 15, and a second shielding cover 16.

[0065] The cable 11 is a portion in which multiple (three in this embodiment) wires 111 are bundled together to form two cable ends 11a.

[0066] The first connector 12 and the second connector 13 are two connectors installed one-to-one at the two cable ends 11a.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, the first connector 12 includes connector terminals 121, a housing body 122, and a first flange 123. Figure 4The second flange 124, connector mating seal 125, wire seal 126, and rear retainer 127 are shown.

[0068] Connector terminal 121 is a round terminal that is crimped to the ends of the three wires 111 respectively, and in this embodiment, three connector terminals 121 are provided.

[0069] The housing body 122 is a component consisting of three tubular portions integrally formed of resin and accommodating connector terminals 121 in a one-to-one manner. Each tubular portion has an opening 122a located on the mating side of the respective tubular portion, through which the end of the connector terminal 121 protrudes. The connector terminal 121 is inserted from an opening on the opposite side of the opening 122a, such that the connector terminal 121 is accommodated and held with its end protruding from the opening 122a.

[0070] The first flange 123 is integrally formed from resin and the housing body 122, protruding from the outer peripheral surface 122b of the housing body 122 at a midpoint in the axial direction D11. On the mating side that mates with the mating connector, the first flange 123 has different convex and concave shapes between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. Furthermore, although in Figures 1-3 The first flange 123 is hidden, but the second flange 124 is positioned axially at the same location as the first flange 123 on D11 and circumferentially away from the first flange 123 on D13. (See later...) Figure 4 Description not in Figures 1-3 Details of the first flange 123 and the second flange 124 are shown in the figure.

[0071] The connector mating seal 125 is an annular seal made of rubber. The connector mating seal 125 mates with the outer peripheral surface 122b of the housing body 122 on the side closer to the mating side than the first flange 123, and serves to prevent water or the like from entering from the space between the connectors when mated to a mating connector (not shown).

[0072] The wire seals 126 are three seals, each formed in an annular shape and made of rubber. Each wire seal 126 is fitted near the crimp portion of each wire 111 where it is crimped with the connector terminal 121, and is housed inside the housing body 122. Each wire seal 126 serves to prevent water or the like from entering through the space between each wire 111 and the housing body 122.

[0073] The rear retainer 127 is a component that is received, locked, and secured in the aforementioned opening on the opposite side of the housing body 122 to push the three wire seals 126 into the housing body 122 from the opposite side of the mating side. Figure 2 As shown, the rear retainer 127 consists of two parts, namely the first retainer 127a and the second retainer 127b, which clamp three wires 111 in the radial direction.

[0074] like Figure 3 As shown, the second connector 13 includes connector terminals 131, a housing body 132, a first flange 133, and so on. Figure 5 The second flange 134, connector mating seal 135, wire seal 136, and rear retainer 137 are shown.

[0075] Connector terminal 131 is a round terminal that is crimped to the ends of the three wires 111 respectively, and in this embodiment, three connector terminals 131 are provided.

[0076] The housing body 132 is a component consisting of three tubular portions integrally formed of resin and accommodating connector terminals 131 in a one-to-one manner. Each tubular portion has an opening 132a located on the mating side of the respective tubular portion, through which the end of the connector terminal 131 protrudes. The connector terminal 131 is inserted from an opening on the opposite side of the opening 132a, such that the connector terminal 131 is accommodated and held with its end protruding from the opening 132a.

[0077] The first flange 133 is a portion integrally formed from resin and the housing body 132, protruding from the outer peripheral surface 132b of the housing body 132 at a midpoint along the axial direction D12. On the mating side that mates with the mating connector, the first flange 133 has different convex and concave shapes between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. Although in Figures 1-3 The first flange 133 is hidden, but the second flange 134 is positioned at the same location as the first flange 133 in the axial direction D12 and in the circumferential direction D14 at a location away from the first flange 133. (See later...) Figure 5 Description not in Figure 1-3 Details of the first flange 133 and the second flange 134 are shown in the figure.

[0078] The connector mating seal 135 is an annular seal made of rubber. The connector mating seal 135 mates with the outer peripheral surface 132b of the housing body 132 on the side closer to the mating side than the first flange 133, and serves to prevent water or the like from entering from the space between the connectors when mated to a mating connector (not shown).

[0079] The wire seals 136 are three seals formed in a ring shape and made of rubber. Each wire seal 136 fits near the crimp portion of each wire 111 where it is crimped with the connector terminal 131, and is housed inside the housing body 132. Each wire seal 136 serves to prevent water or the like from entering through the space between each wire 111 and the housing body 132.

[0080] The rear retainer 137 is a component that is received, locked, and secured in the aforementioned opening on the opposite side of the housing body 132 to push the three wire seals 136 into the housing body 132 from the opposite side of the mating side. Figure 3 As shown, the rear retainer 137 consists of two parts, namely the first retainer 137a and the second retainer 137b, which clamp three wires 111 in the radial direction.

[0081] The first connector 12 and the second connector 13 have been described so far, and the following will be described... Figure 1 Other components of the wire harness 1 shown.

[0082] The shielding braid 14 of the wire harness 1 is a shielding component formed by braiding metal wires into a tubular shape to accommodate the cable 11, and is arranged in the portion between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13.

[0083] The first shielding cover 15 is a metal component that fits into the housing body 122 of the first connector 12 from the side opposite to the mating side that mates with the mating connector, and is secured with one end opening covered by the shielding braid 14. The one end opening of the shielding braid 14 is secured to the first shielding cover 15 using a fastening ring 15a that fits and tightens from the outer side of the shielding braid 14. Figure 2 As shown, the first shielding cover 15 is a metal component consisting of an integrally formed cover body 151 and a cover flange 152. The cover body 151 is a tubular portion that fits onto the housing body 122 from the side opposite to the mating side, is further covered by an opening at one end of the shielding braid 14, and is fastened and fixed by a fastening ring 15a. The cover flange 152 is a portion that extends radially outward around the edge of the tubular hole 151a on the mating side of the cover body 151, and serves as a fixing flange for fixing the first connector 12 to a predetermined fixed position. A pair of arms 152a extend from the cover flange 152 for bolt fixing, and each arm 152a has a through hole 152b for bolt fixing.

[0084] Furthermore, the cover flange 152 is formed to overlap with the first flange 123 and the second flange 124. Figure 4The flange 152 is highlighted in a manner that emphasizes its position. On the mating side, the flange 152 includes a first flange recess 153 and a second flange recess 154, such that the first flange 123 and the second flange 124 mate one-to-one with the first flange recess 153 and the second flange recess 154 from the opposite sides. The widths of the first flange recess 153 and the second flange recess 154 on the circumferential direction D13 of the housing body 122 match the widths of the corresponding flanges of the first flange 123 and the second flange 124.

[0085] The second shielding cover 16 is a metal component that fits into the housing body 132 of the second connector 13 from the side opposite to the mating side that mates with the mating connector, and is secured with the other end opening of the shielding braid 14 covered. The other end opening of the shielding braid 14 is secured to the second shielding cover 16 using a fastening ring 16a that fits and tightens from the outer side of the shielding braid 14. Figure 3 As shown, the second shield 16 is a metal component consisting of an integrally formed shield body 161 and a shield flange 162. The shield body 161 is a tubular portion that fits into the housing body 132 from the opposite side to the mating side, is further covered by the opening at the other end of the shielding braid 14, and is fastened and fixed by a fastening ring 16a. The shield flange 162 is a portion that extends radially outward around the edge of the tubular hole 161a on the mating side of the shield body 161 to have a generally rectangular outline in plan view, and serves as a fixing flange for fixing the second connector 13 to a predetermined fixing position. The shield flange 162 is provided with an eave 162a, which bends at approximately a right angle with one long side of the shield flange as a bending line, and through holes 162b for bolt fixing are formed at both ends of the eave 162a.

[0086] Furthermore, the cover flange 162 is formed to overlap with the first flange 133 and the second flange 134. Figure 5 The cover flange 162 includes a first flange recess 163 and a second flange recess 164 on the mating side, such that the first flange 133 and the second flange 134 mate one-to-one with the first flange recess 163 and the second flange recess 164 from the opposite sides. The width of the first flange recess 163 and the second flange recess 164 on the circumferential direction D14 of the housing body 132 matches the width of the corresponding flanges of the first flange 133 and the second flange 134.

[0087] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 The diagram shows a plan view of the housing and shield of the first connector, arranged vertically and viewed from their mating sides.

[0088] like Figure 4As shown in the plan view from the mating side, the housing body 122 of the first connector 12 has an elongated oval shape, consisting of a pair of parallel long sides and a semicircle connecting the ends of the long sides to each other. A first flange 123 is disposed on one long side and has a rectangular shape in the plan view, and a second flange 124 is disposed on the other long side and also has a rectangular shape in the plan view.

[0089] The first flange 123 includes a rectangular plate portion 123a, a peripheral wall portion 123b, and a plurality of ribs 123c. The rectangular plate portion 123a is a portion protruding from one long side of the outer peripheral surface 122b of the housing body 122, with its long side arranged along the outer peripheral surface 122b. The peripheral wall portion 123b is a wall portion that stands upright on three sides of the periphery of the rectangular plate portion 123a, excluding the side facing the outer peripheral surface 122b, toward the mating side. The peripheral wall portion 123b, the outer peripheral surface 122b, and the rectangular plate portion 123a together define a rectangular space. In this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 123c, consisting of four ribs, stand upright from the mating side surface of the rectangular plate portion 123a inside the peripheral wall portion 123b and are arranged at predetermined intervals d11 on the circumferential direction D13 of the housing body 122. These four ribs 123c divide the rectangular space into five spaces at approximately equal intervals.

[0090] The second flange 124 includes a rectangular plate portion 124a, a peripheral wall portion 124b, and a plurality of ribs 124c. The rectangular plate portion 124a is a portion protruding from the other long side of the outer peripheral surface 122b of the housing body 122, with its long side arranged along the outer peripheral surface 122b. The peripheral wall portion 124b is a wall portion that stands upright on three sides of the periphery of the rectangular plate portion 124a, excluding the side on the outer peripheral surface 122b, toward the mating side. The peripheral wall portion 124b, the outer peripheral surface 122b, and the rectangular plate portion 124a together define a rectangular space. In this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 124c, consisting of nine ribs, stand upright from the mating side surface of the rectangular plate portion 124a inside the peripheral wall portion 124b and are arranged at predetermined intervals d12 on the circumferential direction D13 of the housing body 122. These nine ribs 124c divide the rectangular space into ten spaces at approximately equal intervals.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first flange 123 is formed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface 122b of the housing body 122 at a midpoint in the axial direction D11, and has a first width W11 in the circumferential direction D13 of the housing body 122. Furthermore, the second flange 124 is formed to protrude at the aforementioned midpoint and at a position in the circumferential direction D13 away from the first flange 123, and has a second width W12 in the circumferential direction D13, the second width W12 being different from the first width W11 of the first flange 123. In this embodiment, the second width W12 of the second flange 124 is greater than the first width W11 of the first flange 123. The cover flange 152 includes, in the circumferential direction D13: a first flange recess 153 having a width corresponding to the first width W11 to accommodate the first flange 123 therein; and a second flange recess 154 having a width corresponding to the second width W12 to accommodate the second flange 124 therein.

[0092] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 The diagram shows a plan view of the housing and the second shield of the second connector, arranged vertically and viewed from their mating sides.

[0093] like Figure 5 As shown, the housing body 132 of the second connector 13 has, in the plan view from the mating side, a shape similar to... Figure 4 The housing body 122 of the first connector 12 shown has a similar elongated oval shape. A first flange 133 is disposed on one long side and has a rectangular shape in the plan view, and a second flange 134 is disposed on the other long side and has a rectangular shape in the plan view.

[0094] The first flange 133 includes a rectangular plate portion 133a, a peripheral wall portion 133b, and a plurality of ribs 133c. The rectangular plate portion 133a is a portion protruding from one long side of the outer peripheral surface 132b of the housing body 132, with its long side arranged along the outer peripheral surface 132b. The peripheral wall portion 133b is a wall portion that stands upright on three sides of the periphery of the rectangular plate portion 133a, excluding the side facing the outer peripheral surface 132b, toward the mating side. The peripheral wall portion 133b, the outer peripheral surface 132b, and the rectangular plate portion 133a together define a rectangular space. In this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 133c, consisting of two ribs 133c, stand upright from the mating side surface of the rectangular plate portion 133a inside the peripheral wall portion 133b, and are arranged at predetermined intervals d13 on the circumferential direction D14 of the housing body 132. These two ribs 133c divide the rectangular space into three spaces at approximately equal intervals.

[0095] The second flange 134 includes a rectangular plate portion 134a, a peripheral wall portion 134b, and a plurality of ribs 134c. The rectangular plate portion 134a is a portion that protrudes from the other long side of the outer peripheral surface 132b of the housing body 132, and its long side is arranged along the outer peripheral surface 132b. The peripheral wall portion 134b is a wall portion that stands upright on three sides of the periphery of the rectangular plate portion 134a, excluding the side on the outer peripheral surface 132b, toward the mating side. The peripheral wall portion 134b, the outer peripheral surface 132b, and the rectangular plate portion 134a together define a rectangular space. In this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 134c, consisting of nine ribs, stand upright from the mating side surface of the rectangular plate portion 134a inside the peripheral wall portion 134b and are arranged at predetermined intervals d14 on the circumferential direction D14 of the housing body 132. These nine ribs 134c divide the rectangular space into ten spaces at approximately equal intervals.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first flange 133 is formed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface 132b of the housing body 132 at a midpoint in the axial direction D12, and has a first width W13 in the circumferential direction D14 of the housing body 132. Furthermore, the second flange 134 is formed to protrude at the aforementioned midpoint and at a position in the circumferential direction D14 away from the first flange 133, and has a second width W14 in the circumferential direction D14, the second width W14 being different from the first width W13 of the first flange 133. In this embodiment, the second width W14 of the second flange 134 is greater than the first width W13 of the first flange 133. The cover flange 162 includes in the circumferential direction D14: a first flange recess 163 having a width corresponding to the first width W13 for the first flange 133 to fit therein; and a second flange recess 164 having a width corresponding to the second width W14 for the second flange 134 to fit therein.

[0097] In this embodiment, the intervals d11 and d13 of the ribs 123c and 133c for the first flanges 123 and 133 are different between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. Due to this difference in intervals d11 and d13, the first flanges 123 and 133 have different convex and concave shapes on the mating side that mates with the mating connector, compared to the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. Furthermore, the intervals d12 and d14 of the ribs 124c and 134c for the second flanges 124 and 134 are also different between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. Due to this difference in intervals d12 and d14, the second flanges 124 and 134 have different convex and concave shapes on the mating side that mates with the mating connector, compared to the first connector 12 and the second connector 13.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first widths W11 and W13 of the first flanges 123 and 133 in the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 are different from each other. In addition, the second widths W12 and W14 of the second flanges 124 and 134 are also different from each other.

[0099] In this embodiment, Figure 3 The first connector 12 and shown in the exploded perspective view Figure 4 The second connector 13 shown in the exploded perspective view is assembled by mounting the housing bodies 122, 132 to the fixtures described below. The assembly operation between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 is substantially the same. In the following, the assembly operation will be described with reference to the first connector 12 as a representative example.

[0100] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how the housing body is mounted onto the fixture during the assembly operation of the first connector. Figure 7 The image shows the view from the mounting side of the housing body. Figure 6 The plan view of the fixture is shown, and it is consistent with... Figure 4 Similarly, the fixture is shown next to the plan view of the housing body.

[0101] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the clamp G11 used in the assembly operation of the first connector 12 is a plate component including an insertion hole G111, which is an elongated oval shape for insertion into the mating side of the housing body 122. Furthermore, the clamp G11 includes a base portion G112, which is the periphery of the insertion hole G111. In a plan view viewed from the mating side, the base portion G112 protrudes in the same shape as the flange 152 of the first shield 15. The base portion G112 includes a mounting hole G113, which is arranged at a position corresponding to the through hole 152b for bolt fixing of the flange 152.

[0102] In the assembly operation of the first connector 12, the housing body 122 is first installed onto the clamp G11 by inserting the mating side of the housing body 122 into the insertion hole G111. The base portion G112 of the clamp G11 is provided with five protrusions G114, which stand upright at positions corresponding to the first flange 123. For example... Figure 7As shown, the five protrusions G114 are formed such that each protrusion G114 engages with one of the five spaces defined by the four ribs 123c of the first flange 123. The housing body 122 is mounted to the clamp G11 such that the five protrusions G114 engage with the five spaces of the first flange 123, and the second flange 124 is positioned on the opposite side of the protrusions G114 on the base portion G112. Then, relative to the housing body 122 in this state, the connector terminals 121 crimped to the respective ends of the three wires 111 are inserted and received. At this time, the wire seals 126 are pre-attached to each wire 111, and the connector terminals 121 and the wire seals 126 are received together within the housing body 122. Subsequently, a rear retainer 127 is provided such that the three wires 111 are clamped in the middle by the first retainer 127a and the second retainer 127b and accommodated within the opening of the housing body 122, thereby pushing the wire seal 126 into the housing body 122. Furthermore, a first shielding cover 15, with its end opening of the shielding braid 14 already securely fastened, is attached to the housing body 122, such that the cable 11 composed of the three wires 111 is accommodated within the shielding braid 14. At this point, the first shielding cover 15 is oriented with the first flange 123 engaging in the first flange recess 153 and the second flange 124 engaging in the second flange recess 154.

[0103] The first connector 12 is assembled in this manner. The second connector 13 is assembled using a similar process, thereby providing... Figure 1 The completed wire harness 1 is shown. When assembling the second connector 13, a special jig is used, which is provided with three protrusions G114, which are configured to engage with three spaces defined by the two ribs 133c of the first flange 133 of the second connector 13.

[0104] In this embodiment, the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 are similar connectors, wherein the shapes of the housing bodies 122 and 132, the construction of the housing bodies 122 and 132 for accommodating the connector terminals 121 and 131, etc., are similar to each other. This similarity may lead to the risk of incorrect assembly, i.e., a connector different from the one intended to be installed correctly may be installed on a cable end 11a.

[0105] To avoid such risks, in the wiring harness 1 of the above embodiment, the housing bodies 122 and 132 of the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 are provided with first flanges 123 and 133 having different concave and convex shapes. Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the assembly operation of the first connector 12, a special clamp G11 that mates with the concave and convex shape of the first flange 123 is used. Similarly, during the assembly operation of the second connector 13, a special clamp that mates with the concave and convex shape of the first flange 133 is used. Therefore, for example, during the assembly operation of the first connector 12, even if an operator mistakenly attempts to install the housing body 132 of the second connector 13, installation is impossible because the clamp G11 does not match the concave and convex shape of the first flange 133 of the second connector 13. Therefore, according to the wiring harness 1 of this embodiment, by utilizing the different concave and convex shapes of the first flanges 123 and 133 between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13, special clamps can be used in each mating operation. By performing this operation based on the concave and convex shapes of the first flanges 123 and 133, it is possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the connector during manufacturing.

[0106] In this embodiment, the spacing d13 of the plurality of ribs 123c, 133c of the first flanges 123, 133 is different between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. According to this configuration, incorrect assembly of the connectors can be effectively prevented by the simple structure of the clamp, which is provided with protrusions that mate with the space defined by the ribs 123c, 133c for mounting the housing bodies 122, 132.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wire harness 1 includes a shielding braid 14, a first shielding cover 15, and a second shielding cover 16. The flanges 152 and 162 of the first shielding cover 15 and the second shielding cover 16 are provided with first flange recesses 153 and 163 and second flange recesses 154 and 164. The first flange recesses 153 and 163 are recesses for accommodating first flanges 123 and 133, and the second flange recesses 154 and 164 are recesses for accommodating second flanges 124 and 134. That is, in this embodiment, the first shielding cover 15 and the second shielding cover 16, on which the shielding braid 14 is mounted, are provided with flanges 152 and 162 corresponding to the flanges of each connector. By using the first shielding cover 15 and the second shielding cover 16 as described above, the shielding braid 14 can be installed while effectively avoiding flanges used to prevent incorrect assembly, thereby providing a wire harness 1 suitable for transmitting high-frequency electrical signals.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 include first flanges 123 and 133 and second flanges 124 and 134 with different widths. Additionally, each shield flange 152 and 162 includes first flange recesses 153 and 163 and second flange recesses 154 and 164, with the first flanges 123 and 133 and the second flanges 124 and 134 mating one-to-one with the first flange recesses 153 and 163 and the second flange recesses 154 and 164. According to this configuration, the mounting orientation of the first shield 15 and the second shield 16 relative to the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 is uniquely determined as the orientation of the two flanges mating in the two flange recesses. That is, the above configuration also prevents incorrect assembly of the first shield 15 and the second shield 16 relative to the mounting orientation of the first connector 12 and the second connector 13.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first widths W11 and W13 of the first flanges 123 and 133 and the second widths W12 and W14 of the second flanges 124 and 134 are different between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. This configuration effectively prevents incorrect assembly of the first shielding cover 15 and the second shielding cover 16 relative to the housing bodies 122 and 132.

[0110] The above embodiments are merely representative examples, and the wiring harness is not limited to these embodiments. In other words, various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. Such modifications are within its scope as long as they involve the construction of the wiring harness.

[0111] For example, in the above embodiment, as an example of a wire harness, a wire harness 1 is shown in which a first connector 12 and a second connector 13 are mounted on two cable ends 11a of a single cable 11 without branches. However, the wire harness is not limited to this; the wire harness may branch to have more than three cable ends and connectors may be mounted to each cable end.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, as an example of a wire harness, a wire harness 1 is shown comprising a cable 11 formed by bundling three wires 111 together. However, the wire harness is not limited to this; a wire harness may include a cable formed by bundling two wires together or a cable formed by bundling four or more wires together.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, as an example of the concave-convex shape of the flange, the following shape is shown. First, for the first flanges 123 and 133, a plurality of ribs 123c and 133c are spaced d11 and d13 inside the peripheral wall portions 123b and 133b and stand upright from the rectangular plate portions 123a and 133a. Furthermore, for the second flanges 124 and 134, a plurality of ribs 124c and 134c are spaced d12 and d14 inside the peripheral wall portions 124b and 134b and stand upright from the rectangular plate portions 124a and 134a. However, the concave-convex shape of the flange is not limited to this; the concave-convex shape can be a shape other than the arrangement of the ribs, such as wavy concave-convex or a plurality of recesses distributed in a dispersed manner, as long as the shapes of the multiple connectors of the wire harness are different. However, the concave-convex shape formed by the arrangement of ribs 123c, 124c, 133c, and 134c can effectively prevent incorrect assembly of the connector by using a simple clamping structure for mounting the housing bodies 122 and 132 as described above.

[0114] Furthermore, the above embodiment illustrates an example of a wire harness 1 suitable for high-frequency transmission, comprising a shielding braid 14, a first shielding cover 15, and a second shielding cover 16. The flanges 152 and 162 of the first shielding cover 15 and the second shielding cover 16 are provided with first flange recesses 153 and 163 and second flange recesses 154 and 164. However, the wire harness is not limited to this; it may be a wire harness without shielding braid, such as a power supply wire harness. However, according to the fixing structure of the shielding braid 14 in the shielding cover including the flange recesses, a wire harness 1 for high-frequency transmission can be provided while effectively avoiding flanges used to prevent incorrect assembly, as described above. In the case of a wire harness for high-frequency transmission, the wire can be a shielded wire, wherein the shielding braid is arranged inside the sheath, eliminating the need to arrange the shielding braid outside the wire harness.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, as examples of flanges, first flanges 123, 133 and second flanges 124, 134 are shown, arranged at the same position relative to axial directions D11, D12 and at two distant positions relative to circumferential directions D13, D14, and they have different widths from each other. Furthermore, as examples of flange recesses, first flange recesses 153, 163 and second flange recesses 154, 164 are shown, with the first flanges 123, 133 and the second flanges 124, 134 mating one-to-one with the first flange recesses 153, 163 and the second flange recesses 154, 164. However, the flanges and flange recesses are not limited to this; for example, only one flange may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, and only one flange recess may be provided on the flange of the shield. However, by providing two flanges with different widths and having these flanges mating one-to-one with the two flange recesses therein, it is also possible to prevent incorrect assembly relative to the mounting orientation of the first shield 15 and the second shield 15, as described above. When multiple flanges and multiple flange recesses are provided, the number is not limited to two. More than three flanges can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, and more than three flange recesses can be provided on the flange of the shield, so that the flanges fit into these flange recesses one-to-one.

[0116] Furthermore, as an example of a wiring harness, the above embodiment shows a wiring harness 1 in which the widths of the first flanges 123, 133 and the second flanges 124, 134 in the circumferential direction D14 are different between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13. However, the wiring harness is not limited to this; the widths of the flanges in the plurality of connectors may be the same. However, by making the widths of the first flanges 123, 133 and the second flanges 124, 134 different between the first connector 12 and the second connector 13, incorrect assembly of the first shield 15 and the second shield 16 can be effectively prevented, as described above. Furthermore, not all of the plurality of flanges disposed on the housing need to have different widths between the connectors, but at least one flange may have different widths between the connectors.

Claims

1. A wire harness comprising: a cable composed of a plurality of electric wires bundled together to provide a plurality of cable ends; and a plurality of connectors installed one-to-one to the plurality of cable ends, wherein each of the plurality of connectors includes: a connector terminal connected to a terminal end of the electric wire, a housing body having a tubular shape that accommodates the connector terminal therein; and a flange formed to protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the housing body, wherein, on a mating side for mating with a counterpart connector, the flange has a concave-convex shape that is different between the plurality of connectors, wherein the flange includes: a plate portion extended to protrude from the outer peripheral surface; a peripheral wall portion erected from an outer periphery of the plate portion to extend toward the mating side; and a plurality of rib walls arranged on an inner side of the peripheral wall portion and erected from a surface of the plate portion on the mating side and arranged at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction of the housing body, and wherein an interval between the plurality of rib walls is different between the plurality of connectors.

2. A wire harness comprising: a cable composed of a plurality of electric wires bundled together to provide a plurality of cable ends; and a plurality of connectors installed one-to-one to the plurality of cable ends, wherein each of the plurality of connectors includes: a connector terminal connected to a terminal end of the electric wire, a housing body having a tubular shape that accommodates the connector terminal therein; and a flange formed to protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the housing body, wherein, on a mating side for mating with a counterpart connector, the flange has a concave-convex shape that is different between the plurality of connectors, the wire harness further comprising: a shield braid formed in a tube shape to accommodate the cable therein and arranged throughout a portion between the plurality of connectors; and a shield cover made of metal that mates to the housing body of each of the plurality of connectors from an opposite side with respect to the mating side in a state where the shield braid is placed on the shield cover and is fixed, and wherein the shield cover includes: a cover body having a tubular shape that mates to the housing body from the opposite side and is fixed in a state where the shield braid is placed on the cover body; and a cover flange formed to protrude from an edge of a tube hole of the cover body on the mating side to overlap with the flange of the housing body, and wherein the cover flange includes a flange recess, and wherein a width of the flange recess of the cover flange in a circumferential direction of the housing body matches a width of the flange of the housing body so that the flange of the housing body mates to a mating side of the cover flange from the opposite side.

3. The wire harness according to claim 2, ​ ​ wherein, The flanges of the housing body are disposed at the same position in the axial direction and at a plurality of positions separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the housing body, the flanges of the housing body have different widths in the circumferential direction, and The plurality of flange recesses of the cover flange are provided to accommodate the plurality of flanges of the housing body in a one-to-one manner, and the width in the circumferential direction of each of the flange recesses of the cover flange matches the width of the corresponding flange of the housing body.

4. The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein The width in the circumferential direction of at least one flange among the plurality of flanges of the housing body is different between the plurality of connectors.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • On-vehicle control system and wire harness

    JP2019098978A

  • Connector for shielded electric wire and wire harness

    CN117712776A

  • Connection terminal

    JP2006155986A

  • Connector

    JP2019175728A

  • Wire harness

    US20230027106A1