Path restricting member and wire harness

Abstract

A path restricting member (20) is provided with a bending member (30A) having a cylindrical holding portion (31) that holds an electric wire member (11) and has a bending portion (30R), and a connecting portion (40). The path restricting member (20) is provided with a bending member (30B), the bending member (30B) having a cylindrical holding portion (31) that holds the electric wire member (11) and has a bending portion (30R), and a connecting portion (50) that is connected to the connecting portion (40) of the bending member (30A) by means of the bending reaction force of the electric wire member (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a path restricting member and a wire harness. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a wire harness disposed inside a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a wire harness including a wire member and a path restricting member that restricts the path of the wire member is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The path restricting member is provided, for example, at a bent portion on the laying path of the wire member. And, the bent shape of the bent portion of the wire member is maintained by the path restricting member. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-53894 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described wire harness, sometimes one path restricting member is constituted by connecting a plurality of restricting members. In this case, it is desired to maintain the connection state between the plurality of restricting members.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a path restricting member and a wire harness that can appropriately maintain the connection state. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The path restricting member of the present invention restricts the path of a wire member, and the path restricting member includes a first bent member and a second bent member. The first bent member has a cylindrical first holding portion and a first connecting portion. The first holding portion holds the wire member and has a first bent portion. The second bent member has a cylindrical second holding portion and a second connecting portion. The second holding portion holds the wire member and has a second bent portion. The second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion by the bending reaction force of the wire member. Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the path restricting member and the wire harness of the present invention, there is an effect that the connection state can be appropriately maintained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a top view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. Figure 5Is an exploded perspective view of a path restricting member showing one embodiment. Figure 6 Is a perspective view of a bending member showing one embodiment. Figure 7 Is a cross-sectional view of a path restricting member showing one embodiment. Figure 8 Is a perspective view of an assembling method of a path restricting member showing one embodiment. Figure 9 Is a top view of an assembling method of a path restricting member showing one embodiment. Figure 10 Is a top view of a path restricting member showing a modified example. Figure 11 Is an exploded perspective view of a path restricting member showing a modified example. Figure 12 Is a perspective view of a bending member showing a modified example. Figure 13 Is an exploded perspective view of a bending member showing a modified example. Figure 14 Is a perspective view of a path restricting member showing a modified example. Figure 15 Is a perspective view of a wire harness showing a modified example. Detailed Embodiments

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. [1] The path restricting member of the present invention restricts the path of a wire member. The path restricting member includes a first bending member and a second bending member. The first bending member has a cylindrical first holding portion and a first connecting portion. The first holding portion holds the wire member and has a first bending portion. The second bending member has a cylindrical second holding portion and a second connecting portion. The second holding portion holds the wire member and has a second bending portion. The second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion by the bending reaction force of the wire member.

[0010] According to this structure, the first connecting portion of the first bending member and the second connecting portion of the second bending member are connected to each other by the bending reaction force of the wire member, so that the first bending member and the second bending member are connected to each other. Thus, the first bending member and the second bending member can be directly connected, and a path restricting member can be formed by combining these first bending member and second bending member.

[0011] However, in the case where a path restricting member is formed by connecting a plurality of restricting members, generally, the bending reaction force of the wire member acts in a manner to release the connection state of the plurality of restricting members. In contrast, in the above structure, the bending reaction force of the wire member is used to connect the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and the bending reaction force of the wire member is used to connect the first bending member and the second bending member. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress the connection state of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion and the connection state of the first bending member and the second bending member from being released due to the bending reaction force of the wire member. Thus, even when the bending reaction force of the wire member is applied to the path restricting member, the connection state of the first bending member and the second bending member can be appropriately maintained.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], it may also be that the first connecting portion is provided on the outer side of the bend of the first bending portion, and the second connecting portion is provided on the outer side of the bend of the second bending portion. According to this structure, the first connecting portion can be provided on the outer side of the bend of the first bending portion where the bending reaction force of the wire member acts, and the second connecting portion can be provided on the outer side of the bend of the second bending portion where the bending reaction force of the wire member acts.

[0013] [3] In the above [2], it may also be that the first connecting portion has a first contact surface formed to extend from the axial end surface of the first holding portion to the radially outer side of the first holding portion, the second connecting portion has a second contact surface formed to extend from the axial end surface of the second holding portion to the radially outer side of the second holding portion, and the second contact surface contacts the first contact surface. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected by the bending reaction force of the wire member in such a manner that the first contact surface and the second contact surface contact each other.

[0014] According to this structure, the first contact surface of the first connecting portion and the second contact surface of the second connecting portion are in contact with each other by the bending reaction force of the wire member. In other words, by the bending reaction force of the wire member, a force that brings the first contact surface and the second contact surface closer to each other is applied to the path restricting member. At this time, the first contact surface is formed so as to expand radially outward from the first holding portion, and the second contact surface is formed so as to expand radially outward from the second holding portion. Therefore, compared with the case where only the end surfaces in the axial direction of the first holding portion and the second holding portion are in contact with each other, the contact area between the first bending member and the second bending member can be increased. As a result, the load applied to the path restricting member by the bending reaction force of the wire member can also be appropriately distributed to the first contact surface and the second contact surface. As a result, stress concentration on a part of the first bending member and a part of the second bending member can be appropriately suppressed, and damage to the first bending member and the second bending member due to stress concentration can be appropriately suppressed.

[0015] [4] In the above [3], it may also be that the first connecting portion has a concave portion provided so as to be recessed from the first contact surface, the second connecting portion has a convex portion, the convex portion protrudes from the second contact surface toward the concave portion, and is fitted with the concave portion, and the convex portion engages with the inner surface of the concave portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first holding portion.

[0016] According to this structure, when the first contact surface of the first connecting portion and the second contact surface of the second connecting portion are in contact with each other, the convex portion of the second connecting portion is fitted with the concave portion so as to engage with the inner surface of the concave portion of the first connecting portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first holding portion. By the engagement between the convex portion and the inner surface of the concave portion, relative movement of the second bending member relative to the first bending member in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first holding portion can be suppressed.

[0017] [5] In the above [4], it may also be that the tip of the convex portion has an engaging convex portion protruding in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the convex portion, the inner end of the concave portion has an engaging concave portion, the engaging convex portion is fitted with the engaging concave portion, and the engaging convex portion engages with the inner surface of the engaging concave portion in the fitting direction of the convex portion with respect to the concave portion.

[0018] According to this structure, the engaging convex portion provided at the tip of the convex portion engages with the inner surface of the engaging concave portion in the fitting direction of the convex portion. Thereby, the convex portion can be appropriately prevented from coming off from the concave portion.

[0019] [6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], it is also possible that the first bending member has a third connecting portion provided on the inner side of the bend of the first bending portion, the second bending member has a fourth connecting portion, the fourth connecting portion is provided on the inner side of the bend of the second bending portion, and is connected to the third connecting portion, the third connecting portion has a support shaft extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first holding portion, the fourth connecting portion has a holding portion, the holding portion holds the support shaft, and is rotatably connected to the third connecting portion with the support shaft as a rotation axis.

[0020] According to this structure, in a state where the holding portion of the fourth connecting portion holds the support shaft of the third connecting portion, the fourth connecting portion can be relatively rotated with respect to the third connecting portion with the support shaft as a rotation axis. Thus, in a state where the holding portion holds the support shaft, the second bending member can be relatively rotated with respect to the first bending member with the support shaft as a rotation axis. Therefore, the relative rotation of the second bending member with respect to the first bending member can be supported by the third connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion. Therefore, the second bending member can be relatively rotated with respect to the first bending member along a specific track.

[0021] [7] In the above [6], it is also possible that the third connecting portion has a notch provided on the end face in the axial direction of the first holding portion, the notch is provided at the intermediate portion in the circumferential direction of the first holding portion, and the support shaft is provided inside the notch.

[0022] According to this structure, the support shaft is provided inside the notch provided at the intermediate portion in the circumferential direction of the first holding portion. Therefore, the support shaft can be supported from both sides in the direction extending from the support shaft, that is, in the direction intersecting the axial direction of the first holding portion, by the first holding portion constituting the notch. Thus, compared with the case where the support shaft is supported by the first holding portion in a cantilever shape, the strength of the support shaft can be improved.

[0023] [8] In the above [7], it is also possible that the support shaft and the first holding portion are separate components. According to this structure, the first holding portion and the support shaft can be made of different materials. Therefore, the degree of freedom in material selection for the first holding portion and the support shaft can be improved. For example, by making the support shaft harder than the first holding portion, the strength of the support shaft can be improved.

[0024] [9] In any one of the above [6] to [8], it may also be that the first holding portion has a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall protruding from both side edges of the bottom wall, the first bending member has a first end portion and a second end portion in the axial direction of the first bending member, and the first bending member includes: a first connecting portion provided at the first end portion of the first side wall; a third connecting portion provided at the first end portion of the second side wall; a fifth connecting portion provided at the second end portion of the first side wall; and a sixth connecting portion provided at the second end portion of the second side wall, the fifth connecting portion having the same structure as the second connecting portion, and the sixth connecting portion having the same structure as the fourth connecting portion.

[0025] According to this structure, a first connecting portion connected to the second connecting portion of the second bending member is provided at the first end portion of the first bending member, and a third connecting portion connected to the fourth connecting portion of the second bending member is provided. In addition, a fifth connecting portion having the same structure as the second connecting portion of the second bending member is provided at the second end portion of the first bending member, and a sixth connecting portion having the same structure as the fourth connecting portion of the second bending member is provided. Therefore, another first bending member can be connected to the second end portion of the first bending member. As a result, the number of the first bending member and the second bending member directly connected can be easily changed. Consequently, the bending angle of the path restricting member can be easily changed.

[0026]

[10] In the above [9], it may also be that the second bending member has the same structure as the first bending member. According to this structure, two first bending members and second bending members having the same structure are directly connected to each other. As a result, the bending angle of the path restricting member can be changed compared with the case of using only the first bending member. In this way, by adjusting the number of the first bending member and the second bending member having the same structure connected, the bending angle of the path restricting member can be easily changed. Consequently, the versatility of the first bending member and the second bending member can be improved, and further the versatility of the path restricting member can be improved.

[0027]

[11] The wire harness of the present invention includes the path restricting member according to any one of the above [1] to

[10] , and the wire member whose path is restricted by the path restricting member. According to this structure, the same effect as the path restricting member of the above [1] can be obtained.

[0028] [Details of the Embodiment of the Present Invention] The following describes specific examples of the path limiting member and the wire harness of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, for convenience of explanation, a part of the structure may be enlarged or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the respective parts may be different in each of the drawings. In the present specification, "orthogonal", "parallel", or "full length" include not only cases that are strictly orthogonal, parallel, or full length, but also cases that are approximately orthogonal, parallel, or full length within the range where the effects of the present embodiment are achieved. In the present specification, "identical" or "equal" include not only cases that are exactly the same or exactly equal, but also cases where there are some differences between the objects to be compared due to the influence of dimensional tolerances and the like. In addition, in the description of the present specification, "tubular" includes not only a shape in which a circumferential wall is continuously formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but also a shape formed by combining a plurality of members into a tubular shape, and a shape having a notch in a part of the circumferential direction such as a C-shaped or U-shaped. In addition, the shape of "tubular" includes a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon having a point or a rounded corner, but is not limited thereto. In addition, "opposed" in the present specification means that surfaces or members are located opposite to each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely located opposite to each other, but also cases where they are partially located opposite to each other. In addition, "opposed" in the present specification includes both cases where a member separate from the two parts is interposed between the two parts and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts. In addition, in some of the drawings, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other are illustrated. In the following description, for convenience, the direction extending along the X-axis is referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction extending along the Y-axis is referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction extending along the Z-axis is referred to as the Z-axis direction. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0029] (Overall Structure of Wire Harness 10) Figure 1 The wire harness 10 shown is mounted on a vehicle V such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, for example. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more electrical devices to each other. The wire harness 10 electrically connects, for example, an inverter M1 provided at the front of the vehicle V and a high-voltage battery M2 provided behind the inverter M1 in the vehicle V. The wire harness 10 is disposed on the vehicle V such that an intermediate portion in the axial direction (length direction) of the wire harness 10 passes outside the vehicle such as under the floor of the vehicle V. The inverter M1 is connected to a drive wheel electric motor (not shown) that serves as a power source for vehicle travel, for example. The inverter M1 generates alternating current power from the direct current power of the high-voltage battery M2 and supplies the alternating current power to the electric motor. The high-voltage battery M2 is a battery that can supply a voltage of several hundred volts, for example.

[0030] The wire harness 10 includes a wire member 11. The wire member 11 includes one or more wires 12 and a tubular outer member 13 that surrounds the outer periphery of the wires 12. The first end portion in the length direction of the wire 12 is connected to the inverter M1, and the second end portion in the length direction of the wire 12 is connected to the high-voltage battery M2.

[0031] The wire 12 is, for example, a thick wire with a relatively large conductor cross-sectional area. Here, the "thick wire" in this specification is a wire with a conductor cross-sectional area of 10 mm 2 (so-called 10 sq) or more. The outer member 13 is, for example, slender and tubular in overall shape. The outer member 13 has, for example, a function of protecting the internal wires 12 from flying objects or water droplets. The outer member 13 has, for example, flexibility and can be easily bent. Examples of the flexible outer member 13 include a synthetic resin corrugated pipe or a rubber waterproof cover.

[0032] As Figure 2 shown, the wire member 11 is bent two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally, for example, in a state of being mounted on the vehicle V. The wire member 11 of the present embodiment has a straight portion 14A that extends linearly in the X-axis direction, a bent portion 15A provided at the end of the straight portion 14A, and a straight portion 14B that extends linearly in the Y-axis direction from the bent portion 15A. The wire member 11 of the present embodiment has a bent portion 15B provided at the end of the straight portion 14B, and a straight portion 14C that extends linearly in the X-axis direction from the bent portion 15B. Thus, the wire member 11 has a plurality of (here, two) bent portions 15A, 15B.

[0033] The bent portion 15A is formed, for example, in such a manner that the path of the wire member 11 is bent at a bending angle θ1. Here, the bending angle θ1 is the angle formed by the central axis L1 of the straight portion 14A and the central axis L2 of the straight portion 14B. The bent portion 15A bends the path of the wire member 11 with the bending angle θ1 being 90°. The bent portion 15A is formed, for example, in such a manner that the path of the wire member 11 bends to the left in the drawing with respect to the central axis L1 of the straight portion 14A. That is, the bent portion 15A is formed in such a manner that the path of the wire member 11 bends left with a bending angle θ1 of 90° with respect to the central axis L1 of the straight portion 14A.

[0034] The bent portion 15B bends the path of the wire member 11, for example, with the bending angle θ2 formed by the central axis L2 of the straight portion 14B and the central axis L3 of the straight portion 14C being 90°. The bent portion 15B is formed, for example, in such a manner that the path of the wire member 11 bends to the right in the drawing with respect to the central axis L2 of the straight portion 14B. That is, the bent portion 15B is formed in such a manner that the path of the wire member 11 bends right with a bending angle θ2 of 90° with respect to the central axis L2 of the straight portion 14B.

[0035] The wire harness 10 includes one or more path restricting members 20 that restrict the path of the wire member 11. The path restricting member 20 is installed on the outer periphery of the wire member 11. The path restricting member 20 is provided at at least one of a plurality of bent portions 15A, 15B of the wire member 11, and maintains the bent shape of the wire member 11 at the bent portions 15A, 15B. The wire harness 10 of the present embodiment includes two path restricting members 20A, 20B. The two path restricting members 20A, 20B are provided corresponding to the two bent portions 15A, 15B respectively.

[0036] (Structure of the path restricting members 20A, 20B) The plurality of path restricting members 20A, 20B are, for example, arranged separately from each other in the length direction of the wire member 11. Each of the path restricting members 20A, 20B includes, for example, a plurality of bent members 30. For example, according to the bent shape of the corresponding bent portions 15A, 15B, the path restricting members 20A, 20B are set in different ways such as the number and arrangement direction of the bent members 30.

[0037] (Structure of the path restricting member 20A) As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the path restricting member 20A is configured to arrange two bent members 30 along the length direction of the wire member 11. In the following description, for convenience, the bent member 30 provided at a position closer to the straight portion 14B among the two bent members 30 may be referred to as "bent member 30A", and the bent member 30 provided at a position closer to the straight portion 14A may be referred to as "bent member 30B". The bent member 30A and the bent member 30B are connected to each other by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 (refer to Figure 9 ). The bent member 30A and the bent member 30B are connected in such a way as to maintain their relative positional relationship by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. Here, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 is the force that the wire member 11 wants to return to its original straight state after being bent like the bent portion 15A. In addition, the bent member 30A and the bent member 30B are configured to be able to easily release their connected state in a state where the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 is not applied.

[0038] The bent members 30A and 30B each hold the exterior member 13. The exterior member 13 is, for example, more difficult to bend than in a state where the bent members 30A and 30B are not installed. The bent members 30A and 30B are made of, for example, metal or resin. The bent members 30A and 30B of the present embodiment are made of resin. As the material of the bent members 30A and 30B, for example, synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyamide, and polyoxymethylene can be used. The material of the bent member 30A and the material of the bent member 30B may be different from each other or the same as each other.

[0039] The bent members 30A and 30B are installed on the outer periphery of the exterior member 13, for example, at the bent portion 15A in the path of the wire member 11. The bent members 30A and 30B restrict the path of the wire member 11 at the bent portion 15A.

[0040] (Structure of the bent members 30A and 30B) Next, the specific structure of the bent members 30A and 30B will be described. In addition, the bent members 30A and 30B have the same structure, so the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and detailed descriptions may sometimes be omitted.

[0041] As Figure 3 shown, the bent member 30A includes a cylindrical holding portion 31 (first holding portion). The holding portion 31 holds the wire member 11 and has a bent portion 30R (first bent portion). The bent member 30A includes a connecting portion 40 (first connecting portion), a connecting portion 50 (fifth connecting portion), a connecting portion 60 (third connecting portion), and a connecting portion 70 (sixth connecting portion). The bent member 30B includes a cylindrical holding portion 31 (second holding portion). The holding portion 31 (second holding portion) holds the wire member 11 and has a bent portion 30R (second bent portion). The bent member 30B includes a connecting portion 40, a connecting portion 50 (second connecting portion), a connecting portion 60, and a connecting portion 70 (fourth connecting portion).

[0042] As Figure 4 shown, the holding portion 31 is in a cylindrical shape that covers the outer periphery of the exterior member 13 at a part of the circumferential direction of the exterior member 13. The cross-sectional shape of the holding portion 31 is U-shaped as a whole. As Figure 3 shown, the holding portion 31 is formed in a bent shape having a bent portion 30R bent at a predetermined bending angle θ. The bending angle θ of the bent portion 30R in the present embodiment is set to 45°. The axial direction of the cylindrical holding portion 31 extends so as to be bent at the predetermined bending angle θ.

[0043] The holding part 31 has, for example, a bottom wall 32 and two side walls 33, 34 protruding from both side edges of the bottom wall 32. For example, when viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, the bottom wall 32 extends in a bent manner at a predetermined bending angle θ. For example, when viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, the bottom wall 32 is formed in an arc-shaped bent manner. As Figure 4 shown, the cross-sectional shape of the bottom wall 32 is, for example, formed in an arc shape.

[0044] Each of the side walls 33, 34 is integrally formed continuously with the bottom wall 32. Each of the side walls 33, 34 protrudes, for example, from both end edges in the width direction of the bottom wall 32 toward the Z-axis direction. The two side walls 33, 34 are opposed to each other, for example, in the width direction of the bottom wall 32. Each of the side walls 33, 34 is formed in a plate shape, for example. The cross-sectional shape of each of the side walls 33, 34 is formed as a rectangle extending linearly along the Z-axis direction.

[0045] As Figure 3 shown, the side wall 33 is provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R at both end edges in the width direction of the bottom wall 32. The side wall 34 is provided on the inner side of the bend of the bent portion 30R at both end edges in the width direction of the bottom wall 32. When viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the side walls 33, 34 are formed in an arc-shaped bent manner. Each of the side walls 33, 34 extends, for example, over the entire length in the axial direction of the holding part 31. The length dimension of the side wall 33 along the axial direction of the holding part 31 is larger than the length dimension of the side wall 34 along the axial direction of the holding part 31.

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, the bending member 30A has an insertion port 35 that opens in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the bending member 30A. The insertion port 35 is formed by a gap between the upper ends of the side wall 33 and the side wall 34. The insertion port 35 extends, for example, over the entire length in the axial direction of the bending member 30A along the axial direction of the bending member 30A. That is, the insertion port 35 is formed to open in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the bending member 30A and to open at both ends in the axial direction of the bending member 30A.

[0047] The bending member 30A has end portions 36 and 37 in the axial direction of the bending member 30A. The end portion 36 is, for example, an end portion opposed to the bending member 30B. The end portion 37 is an end portion provided on the side opposite to the end portion 36 in the axial direction of the bending member 30A.

[0048] As Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the connecting portion 40 is provided at the end portion 36 of the side wall 33. The connecting portion 50 is provided at the end portion 37 of the side wall 33. The connecting portion 60 is provided at the end portion 36 of the side wall 34. The connecting portion 70 is provided at the end portion 37 of the side wall 34. At the end portion 36 of the bent member 30A, the connecting portion 40 is provided on the side wall 33, and the connecting portion 60 is provided on the side wall 34. As Figure 4 shown, the connecting portion 40 of the bent member 30A is connected to the connecting portion 50 of the bent member 30B. The connecting portion 50 of the bent member 30B is connected to the connecting portion 40 of the bent member 30A by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 (refer to Figure 9 ). The connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A is connected to the connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B.

[0049] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 40 will be described. Here, the description will be mainly made with reference to the connecting portion 40 of the bent member 30A. As Figure 6 shown, the connecting portion 40 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. That is, the connecting portion 40 is provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R.

[0050] The connecting portion 40 has a first protruding portion 41 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36 toward the holding portion 31. The first protruding portion 41 is provided only on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33, for example. In other words, the first protruding portion 41 is not provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall 32. As Figure 5 shown, the first protruding portion 41 has a first contact surface 42. The first contact surface 42 is formed so as to extend radially outward from the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36 toward the holding portion 31. The first contact surface 42 extends in the height direction of the side wall 33, for example. The first contact surface 42 is continuously and integrally formed with the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36. The first contact surface 42 and the axial end surface of the side wall 33 at the end portion 36 are formed in the same plane. The first contact surface 42 is provided so as to face the bent member 30B.

[0051] As Figure 3 shown, the first protruding portion 41 extends from the first contact surface 42 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 toward the end portion 37. The first protruding portion 41 extends to the middle portion of the side wall 33 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The first protruding portion 41 is formed such that the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 decreases as it moves from the first contact surface 42 toward the end portion 37. In other words, in the first protruding portion 41, the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 is the largest at the first contact surface 42. The planar shape of the first protruding portion 41 as viewed from the Z-axis direction is formed in a triangle.

[0052] As Figure 7As shown, the connecting portion 40 has a recess 43 that is recessed from the first contact surface 42 toward the end portion 37. The recess 43 extends from the first contact surface 42 to a midportion in the longitudinal direction of the first protruding portion 41. The recess 43 is formed, for example, such that the opening width decreases as it goes from the first contact surface 42 toward the bottom of the recess 43. The planar shape of the recess 43, as viewed from the Z-axis direction for example, is formed as a triangle.

[0053] As Figure 5 shown, the recess 43 is provided in the middle portion in the height direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the first contact surface 42. The recess 43 is provided in the central portion in the height direction of the first contact surface 42. The recess 43 extends along the Z-axis direction.

[0054] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 50 will be described. Here, the connecting portion 50 of the bent member 30A will be mainly described. The connecting portion 50 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 of the end portion 37. That is, the connecting portion 50 is provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R.

[0055] As Figure 6 shown, the connecting portion 50 has a second protruding portion 51 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 of the end portion 37 toward the holding portion 31. The second protruding portion 51 is provided, for example, only on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33. In other words, the second protruding portion 51 is not provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall 32. The second protruding portion 51 has a second contact surface 52. The second contact surface 52 is formed so as to extend radially outward from the axial end surface of the side wall 33 of the end portion 37 toward the holding portion 31. The second contact surface 52 extends, for example, in the height direction of the side wall 33. The second contact surface 52 is continuously and integrally formed with the axial end surface of the side wall 33 of the end portion 37. The second contact surface 52 and the axial end surface of the side wall 33 of the end portion 37 are formed in the same plane. As Figure 5 shown, the second contact surface 52 of the bent member 30B is provided so as to face the first contact surface 42 of the bent member 30A. The second contact surface 52 of the bent member 30B is provided such that it contacts the first contact surface 42 of the bent member 30A by using the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 (refer to Figure 9 ).

[0056] As Figure 3As shown, the second protrusion 51 extends from the second contact surface 52 along the axial direction of the holding portion 31 toward the end portion 36. The second protrusion 51 extends in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 to the middle portion of the side wall 33. The second protrusion 51 extends in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 to the first protrusion 41. That is, the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 51 are provided separately from each other in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The second protrusion 51 is formed, for example, such that the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 decreases as it moves from the second contact surface 52 toward the end portion 36. In other words, at the second protrusion 51, the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 33 is the largest on the second contact surface 52. The planar shape of the second protrusion 51 viewed from the Z-axis direction is formed as a triangle.

[0057] As Figure 7 shown, the connecting portion 50 has a convex portion 53 that protrudes from the second contact surface 52 toward the outside of the holding portion 31 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The convex portion 53 of the connecting portion 50 of the bending member 30B protrudes from the second contact surface 52 toward the concave portion 43 of the bending member 30A. The convex portion 53 of the bending member 30B is fitted into the concave portion 43 of the bending member 30A. As Figure 5 shown, the convex portion 53 is formed in a tapered shape that becomes thinner as it moves away from the second contact surface 52. The convex portion 53 is formed, for example, in a sharp shape. The convex portion 53 is formed, for example, in a spindle shape. The convex portion 53 of the present embodiment is formed in a mountain shape. The planar shape of the convex portion 53 viewed from the Z-axis direction is formed as a triangle.

[0058] The convex portion 53 is provided at the middle portion in the height direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the second contact surface 52. The convex portion 53 is provided at the central portion in the height direction of the second contact surface 52. The convex portion 53 is provided at the same position as the concave portion 43 in the height direction of the side wall 33. The convex portion 53 extends along the Z-axis direction.

[0059] As Figure 4As shown, when the first contact surface 42 of the bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bent member 30B come into contact with each other, the convex portion 53 of the bent member 30B and the concave portion 43 of the bent member 30A are engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner. At this time, in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31, specifically, in the height direction of the side wall 33 (here, the Z-axis direction), the inner surface of the concave portion 43 and the convex portion 53 are engaged with each other. Thus, it is possible to appropriately suppress the relative movement of the bent member 30B with respect to the bent member 30A in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31, that is, the Z-axis direction. As a result, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the bent member 30B with respect to the bent member 30A in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31. In this way, the connecting portion 40 of the bent member 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bent member 30B function as a displacement suppressing mechanism for suppressing the displacement of the bent member 30B with respect to the bent member 30A. Further, the connecting portion 40 and the connecting portion 50 that function as the displacement suppressing function are provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R.

[0060] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 60 will be described. Here, the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A will be mainly described. As Figure 5 shown, the connecting portion 60 is provided on the inner side of the bend of the bent portion 30R. The connecting portion 60 has, for example, a cutout portion 61 provided in the side wall 34 of the end portion 36 and a support shaft 62 protruding from the inner surface of the cutout portion 61. The support shaft 62 is, for example, continuously formed integrally with the inner surface of the cutout portion 61.

[0061] The cutout portion 61 is formed in such a manner that a part of the end face in the axial direction of the side wall 34 of the end portion 36 is cut off. The cutout portion 61 is formed so as to be recessed from the end face in the axial direction of the side wall 34 of the end portion 36 toward the end portion 37. The cutout portion 61 extends in the length direction of the side wall 34, that is, in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The cutout portion 61 is, for example, formed so as to be recessed from the upper surface of the side wall 34 toward the bottom wall 32. The cutout portion 61 extends in the height direction of the side wall 34 (here, the Z-axis direction). The cutout portion 61 is formed so as to penetrate the side wall 34 in the thickness direction (plate thickness direction).

[0062] The inner surface of the cutout portion 61 has a first inner surface 61A and a second inner surface 61B. The first inner surface 61A is an end surface provided at the lower end of the cutout portion 61 in the height direction of the side wall 34, that is, at the position closest to the bottom wall 32. The first inner surface 61A is formed, for example, so as to extend along the length direction of the side wall 34 and along the thickness direction of the side wall 34. The first inner surface 61A is, for example, a plane extending parallel to the XY plane. The second inner surface 61B is an end surface provided at the position closest to the end portion 37 in the cutout portion 61 in the length direction of the side wall 34. The second inner surface 61B is formed, for example, so as to extend along the height direction of the side wall 34 and along the thickness direction of the side wall 34. As Figure 3 shown, the planar shape of the second inner surface 61B, for example, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, is formed as a curved surface that is arcuately bent. The planar shape of the second inner surface 61B is formed, for example, as a curved surface that is bent so as to be recessed toward the end portion 37.

[0063] As Figure 5 shown, the support shaft 62 extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The support shaft 62 protrudes, for example, from a part of the first inner surface 61A of the cutout portion 61 toward the height direction of the side wall 34. The support shaft 62 extends linearly from the first inner surface 61A in the Z-axis direction. The support shaft 62 extends, for example, to the same height as the upper surface of the side wall 34. For example, the protruding end surface of the support shaft 62 and the upper surface of the side wall 34 are provided on the same plane. The support shaft 62 is formed in a columnar shape. The support shaft 62 of the present embodiment is formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A is provided at a portion of the first inner surface 61A that is separated from the second inner surface 61B. The support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A is provided at the end portion of the first inner surface 61A on the side opposite to the second inner surface 61B in the axial direction of the holding portion 31, that is, at the end portion closest to the bent member 30B. The support shaft 62 is formed, for example, in a cantilever shape with the base end connected to the first inner surface 61A as a fixed end and the tip end on the side opposite to the base end as a free end.

[0064] Next, the specific structure of the connecting portion 70 will be described. Here, the connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B will be mainly described. The connecting portion 70 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 34 of the end portion 37. That is, the connecting portion 70 is provided on the inner side of the bend of the bent portion 30R. The connecting portion 70 has, for example, a holding portion 71 that holds the support shaft 62 of the holding connecting portion 60. The holding portion 71 of the bent member 30B is configured to be able to relatively rotate with respect to the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A about the support shaft 62 in a state where the support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A is held. The bent member 30B is configured to be able to relatively rotate with respect to the bent member 30A about the support shaft 62 by the holding portion 71 of the bent member 30B holding the support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A. The bent member 30B is configured to be able to relatively rotate with respect to the bent member 30A about the support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A in the XY plane, for example. In this way, the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B function as a rotational support mechanism that supports the relative rotation of the bent member 30B with respect to the bent member 30A. Moreover, the connecting portion 60 and the connecting portion 70 that function as the rotational support mechanism are provided on the inner side of the bend of the bent portion 30R.

[0065] The holding portion 71 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 34 of the end portion 37. The holding portion 71 is formed in a semi-divided cylindrical shape as a whole, for example. The holding portion 71 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape having a groove portion 72, for example. The holding portion 71 extends in the height direction of the side wall 34 (here, the Z-axis direction). The length dimension of the holding portion 71 along the Z-axis direction is equal to the length dimension of the support shaft 62 along the Z-axis direction, for example.

[0066] The holding portion 71 is formed so as to project radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 34 of the end portion 37 toward the holding portion 31. The holding portion 71 is formed so as to project outward from the holding portion 31 in the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The holding portion 71 is formed so as to project more outward in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 than the axial end surface of the side wall 34 of the end portion 37. The holding portion 71 of the bent member 30B projects more toward the bent member 30A in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 than the axial end surface of the side wall 34. As Figure 3 shown, the holding portion 71 of the bent member 30B is formed so as to project in an arc shape from the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 34 of the end portion 37 toward the radial outside of the holding portion 31 and the bent member 30A. The planar shape of the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 71 as viewed from the Z-axis direction is formed in an arc shape. The tip of the holding portion 71 is formed so as to extend radially inward of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 34 in the holding portion 31.

[0067] The groove portion 72 is formed so as to be recessed radially outward from the inner surface of the holding portion 71 toward the holding portion 31. The groove portion 72 is formed to be sized to accommodate the support shaft 62. Here, the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A is accommodated in a space surrounded by the inner surface of the groove portion 72 of the bending member 30B and the axial end surfaces of the side walls 34 of the bending member 30B. The inner surface of the groove portion 72 is formed, for example, in a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 62. The planar shape of the inner surface of the groove portion 72 as viewed from the Z-axis direction, for example, is formed in an arc shape.

[0068] As Figure 6 shown, the groove portion 72 extends in the axial direction of the holding portion 71 (here, the Z-axis direction). The groove portion 72 extends, for example, throughout the entire length of the holding portion 71 in the axial direction of the holding portion 71. The groove portion 72 is formed to open in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 71, specifically, radially inward of the holding portion 31, and to open at both axial ends of the holding portion 71.

[0069] As Figure 3 shown, the holding portion 71 of the bending member 30B holds the support shaft 62 in such a manner that the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A is accommodated inside the groove portion 72. At this time, a part of the holding portion 71 of the bending member 30B is inserted into the inside of the notch portion 61 of the bending member 30A, specifically, into the gap between the second inner surface 61B of the notch portion 61 and the support shaft 62. Here, the radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 71 is, for example, equal to the radius of curvature of the second inner surface 61B. Therefore, when the holding portion 71 of the bending member 30B rotates about the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A, it is possible to suppress the movement of the holding portion 71 of the bending member 30B from being restricted by the second inner surface 61B of the notch portion 61 of the bending member 30A.

[0070] (Connection structure of bending members 30A and 30B) As Figure 8 shown, when connecting the bending member 30B to the bending member 30A, first, the holding portion 71 of the bending member 30B holds the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A. Specifically, the support shaft 62 is held by the holding portion 71 in such a manner that the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A is accommodated inside the groove portion 72 of the holding portion 71 of the bending member 30B. Thereby, the connecting portion 60 of the bending member 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the bending member 30B are connected to each other. Thereby, it is configured such that the bending member 30B can relatively rotate with respect to the bending member 30A about the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A. At this time, the first contact surface 42 of the connecting portion 40 of the bending member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the connecting portion 50 of the bending member 30B do not contact each other.

[0071] Next, as Figure 9As shown, the bending member 30B is relatively rotated with respect to the bending member 30A about the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A so that the concave portion 43 of the connecting portion 40 of the bending member 30A and the convex portion 53 of the connecting portion 50 of the bending member 30B are engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner. Then, the first contact surface 42 of the bending member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending member 30B come into contact with each other, and the concave portion 43 of the bending member 30A and the convex portion 53 of the bending member 30B are engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner. Thus, the connecting portion 40 of the bending member 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bending member 30B are connected to each other. In the path restricting member 20A in the state where the bending member 30A and the bending member 30B are connected, the insertion port 35 of the bending member 30A and the insertion port 35 of the bending member 30B communicate with each other. However, in this state, the bending member 30A and the bending member 30B are not firmly connected to each other, so the connection state of the connecting portion 40 of the bending member 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bending member 30B is easily released. For example, when the bending member 30B is relatively rotated with respect to the bending member 30A about the support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A in a direction in which the first contact surface 42 of the bending member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending member 30B are separated from each other, the connection state of the connecting portion 40 and the connecting portion 50 is released.

[0072] Next, prepare a wire member 11 in which a bent portion 15A is provided by bending a required portion. And, bending members 30A and 30B are attached to the bent portion 15A of the wire member 11. Specifically, the bending members 30A and 30B are attached to the wire member 11 from the insertion openings 35 of the bending members 30A and 30B. Then, a force for the wire member 11 to return to a straight state, that is, a bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11, is applied to the bending members 30A and 30B. Specifically, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 acts on a side wall 33 provided on the bending outer side of a bent portion 30R of each of the bending members 30A and 30B. As a result, the bending members 30A and 30B relatively rotate around a support shaft 62 of the bending member 30A in a direction in which a first contact surface 42 of the bending member 30A and a second contact surface 52 of the bending member 30B approach each other. Therefore, a force F2 in a direction in which the first contact surface 42 of the bending member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bending member 30B approach each other is applied to the bending members 30A and 30B. As a result, due to the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11, the force F2 that causes the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52 to approach each other continuously acts on the bending members 30A and 30B. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the bending members 30A and 30B from relatively rotating in a direction in which the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52 are separated from each other, and thus it is possible to appropriately suppress the release of the connection state between a connection portion 40 of the bending member 30A and a connection portion 50 of the bending member 30B. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately maintain a state in which a convex portion 53 of the bending member 30B and a concave portion 43 of the bending member 30A are engaged with each other in a concave-convex manner. By the engagement of these concave portion 43 and convex portion 53, it is possible to appropriately suppress the bending member 30B from being displaced relative to the bending member 30A in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31.

[0073] As Figure 3 shown, the wire harness 10 has, for example, a sliding restriction member 80 that restricts the sliding movement of the path restriction member 20A in the length direction with respect to the exterior member 13. As the sliding restriction member 80, for example, a resin or metal binding band, a tightening ring, or an adhesive tape can be used. The sliding restriction member 80 of the present embodiment is an adhesive tape. The sliding restriction member 80 is provided at each of a first end portion and a second end portion in the axial direction of the path restriction member 20A. The sliding restriction member 80 provided at the first end portion of the path restriction member 20A is wound around, for example, an outer peripheral surface of an end portion 37 of the bending member 30A and an outer peripheral surface of the exterior member 13. The sliding restriction member 80 provided at the second end portion of the path restriction member 20A is wound around, for example, an outer peripheral surface of an end portion 36 of the bending member 30B and an outer peripheral surface of the exterior member 13. In addition, although not shown, the sliding restriction member 80 is also provided at Figure 2 the path restriction member 20B shown.

[0074] (Structure of the path restricting member 20B) As Figure 2 shown, the path restricting member 20B is configured such that two bending members 30 are arranged along the length direction of the wire member 11. Each bending member 30 in the path restricting member 20B has the same structure as each bending member 30 in the path restricting member 20A. However, the path restricting member 20B is arranged in such a way that the structure of the path restricting member 20A is rotated by 180°. In other words, the bending member 30 can be commonly used for the bending portion 15A as the left bending part and the bending portion 15B as the right bending part. That is, the bending portion 15A as the left bending part and the bending portion 15B as the right bending part can share the bending member 30 having the same structure.

[0075] Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described. (1) The path restricting member 20 includes a bending member 30A. The bending member 30A has a cylindrical holding portion 31 and a connecting portion 40. The holding portion 31 holds the wire member 11 and has a bending portion 30R. The path restricting member 20 includes a bending member 30B. The bending member 30B has a cylindrical holding portion 31 and a connecting portion 50. The holding portion 31 holds the wire member 11 and has a bending portion 30R. The connecting portion 50 is connected to the connecting portion 40 of the bending member 30A by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11.

[0076] According to this structure, the connecting portion 40 of the bending member 30A and the connecting portion 50 of the bending member 30B are connected to each other by using the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. As a result, the bending member 30A and the bending member 30B are connected to each other. Thereby, a plurality of bending members 30A and 30B can be directly connected, and a path restricting member 20 can be formed by combining these plurality of bending members 30A and 30B.

[0077] (2) However, in the case where a path restricting member is formed by connecting a plurality of restricting members, generally, the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 acts in a manner to release the connection state of the plurality of restricting members. In contrast, in the path restricting member 20 of the present embodiment, the connection portion 40 of the bent member 30A and the connection portion 50 of the bent member 30B are connected by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. Further, the bent member 30A and the bent member 30B are connected by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress the connection state of the connection portion 40 of the bent member 30A and the connection portion 50 of the bent member 30B and the connection state of the bent member 30A and the bent member 30B from being released due to the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. Thus, even when the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 is applied to the path restricting member 20, the connection state of the bent member 30A and the bent member 30B can be appropriately maintained.

[0078] Furthermore, a connection structure for firmly fixing the bent members 30A and 30B to each other is not provided in each of the bent members 30A and 30B, and the bent members 30A and 30B can be firmly fixed to each other by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. Therefore, the connection structure for connecting the bent members 30A and 30B to each other can be simplified.

[0079] (3) The connection portions 40 and 50 are provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R. According to this structure, the connection portions 40 and 50 can be provided on the outer side of the bend of the bent portion 30R where the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 acts.

[0080] (4) The first contact surface 42 of the connection portion 40 of the bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the connection portion 50 of the bent member 30B are in contact with each other by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11. In other words, by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11, a force F2 that brings the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52 closer to each other is applied to the path restricting member 20. At this time, the first contact surface 42 is formed so as to expand radially outward of the holding portion 31, and the second contact surface 52 is formed so as to expand radially outward of the holding portion 31. Therefore, compared with the case where only the end surfaces in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 of the bent member 30A and the end surfaces in the axial direction of the holding portion 31 of the bent member 30B are in contact with each other, the contact area between the bent member 30A and the bent member 30B can be increased. As a result, the load applied to the path restricting member 20 by the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 can also be appropriately dispersed to the first contact surface 42 and the second contact surface 52. As a result, it is possible to appropriately suppress stress concentration on a part of the bent member 30A and a part of the bent member 30B, and it is possible to appropriately suppress damage to the bent member 30A and the bent member 30B due to stress concentration.

[0081] (5) The connecting portion 40 of the bent member 30A has a recess 43 provided so as to be recessed from the first contact surface 42. The connecting portion 50 of the bent member 30B has a protrusion 53. The protrusion 53 protrudes from the second contact surface 52 toward the recess 43 of the bent member 30A and is fitted into the recess 43. The protrusion 53 of the bent member 30B engages with the inner surface of the recess 43 of the bent member 30A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31. According to this structure, when the first contact surface 42 of the bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the bent member 30B are in contact with each other, the protrusion 53 of the bent member 30B is fitted into the recess 43 in such a manner that it engages with the inner surface of the recess 43 of the bent member 30A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31. By the engagement between the protrusion 53 and the inner surface of the recess 43, relative movement of the bent member 30B with respect to the bent member 30A in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the holding portion 31 can be suppressed.

[0082] (6) The bent member 30A has a connecting portion 60 provided on the inner side of the bend 30R of the bent portion. The bent member 30B has a connecting portion 70 provided on the inner side of the bend 30R of the bent portion and connected to the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A. The connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A has a support shaft 62 extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the holding portion 31. The connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B has a holding portion 71 that holds the support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A and is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A with the support shaft 62 as a rotation axis.

[0083] According to this structure, in a state where the support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A is held by the holding portion 71 of the bent member 30B, the connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B can be relatively rotated with respect to the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A with the support shaft 62 as a rotation axis. Thus, in a state where the support shaft 62 of the bent member 30A is held by the holding portion 71 of the bent member 30B, the bent member 30B can be relatively rotated with respect to the bent member 30A with the support shaft 62 as a rotation axis. Therefore, relative rotation of the bent member 30B with respect to the bent member 30A can be supported by the connecting portion 60 of the bent member 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B. Therefore, the bent member 30B can be relatively rotated with respect to the bent member 30A along a specific track.

[0084] (7) The bent member 30A includes a connecting portion 40 provided at the end 36 of the side wall 33, a connecting portion 60 provided at the end 36 of the side wall 34, a connecting portion 50 provided at the end 37 of the side wall 33, and a connecting portion 70 provided at the end 37 of the side wall 34.

[0085] According to this structure, a connecting portion 40 that connects to the connecting portion 50 of the bent member 30B is provided at the end portion 36 of the bent member 30A, and a connecting portion 60 that connects to the connecting portion 70 of the bent member 30B is provided. In addition, at the end portion 37 of the bent member 30A, the connecting portion 50 and the connecting portion 70 are provided in the same manner as at the end portion 37 of the bent member 30B. Therefore, another bent member 30A can be connected to the end portion 37 of the bent member 30A. As a result, the number of directly connected bent members 30A and bent member 30B can be easily changed. As a result, the bending angle of the path restricting member 20 can be easily changed.

[0086] (Other Embodiments) The above-described embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above-described embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range where there is no technical contradiction.

[0087] · The structures of the connecting portions 40 and 50 in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately changed. For example, as Figure 10 shown, an engaging convex portion 54 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the convex portion 53 may be provided at the tip end portion of the convex portion 53 of the connecting portion 50. The convex portion 53 of this modification example is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction of the holding portion 31, for example. In this case, an engaging concave portion 44 into which the engaging convex portion 54 is fitted may be provided at the inner end portion of the concave portion 43 of the connecting portion 40. In this case, when the convex portion 53 of the bent member 30B is fitted into the concave portion 43 of the bent member 30A, the engaging convex portion 54 of the bent member 30B is fitted into the engaging concave portion 44 of the bent member 30A. Then, the engaging convex portion 54 of the bent member 30B is engaged with the inner surface of the engaging concave portion 44 of the bent member 30A in the fitting direction of the convex portion 53 with respect to the concave portion 43. The engaging convex portion 54 and the engaging concave portion 44 are engaged with each other, for example, by a snap-fit method using the elastic deformation of the convex portion 53. As a result, in the fitting direction of the convex portion 53 with respect to the concave portion 43, relative movement of the convex portion 53 of the bent member 30B with respect to the concave portion 43 of the bent member 30A can be appropriately suppressed. Therefore, the convex portion 53 of the bent member 30B can be appropriately prevented from coming off from the concave portion 43 of the bent member 30A. For example, even when the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 (see Figure 9 ) becomes small due to heat, vibration, etc., the convex portion 53 of the bent member 30B can be prevented from coming off from the concave portion 43 of the bent member 30A.

[0088] · The structures of the connecting parts 60 and 70 in the above-described embodiments can be appropriately changed. For example, the base end of the support shaft 62 of the connecting part 60 that is connected to the first inner surface 61A can be formed thicker than other parts of the support shaft 62. In other words, the parts of the support shaft 62 other than the base end can be formed thinner than the base end of the support shaft 62. In this case, the holding part 71 can also hold the parts of the support shaft 62 other than the base end.

[0089] · In the above-described embodiment, the support shaft 62 of the connecting part 60 is formed in a cantilever shape, but it is not limited thereto, and the support shaft 62 of the connecting part 60 can also be formed in a two-end supported shape. For example, as Figure 11 shown, it can also be formed to support the support shaft 62 of the connecting part 60 from both sides in the height direction of the side wall 34. The cutout part 61 of the connecting part 60 in this modified example is provided at the intermediate part in the circumferential direction of the holding part 31. The cutout part 61 in this modified example is provided only at the intermediate part in the height direction of the side wall 34. The cutout part 61 in this modified example has a first inner surface 61A, a second inner surface 61B, and a third inner surface 61C. The third inner surface 61C faces the first inner surface 61A in the height direction of the side wall 34. The third inner surface 61C is an end surface provided at the upper end of the cutout part 61 in the height direction of the side wall 34, that is, at the position closest to the upper surface of the side wall 34. The third inner surface 61C is formed, for example, to extend along the length direction of the side wall 34 and along the thickness direction of the side wall 34. The third inner surface 61C is, for example, a plane that extends in parallel with the first inner surface 61A.

[0090] The support shaft 62 in this modified example is provided inside the cutout part 61. The support shaft 62 in this modified example is formed to extend from the first inner surface 61A to the third inner surface 61C along the height direction of the side wall 34. The lower end of the support shaft 62 in this modified example is connected to the first inner surface 61A, and the upper end is connected to the third inner surface 61C. That is, the support shaft 62 in this modified example is supported by the holding part 31 that constitutes the first inner surface 61A and the third inner surface 61C from both sides in the height direction of the side wall 34.

[0091] The holding part 71 in this modified example is provided only at the intermediate part in the height direction of the side wall 34. The holding part 71 is provided at the same position as the support shaft 62 in the height direction of the side wall 34. The holding part 71 in this modified example is formed to have a size that can be inserted into the space surrounded by the first inner surface 61A, the second inner surface 61B, the third inner surface 61C, and the support shaft 62 of the cutout part 61.

[0092] According to the structure of this modified example, compared with the case where the support shaft 62 is supported only by the first inner surface 61A, the strength of the support shaft 62 can be improved. Thus, even when the bending reaction force F1 of the wire member 11 (refer to Figure 9Even when external forces such as are applied to the support shaft 62, damage to the support shaft 62 can be appropriately suppressed.

[0093] · In the above-described embodiment, the support shaft 62 of the holding portion 31 and the connecting portion 60 is integrally formed, but it is not limited thereto. For example, as Figure 12 and Figure 13 shown, the support shaft 63 of the connecting portion 60 may also be constituted by a member separate from the holding portion 31. As Figure 13 shown, the connecting portion 60 of this modification has a recess 64 provided on the first inner surface 61A and a through hole 65 provided on the third inner surface 61C. The recess 64 is formed, for example, so as to be recessed from the first inner surface 61A toward the bottom wall 32. The recess 64 is provided, for example, at a position on the first inner surface 61A that is far from the second inner surface 61B. The through hole 65 is formed, for example, so as to penetrate the holding portion 31 constituting the third inner surface 61C, specifically, the side wall 34 constituting the third inner surface 61C, in the height direction of the side wall 34. The through hole 65 is formed, for example, so as to penetrate from the third inner surface 61C to the upper surface of the side wall 34. The through hole 65 is provided, for example, at a position that overlaps the recess 64 when viewed from above in the height direction of the side wall 34.

[0094] The support shaft 63 is formed in a columnar shape extending in the height direction of the side wall 34. The support shaft 63 of this modification is formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The support shaft 63 is formed, for example, to be harder than the holding portion 31. The support shaft 63 is, for example, made of metal or resin. As the material of the support shaft 63, for example, a material different from that of the holding portion 31 can be used. The support shaft 63 of this modification is made of metal. The support shaft 63 is inserted, for example, from above the holding portion 31 into the through hole 65 and the recess 64. The support shaft 63 penetrates the through hole 65 and is fitted into the recess 64. As Figure 12 shown, in the support shaft 63 inserted into the through hole 65 and the recess 64, the middle portion in the length direction of the support shaft 63 is exposed inside the cutout portion 61. And, the support shaft 63 of the portion exposed inside the cutout portion 61 is held by the holding portion 71 of the other bending member 30.

[0095] According to this structure, the support shaft 63 of the connecting portion 60 is constituted by a member separate from the holding portion 31. Thereby, the holding portion 31 and the support shaft 63 can be made of mutually different materials. Therefore, the degree of freedom in material selection for the holding portion 31 and the support shaft 63 can be increased. For example, by forming the support shaft 63 to be harder than the holding portion 31, the strength of the support shaft 63 can be increased.

[0096] · The structure of the bending member 30 in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately changed. For example, ribs for reinforcement can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion 31. For example, in the bending member 30, the arrangement positions of the connecting portion 40 and the connecting portion 50 can be reversed. That is, the connecting portion 50 having the convex portion 53 can be provided at the end portion 36 where the connecting portion 60 is provided, and the connecting portion 40 having the concave portion 43 can be provided at the end portion 37 where the connecting portion 70 is provided. For example, the magnitude of the bending angle θ of the bending portion 30R of the bending member 30 can be appropriately changed.

[0097] · In the above-described embodiment, the bending members 30A and 30B have the same structure, but this is not limiting. For example, the bending angle θ of the bending portion 30R (first bending portion) of the bending member 30A and the bending angle θ of the bending portion 30R (second bending portion) of the bending member 30B can be set to different angles.

[0098] · The structure of the path restricting member 20 in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately changed. For example, by changing the combination of the bending members 30, that is, the number or the arrangement direction of the bending members 30, the path restricting member 20 can be formed into various structures. The number of the bending members 30 constituting the path restricting member 20 is not particularly limited.

[0099] For example, as Figure 14 shown, four bending members 30 can be connected to form the path restricting member 20. In this way, by changing the number of the directly connected bending members 30, the bending angle of the path restricting member 20 can be changed.

[0100] · For example, as Figure 15 shown, the path restricting member 20 can also include a cover portion 100 that closes the insertion ports 35 of the bending members 30A and 30B. The cover portion 100 is provided, for example, so as to close the entire insertion port 35 of the bending member 30A and the entire insertion port 35 of the bending member 30B. The cover portion 100 is provided, for example, on the upper surfaces of the side walls 33 and 34 of the bending members 30A and 30B. The cover portion 100 is connected to the bending members 30A and 30B by a connecting member (not shown), for example. In addition, the cover portion 100 can be constituted by a body panel of the vehicle V.

[0101] · The wire member 11 in the above-described embodiment does not necessarily have to include the exterior member 13. That is, it can be configured such that the exterior member 13 is omitted from the wire member 11, and the holding portion 31 directly holds the wire 12.

[0102] · The wire member 11 in the above-described embodiment can also include a cylindrical electromagnetic shielding member that surrounds the outer periphery of the wire 12. · The configuration relationship between the inverter M1 and the high-voltage battery M2 in the vehicle V is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be appropriately changed according to the vehicle structure.

[0103] · The plurality of electrical devices electrically connected by the wiring harness 10 in the above-described embodiments are not limited to the inverter M1 and the high-voltage battery M2, and there is no particular limitation as long as they are electrical devices mounted on the vehicle V.

[0104] · In the illustrated non-limiting example, the first bent member 30A and the second bent member 30B forming the path restricting member 20 may sometimes be referred to as a plurality of integrally bent members having the same shape and the same dimensions.

[0105] · In the illustrated non-limiting example, the pair of the connecting portion 60 of the first bent member 30A and the connecting portion 70 of the second bent member 30B may sometimes be referred to as a hinge axis or a detachable hinge.

[0106] · In the illustrated non-limiting example, the first contact surface 42 of the first bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the second bent member 30B may each sometimes be referred to as a stopper surface configured to be in surface contact with each other. For example, they may also be smooth surfaces configured to be in direct contact without a gap. When the first contact surface 42 of the first bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the second bent member 30B are in surface contact with each other, the plurality of bent members 30A, 30B may also cooperate to form a continuously extending bent groove. The wire member 11 that is elastically bent and deformed to be received in the bent groove presses the groove surface of the bent groove by the elastic restoring force of the wire member 11, causing the first bent member 30A and the second bent member 30B to rotate about the hinge axis, so that the first contact surface 42 of the first bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the second bent member 30B are in surface contact with each other.

[0107] · In the illustrated non-limiting example, the pair of the concave portion 43 of the first bent member 30A and the convex portion 53 of the second bent member 30B allows relative rotation of the first bent member 30A and the second bent member 30B about the hinge axis, but may sometimes be referred to as a concavo-convex type stopper configured as follows: in a state where the first contact surface 42 of the first bent member 30A and the second contact surface 52 of the second bent member 30B are in direct contact, it can prevent the contact surfaces 42, 52 from being displaced and / or shaken in the in-plane direction of those contact surfaces 42, 52 or in a direction crossing the length direction of the wire member 11.

[0108] · It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not as described above, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Description of Reference Numerals

[0109] 10 wire harness 11 wire member 12 wire 13 exterior member 14A, 14B, 14C straight portions 15A, 15B bent portions 20, 20A, 20B path restricting members 30 bending member 30A bending member (first bending member) 30B bending member (second bending member) 30R bent portion (first bent portion, second bent portion) 31 holding portion (first holding portion, second holding portion) 32 bottom wall 33 side wall (first side wall) 34 side wall (second side wall) 35 insertion port 36 end portion (first end portion) 37 end portion (second end portion) 40 connecting portion (first connecting portion) 41 first protruding portion 42 first contact surface 43 recess 44 engaging recess 50 connecting portion (second connecting portion, fifth connecting portion) 51 second protruding portion 52 second contact surface 53 protrusion 54 engaging protrusion 60 connecting portion (third connecting portion) 61 cutout portion 61A first inner surface 61B second inner surface 61C third inner surface 62, 63 support shaft 64 recess 65 through hole 70 connecting portion (fourth connecting portion, sixth connecting portion) 71 gripping portion 72 groove portion 80 sliding restricting member 100 cover portion θ bending angle θ1, θ2 bending angles F1 bending reaction force F2 force Central axes of L1, L2, and L3 Inverter M1 High-voltage battery M2 Vehicle V

Claims

1. A path restricting member that restricts the path of a wire member. The path restricting member includes a first bending member and a second bending member. The first bending member has a cylindrical first holding portion and a first connecting portion. The first holding portion holds the wire member and has a first bending portion. The second bending member has a cylindrical second holding portion and a second connecting portion. The second holding portion holds the wire member and has a second bending portion. The second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion by the bending reaction force of the wire member.

2. The path restriction member according to claim 1, wherein, The first connecting portion is provided on the outer side of the bend of the first bending portion. The second connecting portion is provided on the outer side of the bend of the second bending portion.

3. The path restriction member according to claim 2, wherein The first connecting portion has a first contact surface formed to extend from the axial end surface of the first holding portion toward the radially outer side of the first holding portion. The second connecting portion has a second contact surface formed to extend from the axial end surface of the second holding portion toward the radially outer side of the second holding portion and contacts the first contact surface. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected by the bending reaction force of the wire member in such a way that the first contact surface and the second contact surface contact each other.

4. The path restriction member according to claim 3, wherein, The first connecting portion has a recess provided to be recessed from the first contact surface. The second connecting portion has a protrusion that protrudes from the second contact surface toward the recess and fits into the recess. The protrusion engages with the inner surface of the recess in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first holding portion.

5. The path limiting member according to claim 4, wherein, The tip of the protrusion has an engaging protrusion that protrudes in a direction crossing the protruding direction of the protrusion. The inner end of the recess has an engaging recess, and the engaging protrusion fits into the engaging recess. The engaging protrusion engages with the inner surface of the engaging recess in the fitting direction of the protrusion with respect to the recess.

6. The path restriction member according to claim 1, wherein, The first bending member has a third connecting portion provided on the inner side of the bend of the first bending portion. The second bending member has a fourth connecting portion provided on the inner side of the bend of the second bending portion and connected to the third connecting portion. The third connecting portion has a support shaft extending in a direction crossing the axial direction of the first holding portion. The fourth connecting portion has a gripping portion that grips the support shaft and is rotatably connected to the third connecting portion with the support shaft as a rotation axis.

7. The path restriction member according to claim 6, wherein The third connecting portion has a cutout provided on the axial end surface of the first holding portion. The cutout is provided at the circumferential middle portion of the first holding portion. The support shaft is provided inside the cutout.

8. The path restriction member according to claim 7, wherein, The support shaft and the first holding portion are separate components.

9. The path restriction member according to claim 6, wherein The first holding portion has a bottom wall and a first side wall and a second side wall protruding from both side edges of the bottom wall. The first bending member has a first end and a second end in the axial direction of the first bending member. The first bending member includes: a first connecting portion provided at the first end of the first side wall; a third connecting portion provided at the first end of the second side wall; a fifth connecting portion provided at the second end of the first side wall; and a sixth connecting portion provided at the second end of the second side wall. The fifth connecting portion has the same structure as the second connecting portion. The sixth connecting portion has the same structure as the fourth connecting portion.

10. The path restriction member according to claim 9, wherein, The second bending member has the same structure as the first bending member.

11. A wire harness includes the path restricting member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a wire member whose path is restricted by the path restricting member.

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