Wire harness and exterior member

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wire harness and an exterior member that can be appropriately fixed to a vehicle. A wire harness (1) is characterized by being provided with: a conductive wiring material (W); and an exterior member (10) attached to the wiring material (W), the exterior member (10) having: a protection member (100) having recesses and protrusions (110) formed on the surface thereof and capable of protecting the wiring material (W) inserted therethrough by being formed in a cylindrical shape; and a fixing member (200) which is welded to the recesses and protrusions (110) of the protective member (100) and which is capable of fixing the protective member (100) to the site (P) to be fixed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire harness and an exterior component. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wire harness including electric wires and a protector capable of protecting the electric wires.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-40969 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, the wire harness described in Patent Document 1 has a vehicle fixing portion welded to the protector body for fixing the protector body to the vehicle. However, if the bonding strength between the protector body and the vehicle fixing portion is insufficient, the protector body may not be properly fixed to the vehicle. Therefore, there is room for improvement in properly fixing exterior components such as the protector body to the vehicle.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness and an exterior member that can be appropriately fixed to a vehicle.

[0009] Technical means to solve the problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the wiring harness involved in the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a wiring material, which has conductivity; and an exterior component, which is installed on the wiring material, and the exterior component has: a protective component, which has concave and convex parts formed on the surface and is formed into a cylindrical shape to protect the wiring material inserted inside; and a fixing component, which is welded to the concave and convex parts of the protective component and can fix the protective component to the fixing object part.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the exterior component involved in the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a protective component, which has concave and convex parts formed on the surface and is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to protect the conductive wiring material inserted inside; and a fixing component, which is welded to the concave and convex parts of the protective component and can fix the protective component to the fixed object part.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] The wire harness and the exterior member according to the present invention have the effect of being able to be appropriately fixed to a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a side view showing a schematic structure of the wire harness according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a bottom view schematically showing the structure of the exterior member according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the exterior member according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a side view showing a schematic structure of a wire harness according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of an exterior member according to a modification of the present embodiment.

[0019] Description of Reference Numerals

[0020] 1. 1A wiring harness

[0021] 10, 10A external parts

[0022] 100, 100A protection components

[0023] 110, 110A concave and convex

[0024] 200 fixed parts

[0025] 210 base

[0026] 211 welding part

[0027] 220 clamping part

[0028] M, MA sheet parts

[0029] P Fixed target part

[0030] W Wiring Material

[0031] X-length direction (extending direction of the protective member, extending direction of the base)

[0032] Y width direction

[0033] Z height direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0035] [Example]

[0036] Figure 1 The wire harness 1 shown is a bundle of a plurality of wiring members W used for power supply and signal communication, for example, to connect various devices mounted on a vehicle. The plurality of wiring members W are connected to the various devices using connectors or the like.

[0037] The wire harness 1 of this embodiment is configured to be properly fixed to a vehicle by welding the fixing member 200 to the concavo-convex 110 formed on the surface of the protective member 100 that protects the wiring material W. The fixing member 200 can fix the protective member 100 to the fixing target portion P. Figures 1 to 3 Each structure of the wire harness 1 will be described in detail.

[0038] Note that the fixing target site P referred to here is, for example, a vehicle body or the like.

[0039] In addition, the wire harness 1 may be configured to further include grommets, fixings, connectors, and the like in addition to these components.

[0040] In the following description, the first of the intersecting first, second, and third directions is referred to as the "longitudinal direction X," the second as the "width direction Y," and the third as the "height direction Z." The longitudinal direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The longitudinal direction X typically corresponds to the direction in which the wiring material W extends, the direction in which the protective component 100 extends, the direction in which the base 210 of the fixing component 200 extends, and the like. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the width direction of the protective component 100, the width direction of the base 210 of the fixing component 200, and the like. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the height direction of the protective component 100, the thickness direction of the base 210 of the fixing component 200, the direction in which the fixing component 200 fits relative to the fixing target portion P, and the like. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description refer to the directions in which the wire harness 1 is fixed to the fixing target portion P.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the wire harness 1 is configured to include a wiring material W having conductivity and an exterior member 10 .

[0042] [Wiring materials]

[0043] The wiring material W is laid in the vehicle to electrically connect the various devices. The wiring material W of this embodiment is composed of a conductive conductor part (core wire) and an insulating sheath part with insulation, and is an insulated wire in which the conductor part is covered with the insulating sheath part. The conductor part mentioned here is a stranded wire formed by twisting together a plurality of wires made of conductive metal. In addition, the insulating sheath part is formed by, for example, extruding an insulating resin material (PP, PVC, cross-linked PE, etc., appropriately selected in consideration of wear resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.). In addition, the conductor part of the wiring material W can also be formed by bundling a plurality of wires. In addition, the wiring material W can be one piece, or it can be a wiring material bundle formed by bundling two or more wiring materials.

[0044] [Exterior parts]

[0045] The exterior member 10 is formed of an insulating resin material or the like and is mounted on the wiring material W. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the exterior member 10 of this embodiment is configured to include a protection member 100 and a fixing member 200 .

[0046] The protective member 100 is formed into a cylindrical shape to protect the wiring material W inserted therein. The cross-sectional shape of the protective member 100 of this embodiment along the height direction Z is formed into a substantially circular shape. Figure 1 As shown, the protective component 100 is constructed to include a storage space portion 100S serving as an internal space and a pair of insertion openings 101 opening in the longitudinal direction X. The wiring material W is inserted into the storage space portion 100S through the pair of insertion openings 101, so that the wiring material W can be arranged along the extension direction of the protective component 100, that is, the longitudinal direction X.

[0047] In addition, the protective member 100 has concavoconvexities 110 formed on the surface. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the concavoconvex 110 is composed of concave portions 111 formed in a hexagonal shape in a plan view and arranged staggered with each other, and convex portions 112 formed by ridges between the concave portions 111. Figure 3 As shown, the concavo-convex 110 of this embodiment is alternately configured with concave portions 111 and convex portions 112 .

[0048] In addition, as an example, the protective component 100 is formed by bending the sheet member M into a cylindrical shape. The sheet member M of this embodiment is formed of a thermoplastic resin and is an embossed sheet formed with a plurality of recesses 111 by embossing. Therefore, the protective component 100 of this embodiment can be formed by welding the fixing component 200 to the flat sheet member M and then forming the sheet member M into a cylindrical shape by heat forming, thereby improving the workability during welding. In addition, after the wiring material W is inserted into the storage space portion 100S through a pair of insertion openings 101, the protective component 100 performs a tape winding process and winds the tape components around the two end portions (the portions where the wiring material W is drawn out from the insertion openings 101), thereby fixing the wiring material W. In addition, the protective component 100 can protect the wiring material W housed inside by closing the insertion opening 101 with the tape component.

[0049] The fixing member 200 is welded to the concavoconvex 110 of the protective member 100, and the protective member 100 is fixed to the fixing target portion P. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the fixing member 200 of this embodiment includes a base portion 210 and a clamping portion 220 , and these portions are integrally formed by, for example, injection molding a resin material.

[0050] The base 210 is the base portion of the fixing member 200. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the base 210 of this embodiment extends along the extension direction of the protection component 100, that is, the longitudinal direction X, and is formed into a plate shape with the height direction Z being the plate thickness direction. Figure 1 As shown, the base 210 has a protective component 100 welded to a main surface 210a on one side (a surface formed along the length direction X and the width direction Y and having a larger area than other surfaces), and a clamping portion 220 is provided on a main surface 210b on the other side (a surface located on the opposite side of the main surface 210a).

[0051] The clamping portion 220 is a portion that fixes the protective component 100 to the fixing target portion P. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the clamping portion 220 of this embodiment is provided at the central portion of the base 210 in the longitudinal direction X. In addition, the clamping portion 220 is formed to protrude from the main surface 210b of the base 210 in the height direction Z (see Figure 1 ).

[0052] In addition, if Figure 1As shown, the clamping portion 220 is constructed to include an umbrella portion 221, a shaft portion 222, and a pair of arm portions 223. The umbrella portion 221 is the portion positioned to cover the fixing hole Ph when the clamping portion 220 is secured to the target site P. The shaft portion 222 is the portion inserted into the fixing hole Ph of the target site P when the clamping portion 220 is secured to the target site P. Furthermore, the pair of arm portions 223 are elastically deformable and engage with the edges of the fixing hole Ph of the target site P when the clamping portion 220 is secured to the target site P. Therefore, when the clamping portion 220 of this embodiment is inserted into the fixing hole Ph of the target site P, the pair of arm portions 223, which flex inward to match the shape of the fixing hole Ph, engage with the edges of the fixing hole Ph of the target site P, thereby securing the clamping portion 220 to the target site P.

[0053] In the above-described structure, the base 210 includes the welded portion 211 located between the clamping portion 220 in the longitudinal direction X, which is the extending direction of the base 210 , and welded to the concave-convex 110 of the protective member 100 .

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, a pair of welded portions 211 are provided at both ends of the base 210 in the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, the welded portions 211 of the fixing member 200 of this embodiment are provided at intervals along the extension direction of the base 210 (i.e., the extension direction of the protective member 100), enabling the base 210 to be welded to the protective member 100 at two locations. Consequently, the fixing member 200 can stably secure the clamping portion 220 provided on the base 210 to the protective member 100.

[0055] In addition, if Figure 3As shown, a pair of welded portions 211 are ultrasonically welded while in contact only with the protrusions 112 formed on the surface of the protective member 100. Therefore, the welded portions 211 of this embodiment can concentrate the heat energy generated during welding on the protrusions 112, quickly heating the protrusions 112 to their melting temperature (more specifically, the melting temperature of the resin constituting the protective member 100). Furthermore, since the protrusions 112 are heated to their melting temperature in a short period of time, the welded portions 211 are efficiently welded to the protrusions 112, thereby further strengthening the bond between the welded portions 211 and the protective member 100. Furthermore, by allowing the resin melted from the protrusions 112 by the heat generated during welding to flow into the gap formed between the recesses 111 and the base 210, the range within which the welded portions 211 and the protective member 100 are welded can be sufficiently ensured, further strengthening the bond between the welded portions 211 and the protective member 100. Therefore, the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment can ensure sufficient bonding strength between the protection member 100 and the fixing member 200 by welding the fixing member 200 to the concavo-convex portions 110 formed on the surface of the protection member 100 .

[0056] The wiring harness 1 described above comprises: a wiring material W having conductivity; and an exterior component 10 mounted on the wiring material W, the exterior component 10 comprising: a protective component 100 having projections and depressions 110 formed on its surface, which is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to protect the wiring material W inserted therein; and a fixing component 200 fused to the projections and depressions 110 of the protective component 100 so as to fix the protective component 100 to the fixing target portion P.

[0057] With this structure, by welding the fixing member 200 to the protective member 100, the wire harness 1 can be manufactured without requiring subsequent steps (e.g., a tape winding step) for securing the fixing member 200 to the protective member 100. Furthermore, by integrating the protective member 100 and the fixing member 200 into a single component, the wire harness 1 can secure the protective member 100 to the target location P without using a band clamp. Therefore, the wire harness 1 of this embodiment not only reduces component costs for bands, band clamps, and the like, but also simplifies assembly of the exterior member 10 to the vehicle body, thereby reducing assembly time.

[0058] Furthermore, the wire harness 1 welds the fixing member 200 to the concave and convex portions 110 formed on the surface of the protective member 100, thereby concentrating the heat generated during welding on the convex portions 112. Consequently, the wire harness 1 can further strengthen the bond strength between the protective member 100 and the fixing member 200, thereby ensuring sufficient bond strength between the protective member 100 and the fixing member 200. Consequently, the wire harness 1 and the exterior member 10 of this embodiment can be properly secured to the vehicle.

[0059] Furthermore, the wire harness 1 effectively utilizes the unevenness 110 on the side of the protective member 100 for welding, thereby enabling the protective member 100 to be fixed to the fixing target portion P without using a separately prepared component, even when the protective member 100 is formed of a resin that is difficult to weld. Therefore, in the wire harness 1 and the exterior member 10 of this embodiment, regardless of the constituent material of the protective member 100, sufficient bonding strength between the protective member 100 and the fixing member 200 can be ensured, thereby enabling appropriate fixing to the vehicle.

[0060] Furthermore, the protective component 100 described above is formed by bending a sheet member M into a cylindrical shape. With this structure, the protective component 100 is constructed from a single sheet member M. After the fixing member 200 is welded to the flat sheet member M, the sheet member M can be formed into a cylindrical shape by heat forming, thereby improving the workability during welding. Therefore, the wire harness 1 and the exterior member 10 of this embodiment can simplify the shaping of the protective component 100 and the assembly of the wiring material W to the protective component 100.

[0061] Furthermore, the fixing member 200 described above includes a base portion 210 formed in a plate shape and extending along the extension direction (longitudinal direction X) of the protective member 100, and a clamping portion 220 integrally formed with the base portion 210 and capable of being fixed to the fixing target portion P. The base portion 210 is configured to include a pair of welded portions 211 located across the clamping portion 220 in the extension direction (longitudinal direction X) of the base portion 210 and welded to the concave-convex portion 110 of the protective member 100. With this structure, the wire harness 1 can more stably fix the clamping portion 220 provided on the base portion 210 to the protective member 100 by welding the protective member 100 and the base portion 210 of the fixing member 200 at two locations. Furthermore, by utilizing welding to join the protective component 100 and the fixing component 200, the wiring harness 1 can ensure sufficient bonding strength between the protective component 100 and the fixing component 200 with a small weld area. This allows for a reduction in the size of the fixing component 200 (particularly the size of the base portion 210 provided with the welded portion 211). Furthermore, by locating the welded portion 211 on the fixing component 200 side outside the clamping portion 220 used when attaching the exterior component 10 to the fixing target location P, the wiring harness 1 can prevent deformation of the clamping portion 220 due to heat generated during welding. Consequently, the wiring harness 1 and the exterior component 10 of this embodiment can appropriately secure the protective component 100 to the fixing target location P via the clamping portion 220.

[0062] [Modification]

[0063] Next, refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5A description will be given of a modified example of the wire harness 1. Although the protective member 100 is described as being formed of an embossed sheet, the member (base material) constituting the protective member 100 is not limited thereto.

[0064] Specifically, the protective member 100 described above has recesses 111 arranged at an interval and protrusions 112 formed on its surface by the ridges between recesses 111. However, the protective member 100A described below differs from the protective member 100A in that it has protrusions 112A arranged at an interval and recesses 111A formed by the flat surfaces between protrusions 112A. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] Specifically, the protective member 100A has concave-convex 110A having a different shape from the concave-convex 110 described above formed on the surface. Figure 4 As shown, the concavoconvex 110A is composed of convex portions 112A formed in an elliptical shape in a plan view and arranged to be staggered with each other, and concave portions 111A formed by a plane between the convex portions 112A.

[0066] In addition, the protective component 100A is a so-called elbow (Japanese: ツイストチューブ), which is formed by bending a sheet member MA different from the sheet member M described above into a cylindrical shape and partially overlapping the ends of the short side direction of the sheet member MA in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the protective component 100A can be formed by, like the protective component 100 described above, welding the fixing component 200 to the flat sheet member M and then forming the sheet member M into a cylindrical shape by heat forming, thereby improving the workability during welding. In addition, after the wiring material W is inserted into the storage space portion 100SA through a pair of insertion openings 101A, the protective component 100A fixes the wiring material W by wrapping a tape member around both ends (the portions where the wiring material W is drawn out from the insertion openings 101A). In addition, the protective component 100A can protect the wiring material W housed therein by closing the insertion openings 101 with a tape member.

[0067] In addition, if Figure 5As shown, the protective member 100A is ultrasonically welded while only the protrusions 112A formed on the surface of the protective member 100A are in contact with the welded portion 211 of the fixing member 200. Therefore, similar to the welded portion 211 described above, the heat energy generated during welding is concentrated on the protrusions 112A, quickly heating the protrusions 112A to their melting temperature (more specifically, the melting temperature of the resin constituting the protective member 100A). Furthermore, by quickly heating the protrusions 112A to their melting temperature, the welded portion 211 is efficiently welded to the protrusions 112A, thereby further strengthening the bond strength between the welded portion 211 and the protective member 100A. Furthermore, the welded portion 211 allows the resin melted from the convex portion 112A by the heat generated during welding to flow into the gap formed between the concave portion 111A and the base portion 210, thereby ensuring a sufficient range for welding with the protective component 100A and further strengthening the bonding strength with the protective component 100A. Therefore, similar to the wire harness 1 and the exterior component 10 described above, the wire harness 1A and the exterior component 10A of this embodiment can ensure sufficient bonding strength between the protective component 100 and the fixing member 200, thereby enabling proper fixing to the vehicle.

[0068] The wire harness 1 , 1A and the exterior members 10 , 10A according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0069] For example, the protective members 100 and 100A do not need to be formed by bending a sheet member into a cylindrical shape.

[0070] In addition, the shape of the concavo-convex 110 , 110A formed on the surface of the protection member 100 , 100A is not particularly limited.

[0071] In addition, the number and positions of the concavo-convex portions 110 and 110A formed on the surface of the protection member 100 and 100A are not particularly limited.

[0072] In addition, the structure of the fixing member 200 is not particularly limited to Figure 1 etc. as shown.

[0073] In addition, the location where the protection member 100 , 100A and the fixing member 200 are welded is not particularly limited.

[0074] In addition, the wire harness 1 , 1A and the exterior member 10 , 10A according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. A wiring harness, characterized in that: have: a wiring material having electrical conductivity; and an exterior component mounted on the wiring material, The exterior component comprises: a protective member having concavities and convexities formed on a surface thereof and being formed into a cylindrical shape so as to protect the wiring material inserted therein; as well as A fixing member is welded to the concavo-convex portion of the protective member and can fix the protective member to a fixing target portion.

2. The wiring harness according to claim 1, wherein: The protective member is formed by bending a sheet member into a cylindrical shape.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fixing component has: a base portion formed in a plate shape and extending along an extending direction of the protection member; and a clamping portion, the clamping portion being integrally formed with the base portion and being capable of being fixed to the fixing target portion, The base portion includes a pair of welded portions located between the clamping portion in the extending direction of the base portion, and the pair of welded portions are welded to the concave and convex portions of the protective member.

4. An exterior component, characterized in that: have: a protective member having concavities and convexities formed on its surface and being formed into a cylindrical shape so as to protect a conductive wiring material inserted therein; and A fixing member is welded to the concavo-convex portion of the protective member and can fix the protective member to a fixing target portion.

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