Wire harness

Abstract

The invention provides a wire harness capable of improving connection workability of a connector. A wire harness is provided with: an electric wire (11); a first protector (12) that houses a portion of the electric wire in the longitudinal direction; and a connector (14) provided at one end of the electric wire led out from the first protector. The first protector is provided with: a first lead-out port (21) and a second lead-out port (22) through which electric wires are respectively led out; an electric wire fixing part (23) for fixing the electric wire; a main housing part (24) which is provided between the wire fixing part and the first lead-out port and houses the wire; and an excess length accommodating part (25) which is arranged between the wire fixing part and the second lead-out port and can accommodate the excess length of the wire. The connector is provided at one end of the electric wire led out from the second lead-out port. The excess length housing part is provided with a column part (35). The electric wire is housed in the excess length housing portion in a state of being wound around the post portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to wire harnesses. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a wire harness comprising: a wire; a protector that houses a portion of the wire along its length; and a connector disposed at the end of the wire extending from the protector. The protector has a wire-fixing portion for securing the wire in the portion leading the wire to the outside. The connector is disposed at the tip of the wire extending from the wire-fixing portion to the outside of the protector. The connector connects with a counterpart connector. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-146289 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] In the aforementioned wire harness, depending on the positional relationship between the wire fixing part and the other connector, such as the short distance from the wire fixing part of the protector to the other connector, it may be difficult to perform the connection operation of connecting the connector to the other connector.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wire harness that can improve the connectivity of connectors. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The wire harness of the present invention comprises: a wire; a protector for receiving a portion of the wire along its length; and a connector disposed at one end of the wire extending from the protector. The protector comprises: a first outlet and a second outlet for receiving the wire respectively; a wire fixing portion for fixing the wire; a main receiving portion disposed between the wire fixing portion and the first outlet for receiving the wire; and an excess length receiving portion disposed between the wire fixing portion and the second outlet for receiving excess length of the wire. The connector is disposed at one end of the wire extending from the second outlet. The excess length receiving portion comprises a post portion, and the wire is received in the excess length receiving portion in a state of being wound around the post portion. Invention Effects

[0007] The wire harness according to the present invention can improve the connectivity of the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a wiring harness according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the periphery of the first protector in the wiring harness of this embodiment. Figure 3 This is a top view showing the first protector with the cover open in this embodiment. Figure 4 This is a side view of the first protector in this embodiment. Figure 5 This is a top view of the first protector used to illustrate the assembly method of the wires in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0009] [Description of embodiments of the present invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. The wire harness of the present invention, [1] The device comprises: an electric wire; a protector for receiving a portion of the electric wire along its length; and a connector disposed at one end of the electric wire extending from the protector. The protector includes: a first outlet and a second outlet for receiving the electric wire; an electric wire fixing portion for fixing the electric wire; a main receiving portion disposed between the electric wire fixing portion and the first outlet for receiving the electric wire; and an excess length receiving portion disposed between the electric wire fixing portion and the second outlet for receiving the excess length of the electric wire. The connector is disposed at one end of the electric wire extending from the second outlet. The excess length receiving portion includes a post portion, and the electric wire is received in the excess length receiving portion in a state of being wound around the post portion.

[0010] According to this structure, the excess wire length stored in the retainer is absorbed by winding the wire around the post portion. Therefore, when connecting the connector located at one end of the wire extending from the second outlet to the other connector, the absorption of the excess wire length in the excess wire storage section increases the movable area of ​​the connector. This improves the connector's connection operability.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the main storage part may also be configured to absorb the excess length of the wire. According to this structure, the movement of the wire exiting from the first outlet can be followed, and the excess length of the wire can be absorbed in the main storage section.

[0012] [3] In [1] or [2] above, the wire may be configured such that the fixing direction of the wire at the wire fixing part is inconsistent with the lead-out direction of the wire from the second outlet.

[0013] According to this structure, even if the fixing direction of the wire in the wire fixing part and the lead-out direction of the wire in the second outlet are not the same, the sharp bending of the wire from the wire fixing part to the second outlet can be suppressed by winding the wire around the post part in the excess length storage part. As a result, the load applied to the connection part or wire fixing part of the connector and the wire can be reduced.

[0014] [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the protector may also have a partition wall separating the main storage section and the excess length storage section. According to this structure, the main storage section and the excess storage section can be separated inside the protector using a partition wall.

[0015] [5] In any of [1] to [4] above, the size of the excess length storage portion is larger than the size of the main storage portion in the direction along the length of the column portion.

[0016] According to this structure, by increasing the excess length storage section in the longitudinal direction of the column, the wire can be easily stored while it is wound around the column. [6] In any of [1] to [5] above, the protector may also include a protector body having an opening and a cover that closes the opening, the column being configured to extend from the bottom of the protector body toward the opening, the cover having a through hole, and the top end of the column penetrating the through hole.

[0017] According to this structure, the length of the column can be made longer, thus suppressing the wire from getting caught between the top of the column and the cover. [7] In any of [1] to [6] above, the protector may also have a support portion that supports the connector.

[0018] According to this structure, since the protector has a support portion that supports the connector, the distance from the wire fixing portion to the connector can be shortened. Furthermore, if the distance from the wire fixing portion to the connector is short, it becomes difficult to handle the connector if the wire from the wire fixing portion to the connector is laid out with the shortest possible distance. Therefore, by adopting the structure described above [1], the connection workability of the connector can be improved more significantly.

[0019] [Details of embodiments of the present invention] Specific examples of the wire harness of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, for ease of explanation, sometimes a portion of the structure is shown enlarged or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the various parts sometimes differ in the drawings. The term "vertical" in this specification includes not only strictly vertical cases, but also cases that are substantially vertical within the scope of their function and effect in this embodiment.

[0020] (Structure of wire harness 10) like Figure 1As shown, the wiring harness 10 of this embodiment is, for example, a wiring harness used for a sliding door Va of a vehicle V. The wiring harness 10 includes: a wire 11; a first protector 12 disposed at one end of the wire 11 along its length; and a second protector 13 disposed at the other end of the wire 11 along its length. The first protector 12 and the second protector 13 each house a portion of the wire 11 along its length. The first protector 12 is, for example, fixed to the vehicle body Vb. The second protector 13 is, for example, fixed to the sliding door Va. The wire 11 and the outer casing 15 surrounding the outer periphery of the wire 11 (see reference...) Figure 2 It bends in accordance with the opening and closing motion of the sliding door Va.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the wiring harness 10 includes a connector 14, which is disposed at one end of the wire 11 extending from the first protector 12. The connector 14 is connected, for example, to a counterpart connector Vc included in the wiring harness disposed in the vehicle body Vb.

[0022] (Structure of the first protector 12) like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first protector 12 is configured to include a protector body 16 and a cover 17. The protector body 16 has an opening 16a that opens in the height direction Z of the first protector 12. The cover 17 is fixed to the protector body 16 in a manner that closes the opening 16a of the protector body 16. The cover 17 is integrally formed with the protector body 16, for example, via a hinge portion 18. The cover 17 is fixed to the vehicle body Vb, for example.

[0023] (Structure of the protector body 16) like Figure 3 As shown, the protector body 16 includes: a first outlet 21 and a second outlet 22 for discharging the wire 11, respectively; and a wire fixing part 23 for fixing the wire 11. In addition, the protector body 16 includes: a main storage part 24 disposed between the wire fixing part 23 and the first outlet 21; and an excess length storage part 25 disposed between the wire fixing part 23 and the second outlet 22.

[0024] At the wire fixing part 23, for example, the wire 11 is fixed to the bottom 31 of the protector body 16 by a strap B such as a cable tie. Furthermore, the direction in which the wire 11 passes through the wire fixing part 23 is designated as the fixing direction D1 of the wire 11.

[0025] The main storage section 24 and the excess length storage section 25 of the protector body 16 store the wire 11. Among the wires 11, the part stored in the main storage section 24 is designated as the first wire part 11a, and the part stored in the excess length storage section 25 is designated as the second wire part 11b.

[0026] The first wire portion 11a extends from the first outlet 21, for example, along a first direction X perpendicular to the height direction Z. The main storage portion 24 is the main portion of the protector body 16 for storing the wire 11. That is, the length of the wire 11 stored in the main storage portion 24 (the length of the first wire portion 11a) is longer than the length of the wire 11 stored in the excess length storage portion 25 (the length of the second wire portion 11b). In addition, the volume of the space for storing the wire 11 in the main storage portion 24 is larger than that in the excess length storage portion 25.

[0027] The protector body 16 has a bottom 31, a partition wall 32, a first side wall 33, and a second side wall 34. The bottom 31 faces the cover 17 that closes the opening 16a in the height direction Z. The partition wall 32, the first side wall 33, and the second side wall 34 extend from the bottom 31 in the height direction Z. The partition wall 32 is a wall that separates the main storage section 24 and the excess length storage section 25. The partition wall 32 is disposed between the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 34. The main storage section 24 is formed between the first side wall 33 and the partition wall 32. The excess length storage section 25 is formed between the second side wall 34 and the partition wall 32. The excess length storage section 25 and the main storage section 24 are arranged side by side, for example, in a second direction Y that is perpendicular to both the height direction Z and the first direction X.

[0028] In the protector body 16, the first sidewall 33 forming the main storage section 24 has a bulging shape in the second direction Y. That is, the main storage section 24 is configured to partially expand in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wire 11 is led out from the first outlet 21 (the second direction Y). As a result, the main storage section 24 is configured to absorb the excess length of the first wire portion 11a. Therefore, for example, the length of the first wire portion 11a stored inside the main storage section 24 changes as the wire 11 moves in accordance with the opening and closing action of the sliding door Va.

[0029] (The structure of the storage section with a remaining length of 25) The excess length of the retainer body 16, including the storage portion 25, includes a column portion 35 extending from the bottom 31 toward the opening 16a. The column portion 35 extends, for example, in the height direction Z. The cross-sectional shape of the column portion 35, orthogonal to its own length direction, is, for example, circular. The cover 17 has a through hole 17a, and with the cover 17 closing the opening 16a of the retainer body 16, the top end of the column portion 35 passes through the through hole 17a in the height direction Z.

[0030] The second wire portion 11b is wound once around the post portion 35 inside the excess length storage portion 25, and is led out from the second outlet 22 in the lead-out direction D2. The lead-out direction D2 is, for example, perpendicular to the height direction Z. The lead-out direction D2 is configured to be inconsistent with the fixing direction D1 of the wire 11 in the wire fixing portion 23. That is, the fixing direction D1 and the lead-out direction D2 are not parallel to each other. The fixing direction D1 and the lead-out direction D2 are, for example, intersecting directions. In this embodiment, the fixing direction D1 and the lead-out direction D2 are approximately orthogonal.

[0031] Connector 14 is disposed at the end of the second wire portion 11b extending from the second outlet 22. In the excess length storage portion 25, the excess length of the second wire portion 11b is wound around the post portion 35, thereby absorbing the excess length of the second wire portion 11b. This increases the movable area of ​​connector 14, which connects to the end of the second wire portion 11b.

[0032] The protector body 16 has a support portion 36 for supporting the connector 14. The support portion 36 supports the connector 14 by fixing either the connector 14 or the counterpart connector Vc to the support portion 36. In this embodiment, for example, the counterpart connector Vc connected to the connector 14 is fixed to the support portion 36. The connector 14 connected to the counterpart connector Vc is supported by the support portion 36 by fixing the counterpart connector Vc to the support portion 36.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, in the height direction Z along the length of the column 35, the size L1 of the excess length storage portion 25 is configured to be larger than the size L2 of the main storage portion 24. This increases the size of the excess length storage portion 25 along the length of the column 35. Consequently, it is easier to wind the second wire portion 11b around the column 35 inside the excess length storage portion 25.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, a pair of jig holes 37 are formed at the bottom 31 of the excess length storage section 25. Each jig hole 37 penetrates the bottom 31 in the height direction Z. The jig holes 37 are respectively provided near the inner surfaces of the partition wall 32 and the second side wall 34 of the bottom 31. In addition, a cover-side jig hole 17b is formed on the cover 17 at a position corresponding to each jig hole 37 (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0035] When the second wire portion 11b of the wire 11 is stored in the excess length storage portion 25, the fixture pins T are inserted into the fixture holes 37 from the inside of the bottom 31, so that the fixture pins T are located inside the excess length storage portion 25. In this state, the second wire portion 11b is wound around the post portion 35 through the inside of the fixture pins T. Then, the cover 17 is closed, so that the fixture pins T are inserted into the fixture holes 17b on the cover side. This prevents the second wire portion 11b wound around the post portion 35 from getting caught between the cover 17 and the partition wall 32 and between the cover 17 and the second side wall 34. Furthermore, after storing the wire 11 in the first protector 12, the fixture pins T are removed from the first protector 12.

[0036] (The function of this implementation method) The function of this embodiment will be explained below. When assembling the wiring harness 10 to the vehicle body Vb, after fixing the first protector 12 to the vehicle body Vb, the connector 14 located at the top of the second wire portion 11b extending from the first protector 12 is connected to the counterpart connector Vc. Then, the counterpart connector Vc is fixed to the support portion 36 of the first protector 12. Here, the second wire portion 11b is wound around the post portion 35, so that the excess length can be stored in the excess length storage portion 25. Therefore, the second wire portion 11b can easily enter and exit the second outlet 22, and as a result, the degree of freedom in handling the connector 14 when connecting the connector 14 to the counterpart connector Vc and when fixing the counterpart connector Vc to the support portion 36 is increased.

[0037] Furthermore, by winding the second wire portion 11b around the post portion 35 within the excess length storage section 25, it is possible to prevent the second wire portion 11b from becoming forcedly bent (sharply bent). In this embodiment, the fixing direction D1 of the wire 11 at the wire fixing section 23 and the lead-out direction D2 of the wire 11 from the second outlet 22 are inconsistent. Therefore, if the path of the second wire portion 11b from the wire fixing section 23 to the connector 14 supported on the support section 36 is set to the shortest distance, a sharp bend may occur in the second wire portion 11b. In this respect, as in this embodiment, by winding the second wire portion 11b around the post portion 35, even if the fixing direction D1 and the lead-out direction D2 are inconsistent, a sharp bend in the second wire portion 11b can be avoided.

[0038] (Effects of this implementation method) The effects of this embodiment will be explained below. (1) The first protector 12 includes: a first outlet 21 and a second outlet 22 for respectively discharging wires 11; a wire fixing portion 23 for fixing the wires 11; a main storage portion 24 disposed between the wire fixing portion 23 and the first outlet 21 for storing the wires 11; and an excess length storage portion 25 disposed between the wire fixing portion 23 and the second outlet 22 for storing the excess length of the wires 11. A connector 14 is disposed at one end of the wires 11 discharging from the second outlet 22. The excess length storage portion 25 includes a post portion 35. The wires 11 are stored in the excess length storage portion 25 in a state of being wound around the post portion 35. According to this structure, in the excess length storage portion 25 of the first protector 12, by winding the wires 11 around the post portion 35, the excess length of the wires 11 stored in the excess length storage portion 25 can be absorbed. Therefore, when the connector 14, which is located at one end of the wire 11 extending from the second outlet 22, is connected to the other connector Vc, the movable area of ​​the connector 14 increases due to the absorption of the excess length of the wire 11 in the excess length storage section 25. As a result, the connection operability of the connector 14 can be improved.

[0039] (2) The main storage section 24 is configured to absorb the excess length of the wire 11. According to this structure, the excess length of the wire 11 can be absorbed in the main storage section 24 following the movement of the wire 11 that is led out from the first outlet 21.

[0040] (3) The fixing direction D1 of the wire 11 in the wire fixing part 23 and the lead-out direction D2 of the wire 11 from the second outlet 22 are not the same. According to this structure, even if the fixing direction D1 of the wire 11 in the wire fixing part 23 and the lead-out direction D2 of the wire 11 from the second outlet 22 are not the same, the sharp bending of the wire 11 from the wire fixing part 23 to the second outlet 22 can be suppressed by winding the wire 11 around the post part 35 in the excess length storage part 25. As a result, the load applied to the connection part of the connector 14 and the wire 11 or the wire fixing part 23 can be reduced.

[0041] (4) The first protector 12 has a partition wall 32 that separates the main storage section 24 and the excess length storage section 25. According to this structure, the main storage section 24 and the excess length storage section 25 can be separated inside the first protector 12 by the partition wall 32.

[0042] (5) In the direction along the length of the column 35, the size L1 of the excess length storage portion 25 is configured to be larger than the size L2 of the main storage portion 24. According to this structure, by increasing the excess length storage portion 25 in the length direction of the column 35, the wire 11 can be easily stored while it is wound around the column 35.

[0043] (6) The first protector 12 includes a protector body 16 having an opening 16a and a cover 17 that closes the opening 16a. A post 35 is provided extending from the bottom 31 of the protector body 16 toward the opening 16a. The cover 17 has a through hole 17a, through which the top end of the post 35 passes. With this structure, the length of the post 35 can be extended, thus suppressing the engagement of the wire 11 between the top end of the post 35 and the cover 17. Furthermore, the occurrence of engagement of the wire 11 between the top end of the post 35 and the cover 17 can be easily visually confirmed through the through hole 17a.

[0044] (7) The first protector 12 has a support portion 36 for supporting the connector 14. With this structure, since the first protector 12 has a support portion 36 for supporting the connector 14, the distance from the wire fixing portion 23 to the connector 14 can be easily shortened. Furthermore, when the distance from the wire fixing portion 23 to the connector 14 is short, if the wire 11 from the wire fixing portion 23 to the connector 14 is laid with the shortest possible distance, the handling of the connector 14 becomes difficult. Therefore, by adopting the structure described in (1), the connection workability of the connector 14 can be significantly improved.

[0045] (Other implementation methods) The above embodiments can be implemented in the following variations. The above embodiments and the following variations can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0046] ■In the first protector 12, the support portion 36 of the support connector 14 may also be provided on the cover 17. ■ It can also be configured as a support portion 36 in which the connector 14 is fixed to the first protector 12.

[0047] ■ It can also be configured such that the support portion 36 of the support connector 14 is omitted in the first protector 12, and either the connector 14 or the other connector Vc is fixed to the vehicle body Vb.

[0048] ■ In the first protector 12 of the above embodiment, the column portion 35 may not penetrate the cover 17. In the above embodiment, the column portion 35 extends along the height direction Z, but it is not limited to this; the column portion 35 may also extend outside the height direction Z. For example, the column portion 35 may also extend along a first direction X or a second direction Y.

[0049] • The shape and structure of the column 35 are not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified. • Within the remaining length storage section 25, the second wire section 11b can also be wound around the column section 35 more than twice.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the size L1 of the excess length storage portion 25 is larger than the size L2 of the main storage portion 24. However, it is not limited to this. It can also be configured such that the size L1 of the excess length storage portion 25 is smaller than the size L2 of the main storage portion 24, or that the size L1 of the excess length storage portion 25 is equal to the size L2 of the main storage portion 24.

[0051] • In the first protector 12 of the above embodiment, the fixing direction D1 of the wire 11 in the wire fixing part 23 and the leading direction D2 of the wire 11 leading out from the second outlet 22 can also be the same.

[0052] • In the first protector 12 of the above embodiment, the main storage part 24 may also be configured to not absorb the excess length of the wire 11 (first wire part 11a). • The cover 17 in the first protector 12 can also be configured to be separate from the protector body 16 (i.e., separate from the protector body 16).

[0053] In the above embodiment, the wire 11 is fixed to the protector body 16 by a strap or other strap in the wire fixing part 23. However, the wire 11 can also be fixed to the protector body 16 by adhesive tape, for example.

[0054] • In the first protector 12 of the above embodiment, the partition wall 32 may also be omitted. • The above embodiment applies to the first protector 12, but it can also be applied, for example, to the second protector 13 and protectors used in wiring harnesses other than the wiring harness 10 for sliding doors.

[0055] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the invention is not limited to these illustratives. That is, the scope of the invention is indicated by the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0056] 10 Wire Harness 11. Electrical wires 11a First wire section 11b Second wire section 12. First Protector (Protector) 13 Second Protector 14 Connectors 15 External components 16 Protector Body 16a Opening 17 Cover 17a Through hole 17b Hole for cover side jig 18. Hinge section 21 First Outlet 22 Second Outlet 23. Cable fixing part 24 Main Storage Section 25. Long storage section 31 Bottom 32. Partition wall 33 First lateral wall 34 Second lateral wall 35. Column 36 Support section 37 Holes for fixtures B belt section D1 Fixed direction D2 Direction L1, L2 dimensions T jig pin V vehicle Va sliding door Vb body Vc connector X-direction 1 Y 2nd direction Z-axis

Claims

1. A wire harness comprising: an electric wire; a protector that houses a length direction portion of the electric wire; and a connector provided at one end portion of the electric wire led out from the protector, the protector comprising: a first lead-out port and a second lead-out port that lead out the electric wire; an electric wire fixing portion that fixes the electric wire; a main housing portion that is provided between the electric wire fixing portion and the first lead-out port and houses the electric wire; and an excess length housing portion that is provided between the electric wire fixing portion and the second lead-out port and can house an excess length of the electric wire, the connector being provided at one end portion of the electric wire led out from the second lead-out port, the excess length housing portion including a column portion, the electric wire being housed in the excess length housing portion in a state of being wound around the column portion.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the main housing portion is configured to be able to absorb the excess length of the electric wire.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire is configured to be fixed in a fixing direction of the electric wire fixing portion and to be led out in a lead-out direction of the electric wire from the second lead-out port in a direction different from the fixing direction.

4. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the protector has a partition wall that partitions the main housing portion and the excess length housing portion.

5. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the excess length housing portion has a size larger than a size of the main housing portion in a direction along a length direction of the column portion.

6. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the protector includes a protector main body having an opening and a cover that closes the opening, the column portion being provided to extend from a bottom portion of the protector main body toward the opening, the cover having a through hole through which a top end portion of the column portion is inserted.

7. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the protector has a support portion that supports the connector. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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