Corrugated tube holding structure and electric wire protection member

Abstract

The invention can improve the assembling workability of the corrugated pipe. The present invention is provided with a pair of holding members (20, 30) having a housing space (40) formed therein, the housing space (40) allowing the end of a corrugated tube (10) to be inserted and stopping the movement of the end in the insertion direction and the extraction direction in an assembled state, the inner circumferential surface of the housing space being provided with holding ribs (41) and holding grooves (42) alternately formed in the axial direction, the holding ribs being concentrically housed in the troughs (11) of the corrugated tube, and the holding grooves (42) being formed in the inner circumferential surface of the housing space. The retaining groove concentrically accommodates a peak portion (12) of the corrugated pipe, a first side wall surface (13) of the peak portion is formed in a side surface shape of a cone frustum which tapers in an insertion direction, a second side wall surface (14) of the peak portion is formed in an orthogonal plane shape which is orthogonal to an extraction direction, a first locking surface (43) of the retaining rib is an inclined surface having an inclination angle equal to that of the first side wall surface, and a second locking surface (43) of the retaining rib is an inclined surface having an inclination angle equal to that of the second side wall surface. A second locking surface (44) of the retaining rib is formed in an orthogonal planar shape that is orthogonal to the insertion direction, and is formed in a side surface shape of a truncated cone that tapers in the insertion direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bellows retaining structure and a wire protection component. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional wire protection components include a housing and a cover that house and extend outwards multiple wires extending from the end of a cylindrical corrugated tube. The housing and cover are provided with retaining ribs for holding the end of the corrugated tube from the outer peripheral side. Each retaining rib has a semi-circular portion that forms a rounded portion when the housing and cover are assembled, and the semi-circular portion is inserted into the valley of the corrugation of the corrugated tube by assembling the housing and cover, thereby holding the end of the corrugated tube (Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-164390 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in existing bellows holding structures, firstly, the end of the bellows is positioned in the housing while the retaining rib on the housing side is inserted into the valley on the outer peripheral surface side. Next, the bellows holding structure holds the bellows in a manner that prevents it from detaching from the housing, and while the retaining rib on the cover side is inserted into the valley on the outer peripheral surface side, the cover is assembled to the housing, thereby holding the end of the bellows between the housing and the cover. As described above, in existing bellows holding structures, the assembly processes of the housing and cover, as well as the assembly process of the bellows onto the housing and cover, must be performed simultaneously, and there is room for improvement in stabilizing the bellows assembly operation.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a bellows retaining structure and wire protection component that can improve the assembly workability of bellows.

[0009] Technical means for solving problems

[0010] The bellows retaining structure of the present invention is characterized by having a pair of retaining members forming a cylindrical receiving space. When the pair of retaining members are assembled, the receiving space allows the end of a cylindrical bellows to be inserted in the insertion direction along the tube axis. Furthermore, the receiving space prevents the movement of the end of the bellows in both the insertion direction and the pull-out direction along the tube axis. The bellows is formed with annular valleys and peaks alternately arranged along the tube axis. Annular retaining ribs and retaining grooves alternately formed along the axial direction are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving space. The retaining ribs are concentrically received in the valleys on the outer circumferential surface, and the retaining grooves are concentrically received in the peaks on the outer circumferential surface. The sidewall surface of the peak on the outer peripheral side, i.e., the first annular sidewall surface, is formed as a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. The sidewall surface of the peak on the outer peripheral side, i.e., the second annular sidewall surface, is formed as an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the extraction direction or a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. The sidewall surface of the pull-out direction side of the retaining rib, i.e., the first annular locking surface, is an inclined surface with the same inclination angle as the first sidewall surface, and is formed as a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. The sidewall surface of the insertion direction side of the retaining rib, i.e., the second annular locking surface, is formed as an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the insertion direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the wire protection component of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a bellows-shaped corrugated tube having annular valleys and peaks alternately arranged along the tube axis, and for inserting multiple wires; a housing that houses and leads out the multiple wires extending from the end of the bellows; and a cover that, in the assembled state, holds the end of the bellows between the cover and the housing, and covers the multiple wires extending from the end of the bellows between the cover and the housing. In the assembled state, the housing and the cover form a cylindrical receiving space that allows the end of the bellows to be inserted in the insertion direction along the tube axis, while simultaneously preventing movement of the end of the bellows in both the insertion direction and the withdrawal direction along the tube axis. The inner circumferential surface of the receiving space is provided with alternating axially formed... The retaining ribs and retaining grooves are circular. The retaining ribs are concentrically housed in the valleys on the outer peripheral side, and the retaining grooves are concentrically housed in the peaks on the outer peripheral side. The first annular sidewall of the peaks on the outer peripheral side, which is the sidewall on the insertion direction side, is formed into a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. The second annular sidewall of the peaks on the outer peripheral side, which is the sidewall on the extraction direction side, is formed into an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the extraction direction or a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. The first annular locking surface of the sidewall on the extraction direction side of the retaining rib is an inclined surface with the same inclination angle as the first sidewall and is formed into a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. The second annular locking surface of the sidewall on the insertion direction side of the retaining rib is formed into an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the insertion direction.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] In the bellows retaining structure and wire protection component of the present invention, a load in the insertion direction is applied to the end of the bellows with a magnitude sufficient to release the locking state between the first sidewall of the bellows' peak and the first locking surface of the retaining rib. This allows the peak, which has entered the retaining groove, to move into another retaining groove located adjacent to the original retaining groove in the insertion direction. Therefore, in this bellows retaining structure and wire protection component, by inserting the end of the bellows into the storage space with such a load, the end of the bellows can be inserted into the assembled position of the storage space. Thus, in this bellows retaining structure and wire protection component, the end of the bellows can be assembled into the assembled position of the storage space simply by pressing the end of the bellows into the assembled state of the storage space formed by the housing and the cover. That is, the bellows retaining structure and wire protection component of the present invention improve the ease of bellows assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing the bellows retaining structure and wire protection component of an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view illustrating the bellows retaining structure and wire protection component of an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 XX-line sectional view.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly process of the bellows.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the main inner part of the casing.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a top view showing the main part of the inside of the cover. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In the following sections, embodiments of the bellows retaining structure and wire protection component of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0021] [Example]

[0022] based on Figures 1 to 6 This invention describes one embodiment of the bellows retaining structure and wire protection component of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 1 to 3 The symbol 1 indicates the wire protection component of this embodiment. This wire protection component 1 includes: a cylindrical corrugated tube 10, a housing 20 serving as a pair of retaining members, and a cover 30. Figures 1 to 3 A cylindrical receiving space 40 is formed in the housing 20 and cover 30, which serve as a pair of retaining components. In the assembled state, the end of the bellows 10 is inserted into the receiving space 40 in the insertion direction along the tube axis. On the other hand, the receiving space 40 stops the movement of the end of the bellows 10 in the insertion direction and in the withdrawal direction along the tube axis. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The bellows retaining structure 100 of this embodiment is composed of the housing 20 and the cover 30.

[0024] Hereinafter, when only the insertion direction is described, the insertion direction of the end of the bellows 10 relative to the assembled housing 20 and cover 30 is indicated. Furthermore, hereafter, when only the withdrawal direction is described, the withdrawal direction of the end of the bellows 10 relative to the assembled housing 20 and cover 30 is indicated.

[0025] The bellows 10 is formed into a bellows shape having annular valleys 11 and peaks 12 alternately arranged in the axial direction. Figures 1 to 4 Multiple wires are inserted through the corrugated pipe 10 (illustration omitted).

[0026] The peak portion 12 on the outer peripheral side has: a first annular sidewall 13 serving as the sidewall surface on the insertion direction side; and a second annular sidewall 14 serving as the sidewall surface on the extraction direction side. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0027] The first sidewall 13 is also the pull-out direction sidewall of the valley 11 on the outer peripheral side. This first sidewall 13 is formed as a lateral shape of a frustum that tapers towards the insertion direction. Similarly, the second sidewall 14 is also the insertion direction sidewall of the valley 11 on the outer peripheral side. This second sidewall 14 is formed as either an orthogonal plane shape or a lateral shape of a frustum that tapers towards the insertion direction. The second sidewall 14 shown here is formed as an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the pull-out direction. Therefore, the peak 12 on the outer peripheral side shown here is formed as the outer periphery shape of a frustum that tapers towards the insertion direction.

[0028] The housing 20 and cover 30, which are a pair of retaining components, are formed of insulating materials such as synthetic resin and are assembled between each other.

[0029] The housing 20 houses and extends outwards multiple wires extending from the end of the bellows 10. The cover 30 holds the end of the bellows 10 between itself and the assembled housing 20, and covers the multiple wires extending from the end of the bellows 10 between itself and the assembled housing 20.

[0030] The housing 20 has a housing body 21 for housing multiple wires extending from the end of the bellows 10. Figures 1 to 3 The cover 30 has a cover body 31 that covers multiple wires extending from the end of the bellows 10 between the cover 30 and the housing 20 in the assembled state. Figures 1 to 3 When the housing body 21 and the cover body 31 are in the assembled state, they form an internal space for laying multiple wires leading out from the end of the bellows 10.

[0031] The housing 20 and the cover 30 each have retaining portions 22 and 32 that clamp and hold the end of the bellows 10 from the outer peripheral surface side. Figures 1 to 4 ).

[0032] The housing 20 and the cover 30 are kept in an assembled state by a locking mechanism at multiple locations. The locking mechanism maintains the assembled state by engaging a first engaging portion 23 on the housing 20 with a second engaging portion 33 on the cover 30 when they are in the assembled state. Figure 1 and Figure 3 For example, in this locking mechanism, the first engaging portion 23 is formed as a claw-shaped protrusion, and the second engaging portion 33 is formed as a groove shape having a hook for hooking onto the protrusion. The locking mechanism is provided at one location between the housing body 21 and the cover body 31, and at two locations between a pair of retaining portions 22, 32.

[0033] By assembling the housing 20 and the cover 30, a storage space 40 is formed inside the pair of retaining parts 22 and 32. The pair of retaining parts 22 and 32 are cylindrical in the assembled state, and the storage space 40 inside them holds the end of the bellows 10.

[0034] An axially alternating ring-shaped retaining ribs 41 and retaining grooves 42 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the storage space 40. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The retaining rib 41 is concentrically housed in the valley 11 on the outer peripheral side. In addition, the retaining groove 42 concentrically houses the peak 12 on the outer peripheral side.

[0035] A pair of retaining portions 22, 32 have retaining ribs 24, 34, which are protrusions from each of the valleys 11 of a plurality of valleys 11 on the outer peripheral surface of the bellows 10 from the inner wall of each of the retaining portions 22, 32, and enter into the valley 11 to retain the end of the bellows 10. Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 6 The pair of retaining ribs 24 and 34 are provided with semi-circular portions 24a and 34a, which are concentrically inserted into a plurality of valleys 11 on the outer peripheral surface of the bellows 10. Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 6 The pair of semicircular portions 24a and 34a form annular portions when the pair of retaining portions 22 and 32 are in the assembled state, and are concentrically arranged in the valley portion 11. Therefore, in the storage space 40, the pair of semicircular portions 24a and 34a become annular retaining ribs 41.

[0036] The retaining rib 41 has: an annular first locking surface 43 as the side wall surface on the pull-out direction side and an annular second locking surface 44 as the side wall surface on the insertion direction side. Figure 4 ).

[0037] The first locking surface 43 is also the side wall surface of the retaining groove 42 on the insertion direction side. This first locking surface 43 is an inclined surface having the same inclination angle as the first side wall surface 13 of the bellows 10, and is formed into a truncated cone side surface shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. Furthermore, the second locking surface 44 is also the side wall surface of the retaining groove 42 on the pull-out direction side. This second locking surface 44 is formed into an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the insertion direction.

[0038] In this wire protection component 1, the first sidewall 13 on the insertion direction side of the peak portion 12 of the corrugated tube 10 is formed into a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction, and the first locking surface 43 on the pull-out direction side of the retaining rib 41 of the receiving space 40 is also formed into a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction. Furthermore, the first sidewall 13 of the peak portion 12 and the first locking surface 43 of the retaining rib 41 are both truncated cone shapes that taper towards the insertion direction, and they are parallel to each other with equal inclination angles.

[0039] In this wire protection component 1, the first sidewall 13 of the peak portion 12 and the first locking surface 43 of the retaining rib 41 are in the shape and configuration described above. Therefore, when the peak portion 12 enters the retaining groove 42, if the end of the corrugated tube 10 is to move in the insertion direction, the first sidewall 13 of the peak portion 12 is locked by the first locking surface 43 of the retaining rib 41. Thus, in this wire protection component 1, the first sidewall 13 of the peak portion 12 and the first locking surface 43 of the retaining rib 41 can be used to prevent the end of the corrugated tube 10 from moving in the insertion direction. Therefore, in this wire protection component 1, the movement of the end of the corrugated tube 10, which is positioned in the assembled position in the storage space 40, in the insertion direction can be suppressed.

[0040] On the other hand, in this wire protection component 1, a load in the insertion direction is applied to the end of the bellows 10 such that it releases the locking state between the first sidewall 13 of the peak 12 and the first locking surface 43 of the retaining rib 41. This allows the peak 12, which has entered the retaining groove 42, to move into another retaining groove 42 located adjacent to the one in the insertion direction. Therefore, in this wire protection component 1, by inserting the end of the bellows 10 into the receiving space 40 with such a load, the end of the bellows 10 can be inserted into a predetermined position in the receiving space 40. This predetermined position refers to the assembled position of the end of the bellows 10 in the receiving space 40.

[0041] Furthermore, in this wire protection component 1, the second sidewall 14 on the pull-out direction side of the peak portion 12 of the corrugated tube 10 is formed as an orthogonal plane shape or a truncated cone shape that tapers towards the insertion direction (in this example, it is formed as an orthogonal plane shape), and the second locking surface 44 on the insertion direction side of the retaining rib 41 of the receiving space 40 is formed as an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the insertion direction. Therefore, in this wire protection component 1, when the peak portion 12 enters the retaining groove 42, if the end of the corrugated tube 10 is to move in the pull-out direction, the second sidewall 14 of the peak portion 12 is locked by the second locking surface 44 of the retaining rib 41. Therefore, in this wire protection component 1, the movement of the end of the corrugated tube 10 in the pull-out direction can be stopped by the second sidewall 14 of the peak portion 12 and the second locking surface 44 of the retaining rib 41. Therefore, in this wire protection component 1, the movement of the end of the corrugated tube 10, which is positioned in the assembled position in the storage space 40, in the pull-out direction can be suppressed.

[0042] Thus, in this wire protection component 1, the end of the corrugated tube 10 can be assembled into the assembled position of the storage space 40 of the housing 20 and cover 30 simply by pressing the end of the corrugated tube 10 into the assembled position of the housing 20 and cover 30. That is, the wire protection component 1 and the corrugated tube holding structure 100 of this embodiment improve the ease of assembling the corrugated tube 10. Furthermore, the wire protection component 1 and the corrugated tube holding structure 100 of this embodiment can retain the end of the corrugated tube 10 in the assembled position of the storage space 40 simply by inserting it into the assembled position of the storage space 40. Therefore, the wire protection component 1 and the corrugated tube holding structure 100 of this embodiment improve the ease of assembling the corrugated tube 10 and ensure the holding force of the corrugated tube 10 after assembly.

[0043] In the wire protection component 1, multiple wires are led out from the corrugated tube 10, which is held at the end, into the interior space of the housing body 21 and the cover body 31. The housing 20 has a wire lead-out portion 25 that leads the multiple wires from its interior space outward. Figures 1 to 3 The wire lead-out portion 25 is formed into a cylindrical shape such that its own cylindrical axis is orthogonal to the cylindrical axis formed by the pair of retaining portions 22, 32.

[0044] For example, multiple wires shown here connect the torque sensor of the electric power steering system to the electronic control unit. A wire protection component 1 is assembled into the frame of the torque sensor to ensure waterproofing between the sensor and the frame. The wire protection component 1 allows the wire lead-out portion 25 to fit into a circular through-hole in the frame.

[0045] Therefore, the cylindrical sealing gasket 51 with a lip on its outer peripheral surface is housed inside the wire lead-out portion 25. Figure 3 In the sealing gasket 51, a cylindrical through hole (hereinafter referred to as "wire insertion hole") 51a is formed for each wire, and a lip is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the wire insertion hole 51a. Figure 3 The wire extending from the end of the corrugated pipe 10 passes through the internal space formed by the housing body 21 and the cover body 31, and is led outward through the wire insertion hole 51a. Therefore, a sealing gasket 51 is provided to ensure the waterproof function of the inside of the wire lead-out portion 25.

[0046] Furthermore, in the wire protection component 1, a sealing gasket cover 60 assembled to the wire lead-out portion 25 is used to prevent the sealing gasket 51 from falling off the wire lead-out portion 25. Figures 1 to 3 In the sealing gasket cover 60, the wire insertion hole 61 is formed coaxially with the wire insertion hole 51a. Figure 3 The wire passing through the wire insertion hole 51a of the sealing gasket 51 is led out to the outside through the wire insertion hole 61.

[0047] In addition, a ring-shaped sealing member 52 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the wire lead-out portion 25. Figures 1 to 3 The sealing component 52 fills the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the wire lead-out portion 25 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole in the frame of the torque sensor, ensuring the waterproof function of the outside of the wire lead-out portion 25.

[0048] Symbol Explanation

[0049] 1. Wire protection components

[0050] 10 Corrugated Pipe

[0051] 11 Tanibe

[0052] 12 peaks

[0053] 13 First side wall

[0054] 14 Second side wall

[0055] 20 Housing (Retaining Components)

[0056] 30. Cover (retaining component)

[0057] 40 storage space

[0058] 41. Maintain ribs

[0059] 42 Retaining groove

[0060] 43 First card stop surface

[0061] 44 Second card stop surface

[0062] 100 Corrugated Pipe Retention Structure

Claims

1. A bellows holding structure characterized by, Possess: A pair of holding members formed with a cylindrical accommodation space for a tubular bellows with its end inserted in an insertion direction along the tube axis in an assembled state of the pair of holding members, and the accommodation space arresting movement of the end of the bellows in the insertion direction and a withdrawal direction along the tube axis, The bellows is formed in a bellows shape with circular ring-shaped valleys and peaks alternately arranged in the tube axis direction, A circular ring-shaped holding rib and a holding groove alternately formed in the axial direction are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space, The holding rib concentrically accommodates the valley on the outer peripheral surface side, The holding groove concentrically accommodates the peak on the outer peripheral surface side, A side wall surface on the insertion direction side in the peak on the outer peripheral surface side, that is, a circular ring-shaped first side wall surface is formed in a side surface shape of a circular truncated cone tapered toward the insertion direction, A side wall surface on the withdrawal direction side in the peak on the outer peripheral surface side, that is, a circular ring-shaped second side wall surface is formed in an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the withdrawal direction or a side surface shape of a circular truncated cone tapered toward the insertion direction, A side wall surface on the withdrawal direction side in the holding rib, that is, a circular ring-shaped first arresting surface is an inclined surface with an inclination angle equivalent to that of the first side wall surface, and is formed in a side surface shape of a circular truncated cone tapered toward the insertion direction, A side wall surface on the insertion direction side in the holding rib, that is, a circular ring-shaped second arresting surface is formed in an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the insertion direction.

2. An electric wire protection member characterized by, Possess: A bellows having a bellows shape with circular ring-shaped valleys and peaks alternately arranged in the tube axis direction, and a plurality of electric wires inserted therethrough; A housing accommodating the plurality of electric wires drawn from the end of the bellows and drawing the electric wires to the outside; And A cover holding the end of the bellows between the cover and the housing in an assembled state, and covering the plurality of electric wires drawn from the end of the bellows between the cover and the housing in an assembled state, The housing and the cover in an assembled state are formed with a cylindrical accommodation space for the end of the bellows inserted in an insertion direction along the tube axis, and arresting movement of the end of the bellows in the insertion direction and a withdrawal direction along the tube axis, A circular ring-shaped holding rib and a holding groove alternately formed in the axial direction are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation space, The holding rib concentrically accommodates the valley on the outer peripheral surface side, The holding groove concentrically accommodates the peak on the outer peripheral surface side, A side wall surface on the insertion direction side in the peak on the outer peripheral surface side, that is, a circular ring-shaped first side wall surface is formed in a side surface shape of a circular truncated cone tapered toward the insertion direction, A side wall surface on the withdrawal direction side in the peak on the outer peripheral surface side, that is, a circular ring-shaped second side wall surface is formed in an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the withdrawal direction or a side surface shape of a circular truncated cone tapered toward the insertion direction, The side wall surface on the pull-out direction side in the holding rib, that is, the first locking surface of the circular ring shape is an inclined surface having an inclination angle equivalent to that of the first side wall surface, and is formed in a side surface shape of a circular truncated cone tapered toward the insertion direction, The side wall surface on the insertion direction side in the holding rib, that is, the second locking surface of the circular ring shape is formed in an orthogonal plane shape orthogonal to the insertion direction.

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