Wire harness heat dissipation structure

Abstract

A wire harness heat dissipation structure (1) includes a wire harness (3) laid on the body (115) of a vehicle (100) and a pressing member (5) pressing the wire harness (3) against the body (115). The wire harness (3) includes an electric wire (10) comprising a conductive conductor core (11) and a covering insulator (13) covering the conductor core (11). The electric wire (10) includes a flat portion (15) having a flat cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the laying direction of the wire harness (3). Furthermore, at the location where the pressing member (5) is installed and the flat portion (15) of the electric wire (10) of the wire harness (3) is pressed by the pressing member (5), the body (115) includes a thickened portion (117) that is thicker than the surrounding portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wire harness heat dissipation structure. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wiring harness technology for use in vehicles such as electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, comprising wires for electrically connecting a high-voltage battery to electrical equipment such as an inverter. The wiring harness includes multiple wires, a pair of connectors mounted at both ends of the wires, multiple external members through which the multiple wires pass, and multiple clips. Each external member protects the wires from, for example, flying objects or water droplets. The multiple external members are secured to the vehicle body or the like by clips. With this configuration, heat generated in the wires can be transferred to the vehicle body, which has a large surface area, via the external members and clips.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2020-21556A Summary of the Invention

[0006] In vehicles, with the increasing electrification of vehicles, the current flowing through the wiring harness becomes much larger. With this increase in current, it is necessary to take measures to address the Joule heat generated, particularly in the wires of the wiring harness. The wiring harness is fixed to the vehicle body for heat dissipation. However, in this case, since the vehicle body is typically made of sheet metal or steel, its heat capacity is relatively small, so heat dissipation based on heat conduction from the wires of the wiring harness to the vehicle body may be insufficient.

[0007] This invention was made in view of such problems in related technologies. Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide a wire harness heat dissipation structure capable of effectively dissipating heat generated in wire harnesses.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a wiring harness heat dissipation structure includes: a wiring harness disposed on the body of a vehicle; and a pressing member for pressing the wiring harness toward the body, wherein the wiring harness includes wires, the wires including conductive conductor cores and a covering insulator covering the conductor cores, the wires including a flat portion having a flat cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wiring harness, and the body includes a thickened portion formed thicker than the surrounding portion at a location where the pressing member is mounted and the flat portion of the wires of the wiring harness is pressed by the pressing member.

[0009] According to the present invention, a wire harness heat dissipation structure can be provided that can effectively dissipate the heat generated in the wire harness. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the high-voltage wiring configuration of an electric vehicle using this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a wire harness heat dissipation structure according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a heat dissipation structure according to this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of wires in a wire harness.

[0014] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of line AA.

[0015] Figure 6 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the BB line.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a wire harness heat dissipation structure according to another embodiment. Detailed description

[0017] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the heat dissipation structure of the wiring harness according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the dimensions in the drawings are exaggerated for ease of explanation and may differ from actual proportions.

[0018] The wire harness heat dissipation structure 1 according to this embodiment is suitable for, for example... Figure 1 The high-voltage wiring of electric vehicles, etc., is shown.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, in vehicle 100, an inverter 101 and an electric motor 103, serving as load units, are arranged at the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The inverter 101 is electrically connected to a high-voltage battery 107 via a front high-voltage wiring 105, and converts the direct current supplied from the high-voltage battery 107 via the front high-voltage wiring 105 into alternating current. Furthermore, the inverter 101 supplies the converted alternating current to the electric motor 103. The electric motor 103 is driven by the power supplied from the inverter 101, and rotates the front wheels 109 via the drive shaft of vehicle 100, etc.

[0020] Furthermore, in vehicle 100, for example, charging port 111 is located on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Charging port 111 includes a charging socket to which an external charging device (not shown) serving as a charger is connected. Charging port 111 is electrically connected to high-voltage battery 107 via rear high-voltage wiring 113 and supplies power from the external charging device via rear high-voltage wiring 113 to high-voltage battery 107.

[0021] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a wire harness 3 and a pressing member 5.

[0022] Wiring harness 3 is laid on body panel 115, which is part of the body of vehicle 100 (see...). Figure 1 The wiring harness 3 includes wires 10, which include conductive conductor cores 11 and a covering insulator 13 covering the conductor cores 11, and the conductor cores 11 of the wires 10 are formed of a metallic material such as copper or aluminum. The wiring harness 3 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) wires 10. However, the number of wires 10 is not limited to this, and the wiring harness 3 may also include a single wire 10.

[0023] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the wire 10 includes a flat portion 15, which has a flat cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the wire harness 3. In this embodiment, the portion of the wire 10 other than the flat portion 15 is formed as a circular portion 17, which has a circular cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the wiring direction of the wire harness 3. In other words, in this embodiment, the portion of the wire harness 3 that is pressed against the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body panel 115 (described later) is flattened, thereby partially forming the flat portion 15. However, the flat portion 15 is not limited to this; it can also be integrally formed on the wire harness 3, such as a flat cable.

[0024] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the wire 10 is arranged such that its upper and lower surfaces are substantially parallel to the upper surface of the vehicle body panel 115. Therefore, the upper surface of the wire 10 faces the upper surface portion 21 of the pressing member 5 described later, and the lower surface of the wire 10 faces the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body panel 115.

[0025] The pressing member 5 is used to press the wire harness 3 against the vehicle body panel 115. The pressing member 5 can be formed of a synthetic resin material or a metal material. In this embodiment, the pressing member 5 includes: an upper surface portion 21 extending in a direction intersecting the routing direction of the wire harness 3; and a pair of side portions 23, 23 extending from both ends of the upper surface portion 21 in its extending direction toward the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body panel 115. In addition, the pressing member 5 also includes a pair of flange portions 25, 25 extending from the lower ends of the side portions 23 in a direction away from each other, and being connected to the thickened portion 117 by a connecting member such as a bolt 7. In this way, the pressing member 5 is formed to have a cap-shaped cross-section.

[0026] The flat portion 15 of the wire 10 pressed against the body panel 115 is arranged in a space surrounded by the upper surface portion 21 of the pressing member 5, a pair of side portions 23, 23, and the thickened portion 117 of the body panel 115.

[0027] Furthermore, a thermally conductive member 40 is disposed on the outer periphery of the flat portion 15 of the wire 10 to fill the outer periphery of the flat portion 15 and effectively transfer the heat generated in the flat portion 15 to the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body panel 115. The thermally conductive member 40 is formed of thermally conductive paste, thermally conductive resin, etc.

[0028] In addition, a metal plate 41 is arranged at the pressing member 5 so as to accommodate and hold the flat portion 15 of the wire 10 covered by the heat-conducting member 40 in the space within the pressing member 5.

[0029] Furthermore, a heat sink 30, which serves as a heat dissipation component with thermal conductivity, is arranged between the flat portion 15 of the wire 10 and the thickened portion 117 of the body panel 115, so as to effectively transfer the heat generated in the flat portion 15 of the wire 10 to the thickened portion 117 of the body panel 115. The heat sink 30, also known as a heat-conducting plate, is configured to be in close contact with the metal plate 41 and the thickened portion 117 of the body panel 115.

[0030] The wiring harness 3 and the pressing member 5 are arranged inside the carriage (on the floor) of the body panel 115.

[0031] The body panel 115 includes a thickened portion 117, which is thicker than the surrounding portion, at the location where the pressing member 5 is installed and the flat portion 15 of the wire 10 of the wiring harness 3 is pressed by the pressing member 5. A general portion 119, thinner than the thickened portion 117, is formed around the thickened portion 117 of the body panel 115. The thickened portion 117 is formed to protrude into the interior of the body panel 115. In addition to the body panel 115 being made of iron or steel sheet, a metal sheet constituting part of the thickened portion 117 can be installed by welding or other methods. When the body panel 115 is manufactured by casting, the thickened portion 117 can be integrally formed with the body panel 115 during the casting process. In other words, the thickened portion 117 can be integrally formed with the body panel 115, or it can be formed as a separate entity from the body panel 115 and installed onto the body panel 115.

[0032] In this manner, a wiring harness heat dissipation structure 1 according to one aspect of this embodiment includes: a wiring harness 3, which is laid on the body (body panel 115) of a vehicle 100; and a pressing member 5, which presses the wiring harness 3 against the body (body panel 115). The wiring harness 3 includes an electrical wire 10 comprising a conductive conductor core 11 and a covering insulator 13 covering the conductor core 11, and the electrical wire 10 includes a flat portion 15 having a flat cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the laying direction of the wiring harness 3. The body (body panel 115) includes a thickened portion 117 formed that is thicker than the surrounding portion at the location where the pressing member 5 is mounted and the flat portion 15 of the electrical wire 10 of the wiring harness 3 is pressed by the pressing member 5.

[0033] The pressing member 5 is used to press the wire 10 against the body panel 115. This allows the Joule heat generated in the wire 10 to be transferred to and dissipated from the body panel 115, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the wiring harness 3. Therefore, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the components constituting the wiring harness 3 (especially the conductor core 11) to suppress heat generation, thus achieving a lighter wiring harness 3 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0034] The wire 10 includes a flat portion 15, which is pressed against the vehicle body panel 115 by the pressing member 5. This increases the surface area in contact with the vehicle body panel 115 compared to a conventional wire with a circular cross-section. Furthermore, the flat portion 15 is pressed against the vehicle body panel 115 by the pressing member 5, thereby ensuring that heat generated in the wire 10 is adequately transferred to the vehicle body panel 115, thus suppressing temperature rise in the wiring harness 3.

[0035] Furthermore, a thickened portion 117 is formed at the location in the body panel 115 where the wire 10 is pressed by the pressing member 5. This increases the heat capacity of the body panel 115. Additionally, it suppresses or delays the temperature rise of the wiring harness 3. Therefore, it avoids increasing the size of the components constituting the wiring harness 3 (especially the conductor core wire 11) to suppress heat generation, thereby achieving a lighter wiring harness 3 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, a wire harness heat dissipation structure 1 can be provided that can effectively dissipate the heat generated in the wire 10 of the wire harness 3.

[0037] In the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1, a heat dissipation component (heat sink 30) with thermal conductivity can be arranged between the flat portion 15 of the wire 10 and the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body (vehicle panel 115).

[0038] Heat sink 30 is arranged in the portion of the wire 10 facing the body panel 115. In this way, the gap between the wire 10 and the body panel 115 can be filled, thereby effectively transferring heat from the wire 10 to the body panel 115.

[0039] In the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1, a heat-conducting component 40 with thermal conductivity can be arranged on the outer periphery of the flat portion 15 of the wire 10.

[0040] The heat-conducting component 40 fills the outer periphery of the flat portion 15 of the wire 10. In this way, heat can be effectively transferred from the wire 10 to the vehicle body panel 115.

[0041] In the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1, the pressing member 5 may include: an upper surface portion 21 extending in a direction intersecting with the wiring direction of the wire harness 3; and a pair of side portions 23, 23 extending from the two ends of the upper surface portion 21 in its extending direction toward the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body (body panel 115). The pressing member 5 may also include a pair of flange portions 25, 25 extending from the lower ends of the side portions 23 in a direction away from each other and joining to the thickened portion 117, thereby being formed to have a cap-shaped cross-section. The flat portion 15 of the wire 10 pressed against the vehicle body (body panel 115) may be arranged within the space enclosed by the upper surface portion 21 of the pressing member 5, the pair of side portions 23, 23, and the thickened portion 117 of the vehicle body (body panel 115).

[0042] By using a pressing member 5 formed with a cap-shaped cross-section, the wire 10 is pressed against the vehicle body panel 115. In this way, the heat generated in the wire 10 can be fully transferred to the vehicle body panel 115, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1.

[0043] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0044] Reference Figure 7 The following describes a wire harness heat dissipation structure 1A according to another embodiment. It should be noted that components that are substantially the same as those in the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1 described above are indicated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0045] like Figure 7As shown, in the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1A, multiple heat dissipation fins 121 are formed on the outer side of the passenger compartment (under the floor) at the location where the thickened portion 117 is formed in the body panel 115. The shape and mounting direction of the heat dissipation fins 121 can be set to prevent heated air from stagnating between the multiple heat dissipation fins 121 due to heat conduction from the wires 10. In addition to the body panel 115 formed of iron plate or steel plate, the metal material constituting the heat dissipation fins 121 can also be installed by welding or other methods. When the body panel 115 is manufactured by casting, the heat dissipation fins 121 can be integrally formed with the body panel 115 during the casting process. In other words, the heat dissipation fins 121 can be integrally formed with the body panel 115, or they can be formed as a separate entity from the body panel 115 and installed onto the body panel 115.

[0046] As described above, in the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1A, the wire harness 3 and the pressing member 5 can be arranged inside the passenger compartment (on the floor) of the vehicle body (body panel 115). Heat dissipation fins 121 can be formed on the outside of the passenger compartment (under the floor) at the location where the thickened portion 117 is formed on the vehicle body (body panel 115).

[0047] Heat dissipation fins 121 are formed on the back side of the wire 10 mounting surface of the body panel 115, thereby increasing the portion (surface area) of the body panel 115 in contact with the outside air. This improves the heat dissipation performance of the wire harness heat dissipation structure 1.

[0048] The following is a full quote from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-213084 (submitted on December 18, 2023) for reference.

[0049] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the invention as defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0050] Symbol Explanation

[0051] 1. Wiring harness heat dissipation structure

[0052] 3. Wiring harness

[0053] 5 Pressing component

[0054] 10. Wires

[0055] 11 Conductor core wire

[0056] 13 Covering Insulator

[0057] 15 Flat section

[0058] 21 upper surface

[0059] 23 Side profile

[0060] 25 Flange section

[0061] 30 heat sink

[0062] 40 Thermally conductive components

[0063] 100 vehicles

[0064] 115 Body Panel

[0065] 117 Thickened section

[0066] 121 Heat dissipation fins

Claims

1. A wire harness heat dissipation structure, comprising: Wiring harnesses are installed on the vehicle body; as well as A pressing member presses the wiring harness toward the vehicle body, wherein The wiring harness includes wires, each wire comprising a conductive conductor core and a covering insulator covering the conductor core. The wire includes a flat portion, which has a flat cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the laying direction of the wire bundle, and The vehicle body includes a thickened portion that is thicker than the surrounding portion at the location where the pressing member is installed and the flat portion of the wire of the wiring harness is pressed by the pressing member.

2. The wire harness heat dissipation structure according to claim 1, wherein, A heat dissipation component with thermal conductivity is arranged between the flat portion of the wire and the thickened portion of the vehicle body.

3. The wire harness heat dissipation structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The wiring harness and the pressing member are arranged inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle body. Heat dissipation fins are formed on the outer side of the passenger compartment at the location where the thickened portion is formed in the vehicle body.

4. The wire harness heat dissipation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, A thermally conductive member is arranged on the outer periphery of the flat portion of the wire.

5. The wire harness heat dissipation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The pressing member is formed with a cap-shaped cross-section and includes: The upper surface portion extends in a direction intersecting the laying direction of the wire harness; A pair of side portions, which extend from both ends of the upper surface portion in its extending direction toward the thickened portion of the vehicle body; A pair of flange portions, each extending from the lower end of the side portion in a direction away from each other and joining to the thickened portion, and The flat portion of the wire being pressed against the vehicle body is arranged within a space surrounded by the upper surface portion of the pressing member, the pair of side portions, and the thickened portion of the vehicle body.

Images