wire harness

Abstract

The present invention provides a wire harness capable of positioning a sleeve with a simple structure. The wire harness (1) includes: a wire (2) having a braided wire (9); and a sleeve (14) for end processing of the braided wire (9). The end portion of the braided wire (9) is fixed by a metal cable tie or the like fixing member with the sleeve (14) as a base pad. The sleeve (14) has an insertion portion (16) that is inserted between the braided wire (9) covered with a sheath (10) and the outer peripheral surface of the insulation covering portion 8 to perform positioning with respect to the wire (2) before fixing of the metal cable tie or the like fixing member.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a shielded wire is known, comprising a core with an insulated conductor, a braided wire disposed around the periphery of the core, and an outer sheath covering the periphery of the braided wire. In this shielded wire, an inner sheath is installed around the periphery of the braided wire, which is folded back to the side opposite to the end of the wire. Furthermore, the end of the braided wire is further folded back to cover the periphery of the inner sheath, and an outer sheath is installed around the periphery of this folded-back portion. The inner sheath and the outer sheath are crimped together with the braided wire sandwiched between them. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-131888 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, when the inner sleeve is fitted to the outer periphery of the wire core, it is only positioned around the outer periphery of the braided wire. Therefore, for example, when crimping the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve may sometimes be misaligned relative to the wire core, and more specifically, relative to the braided wire. As a countermeasure to this misalignment, one could consider first crimping the inner sleeve to the core. However, if this countermeasure is taken, special tools are required, which may deteriorate the assembly workability of the shielded wire.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wire harness that can position the sleeve in a simple structure. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The wire harness that solves the aforementioned problem comprises: an electric wire having a core wire, an insulating sheath that houses the core wire, a braided wire covering the insulating sheath, and a sheath covering the braided wire; and a cylindrical sleeve disposed between the end of the braided wire and the insulating sheath, wherein the end of the braided wire is fixed by a fixing member with the sleeve as a base, wherein the sleeve has an insertion portion that, before being fixed by the fixing member, is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the braided wire covered by the sheath and the insulating sheath for positioning relative to the electric wire. Invention Effects

[0007] This invention enables the positioning of the sleeve with a simple structure. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a wire harness according to one embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 6The sectional view shown along line II-II. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the wire harness. Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the sleeve taken from an oblique angle from the base end side. Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the sleeve taken from an oblique angle at the end. Figure 6 It is a 3D diagram of electrical wires with conduit installed. Figure 7 This is a side view of the sleeve. Figures 8(a) to 8(c) are flowcharts illustrating the process of engaging the sleeve with the braided wire. Detailed Implementation

[0009] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described. (1) The wire harness of the present invention comprises: an electric wire having a core wire, an insulating covering portion for receiving the core wire, a braided wire covering the insulating covering portion, and a sheath covering the braided wire; and a cylindrical sleeve disposed between the end of the braided wire and the insulating covering portion, wherein the end of the braided wire is fixed by a fixing member with the sleeve as a base, wherein the sleeve has an insertion portion that, before being fixed by the fixing member, is inserted between the outer peripheral surface of the braided wire covered by the sheath and the insulating covering portion for positioning relative to the electric wire.

[0010] According to this structure, by inserting the insertion portion formed in the sleeve into the gap between the insulation covering portion and the braided wire of the wire, the sleeve is positioned relative to the wire using the indentation load applied from the sheath covering the braided wire. Therefore, when assembling other components after the sleeve is installed onto the wire, the sleeve is less prone to misalignment. Thus, the assembly workability of the wire harness is improved. Furthermore, the sleeve positioning structure involves forming the insertion portion in the sleeve and inserting only this insertion portion between the insulation covering portion and the braided wire. Therefore, the sleeve can be positioned with a simple structure.

[0011] (2) In (1) above, the insertion part is formed in a cylindrical shape. According to this structure, the range in which the pressure load applied from the sheath to the insertion part of the sleeve can be expanded in the circumferential direction of the sleeve, so that the sleeve is less likely to be misaligned.

[0012] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the sleeve has: a base end portion having a shape with a diameter larger than the insertion portion and continuously formed with the insertion portion; and a wall portion located at the boundary between the insertion portion and the base end portion, wherein the sleeve is positioned relative to the wire with the wall portion positioned close to the end of the sheath. According to this structure, the axial position of the sleeve relative to the wire becomes the position where the wall portion of the sleeve is closest to the end of the sheath. Therefore, when aligning the sleeve relative to the wire in the axial direction, it is only necessary to move the sleeve linearly to a position where the wall portion of the sleeve cannot move at the end of the sheath, so the sleeve can be easily positioned. In addition, the sleeve positioned in this position is not easily misaligned due to the indentation load from the sheath through the insertion portion.

[0013] (4) In (3) above, the wall portion is formed as a tapered shape that tapers from the base end towards the insertion portion. According to this structure, when the insertion portion of the sleeve is inserted into the gap between the insulation covering portion and the braided wire, the end of the braided wire is guided by the tapered wall portion and smoothly reaches the base end of the sleeve. Therefore, it further contributes to improving the workability of the wire harness assembly.

[0014] (5) In (3) or (4) above, the corner of the wall portion located at the boundary with the base end portion is formed as a curved surface. According to this structure, when the insertion portion of the sleeve is inserted into the gap between the insulating covering portion and the braided wire, the end of the braided wire is less likely to be damaged by the corner as it passes through the corner of the wall portion.

[0015] (6) In any of (3) to (5) above, the axial length of the insertion portion is set to a value in the range of 2 to 3 times the axial length of the base end portion. According to this structure, the range in which the indentation load applied from the sheath in the insertion portion of the sleeve can be expanded in the axial direction of the sleeve, so that sleeve misalignment can be further reduced.

[0016] (Details of embodiments of the present invention) Specific examples of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown through the claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the drawings, for ease of description, sometimes portions of the structure are shown enlarged or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of the various parts may sometimes differ from the actual dimensions.

[0017] (Wire harness 1) like Figure 1As shown, the wiring harness 1 includes wires 2 for electrical connection between devices and connectors 3 installed at the ends of the wires 2. The wires 2 are provided in pairs, one being a positive wire and the other a negative wire. A protective member 4 is installed at the end of the wires 2, covering the portion where it connects to the connector 3. The protective member 4 is, for example, a rubber sleeve.

[0018] Connector 3 connects to a mounting connector 5 located on the opposite side of the wiring harness 1. When the wiring harness 1 is used in a vehicle, the mounting surface of the wiring harness 1 is, for example, the vehicle body. At least a portion of the wiring harness 1 is located outside the vehicle.

[0019] Wiring harness 1, for example, electrically connects two or more vehicle-mounted devices. Examples of vehicle-mounted devices include high-voltage batteries, inverters, motors, and electrical connection boxes. Examples of electrical connection boxes include relay boxes, fuse boxes, and junction boxes. In this example, wiring harness 1 electrically connects the inverter and the battery.

[0020] (Wire 2) like Figure 2 As shown, the wire 2 has a core wire 7 and an insulating sheath 8 for housing the core wire 7. The core wire 7 is conductive. The insulating sheath 8 covers the outer circumferential surface of the core wire 7 throughout its entire circumference. The insulating sheath 8 is made, for example, of an insulating resin material. In the wire 2, a terminal (not shown) for electrical connection with the counterpart connector 5 is fixed at the end of the core wire 7.

[0021] The wire 2 has a braided wire 9 covering the insulating sheath 8 and a sheath 10 covering the outer periphery of the braided wire 9. Thus, the wire 2 in this example is a shielded wire having a core wire 7, an insulating sheath 8, a braided wire 9, and a sheath 10, extending radially outward from the center. The braided wire 9 is formed, for example, by braiding multiple metal wires into a cylindrical shape. The material of the braided wire 9 is, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal. The sheath 10 is, for example, a resin-made covering that protects the area surrounding the braided wire 9.

[0022] (Connector 3) like Figure 3 As shown, the connector 3 has a connecting portion 12 for engaging the end of the wire 2. One side of the pair of connecting portions 12 is connected to the wire 2, and the other side of the pair of connecting portions 12 is connected to the other side of the wire 2. The connector 3 engages with the protective member 4 in such a way that a portion including the connecting portion 12 is housed inside the protective member 4.

[0023] (Sleeve 14) like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the wire harness 1 includes a sleeve 14 for end treatment of the braided wire 9. The sleeve 14 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape and is made of a metal such as copper. The sleeve 14 is installed on the wire 2 by inserting the core wire 7 and the insulation sheath 8 into the hole 15.

[0024] like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the sleeve 14 has an insertion portion 16 that is inserted between the insulating covering portion 8 and the braided wire 9, a base end portion 17 that protrudes from the sheath 10, and a wall portion 18 located at the boundary between the insertion portion 16 and the base end portion 17. Thus, the sleeve 14 in this example is formed with different diameters along its axial direction. The base end portion 17 has a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion 16 and is formed continuously with the insertion portion 16. Both the insertion portion 16 and the base end portion 17 are formed in a cylindrical shape and are arranged concentrically.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the base end 17 of the sleeve 14 is disposed between the end of the braided wire 9 and the insulating covering portion 8. The sleeve 14 is positioned along its axial direction (…). Figure 2 The sleeve 14 is positioned on the wall portion 18 at the end closest to the end of the sheath 10 in the X-axis direction. That is, the sleeve 14 is positioned near the end of the sheath 10 by being close to the end of the sheath 10.

[0026] (End treatment of braided yarn 9) like Figure 3 As shown, the end of the braided wire 9 is secured by the fixing member 20 with the sleeve 14 as a base. The fixing member 20 can be, for example, a metal strapping band as a binding member. The end of the braided wire 9 is secured to the base end 17 of the sleeve 14 by the fixing member 20 mounted on the outer circumferential surface. In this example, the end of the braided wire 9 is secured to the base end 17 of the sleeve 14 by tightening the fixing member 20.

[0027] A general braided wire 21 is installed on the braided wires 9, which electrically connects the pair of braided wires 9 to the GND terminal of the counterpart connector 5. The general braided wire 21 has a shape formed by braiding multiple metal wires and electrically connects both sides of the pair of braided wires 9 to the GND terminal of the counterpart connector 5. In this example, the general braided wire 21 is formed into a cylindrical shape having a length extending from the pair of braided wires 9 to the counterpart connector 5.

[0028] The metal strapping band, serving as the fixing member 20, secures the braided wire 9 and the overall braided wire 21 to the sleeve 14 by passing the end of the band through a hole (not shown) formed in the overall braided wire 21 and fixing the end of the band to the bundling portion. That is, the metal strapping band, serving as the fixing member 20, secures both the braided wire 9 and the overall braided wire 21 to the sleeve 14. It should be noted that after installing the fixing member 20, a portion of the remaining overall braided wire 21 is folded back to the opposite side and stored therein.

[0029] (Positioning of sleeve 14) like Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the insertion portion 16 of the sleeve 14 is inserted between the braided wire 9 covered by the sheath 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the insulating cover 8 before being fixed by the fixing member 20, thereby positioning it relative to the wire 2. In this example, the sleeve 14 is positioned relative to the wire 2 by inserting the insertion portion 16 into the small gap between the insulating cover 8 and the braided wire 9, utilizing the pressing load applied from the sheath 10. Figure 2 As shown, the sleeve 14 is positioned relative to the wire 2 with the wall portion 18 positioned near the end of the sheath 10.

[0030] like Figure 7 As shown, the axial direction of the insertion part 16 ( Figure 7 The length L1 in the X-axis direction is set to the axial direction of the base end 17 ( Figure 7 The length L2 in the X-axis direction is a value in the range of 2 to 3 times. In order to expand the range of the pressing load applied from the sheath 10 to the insertion part 16, the axial length L1 of the insertion part 16 of the sleeve 14 is formed to be longer than the axial length L2 of the base end 17 of the sleeve 14.

[0031] (Wall section 18) like Figure 7 As shown, the wall portion 18 is formed as a tapered shape that tapers towards the insertion portion 16 from the base end portion 17. The wall portion 18 is formed along the entire circumference centered on the axis of the sleeve 14. The corner portion 23 of the wall portion 18, located at the boundary with the base end portion 17, is formed as a curved surface. Furthermore, a guide portion 24 is formed at the end of the insertion portion 16, which guides the end of the braided thread 9 upward when the sleeve 14 is inserted. The guide portion 24 is formed by making the outer periphery of the end of the insertion portion 16 curved.

[0032] (The role of the implementation method) Next, the function of the wire harness 1 in this embodiment will be explained. As shown in Figure 8(a), when positioning and fixing the sleeve 14 to the wire 2, firstly, the end of the insertion portion 16 of the sleeve 14, through the hole 15, is inserted into the gap between the end of the braided wire 9 and the insulation covering portion 8. Then, insertion into the gap continues by pressing the sleeve 14 in a straight line along the axis of the wire 2 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). In this example, because a curved guide portion 24 is formed at the end of the insertion portion 16, the end of the insertion portion 16 is smoothly inserted into the gap between the end of the braided wire 9 and the insulation covering portion 8.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8(b), when the end of the insertion part 16 reaches the inner side of the end of the sheath 10, the end of the insertion part 16 begins to insert between the double-layered overlapping portion of the braided wire 9 and the sheath 10 and the insulating covering portion 8. At this time, the end of the insertion part 16 is inserted into the tiny gap between the braided wire 9, which is subjected to a pressing load from the sheath 10, and the insulating covering portion 8. Therefore, while applying a strong insertion load to the sleeve 14, the insertion of the insertion part 16 continues. In this way, the insertion part 16 of the sleeve 14 is inserted into the tiny gap between the braided wire 9 and the insulating covering portion 8 covered by the sheath 10.

[0034] As shown in Figure 8(c), when the end of the braided thread 9 reaches the wall portion 18 during the insertion of the sleeve 14, the end of the braided thread 9 is guided by the tapered wall portion 18 to expand in diameter, approaching the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 17 of the sleeve 14. The insertion of the sleeve 14 continues until the wall portion 18 of the sleeve 14 is restricted in movement at the end of the sheath 10, positioning the base end portion 17 of the sleeve 14 closest to the sheath 10. Figure 2 (The state). In this way, sleeve 14 is aligned with wire 2.

[0035] (Suppressing misalignment of sleeve 14) In this example, the sleeve 14 is inserted between the portion of the braided wire 9 covered by the sheath 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the insulation covering portion 8, thereby positioning the sleeve 14 relative to the wire 2 using the pressing load from the sheath 10. Therefore, when the end of the braided wire 9 is fixed by tightening the fixing member 20 with the sleeve 14 as a base, the sleeve 14 is less likely to shift. This improves the ease of assembly of the wire harness 1. Thus, the sleeve 14 can be positioned using this simple structure of inserting the sleeve 14's insertion portion 16 between the insulation covering portion 8 and the braided wire 9.

[0036] Effects of the implementation method The wire harness 1 according to the above embodiment can achieve the following effects. (1) The wire harness 1 includes: an electric wire 2 having a braided wire 9; and a sleeve 14 for end treatment of the braided wire 9. The end of the braided wire 9 is fixed by a fixing member 20 with the sleeve 14 as a base. The sleeve 14 has an insertion part 16, which is inserted between the braided wire 9 covered by the sheath 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the insulating cover 8 for positioning relative to the electric wire 2 before the fixing member 20 is fixed.

[0037] According to this structure, by inserting the insertion portion 16 formed in the sleeve 14 into the gap between the insulation covering portion 8 and the braided wire 9 of the wire 2, the sleeve 14 is positioned relative to the wire 2 by the pressing load applied from the sheath 10 covering the braided wire 9. Therefore, when assembling other components after the sleeve 14 is installed onto the wire 2, the sleeve 14 is less likely to become misaligned. Thus, the assembly workability of the wire harness 1 is improved. Furthermore, the positioning structure of the sleeve 14 involves forming the insertion portion 16 in the sleeve 14 and inserting only this insertion portion 16 between the insulation covering portion 8 and the braided wire 9. Therefore, the sleeve 14 can be positioned with a simple structure.

[0038] (2) The insertion part 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape. According to this structure, the range in which the pressure load applied from the sheath 10 in the insertion part 16 of the sleeve 14 can be expanded in the circumferential direction of the sleeve 14, so that the sleeve 14 is less likely to be misaligned.

[0039] (3) The sleeve 14 has: a base end portion 17 having a shape with a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion 16 and being continuously formed with the insertion portion 16; and a wall portion 18 located at the boundary between the insertion portion 16 and the base end portion 17. The sleeve 14 is positioned relative to the wire 2 with the wall portion 18 positioned close to the end of the sheath 10. According to this structure, the axial orientation of the sleeve 14 relative to the wire 2 is such that the wall portion 18 of the sleeve 14 is closest to the end of the sheath 10. Therefore, when aligning the sleeve 14 relative to the wire 2 in the axial direction, it is only necessary to move the sleeve 14 linearly to a position where the wall portion 18 of the sleeve 14 cannot move at the end of the sheath 10, so the sleeve 14 can be easily positioned. In addition, the sleeve 14 positioned in this position is not easily misaligned due to the pressing load from the sheath 10 by the insertion portion 16.

[0040] (4) The wall portion 18 is formed into a tapered shape that tapers from the base end portion 17 toward the insertion portion 16. According to this structure, when the insertion portion 16 of the sleeve 14 is inserted into the gap between the insulating covering portion 8 and the braided wire 9, the end of the braided wire 9 is guided by the tapered wall portion 18 and smoothly reaches the base end portion 17 of the sleeve 14. Therefore, it further contributes to improving the assembly workability of the wire harness 1.

[0041] (5) The corner 23 of the wall portion 18, which is located at the boundary with the base end portion 17, is formed in a curved shape. According to this structure, when the insertion portion 16 of the sleeve 14 is inserted into the gap between the insulating covering portion 8 and the braided wire 9, the end of the braided wire 9 is not easily damaged by the corner 23 as it passes through the corner 23 of the wall portion 18.

[0042] (6) The axial length L1 of the insertion portion 16 is set to a value in the range of 2 to 3 times the axial length L2 of the base end portion 17. According to this structure, the range of the pressing load applied from the sheath 10 in the insertion portion 16 of the sleeve 14 can be expanded in the axial direction of the sleeve 14, so that the sleeve 14 is less likely to be misaligned.

[0043] (Other implementation methods) It should be noted that this embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following variations can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0044] The shape of the base end 17 can also be changed to other shapes, such as a mortar shape. The diameter of the base end 17 can be appropriately changed to a size other than that of the embodiment. The insertion part 16 may also be a stepped shape in which the outer diameter changes midway in the axial direction.

[0045] The outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 16 may also be formed as a tapered shape that tapers towards the end. The length L1 of the insertion part 16 can be the same as or shorter than the length L2 of the base end part 17.

[0046] The insertion part 16 is not limited to a cylindrical shape; for example, it can also be a shape in which multiple legs extend from the base end 17. The wall portion 18 may also have a recess, and when the wire 2 is aligned, the end of the sheath 10 and the braided wire 9 engage with the recess.

[0047] The sleeve 14 is not limited to being configured such that the wall portion 18 is located near the end of the sheath 10; the wall portion 18 may also be configured at a position away from the end of the sheath 10. The sleeve 14 can also be a simple cylindrical component with the insertion part 16 and the base end 17 having the same diameter.

[0048] The fixing component 20 is not limited to metal strapping or other binding straps; it can be any component that can fix the braided thread 9. Wiring harness 1 is not limited to use in vehicles, but can also be used in products or devices other than vehicles.

[0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those embodiments or structures. The invention also includes various modifications or equivalent variations. Furthermore, various combinations or methods, including only one element, or other combinations or methods above or below, also fall within the scope or spirit of the invention. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0050] 1. Wire harness; 2. Wire; 3. Connector; 4. Protective component; 5. Partner connector; 7. Core wire; 8. Insulation sheath; 9. Braided wire; 10. Sheath; 12. Connecting part; 14. Sleeve; 15. Hole; 16. Insertion part; 17. Base end; 18. Wall part; 20. Fixing component; 21. Overall braided wire; 23. Corner part; 24. Guide part; L1 Length; L2 Length.

Claims

1. A wire harness, comprising: An electrical wire has a core wire, an insulating sheath that houses the core wire, a braided wire that covers the insulating sheath, and a sheath that covers the braided wire; and A cylindrical sleeve is disposed between the end of the braided wire and the insulating covering portion. The end of the braided thread is fixed by a fixing member with the sleeve as a base, wherein... The sleeve has an insertion part that is inserted between the braided wire covered by the sheath and the outer peripheral surface of the insulating cover for positioning relative to the wire before being fixed by the fixing member.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein, The insertion part is formed in a cylindrical shape.

3. The wire harness according to claim 2, wherein, The sleeve has: a base end portion having a shape with a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion and being formed continuously with the insertion portion; and a wall portion located at the boundary between the insertion portion and the base end portion, wherein the sleeve is positioned relative to the wire with the wall portion disposed near the end of the sheath.

4. The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein, The wall portion is formed into a tapered shape that tapers from the base end portion toward the insertion portion.

5. The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein, The corner of the wall portion located at the boundary with the base end portion is formed into a curved surface.

6. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, The axial length of the insertion portion is set to a value within the range of 2 to 3 times the axial length of the base end portion.

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