Wire harness and wire fixing member

Abstract

The present application provides a wire harness capable of stably preventing misalignment of an electric wire member with respect to a fixed object in an extension direction of the electric wire member. The wire harness (10) includes: an electric wire member; a bellows (20) alternately connecting a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion in an extension direction of the bellows and formed in a cylindrical shape, covering a periphery of the electric wire member; an inner protector (31) having an inner main body portion (31a) covering a periphery of a part of the extension direction in the bellows, and a restriction protrusion (31b) restricting movement of the bellows in the extension direction by entering between the large-diameter portions; an elastic member (32) covering a periphery of the inner protector and holding the inner protector; and an outer protector (33) having an elastic member holding portion (33a) covering a periphery of the elastic member and holding the elastic member, and a fixing portion for fixing to the fixed object.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, wire harnesses exist that include wire members and wire fixing members for securing the wire members to a fixed object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such wire harnesses, a concave-convex surface is provided on the outer periphery of the wire member. Furthermore, the wire fixing member has an elastic member that presses against the concave-convex surface. In this structure, the wire member is elastically held by the elastic member, thus suppressing the application of large forces instantaneously. Additionally, misalignment of the wire member relative to the fixed object along the extension direction of the wire member can be suppressed. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7396453 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, when such wiring harnesses are used to connect the inverter and the electric motor driving the wheels in a vehicle, the thicker wiring components sometimes vibrate significantly. In such cases, in a structure where the wiring component is held in place only by pressing an elastic member against its uneven surface, the wiring component may become misaligned relative to a fixed object such as a vehicle body panel along its extension direction. It should be noted that this can cause the wiring component to collide with other components during vibration.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wire harness and a wire fixing member that can reliably prevent wire components from being misaligned relative to a fixed object along the extension direction of the wire components. Solution for solving the problem

[0006] The wire harness of the present invention comprises: a wire member; a corrugated tube having alternating large-diameter portions and small-diameter portions connected along the extending direction of the corrugated tube and formed into a cylindrical shape, covering the periphery of the wire member; an inner protective member having an inner body portion and a limiting protrusion, the inner body portion covering the periphery of a portion of the extending direction of the corrugated tube, the limiting protrusion limiting the movement of the corrugated tube along the extending direction by entering between the large-diameter portions; an elastic member covering the periphery of the inner protective member and holding the inner protective member; and an outer protective member having an elastic member holding portion and a fixing portion for fixing to a fixed object, the elastic member holding portion covering the periphery of the elastic member and holding the elastic member. Invention Effects

[0007] The wire harness and wire fixing member according to the present invention can reliably prevent the wire member from being misaligned relative to the fixing object along the extension direction of the wire member. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of the wire harness in one embodiment. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the wire fixing component in one embodiment. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the wire fixing component in one embodiment. Figure 4 This is a front view of the wire fixing component in one embodiment. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a wire fixing member in one embodiment. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the 6-6 line harness. Detailed Implementation

[0009] (Description of embodiments of the present invention) First, embodiments of the present invention will be described. (1) The wire harness of the present invention comprises: a wire member; a corrugated tube having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion alternately connected along the extension direction of the corrugated tube and formed into a cylindrical shape, covering the periphery of the wire member; an inner protective member having an inner body portion and a limiting protrusion, the inner body portion covering the periphery of a portion of the extension direction of the corrugated tube, the limiting protrusion limiting the movement of the corrugated tube along the extension direction by entering between the large diameter portions; an elastic member covering the periphery of the inner protective member and holding the inner protective member; and an outer protective member having an elastic member holding portion and a fixing portion for fixing to a fixed object, the elastic member holding portion covering the periphery of the elastic member and holding the elastic member.

[0010] According to this structure, the corrugated tube surrounding the electrical component is fixed to the fixed object via an inner protective member, an elastic member, and an outer protective member. In this structure, since the electrical component and the corrugated tube are elastically held by the elastic member, large instantaneous forces can be suppressed. The inner protective member has limiting protrusions that restrict movement of the corrugated tube along its extension direction by intervening with each other at the large-diameter portion of the corrugated tube. Therefore, misalignment of the electrical component and the corrugated tube relative to the fixed object along their extension direction can be securely prevented.

[0011] (2) In (1) above, it may also be that each of the above has a plurality of the wire components, a plurality of the corrugated tubes, a plurality of the inner protective components and a plurality of the elastic components, and the outer protective component has a plurality of the elastic component holding portions, and the plurality of elastic component holding portions independently hold each of the plurality of elastic components.

[0012] According to this structure, the outer protective member has multiple elastic member holding portions, each of which independently holds one of the multiple elastic members. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the elastic deformation of one elastic member from affecting the function of other elastic members. For example, if the elastic member holding portions are structures that hold multiple elastic members in a concentrated manner, it is possible that the elastic deformation of one elastic member would affect the function of other elastic members due to contact between adjacent elastic members, but this situation can be avoided.

[0013] (3) In either (1) or (2) above, the inner protective member may be composed of a pair of inner members, which clamp around the bellows and are fixed to each other, and the pair of inner members are of the same shape.

[0014] According to this structure, the inner protective element is formed by a pair of inner members. The pair of inner members clamp the periphery of the bellows and are fixed to each other. The pair of inner members are of the same shape, so the inner protective element can be easily manufactured, for example. For example, if the pair of inner members are of different shapes, additional molds for separate forming would be required, which could potentially increase costs, but this situation can be avoided.

[0015] (4) In any of (1) to (3) above, the inner protective element may also be made of resin material. According to this structure, since the inner protective component is made of resin material, it is not easy to damage the bellows, for example.

[0016] (5) In any of (1) to (4) above, the outer protective component may also be made of metal material. According to this structure, since the outer protective component is made of metal, it can be securely fixed to a fixed object, for example.

[0017] (6) The wire fixing member of the present invention is used to fix a corrugated tube to a fixing object, the corrugated tube being alternately connected with a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion along the extension direction of the corrugated tube and formed into a cylindrical shape, covering the periphery of the wire fixing member, wherein the wire fixing member comprises: an inner protective member having an inner body portion and a limiting protrusion, the inner body portion covering the periphery of a portion of the extension direction of the corrugated tube, the limiting protrusion limiting the movement of the corrugated tube along the extension direction by entering between the large diameter portions; an elastic member covering the periphery of the inner protective member and holding the inner protective member; and an outer protective member having an elastic member holding portion and a fixing portion for fixing to the fixing object, the elastic member holding portion covering the periphery of the elastic member and holding the elastic member.

[0018] According to this structure, the corrugated tube surrounding the electrical component is fixed to the fixed object via an inner protective member, an elastic member, and an outer protective member. In this structure, the electrical component and the corrugated tube are elastically held by the elastic member, thus suppressing the application of large forces instantaneously. The inner protective member has a limiting protrusion that restricts the movement of the corrugated tube along its extension direction by intervening between the large-diameter portions of the corrugated tube, thus firmly preventing misalignment of the electrical component and the corrugated tube relative to the fixed object along their extension direction.

[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 may differ in the drawings.

[0020] The term "cylindrical" as used in this specification includes not only a cylindrical shape with a continuous circumferential wall, but also shapes formed by combining multiple components to form a cylindrical shape, and shapes such as a C-shape with a notch in a portion of the circumference. The outer circumferential shape of a "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circles, ellipses, and polygons with pointed or rounded corners. "Cylindrical" is a shape having a through hole when viewed from above, including cylindrical shapes where the outer circumferential shape and the inner circumferential shape of the through hole are the same, or cylindrical shapes where the outer circumferential shape and the inner circumferential shape of the through hole are different. "Cylindrical" includes a cylindrical shape of a predetermined length extending along an axial direction passing through the center axis of the through hole, regardless of the magnitude of its length.

[0021] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this specification are used only to distinguish objects and do not rank the objects. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as shown in the claims.

[0022] (Structure of wire harness 10) like Figure 1 As shown, the wiring harness 10 includes a corrugated tube 20 and a wire fixing member 30, which is used to fix the corrugated tube 20 to a fixing object (not shown), such as a vehicle body panel. Additionally, the wiring harness 10 includes a wire member 40 (see reference 10). Figure 6 The wiring harness 10 of this embodiment is surrounded by corrugated pipes 20. The wiring harness 10 of this embodiment includes three corrugated pipes 20 and three wiring components 40, each of which is covered by a corrugated pipe 20. The wiring harness 10 of this embodiment is used to connect an inverter (not shown) and a motor (not shown) for driving the wheels of a vehicle.

[0023] (Structure of electrical component 40) like Figure 6 As shown, the wire component 40 of this embodiment has a wire 41 and a cylindrical braided wire 42 covering the outer periphery of the wire 41. That is, the wire component 40 of this embodiment is a shielded wire.

[0024] (Structure of wire 41) The wire 41 is a sheathed wire having a core wire 41a made of conductor and an insulating sheath 41b covering the outer periphery of the core wire 41a.

[0025] The core wire 41a is, for example, a stranded wire or a single-core wire formed by twisting together multiple conductive wires. The core wire 41a is, for example, made of a copper-based or aluminum-based metallic material. In this embodiment, the core wire 41a has a perfectly circular cross-sectional shape.

[0026] The insulating covering portion 41b completely covers the outer periphery of the core wire 41a. The insulating covering portion 41b is made of insulating materials such as synthetic resins with cross-linked polyethylene, cross-linked polypropylene, or other polyolefin resins as the main components.

[0027] (Structure of braided yarn 42) The braided wire 42 is constructed by braiding conductive wires. For example, copper-based or aluminum-based metals can be used as the material for the braided wire 42. It should be noted that the braiding pattern of the wires in the figure is omitted; the braided wire 42 is only schematically illustrated. Furthermore, each end of the braided wire 42 is directly or indirectly connected to a grounding component (not shown) such as the vehicle body or metal shell.

[0028] (Structure of bellows 20) The corrugated pipe 20 is made of an insulating resin material. The corrugated pipe 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape covering the periphery of the wire component 40. The corrugated pipe 20 has a corrugated structure in which a large-diameter portion 20a and a small-diameter portion 20b are alternately connected along the extending direction, forming a cylindrical shape. It should be noted that the extending directions of the corrugated pipe 20 and the wire component 40 are, for example,... Figure 6 The direction from top to bottom.

[0029] (Structure of wire fixing component 30) like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the wire fixing member 30 includes an inner protective member 31, an elastic member 32, and an outer protective member 33. (As indicated...) Figure 4 As shown, the number of wire fixing members 30 and corrugated pipes 20 in this embodiment corresponds to the number of inner protective members 31 and three elastic members 32.

[0030] (Structure of inner protective component 31) like Figure 5 As shown, the inner protective member 31 has an inner body portion 31a and a limiting protrusion 31b. The inner protective member 31 is made of resin material. The inner body portion 31a is formed to cover the periphery of a portion extending in the bellows 20. Figure 6 As shown, the limiting protrusions 31b are formed such that they restrict the movement of the bellows 20 along the extending direction by means of the large-diameter portions 20a entering each other. Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, four limiting protrusions 31b are arranged circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the inner main body 31a. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, two limiting protrusions 31b are arranged in the extending direction of the inner body portion 31a.

[0031] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the inner protective member 31 is composed of a pair of inner members 31c. The pair of inner members 31c clamp the bellows 20 (see reference). Figure 5 They are around each other and fixed to each other.

[0032] In detail, the pair of inner members 31c constituting the inner protective member 31 have the same shape. The inner member 31c of this embodiment has: an arcuate portion 31d, formed in an arcuate shape as half of the inner main body portion 31a; a locking claw 31e disposed at the first end of the arcuate portion 31d; and a locked portion 31f disposed at the second end of the arcuate portion 31d. Furthermore, the pair of inner members 31c are circular in shape by their inner circumferential surfaces being assembled into the pair of arcuate portions 31d, and the locking claw 31e is locked into the locked portion 31f, thereby constituting the inner protective member 31.

[0033] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the inner member 31c of this embodiment has a pair of legs 31g extending from the first end and the second end of the arcuate portion 31d. The pair of legs 31g extend in the opposite direction to the direction in which the pair of inner members 31c are assembled, and further extend in a direction in which their apexes are bent away from each other.

[0034] (Structure of elastic member 32) The elastic member 32 covers the periphery of the inner protective member 31 and holds the inner protective member 31 in place. The elastic member 32 is made of rubber material. The elastic member 32 has a contact portion 32a that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped portion 31d in the inner protective member 31 and a holding portion 32b that houses the top end of the holding leg portion 31g.

[0035] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the elastic member 32 is composed of a pair of segmented elastic members 32c. Each of the pair of segmented elastic members 32c is configured to be fixed to an inner member 31c.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, the pair of segmented elastic members 32c constituting the elastic member 32 have the same shape, each having a contact portion 32a and two holding portions 32b. Viewed along the extension direction of the bellows 20, the elastic member 32 composed of the pair of segmented elastic members 32c is formed into a quadrilateral with chamfered corners.

[0037] (Structure of outer protective component 33) like Figure 4 As shown, the outer protective member 33 has an elastic member retaining portion 33a and a fixing portion 33b. The outer protective member 33 is made of metal. The elastic member retaining portion 33a covers the periphery of the elastic member 32 and retains the elastic member 32. The fixing portion 33b is configured to be fixed to a fixed object (not shown), such as a vehicle body panel.

[0038] The outer protective member 33 of this embodiment has a plurality of elastic member holding portions 33a, each of which independently holds each of the plurality of elastic members 32. That is, as shown in the figure Figure 5 As shown, the outer protective member 33 has partition walls 33c between the elastic member holding portions 33a, which separate the elastic members 32 in a manner that prevents them from contacting each other. In this embodiment, the outer protective member 33 has three elastic member holding portions 33a corresponding to the number of elastic members 32.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the fixing part 33b has a fixing hole 33d. The fixing part 33b is provided in the outer protective member 33 on both sides of the direction in which the elastic member retaining part 33a is arranged (see reference). Figure 3 The fixing part 33b is fixed to the fixing object, for example, by a bolt that passes through the fixing hole 33d and engages with the fixing object.

[0040] like Figures 2 to 5As shown, the outer protective member 33 is composed of a first outer member 33e and a second outer member 33f. The first outer member 33e and the second outer member 33f clamp around the three elastic members 32 and fix them to each other.

[0041] In detail, the first outer member 33e is formed as the upper half of the elastic member retaining portion 33a, and has first fixing portions 33g on both sides thereon. Furthermore, the second outer member 33f is formed as the lower half of the elastic member retaining portion 33a, and has second fixing portions 33h and the aforementioned fixing portions 33b on both sides thereon. Figure 5 As shown, the first fixing part 33g has a through hole 33j, and the second fixing part 33h has an internal thread 33k. Furthermore, the first outer member 33e and the second outer member 33f are fixed by bolts 34 that pass through the through hole 33j and engage with the internal thread 33k, thereby forming an outer protective member 33.

[0042] (The function of wire harness 10) The wiring harness 10 configured as described above electrically connects, for example, an inverter (not shown) and a motor (not shown) used to drive the wheels of a vehicle. Furthermore, in the wiring harness 10, the middle portions of the extending wire member 40 and the corrugated pipe 20 are fixed to a fixed object (not shown), such as a vehicle body panel, by wire fixing members 30. This prevents, for example, excessive vibration of the wire member 40 and the corrugated pipe 20, and further prevents collisions between the wire member 40 and the corrugated pipe 20 and other components.

[0043] (Effects of this implementation method) (1) The corrugated tube 20 covering the periphery of the wire member 40 is fixed to the fixed object via an inner protective member 31, an elastic member 32, and an outer protective member 33. Specifically, the corrugated tube 20 covering the wire member 40 is held by the inner protective member 31, which is held by the elastic member 32, which is held by the outer protective member 33, and the outer protective member 33 is fixed to the fixed object. In this structure, since the wire member 40 and the corrugated tube 20 are elastically held by the elastic member 32, it is possible to suppress the instantaneous application of large forces. Furthermore, the inner protective member 31 has a limiting protrusion 31b, which restricts the movement of the corrugated tube 20 along its extension direction by intervening in the large-diameter portion 20a of the corrugated tube 20. Therefore, it is possible to securely prevent the wire member 40 and the corrugated tube 20 from misaligning relative to the fixed object along their extension directions. Thus, for example, it can stably prevent the wire component 40 and the corrugated pipe 20 from vibrating excessively, and further stably prevent the wire component 40 and the corrugated pipe 20 from colliding with other components.

[0044] (2) The outer protective member 33 has multiple elastic member holding portions 33a, each of which independently holds a plurality of elastic members 32. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the elastic deformation of one elastic member 32 from affecting the function of other elastic members 32. For example, if the elastic member holding portions 33a are structured such as holding multiple elastic members 32 in a concentrated manner, it is possible that the elastic deformation of one elastic member 32 could affect the function of other elastic members 32 due to contact between adjacent elastic members 32, but this situation can be avoided.

[0045] (3) The inner protective member 31 is formed by a pair of inner members 31c. The pair of inner members 31c clamp the periphery of the bellows 20 and are fixed to each other. The pair of inner members 31c are of the same shape, so the inner protective member 31 can be easily manufactured, for example. For example, if the pair of inner members 31c are of different shapes, other molds for forming them separately are required, which may increase the cost, but this situation can be avoided.

[0046] (4) The inner protective element 31 is made of resin material, so it is not easy to damage the bellows 20, for example. (5) The outer protective element 33 is made of metal material, so it can be securely fixed to the fixed object, for example.

[0047] (Modified example) The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following variations can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the outer protective member 33 has a plurality of elastic member holding portions 33a, each of which independently holds a plurality of elastic members 32. However, this is not a limitation; for example, the elastic member holding portions may also be configured to hold a plurality of elastic members 32 in a concentrated manner. That is, the outer protective member 33 may also be configured without a partition wall 33c, and hold a plurality of elastic members 32 in contact with adjacent elastic members 32. In addition, for example, the three elastic members 32 in the above embodiment may be one elastic member holding three inner protective members 31, or they may be an outer protective member 33 having an elastic member holding portion that holds the elastic member.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the pair of inner members 31c constituting the inner protective member 31 have the same shape, but it is not limited to this, and the pair of inner members 31c may also have different shapes.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the inner protective member 31 is made of resin material, but it can be made of other materials as long as it is harder than the elastic member 32, such as metal material.

[0051] In the above embodiments, the outer protective member 33 is made of a metal material, but it can also be made of other materials, such as resin, as long as it is harder than the elastic member 32.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 10 has three corrugated tubes 20, and corresponding to the three corrugated tubes 20, it has three inner protective members 31 and three elastic members 32, but their number can be changed to other numbers. In addition, although one corrugated tube 20 is configured to cover one wire member 40, it is not limited to this, and one corrugated tube 20 can also be configured to cover multiple wire members 40.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the wire member 40 is a shielded wire having a wire 41 and a cylindrical braided wire 42 covering the outer periphery of the wire 41, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may also be a simple wire 41 without the braided wire 42.

[0054] The structure of the inner protective member 31 in the above embodiment can also be changed to other structures. For example, the inner protective member 31 can also be configured to hold the periphery of the bellows 20 by an inner member connected by a thin-walled hinge portion. In addition, for example, the shape or number of the limiting protrusions 31b in the inner protective member 31 can also be changed.

[0055] The structure of the elastic member 32 in the above embodiment can also be changed to other structures. For example, the elastic member 32 can also be configured to hold the periphery of the inner protective member 31 by a segmented elastic member connected by a thin-walled hinge portion.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the contact portion 32a of each segmented elastic member 32c can be disposed between a pair of legs 31g, and the inner peripheral surface of the contact portion 32a can have a shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the arcuate portion 31d. The pair of retaining portions 32b of each segmented elastic member 32c can be configured to be disposed radially outward of the elastic member 32 than the contact portion 32a, and opposite to the top end side of the pair of legs 31g of the inner member 31c in the assembly direction. In this way, the pair of retaining portions 32b can restrict the displacement of the inner member 31c relative to the segmented elastic member 32c in the assembly direction.

[0057] 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 defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0058] 10 Wire Harness 20 Corrugated Pipe 20a Large diameter part 20b Small Diameter Section 30. Wire fixing components 31 Internal protective components 31a Inner Main Body 31b Restricting protrusions 31c Internal components 31d Arc-shaped part 31e locking claw 31f stuck part 31g Leg 32 Elastic Components 32a Contact section 32b Retention section 32c Segmented elastic member 33 External protective components 33a Elastic member retaining part 33b Fixing part 33c partition wall 33d fixing hole 33e First outer component 33f Second outer component 33g First fixing part 33h Second Fixing Part 33j through hole 33k internal thread 34 bolts 40. Electrical wiring components 41 Wire 41a core wire 41b Insulation Covering 42 braided yarn

Claims

1. A wire harness, comprising: Electrical wiring components; A corrugated tube, which alternately connects large-diameter and small-diameter sections along the extension direction of the corrugated tube and is formed into a cylindrical shape, covers the periphery of the wire component; An inner protective element has an inner body portion and a limiting protrusion, the inner body portion covering the periphery of a portion of the extending direction in the bellows, the limiting protrusion limiting the movement of the bellows along the extending direction by entering between the large-diameter portions; An elastic member covers the area around the inner protective member and holds the inner protective member in place; as well as An outer protective member has an elastic member retaining portion and a fixing portion for fixing to a fixed object, the elastic member retaining portion covering the periphery of the elastic member and retaining the elastic member.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein, The wire harness has multiple wire components, multiple corrugated tubes, multiple inner protective components, and multiple elastic components. The outer protective member has a plurality of elastic member retaining portions, each of the plurality of elastic member retaining portions independently retaining each of the plurality of elastic members.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein, The inner protective element consists of a pair of inner components that clamp around the bellows and are fixed to each other. The pair of internal components are of the same shape.

4. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein, The inner protective component is made of resin material.

5. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein, The outer protective component is made of metallic material.

6. A wire fixing member for fixing a corrugated pipe to a fixed object, wherein the corrugated pipe is formed by alternately connecting large-diameter and small-diameter portions along its extension direction and is cylindrical, covering the periphery of the wire fixing member, wherein... The wire fixing component includes: An inner protective element has an inner body portion and a limiting protrusion, the inner body portion covering the periphery of a portion of the extending direction in the bellows, the limiting protrusion limiting the movement of the bellows along the extending direction by entering between the large-diameter portions; An elastic member covers the area around the inner protective member and holds the inner protective member in place; as well as An outer protective member has an elastic member retaining portion and a fixing portion for fixing to the fixed object, the elastic member retaining portion covering the periphery of the elastic member and holding the elastic member.

Images