Cable harness with shielding element surrounding electrical wires

Abstract

Wiring harness (8, 30, 40, 50), comprising: a wire section (15, 41, 51) comprising a plurality of electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) bundled in the same direction; and a shielding element (16, 42, 52) which completely surrounds an outer circumference of the wire section (15, 41, 51), wherein the shielding element (16, 42, 52) is arranged so as to be arranged between adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) of the plurality of electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire section (15, 41, 51), wherein the adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire section (15, 41, 51) are arranged in a predetermined section so that a predetermined value of the electrostatic capacitance is established between the electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55), and wherein the wiring harness (8, 30, 40, 50) further comprises a plurality of outer members (17, 31, 43, 53) arranged on an outer periphery of the shielding member (16, 42, 52), wherein each of the outer members (17, 31, 43, 53) is formed in the shape of a tube and has a cutout portion (23) extending in a longitudinal direction of the outer member (17, 31, 43, 53) from one longitudinal end of the outer member (17, 31, 43, 53) to the other longitudinal end.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a wire harness having a wire portion including a plurality of electric wires bundled in the same direction and a shielding member collectively surrounding the outer periphery of the wire portion. Background of the invention

[0002] Wire harnesses are typically used to electrically connect devices mounted on vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. A particular wire harness used, for example, for electrically connecting an inverter unit and a motor unit is also referred to as a motor cable. A method disclosed in JP 2017-4861 A is also known as a method that considers such a wire harness, for example.

[0003] One in Fig. The wiring harness shown in Figure 5 of JP 2017-4861A includes a wire portion, a braided wire, and a corrugated tube. The wire portion includes three electric wires that connect an inverter unit and a motor unit and conduct power from the inverter unit to the motor unit. The electric wires are arranged together in the same direction. The braided wire is formed to completely surround the outer periphery of the wire portion. The corrugated tube is formed to accommodate the wire portion surrounded by the braided wire.

[0004] Document DE 10 2016 210 083 A1 relates to a wiring harness comprising an electric wire section in which three electric wires are gathered in the same direction, a braided wire surrounding the outer side of the electric wire section in a bundle, and an electric wire holding member that maintains the arrangement of the electric wires around a centerline axis of the electric wire section. The electric wire holding member includes a plurality of braided correction portions projecting in the direction of the axis line from an inner peripheral surface of the outer shape holding portion between two adjacent electric wires of the electric wire section in the circumferential direction around the axis line, and shaped such that the braided wire approaches the centerline with respect to outer peripheral tangents connecting connecting conductors of the two electric wires in a cross-section perpendicular to the centerline.

[0005] Document DE 10 2016 210 205 A1 relates to a wiring harness comprising a cable section formed by arranging three cables in the same direction, each of which has conductors and insulators coated on the outer peripheries of the conductors, and a braided cable. The three wires of the wire section and the braided wire are arranged such that the braided wire is sandwiched between two wires of the wire section that are adjacent to each other along a circumferential direction about a central axial line of the wire section on a cross-section of the wiring harness, viewed from an axial direction along the central axial line, on one side of the central axial line of tangents on the outer periphery connecting the conductors of the two wires.

[0006] Document JP 2011-205843 A relates to a terminal for flat cables. A plurality of flat cables, each containing a flat wire and a coating, are bundled and attached to a body panel. The flat cable terminal includes a resin-molded body panel engaging member used to attach the terminal to a vehicle, band members extending from the body panel engaging member, and guide plates formed on the respective band members in opposite directions for folding a power cable back onto itself in alternating peak and valley folds along the flat cables.

[0007] Document US 5 084 594 A relates to a low-cost, high-frequency signal-carrying multi-conductor cable. The manufacturing process involves a stack of wire pairs fanned out from a ribbon cable to form columnar wire pair layers. The ribbon cable is folded together with a flexible conductive shield extending around and between each layer to ensure high-quality signal isolation of each layer. Summary of the invention

[0008] However, the prior art features a steep voltage rise in the power output from the inverter unit before it is supplied to the motor unit. Such a steep voltage rise is repeatedly reflected between the inverter unit and the motor unit due to an impedance mismatch. This can result in an excessive surge voltage being applied to the motor unit.

[0009] To solve the above problem, it is conceivable to adjust the impedance between the inverter unit, the wiring harness (motor cable), and the motor unit to suppress reflection. Since the impedance of the wiring harness is lower than that of the motor unit in this case, it is necessary to increase the impedance of the wiring harness. To increase the impedance of the wiring harness, the electrostatic capacitance of the wiring harness must be reduced.

[0010] However, according to the prior art, the short distance between the adjacent electric wires in the wire section causes a large electrostatic capacitance between the corresponding electric wires, which tends to generate noise in each electric wire. Furthermore, since the distance between the corresponding electric wires is small, each of the adjacent electric wires is easily affected by the noise generated between other adjacent electric wires. Thus, when noise is generated in each wire, the radiation noise of the wire section tends to increase, and consequently, a problem arises that excessive surge voltage is generated in some cases.

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present invention have been conceived in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a wire harness capable of appropriately suppressing a surge voltage.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wire harness comprising: a wire portion having a plurality of electric wires bundled in the same direction; and a shielding member collectively surrounding an outer periphery of the wire portion, wherein the shielding member is arranged to be located between adjacent electric wires of the plurality of electric wires in the wire portion, and wherein the adjacent electric wires in the wire portion are arranged in a predetermined range so that a predetermined value of electrostatic capacitance is formed between the electric wires.A plurality of outer members are arranged on an outer periphery of the shielding member, each of the outer members being formed in the shape of a tube and having a cutout portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the outer member from one longitudinal end of the outer member to the other longitudinal end, and the outer members being arranged to press the shielding member from the outside.

[0013] According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the shielding member is arranged to be sandwiched between adjacent electric wires, it is possible to space the electric wires at a predetermined interval, thereby forming a predetermined electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires. Consequently, the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires can be adjusted to a desired electrostatic capacitance, and the impedance of the wire harness can be increased. By increasing the impedance of the wire harness, impedance matching of the entire circuit can be achieved and voltage reflection can be suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, if the shielding member is arranged between the adjacent electric wires, the electrostatic capacitance between the adjacent electric wires can be blocked. This makes it possible to more effectively reduce the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires and adjust the electrostatic capacitance to a desired electrostatic capacitance.

[0015] Furthermore, the shielding member may be configured to be inserted and removed between the adjacent electric wires, so that it is possible to adjust the amount of reduction of the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires according to a surge voltage occurring in the circuit concerned by inserting and removing the shielding member between the adjacent electric wires.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wire harness according to the first aspect, wherein the shielding member is arranged between the adjacent electric wires in the wire portion so as to occupy a position of a central axis of the wire portion.

[0017] According to the second aspect, since the shielding member is arranged to be disposed between the adjacent electric wires so as to be accommodated at the position of the center axis of the wire section, the shielding member can surround substantially the entire circumference of the electric wires. This enables even more reliable blocking of the electrostatic capacitance between the adjacent electric wires, thereby further effectively reducing the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires, and making it possible to adjust the capacitance to a desired electrostatic capacitance.

[0018] According to the third aspect, the external members are arranged to press the shielding member from the outside, whereby the shielding member can be held so as to be disposed between the adjacent electric wires. Consequently, since the shielding member does not slip out from between the adjacent electric wires, the electric wires can be maintained in a state where they are arranged at a predetermined interval, so that a predetermined value of electrostatic capacitance is formed between the electric wires. Furthermore, since the shielding member does not shift from the position between the adjacent electric wires, it is possible to successfully block the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wire harness according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein the outer member is formed such that both circumferential ends of the outer member are received between the adjacent electric wires in the wire portion to hold the shielding member between the electric wires.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect, both circumferential ends of the outer member are sandwiched between the adjacent electric wires to hold the shielding member disposed between the electric wires. Therefore, since the shielding member is more reliably prevented from falling out between the adjacent electric wires, the electric wires can be maintained in a state of being spaced at a predetermined interval to have a predetermined value of electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires.

[0021] Furthermore, both circumferential ends of the outer member sandwiched between the adjacent electric wires are arranged between the adjacent electric wires, and thus, it is possible to increase the distance between the adjacent electric wires by increasing the thickness of the outer member. This makes it possible to more effectively reduce the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires and adjust the electrostatic capacitance to a desired electrostatic capacitance.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires can be adjusted to a desired electrostatic capacitance, and the impedance of the wire harness can be increased so that impedance matching can be achieved in the entire circuit to suppress the reflection of the voltage, whereby a surge voltage can be appropriately suppressed. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are views illustrating a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 1A is a schematic view of a wiring route of the wiring harness, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the wiring harness; Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the wiring harness along the line AA in Fig. 1B; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first modification example of a wire harness; Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a second modification example of a wire harness; and Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a third modification example of a wire harness. Detailed description

[0023] In the following, a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B and Fig. 2 described.

[0024] Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B show views of a wire harness according to the embodiment of the invention, wherein Fig. 1A is a schematic view of a wiring route of the wiring harness and Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of the wiring harness, and Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the wiring harness along a line AA in Fig. 1B. The bidirectional arrow in Fig. 1B shows a forward and reverse direction (each arrow direction is for illustrative purposes only).

[0025] The present embodiment relates to a wire harness wired in a hybrid vehicle, but may also be used in an electric or partially electric vehicle.

[0026] In Fig. In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 1 denotes a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle 1 is driven by two types of driving force from an engine 2 and a motor unit 3 in combination. Electric power is supplied from a battery (battery pack) 5 to the motor unit 3 via an inverter unit 4. The engine 2, the motor unit 3, and the inverter unit 4 are mounted in an engine compartment 6 in which front wheels and the corresponding parts are installed according to this embodiment. Further, the battery 5 is mounted in a rear portion 7 of the vehicle in which the rear wheels and the corresponding parts are installed (the battery 5 may be mounted in a vehicle compartment behind the engine compartment 6).

[0027] The motor unit 3 and the inverter unit 4 are connected to each other by a high-voltage wiring harness 8 according to the embodiment. The wiring harness 8 is a so-called motor cable. The battery 5 and the inverter unit 4 are also connected by a high-voltage wiring harness 9. The wiring harness 9 has a central portion 10 arranged on a vehicle floor 11. The wiring harness 9 is laid under the vehicle floor approximately parallel to the vehicle. The vehicle floor 11, which is known in conventional vehicle bodies and is a so-called plate member, has through holes (not shown) formed at predetermined positions. The through hole allows the wiring harness 9 to pass through.

[0028] The wiring harness 9 and the battery 5 are connected to each other via a connection block 12 provided on the battery 5. A rear end 13 of the wiring harness 9 is electrically connected to the connection block 12 in a known manner. A front end 14 of the wiring harness 9 is electrically connected to the rectifier unit 4 in a known manner.

[0029] It should be noted that the present embodiment is also applicable to the wiring harness 9.

[0030] The following description is intended to explain the present embodiment. The motor unit 3 is assumed to include a motor and a generator. In addition, the inverter unit 4 includes an inverter and a converter. The motor unit 3 is assumed to be configured as a motor assembly with a shield case. The inverter unit 4 is also configured as an inverter assembly with a shield case. The battery 5 is of the Ni-MH type or Li-ion type and is configured as a module. In addition, it is considered to use an energy storage device such as a capacitor. The battery 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can be used for the hybrid vehicle 1 and an electric vehicle.

[0031] As in Fig. 1B, the wiring harness 8 according to the embodiment includes the motor unit 3 and the inverter unit 4 as shown in Fig. 1A, connects a wire section 15, a shielding element 16 and an outer element 17. The structure of each component of the wiring harness 8 is described below.

[0032] First, the wire section 15 is described. As in Fig. 1B, the wire section 15 is connected by three electric wires 18 to 20 which are arranged in the same direction (forward and reverse direction in Fig. 1B) are bundled together. As shown in the cross-sectional view of the Fig. 2, the thus formed wire portion 15 includes the three electric wires 18 to 20 arranged like stacked hay bales when viewed in the direction of the central axis X1 of the wire portion 15. In the present embodiment, the electric wires 18 to 20 are well-known high-voltage electric wires and each include a conductor 21 and an insulating sheath 22 covering the conductor 21.

[0033] The adjacently arranged electrical wires 18 to 20 of the wire section 15, as in Fig. 2, have spaces for a shielding member 16 to be accommodated, which will be described below, when inserted (between the electric wire 18 and the electric wire 20, and between the electric wire 19 and the electric wire 20).

[0034] If the shielding element 16 is inserted between the respective Fig. 2, the electric wires 18 to 20 are arranged at a predetermined distance so that a predetermined value of the electrostatic capacitance is formed between the electric wires.

[0035] The number of electric wires constituting the wire section 15 is not limited to the aforementioned three. The number of electric wires may be, for example, two (see the second and third modification examples described below).

[0036] The shielding element 16 is described below. As in Fig. 2, the shielding member 16 for electromagnetic shielding (as a measure against electromagnetic waves) is provided, which is formed to surround the entire outer circumference of the wire portion 15. In the present embodiment, the shielding member 16 uses a braid formed by braiding a plurality of strands in the shape of a tube. The shielding member 16 is formed to have substantially the same length as the entire length of the wire portion 15. The shielding member 16 is formed to have an inner diameter larger than the outer circumference of the wire portion 15. Specifically, the shielding member 16 is formed to be slightly loose with respect to the wire portion 15.

[0037] The shielding element 16 is designed to surround the outer circumference of the wire section 15 as a whole, wherein substantially U-shaped bent sections are formed in the shielding element 16, which are each arranged between the electric wires 18 to 20 next to the wire section 15, as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0038] The substantially U-shaped bent portions of the shielding member 16 disposed between the electric wires 18 to 20 have a spring-back bias so that the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 maintain a predetermined distance therebetween. The "predetermined distance" is determined so that the electrostatic capacitance between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 can be reduced to a desired electrostatic capacitance value. By forming and structuring the shielding member 16 disposed between the electric wires 18 to 20, the shielding member 16 is configured to block the electrostatic capacitance between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20.

[0039] As in Fig. 2, the shielding member 16, which is arranged between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, has tips leading to a position of the central axis X1 of the wire section 15. When the shielding member 16 is accommodated at the position of the central axis X1 of the wire section 15, it is arranged such that it substantially covers the entire circumference of the electric wires 18 to 20, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the shielding element 16 shields substantially the entire circumference of the electrical wires 18 to 20.

[0040] It is assumed that the shielding member 16 is capable of being inserted between and removed from the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20. Depending on the surge voltage generated in the circuit in question, such a shielding member 16 can adjust the amount of reduction in the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires by inserting the shielding member 16 between or removing it from the electric wires 18 to 20.

[0041] The shielding member 16 has one longitudinal end connected to a shielding case or the like of the motor unit 3 via a motor unit connecting portion (not shown). The other longitudinal end of the shielding member 16 is connected to a shielding case or the like of the inverter unit 4 via a inverter unit connecting portion (not shown).

[0042] The shielding member 16 is not limited to a braid as long as it provides a measure against electromagnetic waves. Instead, the shielding member 16 may use, for example, a conductive metal foil, a member containing the metal foil, a conductive fabric, or the like.

[0043] The outer element 17 is described below. The outer element 17, which is Fig. 1B and Fig. 2, is formed of a resin material having insulating properties and is arranged on the outer periphery of the wire portion 15 surrounded by the shielding member 16. The outer members 17 (three in the present embodiment) are provided as many as the number of electric wires constituting the wire portion 15. The outer member 17 is formed in the shape of a tube and has a shape including at least one cutout portion 23. The cutout portion 23 is formed to extend from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end of the outer member 17 in the longitudinal direction of the outer member 17. Such an outer member 17 is shaped to extend in the direction of the central axis X1 of the wire portion 15, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, essentially has a C-shape.

[0044] In this embodiment, a corrugated pipe is used as the outer member 17. As in Fig. 1B, such an outer member 17 is formed in a bellows tube shape. The outer member 17 is formed to have substantially the same length as the entire length of the wire portion 15 (electric wires 18 to 20). The outer member 17 is formed to be bent at a desired angle during packaging and shipping of the wire harness 8 and during installation of the wire harness 8 in a vehicle. That is, the outer member 17 can be deflected to have a bent shape and can be naturally returned to a straight original state, as shown in Fig. 1B shown.

[0045] If the outer elements 17, as in Fig. 2, are arranged on the outer periphery of the wire portion 15 surrounded by the shielding member 16, the outer members 17 press the shielding member 16, which is arranged between the inner surfaces 24 of the outer members 17 and the outer surfaces of the insulating sheaths 22 of the electric wires 18 to 20, from the outside.

[0046] The outer elements 17 are secured to each other when arranged on the outer periphery of the wire portion 15 surrounded by the shielding member 16. Although not specifically shown, the outer elements 17 are secured by a known tape winding.

[0047] Next, a manufacturing method (manufacturing) of the wire harness 8 based on the aforementioned configuration and structure will be described.

[0048] In a first step, the wire portion 15 (the electric wires 18 to 20), the shielding member 16 and the outer member 17 are prepared in advance to a predetermined length, and then the wire portion 15 is collectively surrounded by the shielding member 16.

[0049] In a second step, the shielding element 16 is guided so that it penetrates between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20. By using a device (not shown), the shielding element 16 is inserted between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, as shown in Fig. 2, essentially formed into a U-shape.

[0050] Here, the front end portions of the shielding member 16, which is accommodated between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, are advanced to the position of the central axis X1 of the wire portion 15.

[0051] In a third step, the outer elements 17 are arranged on the outer circumference of the wire section 15, which is surrounded by the shielding element 16 (see Fig. 2). The outer elements 17 are arranged such that their inner surfaces 24 press the shielding element 16, which is arranged between the inner surfaces 24 of the outer elements 17 and the outer surfaces 25 of the insulating sheaths 22 of the electric wires 18 to 20, from the outside.

[0052] In a fourth step, a tape is wrapped around the outer surfaces 26 of the outer elements 17 to secure the outer elements 17 to one another, although this is not specifically shown.

[0053] This completes the manufacturing process of the wire harness 8 to provide the finished wire harness 8. A detailed description of the process at the two longitudinal end sections of the wire harness 8 is omitted.

[0054] In the thus-provided wire harness 8, in which the shielding member 16 is disposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, the electric wires 18 to 20 can be arranged at a predetermined interval to form a predetermined electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires. This makes it possible to adjust the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires 18 to 20 to a desired electrostatic capacitance and increase the impedance of the wire harness 8. Increasing the impedance of the wire harness 8 enables adjustment of the impedance of the entire circuit (the motor unit 3, the wire harness 8, and the inverter unit 4) and suppression of surge reflection.

[0055] Furthermore, in the wire harness 8 in which the shielding member 16 is disposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires can be blocked. This makes it possible to more effectively reduce the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires 18 to 20 and adjust the electrostatic capacitance to a desired value.

[0056] Further, in the wire harness 8, the shielding member 16 is configured to be insertable between and removable from the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, whereby the shielding member 16 can be appropriately pushed in or pulled out from the adjacent electric wires according to a surge voltage occurring in the circuit to adjust the amount of reduction of the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires.

[0057] Furthermore, in the wire harness 8, the shielding member 16 is disposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 extending up to the position of the center axis X1 of the wire portion 15, and thus the entire circumference of the respective electric wires 18 to 20 can be substantially surrounded by the shielding member 16. Consequently, the electrostatic capacitance between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 can be more reliably blocked to more effectively reduce the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires and adjust the electrostatic capacitance to a desired value.

[0058] Furthermore, in the wire harness 8, the outer members 17 are arranged to press the shielding member 16 from the outside, thereby keeping the shielding member 16 interposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20. Consequently, the shielding member 16 does not fall out between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, thereby maintaining the electric wires 18 to 20 in a state of being arranged at a predetermined interval such that a predetermined value of electrostatic capacitance is formed between the electric wires 18 to 20. Furthermore, the secure arrangement of the shielding member 16 between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 helps to better block the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires 18 to 20.

[0059] The previously described wiring harness 8 can be replaced by a first modification example shown in Fig. 3, a second modification example shown in Fig. 4, or a third modification example shown in Fig. 5. In the following, the first to third modification examples of the wiring harness are described with reference to the Fig. 3 to 5.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first modification example of a wire harness, Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the second modification example of a wire harness, and Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the third modification example of a wire harness.

[0061] The first modification example is described below. A wiring harness 30, which is Fig. 3, differs from the previously described embodiment in that it comprises outer elements 31. The outer element 31 has cutout portions 32. The cutout portion 32 is shaped such that the circumferential width of the outer element 31 is smaller than that resulting from the cutout portion 23 (see Fig. 2) of the outer element 17 in the present embodiment.

[0062] As in Fig. 3, the outer member 31 has one circumferential end 33 and the other circumferential end 34, which are configured to be disposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 and to hold the shielding member 16 between the electric wires because it is disposed therebetween. The one circumferential end 33 and the other circumferential end 34 of the outer member 16 serve as an example of the "two circumferential ends of the outer member" in the claims.

[0063] The wire harness 30 of the first modification example described above has the following effects in addition to the effect of the present embodiment. One circumferential end 33 and the other circumferential end 34 of the outer member 31 penetrate between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 and hold the shielding member 16 between the electric wires by being interposed therebetween. Consequently, the shielding member 16 is more reliably prevented from slipping out between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, so that the electric wires 18 to 20 are maintained at a predetermined interval to have a predetermined value of electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the wire harness 30 of the first modification example, once the outer member 31 is disposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, one circumferential end 33 and the other circumferential end 34 are disposed between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20, thereby allowing the distance between the adjacent electric wires 18 to 20 to be increased by the thickness of the outer member 31. This enables the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires to be further reduced and the electrostatic capacitance to be adjusted to a desired electrostatic capacitance.

[0065] The second modification example is described below. A wiring harness 40, which is Fig. 4 differs from the present embodiment in that it includes a wire portion 41. The wire portion 41 is formed by bundling two electric wires 44 and 45 in the same direction. Each of the electric wires 44 and 45 includes a conductor 46 and an insulating sheath 47 covering the conductor 46.

[0066] As in Fig. 4, the wire portion 41 has a central axis X3 located at a point intersecting a line segment A1 connecting a central axis Y1 of the conductor 46 of the electric wire 44 and a central axis Y2 of the conductor 46 of the electric wire 45. A shielding member 42 is arranged to penetrate the position of the central axis X3 of the wire portion 41 between the electric wires 44 and 45.

[0067] Such a wiring harness 40 has the same effect as the present embodiment.

[0068] A third modification example is described below. A wiring harness 50, which is Fig. 5 is a modified example of the present embodiment in that it has a wire portion 51 and outer members 53.

[0069] The wire section 51 is formed by bundling two electric wires 54 and 55 in the same direction. Each of the electric wires 54 and 55 includes a conductor 56 and an insulating sheath 57 covering the conductor 56.

[0070] As in Fig. 5, a central axis X4 of the wire portion 51 is a point intersecting a line segment A2 connecting a central axis Z1 of the conductor 56 of the electric wire 54 and a central axis Z2 of the conductor 56 of the electric wire 55. A shielding member 52 is arranged to penetrate between the electric wires 54 and 55 at the position of the central axis X4 of the wire portion 51.

[0071] The outer elements 53 have cutout sections 58. The cutout section 58 is formed such that the circumferential width of the outer element 53 is smaller than that resulting from the cutout section 23 (see Fig. 2) of the outer element 17 according to the present embodiment.

[0072] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, each of the outer members 53 has one circumferential end 59 and the other circumferential end 60, both of which are housed between the electric wires 54 and 55. The outer members 53 hold the shielding member 52 between the electric wires 54 and 55 because it is disposed therebetween.

[0073] Such a wire harness 50 has the same effect as the present embodiment and the first modification.

[0074] Harnesses 8, 30, 40 and 50 exhibit the following effects. As previously described with reference to the Fig.1 to 5, according to the wire harnesses 8, 30, 40, and 50, the electrostatic capacitance between the electric wires is adjusted to a desired value of the electrostatic capacitance to increase the impedances of the wire harnesses 8, 30, 40, and 50. This enables adjustment of the impedance of the entire circuit and suppression of the reflection of surges, whereby the surges can be advantageously suppressed.

Claims

[1] Wiring harness (8, 30, 40, 50), comprising: a wire section (15, 41, 51) comprising a plurality of electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) bundled in the same direction; and a shielding element (16, 42, 52) which completely surrounds an outer circumference of the wire section (15, 41, 51), wherein the shielding element (16, 42, 52) is arranged so as to be arranged between adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) of the plurality of electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire section (15, 41, 51), wherein the adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire section (15, 41, 51) are arranged in a predetermined section so that a predetermined value of the electrostatic capacitance is established between the electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55), and wherein the wiring harness (8, 30, 40, 50) further comprises a plurality of outer members (17, 31, 43, 53) arranged on an outer periphery of the shielding member (16, 42, 52), wherein each of the outer members (17, 31, 43, 53) is formed in the shape of a tube and has a cutout portion (23) extending in a longitudinal direction of the outer member (17, 31, 43, 53) from one longitudinal end of the outer member (17, 31, 43, 53) to the other longitudinal end. [2] The wire harness (8, 30, 40, 50) according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member (16, 42, 52) is arranged between the adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire portion (15, 41, 51) so as to be received at a position of a central axis (X1, X3, X4) of the wire portion (15, 41, 51). [3] A wiring harness (8, 30, 40, 50) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer members (17, 31, 43, 53) are arranged to press the shielding member (16, 42, 52) from the outside. [4] The wire harness (8, 30, 40, 50) according to claim 1, wherein the outer member (17, 31, 43, 53) is configured such that both circumferential ends of the outer member (17, 31, 43, 53) are received between the adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire portion (15, 41, 43, 53) to hold the shielding member (16, 42, 52) between the electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55). [5] A wiring harness (8, 30, 40, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shielding member (16, 42, 52) is capable of being inserted into and removed from the adjacent electric wires (18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 54, 55) in the wire portion (15, 41, 51).

Images