Wire harness protection device and wire harness manufacturing method

Abstract

Wiring harness protection device (1) comprising: a main body (2) defining a passage (11) for receiving an electric cable (W) forming a wire harness (WH); and a plurality of covers (3) for holding the electric cable (W) in the passage (11), wherein the main body (2) defines the passage (11) by a groove extending along a shape of the passage (11) and recessed in an attachment direction to enable the wire harness (WH) to be attached to the main body (2); wherein the main body (2) has a three-dimensional shape defined by one end (12) of the passage (11), the other end (13) of the passage (11), and a central portion (14) between the one end (12) and the other end (13); wherein one of said one end (12), said other end (13) and said middle portion (14) is located at a different position in the attachment direction than the other two thereof, and wherein the plurality of covers (3) include a first cover (4) covering an opening of the groove near one end (12) and holding the electric cable (W), a second cover (5) covering an opening near the other end (13) and holding the electric cable (W), and a third cover (6) connected to one of the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) while allowing its relative displacement to the one of the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) and covering the opening near the central portion (14) and holding the electric cable (W), characterized in that the cover, that is to say the first cover (4) or the second cover (5) which is connected to the third cover (6), extends longer along the shape of the passage (11) than the third cover (6) extends along the shape of the passage (11).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a protector to be attached to electric wires constituting a wire harness and a manufacturing method of a wire harness to which a protector is attached. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Wiring harness protectors are known that define a passage (cavity or space) into which electrical cables forming a wiring harness can be inserted. For example, protectors of this type not only serve to protect the electrical cables housed therein, but are also used as a fastening element when installing a wiring harness, for example, on the body of a motor vehicle.

[0003] Such a conventional protector is equipped with a protector body having a three-dimensional shape with a groove structure, a bottom wall and two side walls, and a U-shaped cross-section, and a cover for covering the opening of the protector body. In this conventional protector, electrical wires are inserted into a passage defined by the bottom wall and the two side walls of the protector body and then secured to the protector body by attaching the cover.

[0004] For details of the above protective device, reference is made to JP 4 360 392 B. SUMMARY

[0005] In the conventional protector described above, the cover is attached to the protector body in a state where electric wires are fixed to the protector body by winding tapes on two corresponding end portions of the protector body and pushing the electric wires into the protector body at its central position by a pressing member. With this attachment procedure, this conventional protector can suppress a phenomenon that the cover is attached to the protector body with the electric wires detached (lifted) from the protector body, and as a result, parts of the electric wires are sandwiched between the protector body and the cover, even if the protector body has a three-dimensional shape.

[0006] In reality, however, the conventional protective device struggles to improve the efficiency of the work of attaching the protective device to the electrical cables because it is necessary to fix the electrical cables to the protective device body by wrapping tapes on the protective device body when attaching the protective device to the electrical cables. Moreover, if the protective device is removed from the electrical cables for some reason after the electrical cables are attached to the protective device, the work of removing the protective device from the electrical cables is difficult because it is necessary to remove the tapes wrapped around the protective device and the electrical cables.

[0007] From US 2003 / 0 159 846 A1 a wiring harness protection device according to the introductory part of claim 1 is known.

[0008] Further prior art is known from the document DE 11 2013 004 193 T5.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a wire harness protecting device and a wire harness manufacturing method having high efficiency for the work of attaching it to electric wires constituting a wire harness.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide the following items (1) to (3): (1) A wire harness protecting device comprising the features of claim 1. (2) Wiring harness protection device according to item (1), where the first cover is connected to a portion near one end of the main body to enable its relative displacement to the main body, and the second cover is connected to a portion near the other end of the main body to enable its relative displacement to the main body. (3) Wiring harness protection device according to item (1) or item (2), where the main body has, in at least a part of the passage, a locking projection for a corrugated tube attached to the electric cable to cover the electric cable all around, and the locking projection locks the corrugated tube to eliminate relative movement of the corrugated tube to the main body in the direction of an axial line of the passage.

[0011] According to the first aspect of the invention related to item (1), after the electric wires constituting the wire harness are inserted into the passage defined by the protector, the portions adjacent to one end and the other end of the passage, the opening of the groove, are covered with the first cover and the second cover, respectively. As a result, the electric wires are prevented from being detached (pulled up) from the main body in the two corresponding end portions adjacent to the one end and the other end of the passage. Moreover, the central portion where the electric wires are particularly prone to detaching from the main body because the main body has a three-dimensional shape is covered with the third cover, and the electric wires are also prevented from detaching from the main body in the central portion.

[0012] Since the third cover is connected to one of the first cover and the second cover so that it can be displaced relative to it (e.g., pivoted about a hinge), the work of covering the two end portions adjacent to the two ends of the passage with the first and second covers, respectively, and the work of covering the middle portion of the passage with the third cover can be performed continuously without unnecessary pauses. For example, where the third cover is connected to the first cover, the worker can quickly attach the third cover to the main body without releasing the first cover after attaching the first cover and the second cover to the main body. Something similar applies to the case where the third cover is connected to the second cover.

[0013] As a result, according to the protector having the above configuration, since neither winding a tape nor fastening by a pressing member is necessary, unlike the conventional protector described above, the efficiency of the work for attaching the protector to the electric wires constituting the wire harness can be increased. In addition, even when it becomes necessary to remove the protector from the electric wires, the work that should be performed is only to separate the multiple covers from the main body. Thus, the work for removing the protector from the electric wire is simpler than in the conventional protector in which winding a tape is necessary.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the invention related to item (2), the first cover and the second cover are connected to the main body so that they can be displaced relative to it (e.g., rotated about corresponding hinges). Thus, for example, after inserting the electrical wires into the passage of the main body, a worker can quickly cover the portions of the groove opening adjacent to both ends by displacing the first cover and the second cover (e.g., rotating them about the corresponding hinges) without releasing the main body. This makes the efficiency of the work of attaching the protective device to the electrical wires higher than in a case where the first cover and the second cover are components independent of the main body.

[0015] According to the third aspect of the invention relating to the item (3), when the corrugated tubes are attached to the electric wires to cover them from the outside, the corrugated tubes are locked by the groups of locking projections formed on the main body, whereby the corrugated tubes and the electric wires can be prevented from moving (deviating from the position) in the direction of the axial line of the passage.

[0016] For example, if the groups of locking protrusions are formed at such positions that they are opposite to the first cover and the second cover, respectively, when the two end portions of the duct adjacent to one end and the other end are covered with the first cover and the second cover, respectively, the corrugated tubes can be fixed there. Thus, the corrugated tubes and the electric wires can be prevented from deviating from the position in the two portions of the duct. As a result, for example, an event that the electric wires detach (lift off) from the duct in the middle portion of the duct can be prevented when the electric wires are pushed in from outside the main body after the first cover and the second cover are fixed to the main body. This increases the efficiency of the work for attaching the protector to the electric wires.

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention provide the following item (4): (4) A manufacturing method for a wire harness according to claim 4.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect of the invention related to item (4), after the step of inserting the electric wires constituting the wire harness into the passage (ie, into the groove recessed in the attachment direction) is performed, the step of covering the portions of the opening of the groove adjacent to one end and the other end of the passage with the first and second covers is performed, thereby preventing the electric wires from detaching (lifting off) from the main body in the two end portions of the passage.Furthermore, after performing the above steps, the step of covering the portion in the central portion of the opening (where the electric wires are particularly prone to detaching from the main body because it has a three-dimensional structure) with the third cover is performed, thereby also preventing the electric wires from detaching from the main body in the central portion of the passage.

[0019] Since the third cover is connected to one of the first cover and the second cover so as to be displaceable relative thereto (e.g., rotatable about a hinge), the step of covering the two end portions adjacent to the two ends of the passage with the first and second covers, respectively, and the step of covering the central portion of the passage with the third cover can be carried out continuously without an unnecessary pause.

[0020] As a result, according to the wire harness manufacturing method described above, the efficiency of the work for attaching the protector to the electrical wires constituting the wire harness can be increased. In addition, in the wire harness manufactured by this manufacturing method, even when it becomes necessary to remove the protector from the electrical wires, the work that should be performed is only separating the multiple covers from the main body. Thus, the work for removing the protector from the electrical wire is simpler than in the conventional protector, which requires winding a tape.

[0021] The invention makes it possible to provide a wire harness protecting device and a wire harness manufacturing method having high efficiency for the work of attaching it to electric wires constituting a wire harness.

[0022] Several aspects of the invention have been briefly described above. Further details of the invention will become clear when the following description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are perspective views, viewed from the front and back, respectively, of a protective device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the protective device in which the covers are open, and Fig. Figure 2B is an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 2A. Fig. 3 is a first perspective view for describing a procedure for attaching the protector to a wire harness. Fig. 4 is a second perspective view for describing the procedure for attaching the protector to the wire harness. Fig. 5 is a third perspective view for describing the procedure for attaching the protector to the wire harness. Fig. 6 is a fourth perspective view for describing the procedure for attaching the protector to the wire harness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION<Ausführungsform>

[0023] A wire harness protector 1 and a manufacturing method for a wire harness WH according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The protector 1 is attached to a portion, in the axial direction, of a bundle W of electrical wires of a wire harness WH, and is typically fixed to a prescribed portion such as a body frame of a vehicle. This serves to route the wire harness WH on the body.

[0024] As in the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B and the Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, the protective device 1 is equipped with a main body 2 and covers 3. The covers 3 include a first cover 4, a second cover 5, and a third cover 6. The main body 2 and the covers 3 are made of a synthetic resin.

[0025] First, the main body 2 is described. The main body 2 is a long element that is open at the top (has a pair of upper edges) and U-shaped in cross-section, and defines a single continuous passage 11 (U-shaped groove, see Fig. 2A), into which a bundle W of electrical cables (see Fig. 3-6) of a wire harness WH. In this way, the passage 11 is defined by a groove recessed in the direction (top-down direction) in which the wire harness WH is attached to the main body 2.

[0026] The main body 2 has a three-dimensional shape such that one of the one end 12 of the passage 11, the other end 13 of the passage 11, and a central portion 14 between the one end 12 and the other end 13 of the passage 11 are located at a different position in the top-down direction (attachment direction of the wire harness WH) than the other two. In the embodiment, the other end 13 and the central portion 14 are located at approximately the same position in the top-down direction, and the one end 12 is located far above the central portion 14.

[0027] As in Fig. 2A, the first cover 4 is rotatably connected to one of the pair of upper edges of an end portion on the one end 12 side of the main body 2 via a first hinge 15 extending along the passage 11. On the other hand, the second cover 5 is rotatably connected to one of the pair of upper edges of an end portion on the other end 13 side of the main body 2 via a second hinge 16 extending along the passage 11. The first cover 4 and the second cover 5 can be individually moved between a closed position (see Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B) and an open position (see Fig. 2A) can be moved.

[0028] The other of the pair of upper edges of the end portion where the first hinge 15 is formed of the main body 2 has a frame portion that protrudes slightly in the width direction and through which a locking hole 17 penetrates in the top-down direction. The locking hole 17 is formed so that a locking member 32 of the first cover 4 is to be inserted therein.

[0029] Similar to Fig. As shown in FIG. 1A, the other of the pair of upper edges of the end portion where the second hinge 16 is formed of the main body 2 has a frame portion that protrudes slightly in the width direction and through which a locking hole 18 penetrates in the top-down direction. The locking hole 18 is formed so that a locking member 41 of the second cover 5 is to be inserted therein.

[0030] The pair of upper edges of the central portion 14 of the main body 2 includes a pair of frame portions that protrude slightly in the width direction, and through which a pair of locking holes 19 penetrate in the top-down direction, respectively. The pair of locking holes 19 are formed so that a pair of locking elements of the third cover are to be inserted therein.

[0031] As in Fig. 2A, a group of locking projections 21 (a plurality of locking projections 22 and 23) protrudes inward into the passage 11 (the U-shaped groove) in both the portion where the first hinge 15 and the locking hole 17 are formed of the main body 2 and the portion where the second hinge 16 and the locking hole 18 are formed of the main body 2. The groups of locking projections 21 are formed to lock corrugated tubes CC (see Fig. 3-6) covering the bundle W of electric wires of the wire harness WH from the outside, so that the corrugated tubes CC do not move relative to the passage 11 in the direction of its axial line.

[0032] As in Fig. 2B is shown enlarged, each group of locking projections 21 consists of a pair of locking projections 22 and a pair of locking projections 23. The pair of locking projections 22 are spaced from each other in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11, and each locking projection 22 protrudes inward into the passage 11 from the bottom and side walls of the passage 11 (the U-shaped groove). The pair of locking projections 23 are located between the pair of locking projections 22 and are spaced from each other in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11, and each locking projection 23 protrudes inward into the passage 11 from the side walls of the passage 11 (the U-shaped groove). Although Fig. 2B shows only the group of locking projections 21 formed on the side of one end 12 of the passage 11, the group of locking projections 21 formed on the side of the other end 13 of the passage 11 has the same structure as the previous group of locking projections 21.

[0033] The outer side surface of the section where the locking hole 18 (see Fig. 1A) of the main body 2 is integrally formed with a fixing portion 24 for fixing the protector 1 to a prescribed position of a vehicle. The wire harness WH is routed through the vehicle body by fixing the fixing portion 24 to a prescribed portion, such as a body frame, of the vehicle in a state where the protector 1 is attached to the wire harness WH. The description of the main body 2 ends here.

[0034] Next, the covers 3 are described in the order of the first cover 4, the second cover 5 and the third cover 6. As shown in the Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Fig. 2B, the first cover 4 is connected to the main body 2 by the first hinge 15. The first cover 4 is provided to allow the bundle W of electric wires to be held in the passage 11 by closing the upper opening of the main body 2 over a length from one end 12 to the central portion 14 of the main body 2 in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11.

[0035] The third cover 6 is pivotally connected to the end on the side of the central portion 14 of the first cover 4 by a third hinge 31 extending perpendicular to the passage 11 when the first cover 4 is closed. The third cover 6 can be pivoted between a closed position (see Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B and Fig. 6) and an open position (see Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B and Fig. 5) be moved.

[0036] The locking element 32 protrudes downwards (when the first cover 4 is closed) from the side edge on the side opposite to the side of the first hinge 15 of the first cover 4. The outer side surface of the locking element 32 is formed with the projections 33 (see Fig. 1B). When the first cover 4 is closed, the locking member 32 is inserted into the locking hole 17 of the main body 2, and the projections are engaged with the edge of the portion defining the locking hole 17, thereby holding the first cover 4 in the closed position.

[0037] As in Fig. 2B, the portion between the locking member 32 and the first hinge 15 of the inner surface (opposite the electric wire bundle W) of the first cover 4 is formed with a pair of locking projections 34 at positions opposing the pair of locking projections 22 of the main body 2. When the first cover 4 is closed, the pair of locking projections 22 and the pair of locking projections 34 hold the corrugated tube CC from both sides, thereby locking the corrugated tube CC at the position near the one end 12 of the main body 2 so as not to move in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11.

[0038] Next, the second cover 5 will be described. As described above, the second cover 5 is connected to the main body 2 by the second hinge 16. The second cover 5 is provided to allow the bundle W of electric wires to be held in the passage 11 by closing the upper opening of the main body 2 over a length from the other end 13 to the central portion 14 in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11.

[0039] The locking element 41 protrudes downward (when the second cover 5 is closed) from the side edge on the side opposite to the second hinge 16 of the second cover 5. The outer side surface of the locking element 41 is formed with projections (not shown) similar to the above-mentioned projections 33. When the second cover 5 is closed, the locking element 41 is inserted into the locking hole 18 (see Fig. 1A) of the main body 2 and the projections are engaged with the edge of the portion defining the locking hole 18, thereby holding the second cover 5 in the closed position.

[0040] As in Fig. 2A, the portion between the locking member 41 and the second hinge 16 of the inner surface (opposite the electric wire bundle W) of the second cover 5 is formed with a pair of locking projections 42 at positions opposing the pair of locking projections 22 of the main body 2. When the second cover 5 is closed, the pair of locking projections 22 and the pair of locking projections 42 hold the corrugated tube CC from both sides, thereby locking the corrugated tube CC at the position near the other end 13 of the main body 2 so that it does not move relative to the main body 2 in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11.

[0041] Next, the third cover 6 will be described. As described above, the third cover 6 is connected to the first cover 4 by the third hinge. The third cover 6 is provided to hold the bundle W of electrical wires in the passage 11 by closing the upper opening of the main body 2 in the central portion 14.

[0042] The pair of locking projections 51 protrude downward (when the third cover 6 is closed (and the first cover 4 is closed)). The outer side surface of each locking member 51 is formed with a projection 52. When the third cover 6 is closed (and the first cover 4 is closed), the pair of locking members 51 are respectively inserted into the pair of engagement holes 19, and the pair of projections 52 are respectively engaged with the edges of the portions constituting the pair of engagement holes 19, thereby holding the third cover 6 in the closed position. The description of the covers 3 ends here.

[0043] Next, a procedure for attaching the protective device 1 to the bundle W of electric cables will be described with reference to the Fig. 3-6. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the corrugated tubes CC are attached to the electric wire bundle W so as to cover the electric wire bundle W from the outside. However, the electric wire bundle W is not covered with the corrugated tubes CC in a prescribed area in the axial direction, that is, the electric wire bundle W is exposed in this area.

[0044] First, as if by a hollow arrow in Fig. 3, the bundle W of electric cables is fitted into the main body 2 over the entire passage 11 of the protective device 1 whose covers are open, so that the exposed portion of the bundle W of electric cables is located in a portion, except for the two end portions, of the passage 11. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, end portions adjacent to the exposed portion of the electric wire bundle W of the corrugated tubes CC are placed on the group of locking projections 21 adjacent to one end 12 of the main body 2 and the group of locking projections 21 adjacent to the other end 13 of the main body, respectively.

[0045] Then, as indicated by the hollow arrow in Fig. 5, the first cover 4 and the second cover 5 are moved (rotated) from the open position to the closed position. At this time, one of the first cover 4 and the second cover 5 may be moved from the open position to the closed position after the other is moved from the open position to the closed position. Alternatively, the first cover 4 and the second cover 5 may be moved from the open position to the closed position simultaneously.

[0046] As a result, the locking member 32 of the first cover 4 is inserted into the locking hole 17 of the main body 2, and the projections are engaged with the edge of the portion defining the locking hole 17, thereby holding the first cover 4 in the closed position. Similarly, the locking member 41 of the second cover 5 is inserted into the locking hole 18 of the main body 2, and the projections (not shown) of the locking member 41 are engaged with the edge of the portion defining the locking hole 18, thereby holding the second cover 5 in the closed position. As a result, the openings of the U-shaped groove adjacent to one end 12 and the other end 13 are covered with the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively, thereby preventing the bundle W of electric wires from detaching (lifting off) from the main body 2 at two end portions of the passage 11.

[0047] In addition, an end portion of one of the corrugated tubes CC located on the corresponding two sides of the exposed portion of the electric wire bundle W is sandwiched between the group of locking projections 21 adjacent to the one end 12 of the main body 2 and the pair of locking projections 34 of the first cover 5, and an end portion of the other corrugated tube CC is sandwiched between the group of locking projections 21 adjacent to the other end 13 and the pair of locking projections 42 of the second cover 5, whereby both corrugated tubes CC are locked so as not to move in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11 relative to the main body 2.

[0048] Below, as indicated by a hollow arrow in Fig.6, the third cover 6 is moved from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the pair of locking members 51 of the third cover 6 are inserted into the pair of locking holes 19 of the main body 2, thereby holding the third cover 6 in the closed position. In this way, the central portion 14, where the bundle W of electric wires is particularly prone to detaching from the main body 2 because the main body 2 has a three-dimensional shape, is covered with the third cover 6, whereby the bundle W of electric wires can be prevented from detaching (lifting off) from the main body 2 in the central portion 14. Furthermore, when performing the above assembly work, the worker can quickly attach the third cover 6 to the main body 2 without having to release the first cover 4 after attaching the first cover 4 and the second cover 5 to the main body 2.

[0049] The attachment of the protection device 1 to the bundle W of electrical wires, that is, the fabrication of a wiring harness WH including the protection device 1, is completed according to the above procedure. After completing the attachment of the protection device 1 to the bundle W of electrical wires, the attachment portion 24 of the main body 2 is fixed to a prescribed portion of a body frame of a vehicle, thereby routing the wiring harness WH on the body.

[0050] As described above, in the protector 1 and the manufacture of a wire harness WH according to the embodiment of the invention, after the bundle W of electric wires constituting the wire harness WH is inserted into the passage 11 defined by the protector 1, the portions adjacent to one end 12 and the other end 13 of the passage 11 of the opening of the groove are covered with the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively. As a result, the bundle W of electric wires is prevented from detaching from the main body 2 in the two corresponding end portions adjacent to one end 12 and the other end 13 of the passage 11.In this state, the central portion 14 where the bundle W of electric wires is particularly prone to detaching from the main body 2 because the main body 2 has a three-dimensional shape is covered with the third cover 6, thereby preventing the bundle W of electric wires from detaching from the main body 2 in the central portion 14.

[0051] Since the third cover 6 is pivotally connected to the first cover 4 by the first hinge 15, the work of covering the two end portions adjacent to the one end 12 and the other end 13 of the passage 11 with the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively, and the work of covering the middle portion 14 of the passage 11 with the third cover 6 can be continuously performed without an unnecessary pause.

[0052] As a result, according to the protective device 1 having the above configuration, the efficiency of the work of attaching the protective device 1 to the bundle W of electric wires constituting the cable WH can be increased. In addition, since no tape is wound around the main body 2 and the bundle W of electric wires, unlike the conventional protective device described above, the protective device 1 can be easily removed from the bundle W of electric wires even when it becomes necessary.

[0053] Moreover, since the first cover 4 and the second cover 5 are connected to the main body 2 by the first hinge 15 and the second hinge 16, respectively, after the bundle W of electric wires is inserted into the passage 11 of the main body 2, the portions adjacent to the first end 12 and the other end 13 of the opening of the groove can be covered only by rotating the first cover 4 and the second cover 5.

[0054] This increases the efficiency of the work of attaching the protective device 1 to the bundle W of electrical cables.

[0055] Still further, since the corrugated tubes CC covering the electric wire bundle W from the outside are locked by the groups of locking protrusions 21 formed on the main body 2, the corrugated tubes CC and the electric wire bundle W can be prevented from moving (deviating from position) in the direction of the axial line of the passage 11. Specifically, the groups of locking protrusions 21 are formed at positions opposite to the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively. Thus, when the two end portions adjacent to one end 12 and the other end 13 of the passage 11 are covered with the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively, the position of the corrugated tubes CC in these portions can be prevented from deviating.As a result, for example, an event that the bundle W of electric wires detaches from the passage in the central portion 14 of the passage 11 can be prevented when the bundle W of electric wires is pushed inward from the outside of the main body 2 after the two end portions adjacent to the one end 12 and the other end 13 of the passage 11 are covered with the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively. This increases the efficiency of the work for attaching the protective device 1 to the bundle W of electric wires. <Andere Ausführungsformen>

[0056] For example, although in the embodiment the third cover 6 is connected to the first cover 4 so that it can be displaced relative thereto, the third cover 6 may be connected to the second cover 5 so that it can be displaced relative thereto. Although in the embodiment the first cover 4 and the second cover 5 are connected to the main body 2 so that they can be displaced relative thereto, they do not always need to be connected to the main body 2.

[0057] In the embodiment, the groups of locking protrusions 21 are formed at positions such that they can face the first cover 4 and the second cover 5, respectively. Alternatively, a group of locking protrusions 21 may be formed at a position such that it can face only one of the first cover 4 and the second cover 5. As a further alternative, no group of locking protrusions 21 may be formed on the main body 2.

[0058] Features of the protective device 1 and the manufacturing method for a wiring harness WH according to the invention are now briefly summarized below in the form of points [1] to [4]: [1] Wiring harness protection device (1) comprising: a main body (2) defining a passage (11) for receiving an electric cable (W) forming a wire harness (WH); and a plurality of covers (3) for holding the electric cable in the passage, wherein the main body (2) defines the passage (11) by a groove extending along a shape of the passage and recessed in the attachment direction to enable the wire harness (WH) to be attached to the main body; wherein the main body (2) has a three-dimensional shape formed with one end (12) of the passage, the other end (13) of the passage, and a central portion (14) between the one end and the other end; wherein one of the one end (12), the other end (13), and the central portion (14) is located at a different position in the attachment direction than the other two thereof, and the plurality of covers (3) include a first cover (4) covering an opening of the groove near one end (12) and holding the electric wire (W), a second cover (5) covering an opening near the other end (13) and holding the electric wire, and a third cover (6) connected to one of the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) while allowing its (the 6) relative displacement to the one of the first cover and the second cover and covering the opening near the central portion (14) and holding the electric wire. [2] Wiring harness protection device (1) according to item [1], wherein the first cover (4) is connected to a portion near one end (12) of the main body (2) to enable its (the 4) relative displacement to the main body, and the second cover (5) is connected to a portion near the other end (13) of the main body to enable its (the 5) relative displacement to the main body. [3] Wiring harness protection device according to point [1] or point [2], where the main body (2) has, in at least a part of the passage (11), a locking projection (21) for a corrugated tube (CC) attached to the electric cable (W) to cover the electric cable (W) all around, and the locking projection locks the corrugated tube to eliminate relative movement of the corrugated tube (CC) to the main body (2) in a direction of the axial line of the passage. [4] Manufacturing method for a wiring harness (WH) having a protective device (1) attached to the electric cable (W) forming the wiring harness, wherein the protective device (1) comprises: a main body (2) defining a passage (11) for receiving the electric cable (W) through a groove extending along a shape of the passage and recessed in the attachment direction to enable the wire harness (WH) to be attached to the main body; wherein the main body (2) has a three-dimensional shape defined by one end (12) of the passage, the other end (13) of the passage, and a central portion (14) between the one end and the other end; wherein one of the one end (12), the other end (13), and the central portion (13) is located at a different position in the attachment direction than the other two thereof; and a plurality of covers (3) for holding the electric cable in the passage (11), the plurality of covers including a first cover (4) covering an opening of the groove near one end (12) and holding the electric cable, a second cover (5) covering an opening near the other end (13) and holding the electric cable, and a third cover (6) connected to one of the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) while allowing its (the 6) relative displacement to the one of the first cover and the second cover, and covering the opening near the central portion (14) and holding the electric cable, the method comprising: Inserting the electrical cable (W) into the passage (11) when the opening is not covered with the plurality of covers (3); Attaching the first cover (4) to the main body (2) to cover the opening corresponding to the one end (12) with the first cover; Attaching the second cover (5) to the main body (2) to cover the opening corresponding to the other end (13) with the second cover; and Attaching the third cover (6) to the main body (2) to cover the opening corresponding to the central portion (14) with the third cover after attaching the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) to the main body. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 protective device 2 main bodies 3 Cover 4 First cover (cover) 5 Second cover (cover) 6 Third cover (cover) 11 Passage 12 an end 13 the other end 14 Middle section 21 Group of locking projections (locking projections) 22 locking projection 23 Locking projection CC corrugated pipe W bundle of electrical cables (electrical cables) WH wiring harness

Claims

[1] Wiring harness protection device (1) comprising: a main body (2) defining a passage (11) for receiving an electric cable (W) forming a wire harness (WH); and a plurality of covers (3) for holding the electric cable (W) in the passage (11), wherein the main body (2) defines the passage (11) by a groove extending along a shape of the passage (11) and recessed in an attachment direction to enable the wire harness (WH) to be attached to the main body (2); wherein the main body (2) has a three-dimensional shape defined by one end (12) of the passage (11), the other end (13) of the passage (11), and a central portion (14) between the one end (12) and the other end (13); wherein one of said one end (12), said other end (13) and said middle portion (14) is located at a different position in the attachment direction than the other two thereof, and wherein the plurality of covers (3) include a first cover (4) covering an opening of the groove near one end (12) and holding the electric cable (W), a second cover (5) covering an opening near the other end (13) and holding the electric cable (W), and a third cover (6) connected to one of the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) while allowing its relative displacement to the one of the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) and covering the opening near the central portion (14) and holding the electric cable (W), characterized by , that the cover, that is to say the first cover (4) or the second cover (5) which is connected to the third cover (6), extends longer along the shape of the passage (11) than the third cover (6) extends along the shape of the passage (11). [2] A wire harness protecting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first cover (4) is connected to a portion near one end (12) of the main body (2) to allow its relative displacement to the main body (2), and the second cover (5) is connected to a portion near the other end (13) of the main body (2) to allow its relative displacement to the main body (2). [3] A wire harness protecting device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body (2) has, in at least a part of the passage (11), a locking projection (21) for a corrugated tube (CC) attached to the electric wire (W) to cover the electric wire (W) all around, and the locking projection (21) locks the corrugated tube (CC) to eliminate relative movement of the corrugated tube (CC) to the main body (2) in a direction of the axial line of the passage (11). [4] A manufacturing method for a wire harness (WH) having a wire harness protecting device (1) according to claim 1 attached to an electric wire (W) constituting the wire harness (WH), the method comprising: Inserting the electrical cable (W) into the passage (11) when the opening is not covered with the plurality of covers (3); Attaching the first cover (4) to the main body (2) to cover the opening corresponding to the one end (12) with the first cover (4); Attaching the second cover (5) to the main body (2) to cover the opening corresponding to the other end (13) with the second cover (5); and Attaching the third cover (6) to the main body (2) to cover the opening corresponding to the central portion (14) with the third cover (6) after attaching the first cover (4) and the second cover (5) to the main body (2).

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