Outer element of an electrical conductor

Abstract

Outer element (1) of an electrical conductor (W), comprising: a first pipe body (10); and a second pipe body (20), wherein the first tube body (10) has a hollow section (11) through which the electrical conductor (W) is inserted, an opening section (12) from which the electrical conductor (W) is withdrawn, and a vent section (30) which is impermeable to moisture and permeable to air, and wherein the second tube body (20) is present to extend from the first tube body (10) and to cover an outer circumference of the electrical conductor (W) drawn from the opening section (12), and is made of a material that is more flexible than a material of the first tube body (10), characterized by the fact that the first tube body (10) has a flat surface section (14) on at least a part of a side wall of the first tube body (10), and wherein the venting section (30) is present in the flat surface section (14), and wherein the flat surface section (14) extends along an axial direction of the first pipe body (10).

Description

<Feld der Erfindung>

[0001] The present invention relates to an external element through which an electrical conductor can be inserted. <Beschreibung der verwandten Technik>

[0002] In related technologies, an outer element can be attached to an electrical conductor for protection and sealing (see, for example, Patent 1: JP 2010 - 215010 A, Patent 2: JP 5737222 B2, and Patent 3: JP 2009 - 029423 A). For example, in a hybrid car or similar vehicle, a wiring harness connecting a motor, inverter, battery, or similar component is generally routed to pass under the vehicle body. This type of wiring harness can be fitted with an outer element made of a rigid material, such as a metal tube or similar, to shield against electromagnetic interference emanating from the electrical conductor forming the harness, to waterproof the electrical conductor, and to protect the electrical conductor from external influences, such as a stone (see, for example, Patent 1). [Patentdokument 1] JP 2010 - 215010 A [Patentdokument 2] JP 5737222 B2 [Patentdokument 3] JP 2009 - 029423 A

[0003] When an external element is used to connect a connector or similar component, typically located at the end of a wiring harness (electrical conductor), to a predetermined electrical component, while maintaining watertightness, a resin cover or similar is bonded to the end of a metal tube to create a watertight seal between the metal tube and the electrical component. However, if the sealing properties of the external element are enhanced to improve watertightness, changes in the internal temperature of the external element due to heat radiation from the electrical conductor or similar component and internal pressure fluctuations can cause the flexible cover to deform and interfere with the surrounding components, thus damaging the cover. Such damage is undesirable because it can lead to a deterioration of the external element's sealing properties.

[0004] As a countermeasure against such deformation, one example of an external element in related technologies involves a pressure adjustment mechanism for a waterproof cover (connector cover) made of a soft material, such as rubber and elastomer, or a resin cover as described above, which covers a connector. However, in this case, condensation can occur inside the cover because the pressure adjustment introduces moisture from the outside air into the cover. Therefore, it is undesirable to place the pressure adjustment mechanism in a location that covers electrical contact points, such as this type of cover. Generally, it is also difficult to implement a gap-free pressure adjustment mechanism made of a flexible material in this type of cover while maintaining sufficient sealing properties.

[0005] From US 2017 / 0232913 A1, an outer element of an electrical conductor with the features of the initiating part of claim 1 is known.

[0006] Further state of the art is known from documents DE 10 2018 201 351 A1 and WO 2017 / 217214 A1. SUMMARY

[0007] One or more embodiments constitute an outer element of an electrical conductor that is capable of preventing a deterioration of the waterproof performance or the like, even if an internal pressure changes due to the thermal radiation of the electrical conductor introduced through the outer element or the like.

[0008] In one aspect (1) an outer element of an electrical conductor comprises the features of claim 1.

[0009] In one aspect (2) the second pipe body is configured to provide a watertight cover for the electrical conductor between the opening section and another element when a connection of the electrical cable drawn from the opening section is housed in the other element.

[0010] In one aspect (3) the first pipe body is made of polypropylene or polyamide resin.

[0011] In one aspect (4) an external element for protecting a cable harness comprises the features of claim 4.

[0012] According to aspect (1), the outer element comprises the first tube body and the second tube body, which is made of a material more flexible than the material of the first tube body. When the outer element is used to seal the electrical conductor, as with the outer elements of the related techniques described above, the more flexible second tube body deforms before the first tube body when the internal pressure of the outer element changes. The vent section is provided in the first tube body instead of the second tube body, which, as described above, is easily deformed. Therefore, compared to the case where the vent section is provided in the more flexible second tube body, a deterioration of the watertight performance due to deformation of the vent section itself (or a difference between the extent of deformation of the vent section and the surrounding elements) can be prevented.For example, if a vent valve, separate from the first pipe section, is attached to the first pipe section to form the vent section, loosening and similar issues can be prevented due to the difference between the amount of deformation of the vent valve and the part to which the vent valve is attached. Therefore, a deterioration of the watertight performance can be prevented.

[0013] If the external element is actually used, instead of the second pipe section covering an end section of the electrical conductor, a connector, or the like, the vent section can be positioned at a desired location on the first pipe section, separate from such electrical contacts. Therefore, there is no need to worry about condensation, as outside air is introduced into the first pipe section through the vent section.

[0014] Therefore, the outer element of the above configuration can prevent the deterioration of the waterproof performance, even if the internal pressure changes due to thermal radiation through the electrical conductor introduced by the outer element or the like.

[0015] According to aspect (2), while maintaining the condition in which the electrical conductor is insulated from the environment to maintain watertightness, the electrical conductor drawn from the outer element can be connected to the other element (e.g. a connector).

[0016] According to aspect (1), for example, if a vent valve separate from the second pipe body is attached to the first pipe body to form the vent section, and if a through-hole for attaching the vent valve is provided in the side wall of the first pipe body, forming the through-hole in a flat surface section is simpler than forming the through-hole in a curved surface section and facilitates the improvement of watertightness. Therefore, productivity can be improved while simultaneously improving the watertight performance of the external element.

[0017] According to aspect (3), the comfort of the outer element can be improved by configuring the first tube body with polypropylene or polyamide resin, a hard material with excellent processability, less thermal shrinkage and sufficient strength against an assumed external force as the outer element.

[0018] According to aspect (4), the external element is used to insert the electrical conductor, which is wired to connect the inverter and the battery. Therefore, if the vent section is provided in the first pipe section between the battery and the inverter, it can be located at a suitable point with a lower temperature change, calculated by thermal simulation during current application or the like. For example, if a vent valve separate from the first pipe section is attached to it to form the vent section, loosening and similar issues between the vent valve and the part to which it is attached due to temperature changes can be prevented. Therefore, a deterioration of the watertight performance can be avoided.

[0019] If the external element is actually used, instead of the second pipe section covering an end section of the electrical conductor or a connector, the vent section can be positioned at a desired location on the first pipe section, separated from such electrical contacts. Therefore, there is no need to worry about dew point condensation, as outside air is introduced into the first pipe section through the vent section.

[0020] According to one or more embodiments, an external element may be provided which is able to prevent a deterioration of the waterproof performance or the like, even if an internal pressure changes due to the thermal radiation of an electrical cable introduced through the external element or the like.

[0021] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention are further clarified by the modes for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of an entire electrical line to which an external element is attached according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the surroundings of an end part of the in Fig. 1 of the depicted outer element. Fig. 3A is a perspective exploded view of a vent valve, which is located in Fig. 1 is shown. Fig. 3B is a side view of the vent valve after installation. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a position of a first pipe body to which a vent valve is attached. Fig. Figure 5A is a perspective view of the circumference of a through-hole of a first pipe body for fastening a vent valve according to a modified example of an embodiment. Fig. Figure 5B is a perspective view of the circumference of the through-hole of the first pipe body for fastening the vent valve according to a further modified example of the embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 is a side view of an entire electrical line to which an external element is attached according to another embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a side view of an entire electrical line to which an external element is attached according to another embodiment. Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which an electrical conductor, to which an external element is attached according to an embodiment, is wired in a vehicle. Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating another state in which an electrical conductor, to which an external element is attached according to an embodiment, is wired in a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION<Ausführungsform>

[0022] In the following, an outer element 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, an electrical conductor W is inserted into a cylindrical outer element 1 for protection, sealing, and the like. The outer element 1 comprises an elongated first tube body 10 and a pair of short second tube bodies 20, which are attached to both end parts of the first tube body 10. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the second pipe body 20 is inserted into a hollow section 11 of the first pipe body 10 (see also Fig. 4), so that the second tube body 20 covers the outer circumference of the electrical conductor W, which extends from the end section of the first tube body 10 and is pulled out of an opening section 12 of the first tube body 10.

[0024] In this example, the first pipe body 10 has a cylindrical shape and is typically a corrugated plastic pipe or a metal pipe. In this example, the second pipe body 20 has a shape that widens in diameter from one end 21 to another end 22 and can also be described as a watertight cover. The second pipe body 20 is made of a material (e.g., an elastic body such as rubber) that is more flexible than the material of the first pipe body 10 (e.g., elastomer and metal).

[0025] Since a vent valve 30, as described below, is attached directly to the first pipe body 10, the material of the first pipe body preferably exhibits excellent processability, thermal shrinkage resistance, and, as an outer element 1, sufficient strength against an assumed external force. For example, resin materials such as polypropylene, polyamide resin, and engineering plastics are best suited as materials for the first pipe body 10.

[0026] The electrical conductor W is a bundle comprising multiple electrical conductors. Alternatively, the electrical conductor W can also comprise a single electrical conductor. The connectors C are connected to both ends of the electrical conductor W. One end 21 of the second tube body 20 is attached externally to the end of the first tube body 10 and is secured airtight and watertight in close contact with a tape or the like (not shown). The other end 22 of the second tube body 20 is attached externally to an end of the connector C on the W-side of the electrical conductor and is secured airtight and watertight in close contact with a tape or the like (not shown). As a result, the outer element 1 (the first tube body 10 + the pair of second tube bodies 20) has an airtight and watertight sealed structure.

[0027] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the vent valve 30 is located on a central section in the longitudinal direction of the first pipe body 10 via a through-bore 13 (see Figure 4). Fig. 4) attached, which is formed on a side surface of the first pipe body 10. The vent valve 30 is configured to be impermeable to moisture and air. The construction of the vent valve 30 is described below with reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B briefly described.

[0028] As in Fig. 3A and Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the vent valve 30 comprises a rubber ring 31, a support unit 32, a venting membrane 33, and a cover 34. The support unit 32 is made of resin and includes a cylindrical section 32a, an annular flange section 32b that is coaxially located at an upper end of the cylindrical section 32a and projects radially outward, and an annular mounting section 32c that is coaxially located on a top surface of the flange section 32b and projects slightly upward. A through-hole is formed coaxially in the support unit 32, penetrating in a vertical direction. Notches 32d are formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the flange section 32b (three locations in this example).

[0029] The venting film 33 is a disc-shaped film that is impermeable to moisture and permeable to air. Typically, a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin is used as the venting film 33. However, other porous materials, fabrics, nonwovens, meshes, foams, and the like can also be used. To increase the strength of the venting film 33, it is also preferable to use a structure in which reinforcing layers, such as fabrics, nonwovens, meshes, foams, and the like, are stacked.

[0030] The cover 34 is made of resin and comprises a disc-shaped section 34a and locking pieces 34b that extend downwards from a plurality of positions on the outer edge of the disc-shaped section 34a in the circumferential direction (three positions in this example). A locking claw 34c is formed at the distal end part of the locking piece 34b.

[0031] The rubber ring 31 is inserted into the cylindrical section 32a of the support unit 32 and attached to an end portion of the cylindrical section 32a on the side of the flange section 32b. The edge portion of the venting film 33 is bonded to an annular top surface (flat surface) of the mounting section 32c of the support unit 32. This bonding is achieved by hot welding, ultrasonic welding, gluing, or the like.

[0032] The venting film 33, which is glued to the support unit 32, locks the locking claws 34c of the locking pieces 34b of the cover 34 onto the corresponding notches 32d of the support unit 32, thus securing the cover 34 to the support unit 32. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, when the cover 34 is attached to the support unit 32, a tiny gap 35 is formed between the top of the vent film 33 and the bottom of the disc-shaped section 34a of the cover 34. As a result, air can flow through the through-hole within the support unit 32, the vent film 33, the gap 35, and a gap 36 between the locking pieces 34b adjacent to each other.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the vent valve 30, mounted on the first pipe body 10, is inserted into the through-bore 13 of the first pipe body 10 by inserting the cylindrical section 32a of the support unit 32 into the through-bore 13 of the first pipe body 10 and gluing the support unit 32 to the side surface of the first pipe body 10, so that the rubber ring 31 closely contacts the area around the outer edge of the through-bore 13 of the first pipe body 10 over its entire circumference. Therefore, the vent valve 30 can be attached to the first pipe body 10.

[0034] If the internal pressure changes due to a temperature change caused by the thermal radiation of the electrical conductor W or the like within the sealed structure of the outer element 1 (the first tube body 10 + the pair of second tube bodies 20), air can flow between inside and outside the sealed space via the vent valve 30. As described above, the vent valve 30, which is separate from the second tube body 20, is attached to the through-bore 13 of the first tube body 10, thus forming a "venting section" of the present invention.

[0035] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the outer element 1 comprises the first tube body 10 and the second tube body 20 made of a material that is more flexible than the first tube body 10. When the internal pressure of the outer element 1 changes, the more flexible second tube body 20 deforms ahead of the first tube body 10. Here, the vent valve 30 is provided in the first tube body 10 instead of the second tube body 20, which, as described above, can be easily deformed.

[0036] In contrast to the case where the vent valve 30 is located in the second pipe body 20, there is therefore hardly any deformation or the like between the vent valve 30 and the point where the vent valve 30 is attached (the through-hole 13). Therefore, a deterioration of the watertightness of the vent valve 30 itself due to deformation can be prevented, and a deterioration of the watertightness of the outer element 1 can be prevented. Therefore, the outer element 1 can also prevent a deterioration of its watertightness even if the internal pressure changes due to the thermal radiation of the electrical conductor W introduced through the outer element 1 or the like.

[0037] The second tube body 20 is configured to provide a watertight seal for the electrical conductor W between the opening section 12 of the first tube body 10 and the connector C. This also improves the watertightness between the outer element 1 and the connector C. <Weitere Ausführungsformen>

[0038] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above and that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be modified and improved accordingly. Materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, arrangement positions, and the like of each component in the embodiment described above are arbitrary, provided that the present invention is feasible and not limited.

[0039] For example, in the embodiment above, the first tube body 10 has a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5A, the first pipe body 10 has a rectangular shape. Therefore, the through-hole 13 of the first pipe body 10 can be formed on a flat surface section of a side wall of the first pipe body 10. This further facilitates the processing of the through-hole 13 and can easily improve watertightness.

[0040] Even if the first pipe body 10 has a cylindrical shape, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, a flat surface section 14 can be provided on part of the side surface of the first tube body 10, and the through-hole 13 can be formed in the flat surface section 14. With this arrangement, since the vent valve 30 is attached to the flat surface section 14, the machining of the through-hole 13 is further facilitated and the watertightness can be easily improved.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, the vent valve 30 is attached only to the central section of the first pipe body 10 in the longitudinal direction. However, the vent valve 30 can be attached to a plurality of positions on the first pipe body 10 in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the vent valve 30 is provided as an element separate from the first pipe body 10. However, an element with a function corresponding to that of the vent valve 30 can be integrally provided with the first pipe body 10 (e.g., by overmolding).

[0043] In the above embodiment, a vent valve 30 is provided for an external element 1. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, however, a large number of vent valves 30 can be provided for an external element 1.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the outer element 1 comprises a single first tube body 10. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the outer element 1 can, however, comprise a plurality of first tube bodies 10 such that the first tube bodies 10 enclose a tube body 100 with a venting film provided with the vent valve 30. In this case, the first tube body 10 and the tube body 100 with venting film are preferably made of the same materials. If the first tube body 10 and the tube body 100 with venting film are made of different materials, they can be made of materials with similar coefficients of thermal expansion. <anwendungsbeispiel>>

[0045] An application example of the outer element 1 is given with reference to Fig. 8 described. Fig. Figure 8 illustrates a state of the outer element 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a vehicle 4.

[0046] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the vehicle 4 comprises a battery 41, which is arranged on a front section of a vehicle body 43, and an inverter 42, which is arranged on a rear section of the vehicle body 43. A wiring harness (electrical conductor) is inserted into the outer element 1, which is wired to connect the battery 41 and the inverter 42. In particular, the first tubular body 10 of the outer element 1 is configured to cover and protect the wiring harness (electrical cable). The terminals C connected to the battery 41 and the inverter 42 are provided at both ends of the wiring harness, and the circumference of the terminal C is covered by the second tubular body 20 (see also Figure 8). Fig. 1).

[0047] The vent valve 30 is provided on a substantially central section of the first pipe body 10 of the outer element 1, which is wired in this manner. In other words, in this example, the vent valve 30 is provided outside a cabin.

[0048] However, the vent valve 30 does not necessarily have to be located outside the cabin. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the vent valve 30 can be located inside the cabin. In this case, it is better to place the vent valve 30 in a location where the temperature change is small and the thermal expansion and contraction of the first pipe body 10 hardly occurs.

[0049] The features of the embodiments of the outer element 1 according to the present invention are summarized below in (1) to (5). (1) Outer element (1) of an electrical conductor (W), comprising: a first pipe body (10); and a second pipe body (20), wherein the first tube body (10) comprises a hollow section (11) through which the electrical conductor (W) is inserted, an opening section (12) from which the electrical conductor (W) is withdrawn, and a vent section (30) which is impermeable to moisture and permeable to air, and wherein the second tube body (20) is provided to extend from the first tube body (10) and to cover an outer circumference of the electrical conductor (W) drawn from the opening section, and is made of a material that is more flexible than a material of the first tube body (10). (2) The outer element (1) according to (1), wherein the second tube body (20) is configured to provide a watertight cover for the electrical conductor (W) between the opening section (12) and another element (C) when a terminal of the electrical conductor (W) being pulled out of the opening section (12) is housed in the other element (C). (3) The outer element (1) according to (1) or (2), wherein the first tube body (10) comprises a flat surface section on at least a part of a side wall of the first tube body (10), and wherein the venting section (30) is provided in the flat surface section. (4) The outer element (1) according to one of (1) to (3), wherein the first tube body (10) is made of polypropylene or polyamide resin. (5) Outer element (1) for protecting a cable harness comprising an electrical conductor (W) wired for connecting between an inverter (42) and a battery (41) and a connector (C) provided at least at one end of the electrical cable (W), wherein the outer element (1) comprises: a first tube body (10) with a hollow section (11) through which the electrical conductor (W) is inserted, and an opening section (12) from which the electrical conductor (W) is withdrawn; and a second tube body (20) which is provided to extend from the first tube body (10) to cover an outer circumference of the connectors (C) which are provided on the electrical conductor (W) drawn out of the opening section, wherein the first pipe body (10) includes a venting section (30) which is impermeable to moisture and permeable to air. [Description of reference symbols] 1 outer element 10 first pipe body 11 Hollow section 12 Opening section 20 second pipe body 30 Vent valve (vent section) C connector (another element) W electrical line< / anwendungsbeispiel>

Claims

[1] Outer element (1) of an electrical conductor (W), comprising: a first pipe body (10); and a second pipe body (20), wherein the first tube body (10) has a hollow section (11) through which the electrical conductor (W) is inserted, an opening section (12) from which the electrical conductor (W) is withdrawn, and a vent section (30) which is impermeable to moisture and permeable to air, and wherein the second tube body (20) is present to extend from the first tube body (10) and to cover an outer circumference of the electrical conductor (W) drawn from the opening section (12), and is made of a material that is more flexible than a material of the first tube body (10), characterized by , that the first tube body (10) has a flat surface section (14) on at least a part of a side wall of the first tube body (10), and wherein the venting section (30) is present in the flat surface section (14), and wherein the flat surface section (14) extends along an axial direction of the first pipe body (10). [2] Outer element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second tube body (20) is configured to provide a watertight cover for the electrical conductor (W) between the opening section (12) and another element when a connection of the electrical cable (W) drawn out of the opening section (12) is housed in the other element. [3] Outer element (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first tube body (10) is made of polypropylene or polyamide resin. [4] Outer element (1) for protecting a cable harness, comprising an electrical conductor (W) wired for connecting between an inverter (42) and a battery (41), and a connector (C) provided at least at one end of the electrical cable (W), wherein the outer element (1) comprises: a first tube body (10) with a hollow section (11) through which the electrical conductor (W) is inserted, and with an opening section (12) from which the electrical conductor (W) is withdrawn; and a second tube body (20) which is provided such that it extends from the first tube body (10) to cover an outer circumference of the connector (C) which is provided on the electrical conductor (W) which is drawn from the opening section (12), wherein the first pipe body (10) has a venting section (30) which is impermeable to moisture and permeable to air, characterized by , that the first tube body (10) has a flat surface section (14) on at least a part of a side wall of the first tube body (10), and wherein the venting section (30) is located in the flat surface section (14), and wherein the flat surface section (14) extends along an axial direction of the first tube body (10).

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