Management structure

Abstract

A guide structure (1) comprises: a first fixed section (10) attached to a vehicle body (110); a second fixed section (20) attached to a sliding body moving in a vehicle front-backward direction (X) with respect to an opening (120a) of a roof (120); an outer element formed by joining a plurality of relatively rotatable tubular elements and having a first end section (30a) and a second end section (30b); an electrical wire (W);and a preloading element (50) that presses the outer element towards the sliding body, wherein a distance between the second end section and the first end section in a vehicle up-down direction (Y) in a fully closed position of the sliding body is a first distance (L1), the outer element is configured such that an angle at which two tubular elements rotate relative to each other is a predetermined angle or less, and the predetermined angle is an angle at which the outer element forms a curved shape whose diameter is the first distance.;

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a management structure. 2. Description of related technology

[0002] Until now, there has been a power-driven advancement device for a sliding body. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-151906 discloses a power supply device for a sliding body. The power supply device includes a wiring harness that is routed over a vehicle body and the sliding body, which is slidably provided in the vehicle body and opens and closes an opening formed in the vehicle body.

[0003] When a guide structure between a vehicle body and a sliding body includes an outer member, it is desirable that a shape of the outer member be stable. For example, the outer member is held by the sliding body and the vehicle body in a state where a curved portion is curved in a sliding direction of the sliding body. In a case where the width of a space in which the outer member is housed is small, the radius of the curved portion of the outer member becomes small. If the shape of the curved portion is unstable, there is a possibility that the bending strength of an electric wire laid inside the outer member will be deteriorated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a guide structure capable of stabilizing the shape of an outer member.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a guide structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first fixed portion fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle; a second fixed portion fixed to a sliding body that moves in a vehicle front-rear direction with respect to an opening provided in a roof of the vehicle body; an outer member formed by connecting a plurality of relatively rotatable tubular members and having a first end portion held by the first fixed portion and a second end portion held by the second fixed portion; an electric wire inserted into the outer member; and a biasing member inserted into the outer member and urging the outer member toward the sliding body.wherein the sliding body moves in a vehicle up-down direction in addition to the vehicle front-back direction between a fully closed position in which the opening is closed and a fully open position in which the opening is open, wherein a distance from the first end portion to the second end portion in the vehicle up-down direction in the fully closed position is a first distance, a distance from the first end portion to the second end portion in the vehicle up-down direction of the vehicle in the fully open position is a second distance that is greater than the first distance, the outer member is configured such that an angle at which two of the tubular members adjacent to each other rotate relative to each other is a predetermined angle or less, the predetermined angle is an angle at which the outer member forms a curved shape,whose diameter is the first distance, and the biasing element forms a curved shape in the outer element when the sliding body is in the fully open position, the curved shape having a diameter corresponding to the second distance.

[0006] The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view of a guide structure according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a side view of the guide structure according to the embodiment; Fig. 3 is a side view of an outer member according to the embodiment; Fig. 4 is a view of a tubular member according to the embodiment; Fig. 5 is a view for describing a maximum angle when two tubular members rotate relative to each other; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide structure according to the embodiment; and Fig. 7 is a side view of the guide structure according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Below, a guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. Furthermore, the components of the following embodiment include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or that are substantially the same. Embodiment

[0008] An embodiment is described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 7. The present embodiment relates to a guide structure. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are side views of the guide structure according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a side view of an outer member according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a view of a tubular member according to the embodiment, Fig. 5 is a view for describing a maximum angle when two tubular members rotate relative to each other, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guide structure according to the embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a side view of the guide structure according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a cross section along the line VI-VI of Fig. 7.

[0009] As in Fig. 1, a guide structure 1 of the embodiment is attached to a sunroof 200 of a vehicle 100.

[0010] Vehicle 100 is, for example, a motor vehicle to which a power source such as an engine or machine is attached. Vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 110. Vehicle body 110 includes a roof 120 that covers a vehicle interior.

[0011] The roof 120 has an opening 120a which is open upwards.

[0012] The vehicle 100 has a sunroof 200 that opens and closes the opening 120a. The sunroof 200 includes a sliding body 210, a rail 220, and the guide structure 1.

[0013] The sliding body 210 is a member that slides in a vehicle front-rear direction X with respect to the opening 120a.

[0014] The sliding body 210 of the present embodiment is a plate-shaped member that closes the opening 120a or opens the opening 120a. The sliding body 210 can be made of glass that can transmit light.

[0015] The sunroof 200 includes a mechanism, such as a link mechanism, that moves the sliding body 210 along a predetermined path, and a drive source, such as a motor, that drives the mechanism.

[0016] The sunroof 200 moves the sliding body 210 between a fully closed position in which the opening 120a is closed and a fully open position in which the opening 120a is open. Fig. 1 shows the sliding body 210 in the fully closed position. Fig. 2 shows the sliding body 210 in the fully open position.

[0017] The rail 220 is attached to the vehicle body 110. The rail 220 extends in the vehicle front-to-rear direction X. The rail 220 supports the mechanism that moves the sliding body 210 and guides the mechanism in the vehicle front-to-rear direction X. The rail 220 further supports an outer member 30 to form a first extending portion 31 in the outer member 30.

[0018] The sunroof 200 of the present embodiment moves the sliding body 210 along a Fig. 2. The movement of the sliding body 210 along the path AR0 includes a movement in the vehicle front-rear direction X and a movement in a vehicle up-down direction Y. When the sliding body 210 moves from the fully closed position to the fully opened position, the sliding body 210 moves to an upper side Y1 in the vehicle up-down direction Y, as indicated by an arrow AR1 in Fig. 2, and moves to a rear side X2 in the vehicle front-rear direction X.

[0019] Conversely, when the sliding body 210 moves from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the sliding body 210 moves toward a front side X1 in the vehicle front-rear direction X and moves toward a bottom side Y2 in the vehicle up-down direction Y.

[0020] The routing structure 1 of the present embodiment includes a first fixed portion 10, a second fixed portion 20, an outer member 30, an electric wire W, and a biasing member 50. The outer member 30 and the electric wire W form a wire harness that is routed between the vehicle body 110 and the slide body 210.

[0021] The first fixed portion 10 is a member attached to the vehicle body 110 of the vehicle 100. The first fixed portion 10 may be a protective device that protects the electric wire W. The first fixed portion 10 is formed, for example, from an insulating resin. The first fixed portion 10 has a space in which the electric wire W is guided and includes a support structure for supporting the outer member 30.

[0022] The second fixed portion 20 is a member fixed to the sliding body 210 of the sunroof 200. The second fixed portion 20 may be a protective device that protects the electric wire W. The second fixed portion 20 is formed, for example, from an insulating resin. The second fixed portion 20 has a space in which the electric wire W is guided and includes a support structure for supporting the outer member 30.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the outer member 30 of the present embodiment is formed by joining a plurality of tubular members 6. The tubular member 6 is molded from, for example, an insulating resin.

[0024] Adjacent tubular elements 6 are connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other. Inside the tubular element 6, there is a passage 6a into which the electric wire W and the biasing element 50 can be inserted.

[0025] As in Fig. 4, the tubular member 6 includes a main body 60, a shaft portion 61, a through hole 62, a notch 63, and a contact portion 64. The main body 60 of the present embodiment has a rectangular tubular shape.

[0026] The passage 6a extending in the axial direction Ax is provided in the main body 60. The shaft portion 61 is arranged at one end of the main body 60 in the axial direction Ax. The tubular member 6 includes a pair of shaft portions 61. The pair of shaft portions 61 protrude in opposite directions from the main body 60. The illustrated shape of the shaft portion 61 is a columnar shape.

[0027] The through hole 62 is located at the other end of the main body 60 in the axial direction Ax. The tubular member 6 includes a pair of through holes 62. Two tubular members 6 are connected by inserting the shaft portion 61 of one tubular member 6 into the through hole 62 of the other tubular member 6. The through hole 62 penetrates the facing wall portions 60b with the passage 6a therebetween.

[0028] The notch 63 and the contact portion 64 define an angle at which two tubular elements 6 rotate relative to each other within a predetermined range. The notch 63 is located near the shaft portion 61 in the main body 60. More specifically, one end of the main body 60 has an arcuate wall portion 60a. The shaft portion 61 is arranged coaxially with the arcuate shape of the wall portion 60a and protrudes from the wall portion 60a. The notch 63 is shaped to cut out part of an edge of the wall portion 60a.

[0029] The contact portion 64 is arranged near the through-hole 62 in the main body 60. More specifically, the other end of the main body 60 has the arcuate wall portion 60b. The through-hole 62 is arranged coaxially with the arcuate shape of the wall portion 60b. The contact portion 64 may be a wall portion between two wall portions 60b, a column portion, or a projection. The contact portion 64 is arranged to be positioned in an area formed by the notch 63 in a state where the shaft portion 61 is inserted into the through-hole 62. When the contact portion 64 comes into contact with an end surface of the notch 63 in a case where two tubular members 6 rotate relative to each other, further rotation is restricted.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a maximum angle θ when two tubular members 6 rotate relative to each other. The maximum angle θ is an angle at which the contact portion 64 of one tubular member 6 comes into contact with the end surface of the notch 63 of the other tubular member 6. The two tubular members 6 are rotatable relative to each other within a range in which an angle formed by an axial direction Ax1 of one tubular member 6 and an axial direction Ax2 of the other tubular member 6 does not exceed the maximum angle θ.

[0031] The outer member 30 has a first end portion 30a supported by the first fixed portion 10 and a second end portion 30b supported by the second fixed portion 20. The first fixed portion 10 supports the first end portion 30a such that the outer member 30 extends from the first fixed portion 10 along the rail 220 in the vehicle front-rear direction X.

[0032] The first fixed portion 10 of the present embodiment holds the first end portion 30a so that the outer member 30 extends from the first fixed portion 10 to the front side X1.

[0033] The second fixed portion 20 supports the second end portion 30b so that the outer member 30 extends from the second fixed portion 20 along the slide body 210 in the vehicle front-rear direction X. The second fixed portion 20 of the present embodiment supports the second end portion 30b so that the outer member 30 extends from the second fixed portion 20 to the front side X1.

[0034] As in Fig. 4, the electrical wire W and the biasing member 50 are inserted into the outer member 30. The electrical wire W is, for example, a covered electrical wire including a stranded wire and a sheath. The electrical wire W may be a flat wiring member, a printed circuit board, or another circuit board. The electrical wire W leading out of the first end portion 30a is connected to a power supply or a control device disposed in the vehicle body 110. The electrical wire W leading out of the second end portion 30b is connected to a load disposed on the sliding body 210. The load disposed on the sliding body 210 may be, for example, a lighting device, a light-shielding film disposed on the glass of the sliding body 210, or another electrical load.

[0035] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in the guide structure 1 of the present embodiment, curved portions 33 and 34 are formed between the first end portion 30a and the second end portion 30b of the outer member 30, which are curved in the vehicle front-rear direction X. The curved portion 33 shown in Fig. 1 is a curved portion formed in the outer member 30 in a state where the sliding body 210 is in the fully closed position. The curved portion 33 has a radius R1. Fig. The curved portion 34 shown in Figure 2 is a curved portion formed in the outer member 30 in a state where the slide body 210 is in the fully open position. The curved portion 34 has a radius R2. The electric wire W in which the curved portions 33 and 34 are formed has a U-shape or a J-shape.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the distance between the second end portion 30b and the first end portion 30a in the vehicle's up-down direction Y is a first distance L1 when the sliding body 210 is in the fully closed position. The radius R1 of the curved portion 33 is half of the first distance L1.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the distance between the second end portion 30b and the first end portion 30a in the vehicle's up-down direction Y is a second distance L2 when the sliding body 210 is in the fully open position. The radius R2 of the curved portion 34 is half of the second distance L2.

[0038] The second end portion 30b of the outer member 30 moves together with the sliding body 210. At this time, the outer member 30 follows the movement of the second fixed portion 20 while gradually changing a position in which the curved shape is formed.

[0039] As in the Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, the electric wire W and the biasing member 50 are inserted into the passage 6a of the tubular member 6. The illustrated shape of the biasing member 50 is a flat plate. A cross-sectional shape of the biasing member 50 in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the biasing member 50 is rectangular. The biasing member 50 extends from one end to the other end in a width direction H in an interior space of the outer member 30. The biasing member 50 faces each of the plurality of electric wires W in the vehicle up-down direction Y. In other words, the biasing member 50 has a width capable of supporting the plurality of electric wires W.

[0040] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, the outer member 30, the electric wire W, and the biasing member 50 are guided in a state where they are bent into a U-shape or a J-shape. That is, the biasing member 50 extends from the first fixed portion 10 to the second fixed portion 20 in a state where a curved part 54 is curved in the vehicle front-rear direction X.

[0041] The biasing member 50, which is bent to have the curved portion 54, exerts the pressing force F1 and the pressing force F2 on the outer member 30. The pressing force F1 is a force in the vehicle up-down direction Y and presses the outer member 30 against the rail 220. The pressing force F2 is a force in the vehicle up-down direction Y and presses the outer member 30 toward the slide body 210. The pressing forces F1 and F2 are restoring forces generated in the bent biasing member 50.

[0042] The pressing force F1 forms the first extending portion 31 in the outer member 30. The pressing force F2 forms a second extending portion 32 in the outer member 30. The second extending portion 32 is a portion extending along a vehicle inner side surface 210a of the slide body 210. The vehicle inner side surface 210a is a surface facing the lower side Y2. In a case where the vehicle inner side surface 210a is a flat surface, the second extending portion 32 is formed linearly. In a case where the vehicle inner side surface 210a has a curved shape, the second extending portion 32 has a curved shape along the vehicle inner side surface 210a.

[0043] In the guide structure 1 of the present embodiment, the outer member 30 forms the curved portion 33 in the fully closed position, and the biasing member 50 forms the curved portion 34 in the fully opened position, as described below.

[0044] First, a configuration for forming the curved part 33 as shown in Fig. 1. In the outer member 30 of the present embodiment, the maximum angle θ between the tubular members 6 is set to a predetermined angle θ1, so that the interconnected tubular members 6 form the curved portion 33. Two adjacent tubular members 6 rotate relative to each other in a range of the predetermined angle θ1 or less. The predetermined angle θ1 is determined so that the Fig. 1 is formed by the relative rotation of a plurality of continuous tubular elements 6 at the predetermined angle θ1.

[0045] The radius R1 of the curved portion 33 in the fully closed position is a minimum radius formed by the outer element 30 within a range defined by a restriction structure 65 formed by the contact portion 64 and the notch 63. That is, in the curved portion 33 having the radius R1, the two adjacent tubular members 6 bring the contact portion 64 into contact with the notch 63. As described above, the outer member 30 of the present embodiment forms a curved shape whose diameter is the first distance L1 in a state where the relative rotation of the tubular members 6 is locked by the restricting structure 65. Therefore, each tubular member 6 of the outer member 30 forms the curved portion 33 when the slide body 210 is in the fully closed position. At this time, the biasing member 50 is elastically deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer member 30.

[0046] A configuration for forming the curved portion 34 in the fully open position, which in Fig. 2 will now be described. In a fully open state, which is shown in Fig. 2, the distance between the first end portion 30a and the second end portion 30b in the vehicle up-down direction Y is the second distance L2. The second distance L2 is greater than the first distance L1 in a fully closed state. In this case, the biasing member 50 forms the curved portion 34 with the radius R2 in the outer member 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the biasing member 50 of the present embodiment has a rigidity capable of forming the arcuate curved portion 54 in the fully opened state. The biasing member 50 in the fully opened state includes an extension portion 52 extending along the slide body 210 on a side closer to the second end portion 30b than the curved portion 54. That is, the biasing member 50 exerts the pressing force F2 on the outer member 30 through the extension portion 52 positioned closer to the second end portion 30b than to the curved portion 54. With such a configuration as shown in Fig. 2, the second extension portion 32 extending along the sliding body 210 is formed on the outer member 30.

[0047] The biasing member 50 presses the outer member 30 against the sliding body 210 with the pressing force F2 to suppress the separation of the outer member 30 from the sliding body 210. Therefore, the biasing member 50 can suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise caused by vibration of the outer member 30. When the sliding body 210 is moved, the biasing member 50 can adjust a radius of the curved shape of the outer member 30 to a maximum radius corresponding to a position of the sliding body 210. In other words, the biasing member 50 can maximize a bending radius of the electric wire W when the outer member 30 slides with respect to the sliding body 210 and the rail 220.

[0048] In addition, the biasing member 50 presses the outer member 30 against the sliding body 210 with the pressing force F2 when the sliding body 210 is fully closed. The pressing force F2 suppresses the separation of the outer member 30 from the sliding body 210. Therefore, the biasing member 50 can suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise caused by the vibration of the outer member 30.

[0049] As described above, the guide structure 1 of the present embodiment includes the first fixed portion 10, the second fixed portion 20, the outer member 30, the electric wire W, and the biasing member 50. The first fixed portion 10 is fixed to the vehicle body 110 of the vehicle 100. The second fixed portion 20 is fixed to the sliding body 210. The sliding body 210 moves in the vehicle front-rear direction X with respect to the opening 120a provided in the roof 120 of the vehicle body 110. The outer member 30 is formed by connecting the plurality of relatively rotatable tubular members 6. The outer member 30 has a first end portion 30a held by the first fixed portion 10 and a second end portion 30b held by the second fixed portion 20. The electric wire W and the biasing member 50 are inserted into the outer member 30.The preloading element 50 presses the outer element 30 against the sliding body 210.

[0050] The sliding body 210 moves in the vehicle up-down direction Y and the vehicle front-back direction X between the fully closed position in which the opening 120a is closed and the fully open position in which the opening 120a is opened. The distance between the second end portion 30b and the first end portion 30a in the vehicle up-down direction Y in the fully closed position is the first distance L1. The distance between the second end portion 30b and the first end portion 30a in the vehicle up-down direction Y in the fully open position is the second distance L2, which is greater than the first distance L1.

[0051] The outer member 30 is configured so that the angle at which two adjacent tubular members 6 rotate relative to each other is the predetermined angle θ1 or less. The predetermined angle θ1 is an angle at which the outer member 30 forms the curved shape whose diameter is the first distance L1. The biasing member 50 forms a curved shape whose diameter corresponds to the second distance L2 in the outer member 30 when the sliding body 210 is in the fully open position.

[0052] In the guide structure 1 of the present embodiment, the tubular members 6 form the curved shape of the outer member 30 in the fully closed state in which the distance between the first end portion 30a and the second end portion 30b in the vehicle up-down direction Y decreases.

[0053] The tubular member 6 can stabilize the shape of the curved portion 33 in the fully closed state, in which the bending radius of the outer member 30 decreases. When the sunroof 200 is fully opened, the biasing member 50 shapes the curved portion 34 of the outer member 30 and stabilizes the shape of the curved portion 34. Therefore, the guide structure 1 of the present embodiment can stabilize the shape of the outer member 30.

[0054] The biasing member 50 of the present embodiment urges the outer member 30 toward the sliding body 210 so that the second portion 32 extending along the sliding body 210 is formed on the outer member 30 when the sliding body 210 is in the fully opened position.

[0055] Thereby, the separation of the outer member 30 from the sliding body 210 is suppressed, and the occurrence of abnormal noise caused by the vibration of the outer member 30 can be suppressed.

[0056] The contents disclosed in the above embodiment may be combined and executed as appropriate.

[0057] In the guide structure according to the present embodiment, the outer member is configured so that an angle at which two adjacent tubular members rotate relative to each other is a predetermined angle or less, and the predetermined angle is an angle at which the outer member forms a curved shape whose diameter is a first distance. With the guide structure of the present embodiment, a stable curved shape is formed as the bending radius of the outer member decreases. Therefore, the guide structure of the present embodiment has the effect of stabilizing the shape of the outer member. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2011-151906

[0002]

Claims

[1] A management structure (1) comprising: a first fixed portion (10) attached to a vehicle body (110) of a vehicle (100); a second fixed portion (20) fixed to a sliding body (210) that moves in a vehicle front-rear direction (X) with respect to an opening (120a) provided in a roof (120) of the vehicle body (110); an outer member (30) formed by connecting a plurality of relatively rotatable tubular members (6) and having a first end portion (30a) held by the first fixed portion (10) and a second end portion (30b) held by the second fixed portion (20); an electric wire (W) inserted into the outer member (30); and a biasing element (50) which is inserted into the outer element (30) and presses the outer element (30) towards the sliding body (210), wherein the sliding body (210) moves in a vehicle up-down direction (Y) in addition to the vehicle front-back direction (X) between a fully closed position in which the opening (120a) is closed and a fully open position in which the opening (120a) is open, a distance from the first end portion (30a) to the second end portion (30b) in the vehicle up-down direction (Y) in the fully closed position is a first distance (L1), a distance from the first end portion (30a) to the second end portion (30b) in the vehicle up-down direction (Y) in the fully open position is a second distance (L2) which is greater than the first distance (L1), the outer element (30) is configured such that an angle at which two adjacent tubular elements (6) rotate relative to each other is a predetermined angle (θ1) or less, the predetermined angle (θ1) is an angle at which the outer member (30) forms a curved shape whose diameter is the first distance (L1), and the biasing element (50) forms a curved shape in the outer element (30) when the sliding body (210) is in the fully open position, the curved shape having a diameter corresponding to the second distance (L2). [2] The guide structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member (50) urges the outer member (30) toward the sliding body (210) so that a portion extending along the sliding body (210) is formed on the outer member (30) when the sliding body (210) is in the fully opened position.

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