Wire routing unit and cable harness

Abstract

A wire laying unit (1) comprises: a first fastening part (2) which is attached to a fastening target; a second fastening part (3) which is spaced apart from the first fastening part and is attached to the fastening target; and a connecting part (4) which has flexibility and connects the first fastening part (2) and the second fastening part (3), the connecting part (4) being formed by winding a wire rod (41) in a spiral manner and enabling a wire (W) to be inserted into and held in an interior.

Description

Background of the invention 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire laying unit. 2. Description of the related technology

[0002] As a conventional wire routing unit and wiring harness, as described in JP 2024-006 300 A, there is, for example, a known wire routing unit (wiring regulating element) that includes a first retaining part and a second retaining part for holding wire elements, wherein the first retaining part and the second retaining part are connected by a first regulating element and a second regulating element, and the first regulating element and the second regulating element are connected by a connecting element. This wire routing unit can be deformed according to the routing path of the wire elements by the connecting element being able to change the angle formed by the first regulating element and the second regulating element, thereby improving the versatility of a wiring path regulating element.

[0003] Incidentally, there is room for improvement with the aforementioned wire routing unit and wiring harness in that it is sometimes difficult to properly route and secure the wires according to the routing path. For example, if the wires are to be routed in a curved manner, it is difficult to route the wires along a curved path with the wire routing unit described above. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a wire routing unit and a cable harness that are capable of properly routing wires along a routing path.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, a wire laying unit according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first fastening part attached to a fastening target; a second fastening part attached to the fastening target; and a connecting part having flexibility and connecting the first fastening part and the second fastening part, wherein the connecting part is formed by winding a wire rod in a spiral manner and enables a wire to be inserted into and held within an interior.

[0006] The above and other objectives, features, advantages and the technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire routing unit and a cable harness according to one embodiment; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wire routing unit and the cable harness according to the embodiment; Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of a wire laying unit according to a comparative example. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Furthermore, the structural components in the following embodiment include those that are easily interchangeable by those skilled in the art or those that are essentially the same. embodiment

[0008] The present embodiment relates to a wire routing unit and a cable harness. In the following description, with respect to a first, a second, and a third direction that intersect each other, the first direction is referred to as the "extension direction X", the second direction as the "latitudinal direction Y", and the third direction as the "height direction Z". Here, the extension direction X, the latitude direction Y, and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. It should be noted that "orthogonal" here also includes nearly orthogonal. The extension direction X corresponds, for example, to the direction in which the wire extends. Unless otherwise specified, each of the directions used in the following description indicates the direction in a state in which the parts are assembled together.

[0009] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a wire routing unit 1 according to the present embodiment is a unit for routing and securing wires W to a mounting point, and it is used, for example, by being loaded onto a vehicle. More precisely, the wire routing unit 1 is used for routing transmission-movable wires. The wire W is a wiring element or a conductive element for enabling an electrical connection. For example, a sheathed wire, in which the outer periphery of a conductive wire is covered by an insulator, is used. Regarding the wire W, two such wires are provided, for example, in parallel. It should be noted that the number of installed wires W is not limited. The wire routing unit 1 also functions as a wiring harness WH containing the wires W. Fig. Figure 1 represents the wire routing unit 1 and the wiring harness WH in a state in which the wires W are laid in a straight form, and Fig. Figure 2 represents the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH in a state in which the wires W are routed along a curved path.

[0010] The wire routing unit 1 comprises a first fastening part 2, a second fastening part 3, and a connecting part 4. The first fastening part 2 is a part that is attached to a fastening target and secures the wire routing unit 1 to the fastening target. The fastening target can be, for example, the body of a vehicle, a vehicle component, an electrical device installed in a vehicle, or the like. The first fastening part 2 is formed from the connecting part 4 by drawing a wire rod 41, which forms the connecting part 4, and includes a ring part 21. The ring part 21 is a part in which the wire rod 41 is formed into an annular shape, and it is attached to the fastening target by allowing a fastener to be inserted into it. The ring part 21 is shaped such that the fastener can be inserted in a direction that intersects the extension direction X of the wire W.For example, it is designed in such a way that the fastening element extending in the width direction Y can be inserted into it.

[0011] Regarding the ring part 21, two such parts are provided in a connected manner. In particular, two ring parts 21 are provided side by side in the extension direction X. Since the first fastening part 2 contains the two ring parts 21, it is possible to insert the fastening element into each of the ring parts 21 to prevent rotation of the first fastening part 2. Therefore, the first fastening part 2 can properly secure the wire routing unit 1 and the wiring harness WH in a desired position and properly route the wires W.

[0012] The second fastening part 3 is a component that is attached to a fastening target and secures the wire laying unit 1 to the fastening target. The second fastening part 3 is positioned at a distance from the first fastening part 2 and secures the wire laying unit 1 at a different position from the first fastening part 2. The second fastening part 3 is formed from the connecting part 4 by drawing out the wire rod 41 that forms the connecting part 4 and includes a ring section 31. The ring section 31 is a component in which the wire rod 41 is formed into an annular shape, and it is attached to the fastening target by allowing a fastening element to be inserted into it. The ring section 31 is shaped such that the fastening element can be inserted in a direction that intersects the extension direction X of the wire W.For example, it is designed in such a way that the fastening element extending in the width direction Y can be inserted into it.

[0013] Regarding the ring part 31, two such parts are provided in a connected manner. In particular, the ring parts 31 are arranged side by side in the extension direction X. Since the second fastening part 3 contains the two ring parts 31, it is possible to insert the fastening element into each of the ring parts 31 to prevent rotation of the second fastening part 3. Therefore, the second fastening part 3 can properly secure the wire routing unit 1 and the wiring harness WH in a desired position and properly route the wires W.

[0014] The connecting part 4 is a flexible component that joins the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3. The connecting part 4 is formed by spirally winding the wire rod 41 and holds the wires W by inserting them into its interior, thus regulating the routing path of the wires W. The spiral winding of the wire rod 41 allows the connecting part 4 to be bent and deformed in its direction of extension. By inserting the wires W into the interior of the connecting part 4 and deforming it, the wires W can therefore be routed along the curved routing path.

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the wire laying unit 1 enables the wires W to be laid in a straight line by aligning the connecting part 4. As shown in Figure 1, the wire laying unit 1 allows the wires W to be laid in a straight line by aligning the connecting part 4. Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the wires W can be laid along the curved path using the wire laying unit 1 by bending the connecting part 4. The wire rod 41 is made of a material that deforms elastically or plastically. It is made, for example, of resin or metal.

[0016] The connecting part 4 is configured from a single wire rod 41. Furthermore, the connecting part 4 is configured using this single wire rod 41 together with the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3. In other words, the connecting part 4, the first fastening part 2, and the second fastening part 3 are formed by machining or deforming the single wire rod 41. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components and configure the wire laying unit 1 with fewer components compared to the case where the connecting part 4, the first fastening part 2, and the second fastening part 3 are formed from separate elements.

[0017] Next, a method of using the wire laying unit 1 and the cable harness WH according to the present embodiment is described.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the wire laying unit 1 is externally attached to the wires W, holds the wires W so that the wires W are laid along the laying path, and is attached to the fastening target.

[0019] First, the wire routing unit 1 is attached to the wires W. In other words, the wires W are inserted into the connecting part 4 to cover the wires W externally with the connecting part 4, thereby attaching the wire routing unit 1 to the wires W. For example, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, where the wires W are laid in a straight shape, the wire laying unit 1 is installed so that the connecting part 4 is in a straight shape.

[0020] The wire laying unit 1 is attached to the mounting target by attaching the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3 to the mounting target. In other words, the first mounting part 2 is attached to the mounting target by inserting a fastener into the ring part 21. For example, the first mounting part 2 is secured by inserting a projection extending from the mounting target into one of the two ring parts 21 and by inserting a fastener, such as a bolt, into the other of the two ring parts 21. This prevents the first mounting part 2 from rotating around the ring part 21 and ensures it is properly secured. The second mounting part 3 is also attached to the mounting target by inserting a fastener into the ring part 31.As in the case of the first fastening part 2, the second fastening part 3 is also fastened, for example, by inserting a projection extending from the fastening target into one of the two ring parts 31 and inserting a fastening element, for example a bolt, into the other of the two ring parts 31. This prevents the second fastening part 3 from rotating around the ring part 31 and ensures that it is properly fastened.

[0021] For example, in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, if the wires W are laid in a curved manner, the wire routing unit 1 is installed such that the connecting part 4 is deformed in a curved manner. In this case, the wire routing unit 1 is also attached to the fixing point by attaching the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 to the fixing point.

[0022] The wires W are held by the connecting part 4 between the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3 and are properly routed along the connecting part 4. As, for example, in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, for example, in a wire laying unit 100 where the connecting part 4 is not provided between the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3, it is difficult to lay the wires W properly. In other words, the wires W are laid between the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3, while sagging due to their own weight. Particularly if they are laid in a curved manner, the wires W can sag considerably. In this case, there is a concern that the wires W will also sway considerably due to vibrations. Furthermore, a portion of the wires W extending from the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3 will be bent, and the load will be concentrated on this portion.In contrast, in the wire routing unit 1 according to the present embodiment, the wires W can be supported by bending the connecting part 4 between the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3. Therefore, with the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the wires W from hanging down while being routed between the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3, and to suppress the concentration of stress on the wires W, thus enabling the wires W to be routed correctly.

[0023] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 2, the wire routing unit 1 can also be used in a mode where one of the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3 are moved. In other words, in a state where the connecting part 4 is installed in a bent position and the wires W are routed along the connecting part 4 in a curved manner, the wire routing unit 1 can be used in a mode where the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3 are moved so that they are farther apart or closer together. In this case, the curvature of the connecting part 4 and the wires W changes due to the movement of either the first mounting part 2 or the second mounting part 3.Since the connecting part 4 is flexible, it can be deformed and bent by changing its curvature in accordance with the movement of the first fastening part 2 or the second fastening part 3 in order to properly support the wires W. Therefore, with the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the concentration of the load on the wires W and to bend and route the wires W properly even when used in a mode in which the first fastening part 2 or the second fastening part 3 is moved.

[0024] The wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH facilitate smooth fastening at the mounting point by connecting the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3 via the connecting part 4. For example, when the first fastening part 2 is attached to the mounting point in the wire routing unit 1, the direction and position relative to the mounting position of the second fastening part 3 are limited by the connecting part 4. This prevents the wires W from twisting during routing and simplifies the fastening process for the second fastening part 3. Therefore, the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH enable smooth fastening at the mounting point compared to a situation where the connecting part 4 is not present.

[0025] As described above, with the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH according to the present embodiment, the routing path of the wires W between the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3 can be regulated by the connecting part 4 by connecting the first mounting part 2 and the second mounting part 3 using the spirally formed connecting part 4, thus making it possible to properly regulate the routing path even if the routing path is curved. Therefore, with the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH according to the present embodiment, the wires W can be properly routed along the routing path.

[0026] Furthermore, in the wire laying unit 1 according to the present embodiment, the ring part 21 of the first fastening part 2 and the ring part 31 of the second fastening part 3, as well as the connecting part 4 with the wire rod 41, can be configured. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced compared to the case in which the ring part 21 and the ring part 31 are formed with components other than the connecting part 4.

[0027] By providing the two ring parts 21 and the two ring parts 31 in a connected manner, the wire laying unit 1 according to the present embodiment can be properly attached to the fastening target by suppressing rotation of the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3.

[0028] It should be noted that the wire routing unit and the cable harness according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications within the scope of the appended claims are possible. The wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH according to the present embodiment can also be configured by a suitable combination of the structural components of the embodiment described above.

[0029] For example, in the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH described above, according to the present embodiment described above, the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3, as well as the connecting part 4, are configured with the same wire rod 41. However, the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3 can be configured with different elements than the connecting part 4. Even with such a wire routing unit 1 and such a cable harness WH, the wires W can be properly routed by connecting the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3 to the spirally formed connecting part 4.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the wire routing unit 1 and the cable harness WH are indeed provided with the first fastening part 2, which contains the two ring parts 21, and the second fastening part 3, which contains the two ring parts 31; however, the first fastening part 2 may contain a single ring part 21 and the second fastening part 3 may contain a single ring part 31. Even with such a wire routing unit 1 and such a cable harness WH, the cables W can be properly routed by connecting the first fastening part 2 and the second fastening part 3 through the spirally formed connecting part 4.

[0031] According to the wire routing unit and cable harness according to the present embodiment, cables can be properly routed along the routing path and the number of components can be reduced. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2024 - 006 300 A

[0002]

Claims

A wire laying unit (1) comprising: a first fastening part (2) attached to a fastening target; a second fastening part (3) attached to the fastening target; and a connecting part (4) having flexibility and connecting the first fastening part (2) and the second fastening part (3), wherein the connecting part (4) is formed by winding a wire rod (41) in a spiral manner and enables a wire (W) to be inserted into and held in an interior. The wire laying unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening part (2) and the second fastening part (3) each contain a ring part (21, 31) which is formed in an annular shape, in that the wire (41) which forms the connecting part (4) extends from the connecting part (4). The wire laying unit (1) according to claim 2, wherein in each of the first fastening part (2) and the second fastening part (3) two of the ring parts (21, 31) are provided in a connected manner. A wiring harness (WH) comprising: a wire (W); and a wire routing unit (1) mounted on the wire (W), the wire routing unit (1) comprising: a first fastening part (2) attached to a fastening destination; a second fastening part (3) attached to the fastening destination; and a connecting part (4) having flexibility and connecting the first fastening part (2) and the second fastening part (3), the connecting part (4) being formed by winding a wire rod (41) in a spiral manner and enabling the wire (W) to be inserted into and held within an interior.

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