wiring harness

Abstract

Wiring harness that includes: an outer element (7) whose one end is attached to a sliding structural body (5) and whose other end is attached to a stationary structural body (1), a power supply device (6) on the side of the sliding structural body (5) which pivotably mounts the outer element (7) so that it can be rotated in a horizontal direction about a vertical axis passing through one end of the outer element (7), and a power supply device (4) on the side of the stationary structural body (1) which pivotably mounts the outer element (7) so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis which passes through the other end of the outer element (7), characterized by the fact that at least one end of the outer element (7), which is attached to the sliding structural body (5), is pivotably mounted so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through one end of the outer element (7), and is pushed forward in a circumferential direction about the vertical axis in a closing direction in which the sliding structural body (5) is moved relative to the stationary structural body (1) independently of any relative position of the sliding structural body (5) and the stationary body (1) to each other, so that the outer element (7) can be bent into a U-shape, wherein the power supply device (6) on the side of the sliding structural body (5) pushes the side of one end of the outer element (7) forward in the closing direction in a circumferential direction about a vertical direction passing through one end of the outer element (7) in the closing direction in which the sliding structural body (5) is moved relative to the stationary structural body (1), and wherein a maximum distance (D1) between two points of the outer element, which is bent in the U-shape, in the direction where the sliding structural body (5) and stationary structural body (1) are opposite each other, is greater than a space (D2) between the power supply device (6) on the side of the sliding structural body (5) and the power supply device (4) on the side of the stationary structural body (1).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable harness in which a bundle of cables is protected by an external element, and in particular to a cable harness that is laid near the door opening of sliding doors of a vehicle. Technical background

[0002] Among cable harnesses installed in vehicles, there are those that are installed near the door openings of sliding doors of vehicles (Patent Documents 1 and 2). List of cited patent documents Patent Document 1: JP 2013-150540 A Patent Document 2: JP 2013-162716 A Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0003] In a power supply device for a sliding structural body, as disclosed in patent document 1, when the sliding structural body (sliding door) is opened or closed relative to a stationary structural body (vehicle body), the sliding structural body moves relative to the stationary structural body, and in doing so, an outer element (corrugated tube) of a cable harness bends as a whole into an S-shape. Two bends are formed in each of the cable harnesses that are bent in this way.

[0004] However, if the cables and an outer element forming a wiring harness must be as short as possible, then if two bends are formed or created in the harness, the bend radius of each bend will necessarily be small. When a wiring harness with an outer element whose nominal bend radius is set small is repeatedly bent, it tends to have lower bending resistance (i.e., a small number of bends permissible while maintaining the required performance of the harness) than a wiring harness with an outer element whose nominal bend radius is set large. Therefore, from the perspective of higher bending resistance, it is preferable to set the nominal bend radius of an outer element large.However, if the nominal bending radius of an external element is set large, space must be provided on the side of the vehicle where the wiring harness is routed to allow the external element to bend within that bending radius.

[0005] From DE 10 2006 045 647 A1, a cable harness structure for a sliding door is known which rotatably fixes a cable harness to the sliding door. That is, the cable harness is arranged to pivot horizontally from the sliding door to the vehicle body. An elastic element, which is arranged on the sliding door or a pivoting element, tensions the cable harness towards the vehicle body when the sliding door is fully closed.

[0006] Further state of the art is known from documents JP 2008 / 178 208 A and JP 2008 / 308 070 A.

[0007] The present invention was made in view of the circumstances described above, and one object of the invention is therefore to create a cable harness with which the space required on the side of the vehicle to allow bending of an outer element can be minimized while simultaneously increasing the nominal bending radius of the outer element. Solution to the problem

[0008] To solve the problem described above, the cable harness according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0009] In the cable harness according to the invention, the outer element of the cable harness as a whole is essentially bent into a U-shape, which is convexly curved forward in the direction in which the sliding structural body is closed relative to the stationary structural body. The outer element bent in this way has a larger bending radius than outer elements bent in an S-shape. This improves the bending strength of the cable harness (that is, of the outer element and of several cables with insulating sheaths that pass through it).

[0010] In this wiring harness, the outer element is pushed through the power supply device. In this case, the power supply device can be provided as a unit that is part of the wiring harness, and the wiring harness can be implemented as a module.

[0011] In the cable harness constructed according to the invention, a space can be ensured that allows bending of the outer element, while at the same time the gap between the sliding structural body and the stationary structural body is set short. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0012] The invention makes it possible to create a cable harness that minimizes the space that must be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow bending of an outer element while simultaneously increasing the nominal bending radius of the outer element.

[0013] This briefly describes the invention. The details of the invention will become clearer when reading the following description of embodiments of the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1(a) and Fig. Figure 1(b) shows a power supply device for a sliding structural body in which a cable harness according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used, and are a perspective view or a top view in a state in which the sliding door is fully open. Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) show the power supply device for a sliding structural body in which a cable harness according to the first embodiment of the invention is used, and are a perspective view or a top view in a state in which the sliding door is half open. Fig. 3(a) and Fig. Figure 3(b) shows the power supply device for a sliding structural body in which a cable harness according to the first embodiment of the invention is used, and are a perspective view or a top view in a state in which the sliding door is fully closed. Fig. Figures 4(a)-4(c) are perspective views from different directions showing a power supply device on the side of the vehicle body, which is used in the first embodiment, in different operating states. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective exploded view of the power supply device on the side of the vehicle body, which is used in the first embodiment. Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) are horizontal sectional views showing how the power supply device operates on the side of the vehicle body. Fig. 7(a) and Fig. Figure 7(b) shows perspective views of a power supply device on the side of the sliding door, which is used in the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of the power supply device on the side of the sliding door. Fig. 9(a) and Fig. Figure 9(b) shows horizontal sectional views of how the power supply device operates on the side of the sliding door. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a power supply device on the side of the vehicle body, which is used in a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective exploded view of the power supply device on the side of the vehicle body, which is used in the second embodiment. Fig. 12(a) and Fig. Figure 12(b) shows horizontal sectional views of how the power supply device operates on the side of the vehicle body, as used in the second embodiment. Fig. 13(a) is a top view showing a state in which a sliding door having a wiring harness according to a third embodiment of the invention is fully open, Fig. 13(b) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the third embodiment, is half open, and Fig. 13(c) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the third embodiment, is fully closed. Fig. 14(a) is a top view showing a state in which a sliding door having a wiring harness according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is fully open, Fig. 14(b) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the fourth embodiment, is half open, and Fig. 14(c) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the fourth embodiment, is fully closed. Fig. Figure 15 is a top view showing a wiring harness according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in the fully open, half-open and fully closed positions of the sliding door. Description of the embodiments

[0014] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1

[0015] Fig. Figures 1(a)-3(b) show a power supply device for a sliding structural body according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) show a state in which a left vehicle sliding door (sliding structural body) of a passenger car is fully open. Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) show a state in which this sliding door is half open. Fig. 3(a) and Fig. Figure 3(b) shows a state in which this sliding door is completely closed.

[0016] To move a sliding door 5 from a position where it is fully open relative to a vehicle body 1 (see Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b)) to move to a fully closed position is first carried out as in Fig. 1(a)-3(b) shows the sliding door 5, which was in the fully open position, moving forward (in Fig. 1(b) to the right). Then the sliding door 5, which is in the half-open position (see Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b)) is pushed further forward on a guide rail (not shown) located on the side of the vehicle body 1, thus approaching the vehicle body 1. In this way, the sliding door 5 reaches the position where it is completely closed in relation to the vehicle body 1 (see Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b)). The sliding door 5 can be returned to the position in which it is fully open relative to the vehicle body 1 by moving it in the opposite direction. Reference numeral 10 designates a section of the vehicle body.

[0017] A power supply device 21 for a structural body of a sliding door (sliding door) consists, as shown in Fig. Figures 1(a)-3(b) show a power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body 1, which is attached at a position on the rear side of the vehicle, for example on a step or running board of a door opening 2 of a stationary structural body (vehicle body) 1 of the car, a power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door, which is arranged on an inner sheet 5a of the sliding door 5 at the same height as the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body, and a cable harness (also marked with reference numeral 7) with a corrugated tube (outer element or protective tube) 7, which is laid horizontally between the two power supply devices 4 and 6.

[0018] The power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body includes an outer element 8, which is made of plastic and is attached to the vehicle body, and an inner element 9 (see Fig. 4(a)-4(c)), which is pivotably mounted over the outer element 8 so that it can be rotated (pivoted) in a horizontal plane, and holds (supports) the other end of the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness. The power supply device 4, provided with the outer element 8 and the inner element 9, on the side of the vehicle body, pivotally mounts the corrugated tube 7 so that the corrugated tube 7 can be rotated in a horizontal plane about the vertical direction that passes through the other end of the corrugated tube 7.

[0019] The power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door consists of an outer element 13, which is attached to the inner sheet metal 5a of the sliding door 5, an inner element 14, which is pivotally mounted over the outer element 13 so that it can be pivoted (rotated) in a horizontal plane and which holds (carries) one end section of the corrugated tube 7 of the cable harness, and a spring element 15 (see Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b), described below), which supports the inner element 14 in the direction of the vehicle interior (side of the vehicle body). The power supply device 6, provided with the outer element 13 and the inner element 14, on the side of the sliding door, supports the corrugated tube 7 pivotably so that the corrugated tube 7 can be rotated in a horizontal plane about the vertical direction that passes through one end of the corrugated tube 7.

[0020] The corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness is pressed away from the vehicle body 1 towards the sliding door 5 by the compressive force of the spring element 15 together with the inner element 14 in the direction indicated by arrow A. That is, the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door pushes the side of one end of the corrugated tube 7 forward in a circumferential direction around the vertical direction that runs through the end of the corrugated tube 7 in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1.

[0021] Since the corrugated tube 7 is pressed in the manner described above when the sliding door 5 is opened by the in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) fully opened state shown from in the Fig. 2(a) and Fig. When the sliding door 5 is moved to the half-open state shown in Figure 2(b), the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness as a whole is essentially bent into a U-shape, which is convexly curved forward in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1, without any kinking or the like. The corrugated tube 7 bent in this way has a larger bending radius than corrugated tubes bent in an S-shape. This improves the bending strength of the wiring harness (that is, the corrugated tube 7 and several cables with insulating sheaths that pass through it).

[0022] A more detailed description follows. If the sliding door 5 is located at the in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. When the fully open position shown in Figure 1(b), the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness extends, from the side of its end located on the side of the sliding door, in a closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1, and also in a direction from the sliding door 5 towards the vehicle body 1. This is because its end located on the side of the sliding door is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow A by the compressive force of the spring element 15. In this state, the other end of the corrugated tube 7, located on the side of the vehicle body, is held by the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body in a position in which it has been rotated rearward in the closing direction, due to its own rigidity.As a result, the other end of the corrugated tube 7 of the cable harness, located on the side of the vehicle body, extends in the direction of arrangement of the sliding door 5 and the vehicle body 1.

[0023] Furthermore, if the sliding door 5 extends to the in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. In the semi-open position shown in Figure 2(b), the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness, viewed from the side of its one end located on the side of the sliding door 5, extends forward in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. This is because its end located on the side of the sliding door is pushed in the direction indicated by arrow A by the compressive force of the spring element 15. In this state, the other end of the corrugated tube 7, located on the side of the vehicle body, is held by the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body in a position where it is rotated forward in the closing direction due to its own stiffness.This causes the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness to extend forward from its other end, located on the side of the sliding door, in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. A central section of the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness, one end of which extends forward in the closing direction of the sliding door 5, extends in the arrangement direction of the sliding door 5 and the vehicle body 1. Thus, when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open position, the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness as a whole is essentially bent into a U-shape, which is convexly curved forward in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1.

[0024] Furthermore, if the sliding door 5 extends to the in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. In the fully closed position shown in Figure 3(b), the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness, viewed from the side of its one end located on the side of the sliding door, points rearward in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1, and away from the sliding door 5 towards the vehicle body 1. The corrugated tube 7, viewed from the side of its end located on the side of the sliding door, is positioned rearward in the closing direction of the sliding door 5 because its end located on the side of the sliding door is pushed by the compressive force of the spring element 15 in the direction indicated by arrow A, but a tensile stress greater than the compressive force acts on its end located on the side of the sliding door.In this state, the other end of the corrugated tube 7, located on the side of the vehicle body, is held by the power supply device on the side of the vehicle body in a position where it is rotated forward in the closing direction due to its own rigidity. As a result, the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness extends precisely in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1.

[0025] A description of how the power supply device 21 functions in the case where the sliding door 5 is removed from the one in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) fully closed state shown in the Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) shown in the half-open state or from the state shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) shown in the half-open state in the Fig. 1(a) and Fig. The process shown in 1(b) is omitted because in this case the power supply device 21 operates in the opposite direction to the process in which the sliding door 5 is moved from the half-open state to the fully closed state or from the fully open state to the half-open state.

[0026] The power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body is described in detail below. Fig. Figures 4(a)-6(b) show the power supply device used in the first embodiment on the side of the vehicle body.

[0027] The power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body is, as shown in Fig. Figures 4(a)-4(c) show the outer element 8, which is made of plastic and shaped like a housing, and the inner element 9, which is also made of plastic. The outer element 8 has a fan-shaped opening 16 in a horizontal plane. The inner element 9, together with the corrugated tube 7, is rotated (pivoted) along the fan-shaped opening 16. Thus, the corrugated tube 7, which is made of plastic, projects through the opening 16 of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body and is pivotably mounted so that it can be rotated (pivoted) in a horizontal plane.

[0028] An upper and a lower shaft 17 and 18 in the form of a short cylinder are inserted into circular holes 22 and 23 of an upper and a lower horizontal wall 19 and 20 of the outer element 8, respectively, so that the inner element 9 is rotatably mounted. The inner element 9 is rotatably received in a space bounded by the upper and lower horizontal walls 19 and 20 and a front and a rear vertical wall 24 and 25 of the outer element 8. The front wall 24 is essentially V-shaped (large-angle V-shape) in plan view, so that the opening 16 is wide, and the fan-shaped opening 16 is formed by edges (left-side edges) of the upper, lower, right, and left walls 19, 20, 24, and 25.Horizontal tab-like holders 26 for fastening to the vehicle body, which lie on top of each other, are located on the lower edges of the front and rear walls 24 and 25 and the lower wall 20 of the outer element 8.

[0029] Fig. Figure 5 is an exploded view of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body, which is used in the first embodiment. The outer element 8 and the inner element 9 are separate bodies and, in their assembled state, form the [unclear] Fig. 4(a) Power supply device 4 shown on the side of the vehicle body.

[0030] The outer element 8 consists of a lower horizontal, plate-like base wall (lower wall) 20 and a wall element 27, which is approximately concave downwards in a vertical section view and is attached to the base wall 20. The base wall 20 and the wall element 27 are locked together by a locking device (not shown). For example, the locking device (locking unit) consists of locking pins (locking nails) projecting from the base wall 20 and locking holes formed in the front and rear walls 24 and 25 of the wall element 27.

[0031] The base wall 20 has holders 26, each with small circular holes 28 at the front and rear, as well as a large central hole 26 for supporting a shaft. The wall element 27 consists of a horizontal upper wall 19, a front and a rear vertical wall 24 and 25, and holders 26 that project like tabs from the lower edges of the front and rear walls 24 and 25, respectively. The holders 26 have small circular holes 29 that are opposite the respective circular holes 28 of the base wall 20, and the upper wall 19 has a large hole 22 for supporting a shaft that is opposite the central hole 23 of the base wall 20.

[0032] The inner element 9, which is vertically divided, consists of a pair (an upper and a lower) semi-ring-shaped (semi-cylindrical) inner sub-elements 30 and 31, which are joined together in a ring shape (cylindrical shape) by a locking device (not shown). The outer surfaces of the inner sub-elements 30 and 31 are provided with an upper and a lower shaft 17 and 18, respectively, and each of their inner surfaces is provided with ribs for holding (bearing) the corrugated tube as well as with a stop-projection strip 33' which comes into contact with an end 7i of the corrugated tube 7.

[0033] The locking device (locking unit) of the inner element 9 consists, for example, of locking pins formed on the parting surfaces of one inner sub-element 30, and locking holes formed in the parting surfaces of the other inner sub-element 31. The ribs 32 engage with corresponding circumferential recesses (concave grooves) 7j of the corrugated tube 7.

[0034] The corrugated tube 7, of a known type, is constructed such that circumferential recesses (concave grooves) 7j and protrusions (projecting ribs) 7k are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction of the tube, and it assumes an elliptical shape in cross-sectional view, being longer in the vertical direction. The upper and lower ends (i.e., the ends in the direction of the longer axis) of the corrugated tube 7 are provided with corresponding ribs 7m, which restrict its bending in the vertical direction and are continuous in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the corrugated tube 7 can be bent sharply in the direction of the shorter axis. Several cables (not shown) are inserted through the corrugated tube 7.Cable sections passing through the end 7i of the corrugated tube 7 pass through the interior of the inner element 9, exit it and are connected via a connector or the like to a wiring harness (not shown) located on the side of the vehicle body 1 (side of the power source, see . Fig. 1) is located.

[0035] For example, another structure is possible in which the upper wall 19 and the lower wall 20 are provided with shafts 17 and 18 for rotating the inner element 9 of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body, and the upper and lower walls of the inner element 9 are provided with holes 22 and 23 or holes with closed bottoms (recesses) for engagement with the shafts 17 and 18, respectively.

[0036] Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) are horizontal sectional views of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body. Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) correspond Fig. 4(b) or 4(c).

[0037] When the inner element 9 is rotated counterclockwise, it appears as in Fig. 6(a) shown, comes into contact with the rear wall 25 of the outer element 8 and is prevented from rotating further backwards. If, on the other hand, the inner element 9 is rotated clockwise, as shown in Fig. 6 (b) shows the outer surface of a front wall 35 of the inner element 9 in contact with the inner surface of an oblique section 24a on the left half of the front wall 24, which, viewed in plan view of the outer element 8, extends substantially in a V-shape on the front side and is prevented from further rotation forward.

[0038] The power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door is described in detail below. Fig. Figures 7(a)-9(b) show the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door, which is used in the first embodiment. Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 9(a) corresponds to the case in which the sliding door 5 is in the fully open position (see Fig. 1) is located, and Fig. 7(b) and 9(b) correspond to the case in which the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed state (see Fig. 3). Fig. Figure 8 is an exploded view that Fig. 7(a) corresponds.

[0039] The power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door consists, as shown in Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b) shown, consisting of an outer element 13 which, in vertical section view, has approximately the shape of a square holder and is attached to the sliding door 5 (see Fig. 1), an inner element 14 which is pivotably mounted between an upper and a lower horizontal wall 36 and 37 of the outer element 13 so that it can be rotated (pivoted) in a horizontal plane and which holds (carries) the other end of the corrugated tube 7 of the cable harness, and a spring element which pushes the inner element 14 clockwise so that it is directed towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0040] The spring element 15, which is a torsion coil spring, is arranged parallel to the lower wall 37 of the outer element 13. A hook 15a' extends from the front end of a straight pin section 15a (at the rear side in Fig. 7(a) arranged) of the torsion coil spring 15 engages from the inside with a pin 38 projecting from the lower outer surface of the inner element 14. A hook 15b' extending from the front end of the other straight pin section (on the front side in Fig. 7(b) arranged) of the torsion coil spring 15 extends, engages with a front surface of a vertical wall 39 which connects the upper and lower walls 36 and 37 of the outer element 13. Thus, the inner element 15 is pushed forward in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1, that is, the inner element 14 is pushed in a direction in which it is moved from a rearward-facing state (see Fig. 7(b)) is rotated into a state in which it is facing forward (see Fig. 7(a)).

[0041] The horizontal upper wall 36 of the outer element 13 can, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the wall 36 is divided in the transverse direction along a line passing through the center of a circular cable harness entry hole section 40. In the divided state, an upper annular (cylindrical) shaft 43 of the inner element 14 engages with the hole section (section) 40, and a lower cylindrical (solid) shaft 44 of the inner element 14 engages internally with a cylindrical bearing section 45 of the lower wall 37 of the outer element 13. Then, an upper divided semi-annular partial wall section 36a is locked to an upper stationary wall section 36b by means of a locking device. The locking device consists, for example, of locking holes formed on the side of the stationary wall section 36b and locking pins formed on the partial wall section 36a.

[0042] A stop projection 47, which is approximately triangular in horizontal section and serves to interrupt rotation of the inner element when a side wall 46 of the inner element 14 comes into contact with it, projects from the inner surface of the vertical wall 39 of the outer element 13 at a position at the front end. The stop projection 47 has an inclined surface 47a facing the rear side of the vehicle.

[0043] The torsion coil spring 15 is arranged on the upper surface of the lower wall 37 around the lower bearing section 45 of the outer element 13. The hook 15a', extending from the front end of one (rear) pin section 15a of the torsion coil spring 15, engages the pin 38, which projects downward from a lower inner part 42 of the inner element 14. The hook 15b', extending from the other (front) pin section 15b, engages the lateral end face 39a of the vertical wall 39 of the outer element 13. The torsion coil spring 15 consists of a spiral winding 15' in a clockwise direction, one pin section 15a extending from the upper winding of the spiral winding 15', and the other pin section 15b extending from the lower winding of the spiral winding 15'.

[0044] The inner element 14 consists of an upper and a lower inner part-element 41 and 42. The upper inner part-element 41 has a horizontal semi-cylindrical wall 48, which is closed at the side of the lower section 48a, a circular hole 49 located on the side of the base and having an upper opening, and an annular shaft 43 formed around the hole 49. The lower inner part-element 42 has a horizontal semi-cylindrical wall 50, which is closed at the side of the lower section 50a, a shaft 44 projecting downwards on the lower side, and a spring-loaded locking pin 38 projecting downwards on the front side. Each of the semi-cylindrical walls 48 and 50 has circumferential ribs 51 for locking the corrugated tube and a stop shoulder 52 which comes into contact with the other end 7p of the corrugated tube 7.

[0045] The semi-cylindrical walls 48 and 50 are cylindrical walls that are locked together by means of a locking device. The locking device consists, for example, of locking pins formed and projecting from the parting surfaces of one semi-cylindrical wall 48, and locking holes formed in the parting surfaces of the other semi-cylindrical wall 50. Although the corrugated tube 7 is shown in the drawings as being short, it actually extends from the front ends of the semi-cylindrical walls 48 and 50.

[0046] For example, another structure is possible in which the lower shaft 44 of the inner element 14 of the power supply device on the side of the sliding door is omitted, and the lower wall of the inner element 14 is provided with a hole (not shown) or a hole with a closed bottom (recess, not shown) that engages with a cylindrical (tubular or solid) bearing section 45 of the outer element 13. A further structure is possible in which the upper annular shaft 43 of the inner element 14 is omitted, a small rib (projection), which is arcuate in plan view, projects upward from the upper semi-cylindrical wall 48 of the inner element 14, and the upper wall 36 of the outer element 13 is provided with a groove (not shown) that is arcuate (nearly semicircular) in plan view and engages coaxially with the lower bearing section 45.

[0047] When the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed position (see Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b)) is located, as in Fig. Figure 9(a) shows the inner element 14 of the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door facing forward in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. In this state, the inclined surface 47a of the stop projection 47 of the outer element 13 (facing the rear side) is close to the outer surface of the lower section 48a (50a) of the inner element 14.

[0048] If, on the other hand, the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed position (see Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b)) is located, as in Fig. Figure 9(b) shows a section of a side wall 46 of the inner element 14 of the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door 5 near the lower section 48a (50a) in contact with the inclined surface 47a of the stop projection 47 of the outer element 13, thus preventing the inner element 14 from rotating further clockwise. As a result, the inner element 14 and the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness are positioned so that they are inclined obliquely forward and towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0049] In the construction according to the first embodiment, as described above, during a process in which the sliding door 5 is moved from the fully open position to the fully closed position or from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the inner element 14 of the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door and the corrugated tube 7 of the cable harness in the area indicated by arrow A are moved. Fig. pressed in the indicated direction. This essentially bends the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness as a whole into a U-shape, which is convexly curved forward in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. The corrugated tube 7 bent in this way has a larger bending radius than corrugated tubes bent in an S-shape. This improves the bending strength of the wiring harness (that is, the corrugated tube 7 and several cables with insulating sheaths inserted over it).

[0050] In the design according to the first embodiment, a space in which the corrugated tube 7 can be bent into a U-shape is provided in front of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body in the direction in which the sliding door 5 closes relative to the vehicle body 1. This space is part of the door opening 2 of the vehicle body 1. However, this space is not used when the sliding door 5 is moved to the fully open or fully closed position, although it is used for passenger entry and exit when the sliding door 5 is in the fully open position. Therefore, a portion of the door opening 2 of the vehicle body 1 can be used as a space in which the corrugated tube 7 has a U-shape when bent. Thus, it is not necessary to add a new space in the vehicle by bending the corrugated tube 7 into a U-shape.Furthermore, since such space is ensured, the bending radius of the corrugated tube 7 when bent can be set large during the design, which can further improve the bending resistance of the cable harness.

[0051] Since, as described above, a space is provided in which the corrugated tube 7 is bent into a U-shape, the gap between the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body and the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door can be set smaller than conventionally. That is, the longest distance D1 between the two points of the corrugated tube 7, which is bent into a U-shape, in the direction in which the sliding door 5 and the vehicle body 1 are opposite each other, can, in the design as described above, be set smaller than conventionally. Fig. 2 (b) can be set larger than the gap D2 between the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body and the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door. This makes it possible to ensure a space in which the corrugated tube 7 assumes a U-shape when bent, while at the same time shortening the gap between the sliding door 5 and the vehicle body 1.

[0052] In the design according to the first embodiment, in which the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door is provided with the push-button device, the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body does not always need to be provided with a push-button device. It is sufficient if the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body is only provided with the mechanism by which the corrugated tube 7 is pivotably mounted so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane. Therefore, the size of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body can be reduced.

[0053] In the design according to the first embodiment, the compressive force of the spring element 15 acting on the corrugated tube 7 is greatest when the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed position. When the vehicle is in motion, this compressive force acting on the corrugated tube 7, which is held by the inner element 14, is in equilibrium with the tensile stress exerted on it by the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body. In this state, where the external forces are in equilibrium, vibration of the corrugated tube 7 is prevented. Furthermore, even if the corrugated tube 7 is very long, the compressive force is in equilibrium with the tensile stress exerted on it by the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body in a state where the corrugated tube 7 has been rotated by an amount corresponding to its greater length.Therefore, the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door acts as a mechanism to compensate for its considerable length. This prevents vibration of the wiring harness, whose length has been compensated for in this way, when the vehicle is in motion.

[0054] In the design according to the first embodiment, when the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed position, the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness assumes a straight shape extending in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. Therefore, if the wiring harness is covered from above, for example by fitting the sliding door 5 with a panel, the view of the wiring harness through the panel can be obstructed. Thus, a structure can be easily created that makes the view of the wiring harness difficult. Design 2

[0055] Fig. Figures 10-12(b) show a power supply device on the side of the vehicle body, which is used in a second embodiment. This power supply device 55 on the side of the vehicle body is characterized in that it is provided with a torsion coil spring 56 and an inner element 9 is held in place by the compressive force of the spring element 56 together with the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness in the direction indicated by arrow D. Fig. pressed in the indicated direction (10) and thus directed towards the front of the vehicle. Individual parts that are the same as in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (first embodiment), shall be given the same reference numerals as the latter, and a detailed description thereof shall be omitted.

[0056] The power supply device 55 on the side of the vehicle body consists, as shown in Fig. Figure 10 shows an outer element 58, made of plastic and positioned relative to the vehicle body 1 by means of a pin 59, which projects downwards from a base wall (lower horizontal wall) 57 and is fixed to it, for example, by means of a screw fastening; an inner element 9, made of plastic and pivotably mounted on the outer element 58 so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane and holds (carries) one end of the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness; and the spring element (torsion coil spring) 56, made of metal, which rotates the inner element 9 clockwise (in the direction indicated by arrow D in the figure). Fig. (in the direction indicated in point 10) presses so that the inner element 9 is directed towards the front of the vehicle. The spring element 56 is arranged between the base wall 57 of the outer element 58 and the inner element 9.

[0057] The outer element 58 consists, as in Fig. Figure 11 shows a horizontal base wall 57 and a wall element that, in a vertical section view, is concavely curved downwards and is attached to the base wall 57 by means of a locking device. On the base wall 57, a positioning pin 59 projects from the rear end of the lower surface for positioning relative to the vehicle body. A cylindrical bearing section 61 projects from the upper surface at an approximately central position, and a screw insertion hole 62 is formed at the front end for fastening. The wall element 60 has an upper horizontal wall 63 and a front and a rear vertical wall 64 and 65. The upper wall 63 has a bearing hole 66, and the front wall 64 has a projection 67 at its lower end, which has a hole that connects to the screw insertion hole 62 of the base wall 57.The base wall 57 and the wall element 60 are locked together by means of a locking device (for example locking holes and locking pins, not shown).

[0058] As in the first embodiment, the inner element 9 consists of an upper and a lower inner part-element 30 and 31. The outer surfaces of the inner part-elements 30 and 31 are provided with an upper and a lower wave 17 and 18 respectively, and the inner surface of each of the inner part-elements 30 and 31 is provided with ribs 32 for holding (supporting) the corrugated tube and a stop projection 33' which comes into contact with the corrugated tube.

[0059] The torsion coil spring 56 consists of a clockwise spiral winding 56', a (front) pin section 56a extending from the upper turn of the spiral winding 56' and bent like a hook, and the other (rear) pin section 56 extending from the lower turn of the spiral winding 56'. The torsion coil spring 56 is arranged around the bearing section 61 of the base wall 57. One pin section 56a is locked to the inner element 9, and the other pin section 56b is locked to the outer element 58.

[0060] The rear pin section 56b of the torsion coil spring 56 is, as in Fig. 12(a) and Fig. 12(b) shown, in elastic contact with the inner surface of the rear wall 56 of the outer element 58, and the front pin section 56a is, for example, locked to a pin (not shown) projecting from the lower surface of the inner element 9. Fig. 12(a) corresponds to the case in which the sliding door is in the fully open position (see Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b)). That is, Fig. Figure 12(a) shows a state in which the inner element has been pulled through the corrugated tube 7 of the cable harness against the compressive force of the torsion coil spring 56 and thus, together with the corrugated tube 7, has been rotated so that it is directed rearward in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed with respect to the vehicle body 1, so that the inner element 9 is in contact with the inner surface of the rear wall 56 of the outer element 58 and is thus prevented from rotating further.

[0061] Fig. 12(b) corresponds to the case in which the sliding door 5 is in the half-open position (see Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b)) and the state in which the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed position (see Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b)). That is, Fig. Figure 12(b) shows a state in which the inner element 9, together with the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness, has been rotated clockwise by the compressive force of the torsion coil spring 56, so that it is oriented forward in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. In this example, when the inner element 9 is oriented at the Fig. When the inner element 9 is in the rotational position shown in Figure 12(b), the compressive force of the torsion helical spring 56 is almost completely eliminated, and further rotation of the inner element 9 in the direction indicated by arrow D is prevented by the counteracting force of the torsion helical spring 56. Therefore, the outer element 58 does not need to be stopped by a stop (such as the one with reference numeral 24 in Figure 12(b). Fig. 4(c) marked) to hold the inner element 9 in place. In contrast, the front wall 64 of the outer element 58 serves as a stop to prevent excessive rotation of the inner element 9 in the direction indicated by arrow D.

[0062] For example, another structure is possible in which an upper shaft 17 rotates the inner element 9 of the power supply device 55 on the side of the vehicle body, as in Fig. 11 shown, protrudes from the wall 63 of the outer element 58, and a lower shaft 18 is designed for the same purpose such that it is integral with the large-diameter bearing section 61 of the base wall 57 of the outer element 58 and forms a footboard, and the upper and lower walls of the inner element 9 are provided with holes 22 and 23 or holes with a closed bottom (recesses) for engagement with the shafts 17 and 18 respectively.

[0063] The spring force of the spring element (torsion coil spring) 56 of the power supply device 55 on the side of the vehicle body, which is located in Fig. 10-12(b) is set to the same strength as or stronger than that of the spring element (torsion coil spring) 15 shown in Fig. The power supply device 6 shown in Figures 7(a)-8 is located on the side of the sliding door. Preferably, the spring force of the torsion helical spring 56 is set higher than that of the torsion helical spring 15 (that is, the spring force of the torsion helical spring 15 is set lower than that of the torsion helical spring 56).

[0064] In the construction described above according to the second embodiment, during an operation in which the sliding door 5 is moved from the fully open position to the fully closed position or from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the inner element 14 of the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door and the corrugated tube 7 of the cable harness in the area indicated by arrow A are Fig. pressed in the direction indicated by arrow D. Furthermore, the inner element 9 of the power supply device 4 is pressed against the side of the vehicle body and the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness is pressed in the direction indicated by arrow D. Fig. The corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness is pressed in the direction indicated in Figure 12. This essentially bends the entire corrugated tube 7 into a U-shape, which is convexly curved forward in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. The corrugated tube 7 (of the wiring harness), whose two ends are pressed, is more easily bent into a U-shape than in the design according to the first embodiment. The corrugated tube 7 bent in this way has a larger bending radius than corrugated tubes bent in an S-shape. This improves the bending strength of the wiring harness (that is, the corrugated tube 7 and several cables with insulating sheaths inserted over it).

[0065] In the design according to the second embodiment, a space in which the corrugated tube 7 can be bent into a U-shape is provided in front of the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body in the direction in which the sliding door 5 closes relative to the vehicle body 1. This space is part of the door opening 2 of the vehicle body 1. However, this space is not used when the sliding door 5 is moved to achieve the fully open or fully closed position, although it is used for passenger entry and exit when the sliding door 5 is in the fully open position. Therefore, a portion of the door opening 2 of the vehicle body 1 can be used as a space in which the corrugated tube 7 has a U-shape when bent. Thus, it is not necessary to add a new space in the vehicle by bending the corrugated tube 7 into a U-shape.Furthermore, since such space is ensured, the bending radius of the corrugated tube 7 when bent can be set large during the design, which can further improve the bending resistance of the cable harness.

[0066] Since, as described above, a space is provided in which the corrugated tube 7 is bent into a U-shape, the gap between the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body and the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door can be set smaller than conventionally. That is, the longest distance D1 between the two points of the corrugated tube 7, which is bent into a U-shape, in the direction in which the sliding door 5 and the vehicle body 1 are opposite each other, can, in the design as described above, be set smaller than conventionally. Fig. 2 (b) can be set larger than the gap D2 between the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body and the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door. This makes it possible to ensure a space in which the corrugated tube 7 assumes a U-shape when bent, while at the same time shortening the gap between the sliding door 5 and the vehicle body 1.

[0067] In the design according to the second embodiment, where the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body is provided with the push-button mechanism, the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door does not always need to be provided with a push-button mechanism. If the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door is not provided with a push-button mechanism, it is sufficient for the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door to be provided only with the mechanism by which the corrugated tube 7 is pivotably mounted so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane. Therefore, if the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body is provided with the push-button mechanism, the size of the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door can be reduced.

[0068] In the design according to the second embodiment, when the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed position, the corrugated tube 7 of the wiring harness assumes a straight shape extending in the direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed relative to the vehicle body 1. Therefore, if the wiring harness is covered from above, for example by fitting the sliding door 5 with a panel, the view of the wiring harness through the panel can be obstructed. Thus, a structure can be easily created that makes the view of the wiring harness difficult.

[0069] Although each of the embodiments described above is an example using the corrugated tube 7, it is possible to use an existing caterpillar-like outer element (not shown) instead of the corrugated tube 7. For example, the caterpillar-like outer element is constructed such that many (a large number) approximately rectangular, tubular, hollow joint links are connected to one another using waves and holes to allow bending. Each joint link has an upper and a lower vertical wave on its front and upper sides, respectively, and vertical holes on its rear and lower sides, respectively. A cable harness is formed by inserting several cables through the interiors of the respective joint links.The upper and lower vertical shafts of the articulated link at one end of the caterpillar-like outer element engage with an upper and a lower hole formed in the inner surfaces of the horizontal cylindrical walls (cable harness insertion sections) of the inner element 9 or 14 of the power supply device 4, 6 or 55 on the side of the vehicle body or the side of the sliding door, and the upper and lower holes of the articulated link at the other end of the caterpillar-like outer element engage with an upper and a lower shaft formed from the inner surfaces of the horizontal cylindrical walls (cable harness insertion sections) of the inner element 9 or 14 of the power supply device 4, 6 or 55 on the side of the sliding door or on the side of the vehicle body, so that each end of the caterpillar-like outer element is connected to the power supply device 4, 6 or 55.

[0070] Of the embodiments described above, the first embodiment relates to the configuration in which the power supply device 6 is provided with the push-button mechanism on the side of the sliding door, and the second embodiment relates to the configuration in which both the power supply device 4 on the side of the vehicle body and the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door are provided with the push-button mechanism. A further embodiment is possible in which the power supply device 4 is provided with the push-button mechanism on the side of the vehicle body. This embodiment also has the same advantages as the first and second embodiments. embodiment 3

[0071] Fig. 13(a) is a top view showing a state in which a sliding door having a wiring harness according to a third embodiment of the invention is fully opened. Fig. 13(b) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the third embodiment, is half open. Fig. 13(c) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the third embodiment, is fully closed.

[0072] The wiring harness 7B according to the third embodiment is a partially improved version of the wiring harness according to the first embodiment.

[0073] The improvement is explained below. The other end of the corrugated tube 7, which is an outer element that accommodates a bundle of cables, is attached to the power supply device 4B on the side of the vehicle body, which is mounted on the running board 3 at a position on the rear of the vehicle. The power supply device 4B differs from the power supply device 4 used in the first embodiment in that only one end of the corrugated tube 7 is firmly supported by it.This means that, unlike the power supply device 4 used in the first embodiment, the power supply device 4B used in the third embodiment is not provided with any mechanism by which the end of the corrugated tube 7 is mounted in such a way that it can be rotated around a vertical axis in a horizontal plane, but rather the end of the corrugated tube 7 is firmly supported by the power supply device 4B in such a way that it is fixed in the lateral direction of the vehicle body (i.e., in the direction indicated by arrow X1 in ). Fig. 13(a) in the indicated direction) extends.

[0074] The wiring harness 7B according to the third embodiment is, with the exception of the improvement described above, the same as the wiring harness according to the first embodiment. That is, one end of the wiring harness 7B according to the third embodiment is rotatably mounted in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis on the side of the sliding door 5, which is used in the first embodiment, by means of the power supply device 6 and is held in place by the spring element 15 (see Fig. 7(a)), which is integrated into the power supply device 6, pressed so that it is in the area indicated by arrow A in Fig. 13(a) rotates in the direction indicated. Individual parts of the wiring harness 7B according to the third embodiment, which are the same as those in the first embodiment, are provided with the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted or simplified.

[0075] In the wiring harness 7B described above according to the third embodiment, the corrugated tube 7 extends, when the sliding door 5 is in the fully open position, as shown in Fig. Figure 13(a) shows the corrugated tube 7 extending approximately straight from the power supply device 6 on the side of the sliding door 5 towards the front of the vehicle body, and the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is connected to the power supply device 4B such that it has a bend R1, which is approximately a quarter-circle arc, in a region close to the power supply device 4B, which is located on the running board 3. Since the bend R1, which is approximately a quarter-circle arc, is a bend extending over a smaller angular range than, for example, a bend in a case where the corrugated tube 7 is bent in a U-shape by 180°, the bend R1 is more pronounced than the U-shaped bend. Therefore, the load acting on the wiring harness 7 due to the bending can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the gap between the running board 3 and the sliding door 5 is short in the width direction of the vehicle body, the wiring harness 7 can be easily bent.This allows the space that should be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow the corrugated tube 7 to bend to be reduced to a minimum.

[0076] In the wiring harness 7B described above according to the third embodiment, when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open state, as shown in Fig. Figure 13(b) shows that one end of the corrugated tube 7, with the spring element 15 located in the power supply device 6, is held parallel to the surface on the inside of the sliding door 5, and a central section of the corrugated tube 7 is bent to assume a curvature R2 that is approximately U-shaped. Since the curvature R2 is nearly U-shaped, this bend is more pronounced than, for example, bends in a conventional case where the corrugated tube 7 is bent in an S-shape. Therefore, the load exerted on the wiring harness 7B due to the bending can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the gap between the running board 3 and the sliding door 5 is short in the width direction of the vehicle body, the wiring harness 7B can be easily bent. This allows the space that should be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow the corrugated tube 7 to bend to be reduced to a minimum.

[0077] In the wiring harness 7B described above according to the third embodiment, when the sliding door 5 is fully closed, as shown in Fig. Figure 13(c) shows that one end of the corrugated tube 7 is rotated by means of the mechanism (present in the power supply device 6) which supports the one end of the corrugated tube 7 so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane, so that it points towards the rear of the vehicle body. This creates a curve R3, which is almost a quarter-circle arc, only through the other end of the corrugated tube 7, which is attached to the power supply device 4B. Since the curve R3 is also a simple bend formed on one side, the load acting on the wiring harness 7B due to the bending can be reduced.

[0078] That is, the cable harness 7B described above according to the third embodiment is a cable harness provided with the corrugated tube 7, one end of which is attached to the sliding door 5, which is a sliding structural body, and the other end of which is attached to the running board 3 of the vehicle body 1, which is a stationary structural body. One end of the corrugated tube 7 is pivotably mounted so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis passing through one end of the corrugated tube 7, and it is pushed forward in a circumferential direction about the vertical axis in the closing direction in which the sliding door 5 is closed with respect to the running board 3, so that the corrugated tube 7 can be bent into a U-shape.

[0079] The other end of the corrugated tube 7 is attached in such a way that it is not rotated in a horizontal plane.

[0080] This causes a central section of the corrugated tube 7 to bend into an approximately U-shaped curve R2 when the sliding door 5, which is a sliding structural element, is in the half-open position. Because the curve R2 is approximately U-shaped, it is a bend with a sharper curvature than bends in a conventional case where the corrugated tube 7 is bent in an S-shape. Therefore, the load acting on the wiring harness 7B due to bending can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the gap between the running board 3 and the sliding door 5 is short in the width direction of the vehicle body, the wiring harness 7B can be easily bent. This minimizes the space that should be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow the corrugated tube 7 to bend.

[0081] In the wiring harness 7B described above according to the third embodiment, the power supply device 4B is located on the side of the vehicle body 1 to which the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is connected, such that the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is attached to it. Therefore, the design of the power supply device 4B can be simplified, and it can thus be made smaller and more cost-effective than if the other end of the corrugated tube 7 were mounted in such a way that it could rotate in a horizontal plane.

[0082] Furthermore, the power supply device 6, which connects one end of the corrugated tube 7 to the sliding door (sliding structural body) 5, is equipped with the spring element 15, which presses the corrugated tube 7. Therefore, in the fully closed or partially closed state, the spring element 15 exerts tensile stress on the corrugated tube 7, thus keeping the corrugated tube 7 under tension. This prevents the corrugated tube 7 from vibrating, for example, due to vibrations transmitted to the vehicle, or from vibrating and thereby generating noise by striking adjacent elements.

[0083] Furthermore, since the spring element 15, which is integrated into the power supply device 6, and the mechanism by which the corrugated tube 7 can be rotated in a horizontal plane, can prevent the corrugated tube 7 from loosening, they can compensate for any excess length of the corrugated tube 7 and thus prevent it from loosening even if the excess length increases due to dimensional errors or manufacturing defects. Example 4, not the invention

[0084] Fig. 14(a) is a top view showing a state in which a sliding door having a wiring harness according to an example is fully opened. Fig. 14(b) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the fourth example, is half open. Fig. 14(c) is a top view showing a state in which the sliding door, which has the wiring harness according to the fourth example, is fully closed.

[0085] In the wiring harness 7C according to the fourth example, one end of the corrugated tube 7, which is an external element that accommodates a bundle of cables, is attached to the sliding door 5, which is a sliding structural body, via a power supply device 6C, and the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is attached to the running board 3, which is a stationary structural body, via a power supply device 55C.

[0086] The power supply device 6C is attached to the sliding door 5 such that one end of the corrugated tube 7 is oriented to protrude in the width direction of the vehicle body. That is to say, the power supply device 6C used in the fourth example is neither equipped with a mechanism by which one end of the corrugated tube 7 is mounted so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane, nor with a device by which the corrugated tube 7 is pushed forward in the closing direction of the sliding door 5.

[0087] The power supply device 55C, which carries the other end of the corrugated tube 7, is similar to the power supply device 55 used in the second embodiment. The power supply device 55C is equipped with an external element 58 (see Fig. 14(a)), which pivotably mounts the other end of the corrugated tube 7 so that the other end of the corrugated tube 7 can be rotated in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through it, and is provided with a pressing device (in the second embodiment a torsion helical spring 56) with which the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is pressed so that it rotates in the direction corresponding to the Fig. 14(a) indicates arrow B.

[0088] The pushing device of the power supply device 55C is a pushing device that pushes the other end of the corrugated tube 7 forward in the closing direction, in which the sliding door 5 is closed in relation to the vehicle body, in the circumferential direction around a vertical axis that passes through the other end of the corrugated tube 7.

[0089] In short, in the wiring harness 7C according to the fourth embodiment, one end of the corrugated tube 7 is attached to the sliding door 5, the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is connected to the running board 3 of the vehicle body 1, which is a stationary structural body, in such a way that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane, and the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is pushed forward in the closing direction of the sliding door 5.

[0090] In the case of the 7C wiring harness described above, according to the fourth example, as in Fig. Figure 14(a) shows that when the sliding door 5 is in the fully open position, the two corresponding ends of the corrugated tube 7 have bends R11 and R12, each approximately a quarter-circle arc. Because they are approximately quarter-circle arcs with a bending angle smaller than if the corrugated tube 7 were bent in a U-shape, each of the bends R11 and R12 can be a more pronounced bend than if the corrugated tube 7 were bent in a U-shape. Therefore, the load acting on the wiring harness 7B due to bending can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the gap between the running board 3 and the sliding door 5 is short in the width direction of the vehicle body, the wiring harness 7B can be easily bent. This minimizes the space that should be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow the corrugated tube 7 to bend.

[0091] In the case of the wiring harness 7C described above, according to the fourth example, as in Fig. 14(b) shown when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open state, one end of the corrugated tube 7 has a curvature R11 which is approximately a quarter-circle arc, and a middle section of the corrugated tube 7 has a curvature R13 which is approximately a U-shape.

[0092] Since the curvature R13 formed in the central section of the corrugated tube 7 is approximately U-shaped, it is a bend that is more pronounced than, for example, bends in a conventional case where the corrugated tube 7 is bent in an S-shape. Therefore, the load acting on the cable harness 7B due to the bending can be reduced.

[0093] Therefore, even if the space between the running board 3 and the sliding door 5 is short in the width direction of the vehicle body, the wiring harness 7C can be easily bent. This allows the space that should be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow the corrugated tube 7 to bend to be reduced to a minimum.

[0094] In the case of the wiring harness 7B described above, according to the fourth example, when the sliding door 5 is fully closed, as shown in Fig. Figure 14(c) shows the other end of the corrugated tube 7 with the mechanism (present in the power supply device 55C) which pivotally mounts the other end of the corrugated tube 7 so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane, such that it is directed towards the front of the vehicle body. This forms a bend R14 only through the one end of the corrugated tube 7 that is attached to the power supply device 6C. Since the bend R14 is also a simple bend formed on one side (at the rear of the vehicle body) and is approximately a quarter-circle arc, the load acting on the wiring harness 7B due to bending can be reduced.

[0095] The cable harness 7B described above according to the fourth example can achieve the same effects and advantages as the cable harness 7B according to the third embodiment.

[0096] Therefore, as can be seen from the comparison between the third embodiment and the fourth example, in the invention, if one of the two ends of the cable harness is given a structure by which it is pushed forward in the closing direction of the sliding door 5, the other end of the cable harness can be given a support structure with which it is attached to a corresponding structural body. Example 5, not the invention

[0097] Fig. Figure 15 is a top view showing a wiring harness according to another example in the fully open, half-open and fully closed states of a sliding door.

[0098] In the wiring harness 7D according to the fifth example, one end of the corrugated tube 7, which is an external element that receives a bundle of cables, is attached to the sliding door 5, which is a sliding structural body, via a power supply device 6D, and the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is attached to the running board 3, which is a stationary structural body, via a power supply device 4D.

[0099] From the in Fig. In Figure 15, positions P1, P2, and P3 are shown. Position P1 is the position where the center point of the power supply device 6D is located when the sliding door 5 is in the fully open state, position P2 is the position where the center point of the power supply device 6D is located when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open state, and position P3 is the position where the center point of the power supply device 6D is located when the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed state. Fig. Reference numeral H1 indicates a direction of movement in which the power supply device 6D is moved between positions P1 and P2, and reference numeral H2 indicates a direction of movement in which the power supply device 6D is moved between positions P2 and P3.

[0100] The power supply device 6D supports one end of the corrugated tube 7 (pivotally) so that it can be rotated by an angle θ from a position that has an angle α with respect to a reference line extending from the center of the power supply device 6D to the front of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The power supply device 6D includes a pressing device (not shown) by which the corrugated tube 7 is pressed so that it is rotated to point towards the rear of the vehicle body at position P3, as indicated by arrow C.

[0101] In the power supply device 6D, the angle α is set to a suitable value, for example, within a range of 0° to 15° inclusive. The angle θ is set to a suitable value such that it lies within a range where the relationship α + θ ≤ 180° holds true.

[0102] The 4D power supply device is stored, as shown in Fig. 15 shows the other end of the corrugated tube 7 such that the corrugated tube 7 can be rotated in an angular range δ.

[0103] When the power supply device 6D has been moved to position P3, where the sliding door 5 is in the fully closed state, the power supply device 6D carries the other end of the corrugated tube 7 at an angular position inclined by an angle α1 to the direction pointing towards the front of the vehicle body. When the power supply device 6D has been moved to position P1, where the sliding door 5 is in the fully open state, due to rotation of the other end of the corrugated tube 7 towards the rear of the vehicle body caused by an actuation to open the sliding door 5, the power supply device 6D carries the other end of the corrugated tube 7 at an angular position that differs by an angle δ from the angular position in the state where the sliding door 5 is fully closed.

[0104] For the power supply device 4D, the rotation angle range δ of the other end of the corrugated tube 7 0 < δ <90° applies.

[0105] The power supply device 4D can, as described in reference to Fig. Figure 15 shows that the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is equipped with a pressing device that pushes it in the direction indicated by arrow F1. An alternative design is possible in which the power supply device 4D is not equipped with a pressing device and the other end of the corrugated tube 7 is simply pivotally mounted so that it can be rotated by the angle δ.

[0106] In the wiring harness 7D according to the fifth example, the respective two ends of the corrugated tube 7 are supported by the power supply devices 6D and 4D. As a result, when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open position, a central section of the corrugated tube 7 has a curvature R17 that is convexly curved backwards and approximately U-shaped. Furthermore, when the sliding door 5 is in the half-open position, the corrugated tube 7 has a curvature R18 on the side of the power supply device 4D, which is approximately a quarter-circle arc. The in Fig. The 15 shown bends R17 and R18 are more sharply curved than, for example, bends in a conventional case where the corrugated tube 7 is bent in an S-shape. Therefore, the load acting on the cable harness 7D due to the bending can be reduced.

[0107] Therefore, even if the gap between the running board 3 and the sliding door 5 is short in the width direction of the vehicle body, the wiring harness 7D can be easily bent. This allows the space that should be provided on the side of the vehicle to allow the corrugated tube 7 to bend to be reduced to a minimum.

[0108] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above, and various modifications, improvements, etc. can be made in a suitable form.

[0109] The material, shape, dimensions, number (if several are present), position, etc. of each individual part of each embodiment can be freely chosen and are not subject to any restrictions, provided the invention can be implemented. Industrial applications

[0110] The invention has the advantage that the space required on the side of the vehicle to allow bending of an external element can be reduced to a minimum, while simultaneously increasing the nominal bending radius of the external element. Because of this advantage, the invention is suitable for use with wiring harnesses that are routed near the door opening of the respective sliding doors of a vehicle. List of reference symbols 1 Vehicle body (stationary structural body) 3. Running board (stationary structural body) Power supply device on the side of the vehicle body 4, 55 (stationary structural body) 4B Power supply device 4D power supply device 5 Sliding door (sliding structural body) Power supply device on the side of the sliding door 6 (sliding structural body) 6C power supply device 6D power supply device 7 Corrugated pipe 7B, 7C wiring harness 7D wiring harness 8, 58 outer element 9 inner element 13 outer element 14 inner element 15 Spring element 21 Power supply device for the structural body of the sliding door 47 Stop lead 55C power supply device 56 spring element

Claims

[1] Wiring harness that includes: an outer element (7) having one end attached to a sliding structural body (5) and the other end attached to a stationary structural body (1), a power supply device (6) on the side of the sliding structural body (5) which pivotally supports the outer element (7) so that it can be rotated in a horizontal direction about a vertical axis passing through one end of the outer element (7), and a power supply device (4) on the side of the stationary structural body (1) which pivotally supports the outer element (7) so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through the other end of the outer element (7), characterized by , that at least one end of the outer member (7) attached to the sliding structural body (5) is pivotally supported so that it can be rotated in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through one end of the outer member (7) and is pushed forward in a circumferential direction about the vertical axis in a closing direction in which the sliding structural body (5) is moved with respect to the stationary structural body (1) regardless of a relative position of the sliding structural body (5) and the stationary body (1) to each other, so that the outer member (7) can be bent into a U-shape, wherein the power supply device (6) on the side of the sliding structural body (5) pushes the side of the one end of the outer member (7) forward in the circumferential direction around a vertical direction passing through the one end of the outer member (7) in the closing direction in which the sliding structural body (5) is moved with respect to the stationary structural body (1), and wherein a greatest distance (D1) between two points of the outer member bent in the U-shape in the direction where the sliding structural body (5) and stationary structural bodies (1) face each other is larger than a gap (D2) between the power supply device (6) on the side of the sliding structural body (5) and the power supply device (4) on the side of the stationary structural body (1).

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