WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A wire harness assembly (1, 101) comprises: a wire harness (3) comprising an electric wire (7) and a connector (9) electrically connected to one end of the electric wire (7); and a joining member (5) in which the wire harness (3) is arranged. The joining member (5) comprises: a base (11); and a cover (15) fixed to the base (11) via a connecting portion (15). The connecting portion (15) comprises an edge connecting portion (17) arranged along the electric wire (7). A non-connecting region (19) in which the connecting portion (15) is not arranged is provided between the base (11) and the cover (13). Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL HARNESS ASSEMBLY Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical harness assembly. Context

[0002] Document JP 2015-67071 A discloses a wire harness assembly comprising a wire harness and a joining sheet as a joining member in which the wire harness is arranged, the wire harness comprising an electric wire and a connector electrically connected to one end of the electric wire. In the wire harness assembly, the joining sheet comprises a soundproofing / heat-insulating sheet as a base and a bonding sheet as a cover. The wire harness is arranged between the soundproofing / heat-insulating sheet and the bonding sheet. In the wire harness assembly, an adhesive is applied to the entire surface of the bonding sheet to form a bonding portion, and the bonding sheet is fixed to the soundproofing / heat-insulating sheet via the bonding portion. Summary

[0003] In the above-described wiring harness assembly, since the connecting portion for fixing the cover to the base is provided on the entire surface of the assembly member, a large amount of adhesive is used for the connecting portion, resulting in a high cost.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical harness assembly which can be manufactured at low cost.

[0005] A wire harness assembly according to the present invention comprises: a wire harness comprising an electric wire and a connector electrically connected to one end of the electric wire; and a joining member in which the wire harness is arranged. The joining member comprises: a base; and a cover fixed to the base via a connecting portion. The connecting portion comprises an edge connecting portion arranged along the electric wire. A non-connecting region in which the connecting portion is not arranged is provided between the base and the cover.

[0006] According to the configuration described above, the cost of the electrical harness assembly can be reduced. Typically, the joining element comprises: a body in which the electrical wire is arranged; and an extension in which the connector is arranged, the extension being formed as a single element continuous with the body, and the connecting portion includes an avoidance connecting portion arranged in a position avoiding the connector and the electrical wire in the extension. Typically, the extension includes a dividing portion configured to divide the extension to make the connector visible. Brief description of the drawings

[0007] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an electrical harness assembly according to a first embodiment. [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view of the electrical harness assembly according to the first embodiment. [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an electrical harness assembly according to a second embodiment. [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an enlarged perspective view of an extension of the electrical harness assembly according to the second embodiment. [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an enlarged top view of the extension of the electrical harness assembly according to the second embodiment. [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an enlarged perspective view of the extension of the wiring harness assembly, when divided by a dividing portion according to the second embodiment. [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is an enlarged top view of the extension of the wiring harness assembly, when divided by the dividing portion according to the second embodiment. Detailed description

[0008] A wiring harness assembly 1 according to one embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for ease of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0009] A first embodiment is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0010] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the electrical harness assembly 1 according to the first embodiment is applied, for example, to a wiring harness 3 that electrically connects electrical components (not shown), for example, a vehicle-mounted power supply and a device or a device and a device. The wiring harness 3 is arranged in a predetermined shape inside an assembly member 5 integrally assembled therewith. The wiring harness assembly 1 is assembled to a target member (not shown), for example, a door trim of a vehicle.

[0011] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical harness assembly 1 comprises an electrical harness 3 and an assembly element 5.

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical harness 3 comprises an electrical wire 7 and a connector 9.

[0013] The electric wire 7 comprises, for example, a sheathed electric wire in which an outer periphery of a core wire made of a conductive material is sheathed with an insulating sheath, and a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of electric wires 7 are used. The electric wire 7 may be a flat cable in which the outer peripheries of a plurality of core wires are sheathed with an insulating sheath in a state in which the plurality of core wires are arranged in parallel. The plurality of electric wires 7 are arranged so that the ends are exposed, for example exposed on both sides thereof, from the joining member 5. The plurality of electric wires 7 are arranged so that the ends on the end sides are collected at one location, and the ends on the other end sides are connected.

[0014] The connector 9 comprises, for example, a housing (not shown) made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and a terminal (not shown) made of a conductive material. The housing can be mounted, for example, on a coupling housing (not shown) of a coupling connector (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component mounted on the vehicle. The terminal is electrically connected to the end of the electric wire 7 and is housed in the housing. The terminal is electrically connected to a coupling terminal (not shown) housed in the coupling housing by mounting the housing on the coupling housing. A plurality (five in the present embodiment) of connectors 9 are used to correspond to the ends of the plurality of electric wires 7 exposed from the joining member 5.

[0015] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the assembly element 5 comprises a base 11 and a cover 13.

[0016] The base 11 is made, for example, of urethane foam or the like or a nonwoven fabric of polypropylene fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyester-based fibers or the like, and has soundproofing and heat-insulating properties. The base 11 is formed in a sheet shape with a predetermined size so that the base 11 is arranged within the footprint range of the target member (in terms of shape and dimensions) and is assembled to the target member by a fastening means (not shown) such as by press-fitting. On one surface side of the base 11, the plurality (four in the present embodiment) of electric wires 7 of the wire harness 3 are arranged in a predetermined shape. The ends of the plurality of electric wires 7, each of the electric wires 7 being arranged on the base 11, are exposed from an outer edge of the base 11 with a predetermined length, and the connectors 9 are arranged outside the base 11.

[0017] The cover 13 is made, for example, with a film of vinyl chloride, polyethylene or the like, or a closed-cell foam or an open-cell foam of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, elastomer or the like and has soundproofing and thermal insulation properties. The cover 13 is formed in a sheet shape with a size determined to be equal to that of the base 11 so that the cover 13 is arranged within the footprint range of the target member (in terms of shape and dimensions), and a thickness determined to be less than that of the base 11. A bonding portion 15 formed with an adhesive is provided on a surface of the cover 13 facing the base 11. The cover 13 is fixed on one surface side of the base 11 by the bonding portion 15 so that the plurality of electric wires 7 are sandwiched between the cover 13 and the base 11.In a state in which the cover 13 is fixed on the base 11, the plurality of electric wires 7 arranged in a predetermined shape are held between the base 11 and the cover 13. Therefore, the assembly member 5 can protect the electric wire 7 of the wire harness 3 and maintain the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7.

[0018] The connector 9 exposed from the assembly member 5 is mounted on a coupling connector in a state in which the electrical harness assembly 1 is assembled to the target member. At this time, since the electrical wire 7 is exposed from the outer edge of the assembly member 5 with a predetermined length, the connector 9 can move freely, facilitating the mounting of the connector 9 on a coupling connector. By mounting / fitting the connector 9 on / to the coupling connector, the electrical components are electrically connected to each other.

[0019] Here, in a conventional wire harness assembly, a bonding portion for fixing a base and a cover is provided on the entire surface of an assembly member. Therefore, a large amount of adhesive is used for the bonding portion, resulting in a high cost.

[0020] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 15 comprises an edge connecting portion 17. A non-connecting region 19 in which the connecting portion 15 is not arranged is provided between the base 11 and the cover 13.

[0021] The edge connecting portion 17 is arranged along the electric wire 7 arranged inside the joining member 5 between the base 11 and the cover 13 of the joining member 5. The edge connecting portion 17 is formed on the base 11, for example, by arranging a masking sheet (not shown) having the same shape as the base 11, with a through hole formed in a portion where the connecting portion edge 17 is to be formed, on one surface side of the base 11 and by spraying an adhesive. It should be noted that the edge connecting portion 17 may be formed on the cover 13. The edge connecting portion 17 connects the portions of the base 11 and the cover 13 where the electric wire 7 is arranged, to fix the base 11 and the cover 13 integrally. By providing the edge connecting portion 17 in a portion of the joining member 5 where the electric wire 7 is arranged, the base 11 and the cover 13 may be integrated, and a portion of the joining member 5 where the electric wire 7 is not arranged may be a non-connection region 19 where the connecting portion 15 is not arranged. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of adhesive usage as much as the non-bonding region 19 where the electric wire 7 of the joining member 5 is not arranged.In addition, by arranging the edge connecting portion 17 along the electric wire 7, the electric wire 7 arranged in the edge connecting portion 17 can be connected, and the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 can be maintained, stably. Furthermore, by arranging the edge connecting portion 17 along the electric wire 7, the edge connecting portion 17 can be used as a guide for arranging the electric wire 7 and the assembly ability can be improved.

[0022] The wiring harness assembly 1 according to the present embodiment comprises a wiring harness 3 comprising an electric wire 7 and a connector 9 electrically connected to one end of the electric wire 7 and a joining member 5 in which the wiring harness 3 is arranged. The joining member 5 comprises a base 11 and a cover 13 fixed to the base 11 via a connecting portion 15. The connecting portion 15 comprises an edge connecting portion 17 arranged along the electric wire 7. A non-connecting portion 19 in which the connecting portion 15 is not arranged is provided between the base 11 and the cover 13.

[0023] By providing the edge connecting portion 17 in the connecting portion 15, the base 11 and the cover 13 can be integrated, and a portion of the joining member 5 where the electric wire 7 is not arranged can be a non-connection region 19 where the connecting portion 15 is not arranged. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the usage amount of adhesive as much as the non-connection region 19 where the electric wire 7 of the joining member 5 is not arranged. In addition, by arranging the edge connecting portion 17 along the electric wire 7, the electric wire 7 arranged in the edge connecting portion 17 can be connected, and the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 can be maintained, stably. Furthermore, by arranging the edge connecting portion 17 along the electric wire 7, the edge connecting portion 17 can be used as a guide for arranging the electric wire 7 and the assembly capability can be improved.

[0024] For this reason, the cost of the electrical harness assembly 1 can be reduced.

[0025] A second embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0026] In a wiring harness assembly 101 according to the second embodiment, the assembly member 5 comprises a body 103 in which the electrical wire 7 is arranged, and an extension 105 in which the connector 9 is arranged, the extension 105 being formed as a single continuous member with the body 103. The connecting portion 15 has an avoidance connecting portion 107 arranged in a position avoiding the connector 9 and the electrical wire 7 in the extension 105.

[0027] The extension 105 has a dividing portion 109 capable of dividing the extension 105 to make the connector 9 visible.

[0028] It should be noted that the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference signs and the description of their functions is omitted because the first embodiment may refer to them. Also, the actions and effects obtained from the same components are equivalent.

[0029] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig.3], the electrical harness 3 comprises three electrical wires 7 and four connectors 9. The electrical harness 3 is arranged inside the assembly element 5.

[0030] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 7, the assembly element 5 comprises a body 103 and an extension 105.

[0031] The body 103 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. In the body 103, a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of electric wires 7 are arranged in a predetermined shape between the base 11 and the cover 13. In the body 103, an edge connecting portion 17 of the connecting portion 15 is arranged, and the base 11 and the cover 13 are fixed, integrally, to each other. In addition, by arranging the edge connecting portion 17 in the body 103, the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 arranged in the body 103 can be stably maintained. In the body 103, a portion in which the edge bonding portion 17 is not arranged is a non-bonding region 19. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the usage amount of adhesive as much as the non-bonding region 19 where the electric wire 7 of the body 103 is not arranged.

[0032] The extension 105 is arranged relative to the body 103 to correspond to each of the plurality (four in the present embodiment) of connectors 9. The extension 105 extends outward from an outer edge of the body 103 as a single member continuous with the body 103. In the extension 105, the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 are arranged between the base 11 and the cover 13. Therefore, the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 of the wire harness 3 can be protected by the extension 105. By providing the extension 105 in the assembly member 5, it is possible to prevent direct interference between the connector 9 and the peripheral members, for example, when the wire harness assembly 101 is packaged or assembled to the target member. For example, when the assembly of the electrical harness assembly 101 is packaged, if the extension 105 protrudes from a packaging box, the extension 105 can be folded back toward the body 103. Even in such a state, the connector 9 is not exposed to the outside and direct interference between the connector 9 and the peripheral members can be prevented. For example, when the electrical harness assembly 101 is assembled to the target member, the extension 105 is removed, and the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 are exposed from the assembly member 5. The connecting portion 15 arranged in the extension 105 includes an avoidance connecting portion 107.

[0033] The avoidance connecting portion 107 is arranged along an outer edge of the extension 105 to avoid the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 between the base 11 and the cover 13 in the extension 105. The avoidance connecting portion 107 is formed on the base 11, but may be formed on the cover 13. The avoidance connecting portion 107 connects the outer edges of the base 11 and the cover 13 together in the extension 105 to fix the base 11 and the cover 13 integrally. In the extension 105, a portion in which the avoidance bonding portion 107 is not arranged is a non-bonding portion 19. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of adhesive usage as much as the non-bonding region 19 where the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 of the extension 105 are arranged.Since the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 are not arranged in the avoidance connecting part 107, the adhesive of the avoidance connecting part 107 does not adhere to the end of the electric wire 7 and the connector 9. Therefore, in a state in which the connector 9 is exposed from the joining member 5, the connector 9 can be easily mounted because the adhesive does not adhere to the connector 9. The extension 105, in which the avoidance connecting part 107 is arranged, has a division part 109.

[0034] The dividing portion 109 is formed, for example, by making cutouts (notches) in the base 11 and the cover 13 positioned in the extension 105. The dividing portion 109 is arranged in the extension 105 in a position in which the end of the electric wire 7 is exposed with a predetermined length when the extension 105 is removed. By dividing the extension 105 with the dividing portion 109, the extension 105 can be easily removed, and the connector 9 can be easily exposed from the joining member 5. Therefore, in order to expose the connector 9 from the joining member 5, it is not necessary to cut the extension 105 with a jig or the like, and the assembling capability can be improved. In a case in which the extension 105 does not protrude from the target member, the dividing portion 109 may be provided only in the cover 13.The dividing portion 109 provided in the cover 13 divides a portion of the cover 13 to be removed, in the extension 105, when the cover 13 is detached from the base 11. By . Therefore, when the connector 9 is exposed, there is no need to compress or cut the cover 13 into a predetermined position with a template or the like and the assembly capability can be improved.

[0035] In the electrical harness assembly 101 according to the present embodiment, the joining member 5 comprises a body 103 in which the electrical wire 7 is arranged, and an extension 105 in which the connector 9 is arranged, the extension 105 being formed as a single continuous member with the body 103. The connecting portion 15 has an avoiding connecting portion 107 arranged in a position avoiding the connector 9 and the electrical wire 7 in the extension 105.

[0036] By providing the extension 105 in the assembly member 5, the connector 9 can be protected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent direct interference between the connector 9 and the peripheral members, for example, when the wire harness assembly 101 is packaged or assembled to the target member. In addition, in the extension 105, since the connecting portion 15 has the avoiding connecting portion 107 arranged in a position avoiding the connector 9 and the electric wire 7, a portion where the avoiding connecting portion 107 is not arranged can be a non-connecting region 19. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of adhesive usage as much as the non-connecting region 19 where the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 of the extension 105 are arranged.Furthermore, since the electric wire 7 and the connector 9 are not arranged in the avoidance connecting portion 107, the adhesive of the avoidance connecting portion 107 does not adhere to the electric wire 7 or the connector 9. Therefore, in a state in which the connector 9 is exposed from the joining member 5, the connector 9 can be easily mounted because the adhesive does not adhere to the connector 9.

[0037] The extension 105 has a dividing portion 109 capable of dividing the extension 105 to make the connector 9 visible.

[0038] By dividing the extension 105 with the dividing portion 109, the extension 105 can be easily removed, and the connector 9 can be easily exposed from the joining member 5. Therefore, in order to make the connector 9 exposed from the joining member 5, it is not necessary to cut the extension 105 with a jig or the like, and the assembly capability can be improved.

[0039] In the embodiments described above, the number of electric wires 7 in the wire harness 3 is three or four, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of electric wires 7 may be two or fewer or may be five or more. In the embodiments described above, end sides of the plurality of electric wires 7 are collected in a connector 9, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connector 9 may be provided on each of the end sides of the plurality of electric wires 7.

[0040] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto and the configuration of the parts may be replaced by any configuration having a similar function, as long as it falls within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A wiring harness assembly (1, 101) comprising: a wiring harness (3) comprising an electric wire (7) and a connector (9) electrically connected to one end of the electric wire (7); and a joining member (5) in which the wiring harness (3) is arranged, wherein: the joining member (5) comprises: a base (11); and a cover (13) fixed to the base (11) via a connecting portion (15), the connecting portion (15) comprises an edge connecting portion (17) arranged along the electric wire (7), and a non-connecting region (19), in which the connecting portion (15) is not arranged, is provided between the base (11) and the cover (13).

2. The electrical harness assembly (101) according to claim 1, wherein: the joining member (5) comprises: a body (103) in which the electrical wire (7) is arranged; and an extension (105) in which the connector (9) is arranged, the extension (105) being formed as a single continuous member with the body (103), and the connecting portion (15) comprises an avoidance connecting portion (107) arranged in a position avoiding the connector (9) and the electrical wire (7) in the extension (105).

3. The electrical harness assembly (101) of claim 2, wherein the extension (105) comprises a dividing portion (109) configured to divide the extension (105) to make the connector (9) exposed.

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