WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A wiring harness assembly (1) 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 an assembly member (5) in which the wiring harness (3) is arranged. The assembly member (5) comprises: a base (11); and a cover (13) integrally provided on one surface side of the base (11). At least one of the base (11) or the cover (13) comprises a holding portion (15) configured to hold the electric wire (7). Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: ELECTRICAL HARNESS ASSEMBLY Technical field

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

[0002] 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 provided, integrally, on one surface side of the soundproofing / heat-insulating sheet. In the wire harness assembly, the bonding sheet is bonded on one surface side of the soundproofing / heat-insulating sheet in a state in which the electric wire of the wire harness is arranged in a predetermined shape on one surface side of the soundproofing / heat-insulating sheet. Summary

[0003] In the above-described wiring harness assembly, when the base and the cover are integrated, the electric wire may be displaced between the base and the cover, and the arrangement shape of the electric wire may be deformed. If the arrangement shape of the electric wire is deformed, the arrangement position of the connector of the wiring harness may be changed, and it may be difficult to mount the connector.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical harness assembly capable of stably holding an electrical wire by means of an assembly element.

[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 integrally provided on one surface side of the base. At least one of the base or the cover comprises a holding portion configured to hold the electric wire.

[0006] According to the configuration described above, in the electrical harness assembly, the electrical wire can be stably held by the assembly member. Typically, the holding portion is a continuous groove along the electrical wire to accommodate the electrical wire. Brief description of the drawings

[0007] [Fig. 1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an electrical harness assembly according to one embodiment.

[0008] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view of the electrical harness assembly according to the present embodiment.

[0009] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of the beam assembly electrical according to the present embodiment.

[0010] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a top view of a base of the beam assembly electrical according to the present embodiment.

[0011] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a side view illustrating an example of a groove of the electrical harness assembly according to the present embodiment.

[0012] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view illustrating another example of a groove of the electrical harness assembly according to the present embodiment.

[0013] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a side view illustrating another example of a groove of the electrical harness assembly according to the present embodiment. Detailed description

[0014] A wiring harness assembly 1 according to one embodiment is described below in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for ease of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0015] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the wiring harness assembly 1 according to the present 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.

[0016] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the electrical harness assembly 1 comprises an electrical harness 3 and an assembly element 5.

[0017] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the electrical harness 3 comprises an electrical wire 7 and a connector 9.

[0018] 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. That is, the ends on both sides thereof are provided outside 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 plugged.

[0019] 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 may 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.

[0020] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the assembly element 5 comprises a base 11 and a cover 13.

[0021] The base 11 is made, for example, of urethane foam or the like or of a 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 into 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 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 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. That is, the ends on both sides thereof are provided outside the assembly member 5, and in particular the base 11.

[0022] The cover 13 is made, for example, with a film of vinyl chloride, polyethylene or the like, or a closed-cell foam or a cell foam open of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, elastomer or the like, and has soundproofing and heat insulating 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. An adhesive is applied to a surface of the cover 13 facing the base 11. The cover 13 is attached to a surface side of the base 11 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, integrally, to 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 electric harness 3, and maintain the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7.

[0023] 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. That is, the connector 9 provided outside the assembly member 5. At this time, since the electric wire 7 is exposed from the outer edge of the assembly member 5 with a predetermined length, the connector 9 can freely move, facilitating the mounting of the connector 9 on a coupling connector. By mounting the connector 9 on the coupling connector, the electrical components are electrically connected to each other.

[0024] Here, in a conventional wire harness assembly, a base or a cover does not have a structure for holding an electric wire of a wire harness arranged inside an assembly member. Therefore, when the base and the cover are integrated (fixed), the electric wire may move between the base and the cover, and the arrangement shape of the electric wire may be deformed. If the arrangement shape of the electric wire is deformed, the arrangement position of the connector of the wire harness relative to the assembly member is changed. If the wire harness assembly, in which the arrangement position of the connector is changed, is assembled to a target member, the position of the connector is different from that of the mating connector, and it is difficult to mount the connectors.

[0025] On the other hand, in the wiring harness assembly 1 according to the present embodiment, at least one of the base 11 or the cover 13 comprises a holding portion 15 which holds the electric wire 7 of the wiring harness 3 arranged inside the assembly member 5. In the following description, it is assumed that the holding portion 15 is provided in the base 11, but the holding portion 15 may be provided in the cover 13.

[0026] The holding portion 15 is provided on a surface side of the base 11 which is a surface of the base 11 facing the cover 13. The holding portion 15 is provided in the base 11 along the electric wire 7 according to the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7. The holding portion 15 is a groove 17 continuous along the electric wire 7 and capable of accommodating the electric wire 7 therein. The groove 17 is open on both end sides (connector 9 side) at both ends of the electric wire 7. The electric wire 7 is accommodated in the groove 17 which is the holding portion 15 before the base 11 and the cover 13 are assembled. In a state in which the electric wire 7 is held by the holding portion 15, the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 with respect to the assembly member 5 is maintained.Therefore, when the base 11 and the cover 13 are integrated (fixed), the electric wire 7 does not move between the base 11 and the cover 13 and the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 is not deformed. If the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 is not deformed, the arrangement position of the connector 9 of the wire harness 3 relative to the assembly member 5 does not change. Therefore, in a state in which the wire harness assembly 1 is assembled to a target member, the position of the connector 9 coincides with the position of the coupling connector, and the connector 9 can be easily mounted.In addition, since the holding portion 15 is the groove 17 continuous along the electric wire 7 for accommodating the electric wire 7, it is possible to prevent the portion in which the electric wire 7 is arranged from protruding from an outer surface of the assembly member 5 in a state in which the base 11 and the cover 13 are integrated. Therefore, the size of the wire harness assembly 1 can be reduced.

[0027] An example of the groove 17 is described here with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. The groove 17 shown in [Fig. 5] is formed by making a cut on one surface side of the base 11. The electric wire 7 is housed in the cut-out-shaped groove 17 to be press-fitted. The cut-out-shaped groove 17 has strong adhesion with the electric wire 7. Therefore, the movement of the electric wire 7 can be stably limited. The groove 17 shown in [Fig. 6] is formed in a V-shaped cross-section on one surface side of the base 11. The V-shaped groove 17 has strong adhesion with the electric wire 7 while requiring little force to insert the electric wire 7 into the groove 17. Therefore, it is possible to improve the assembly capability while limiting the movement of the electric wire 7. The groove 17 shown in [Fig.7] is formed in a U-shaped cross-section on one surface side of the base 11. The U-shaped groove 17 requires little force to insert the electric wire 7 into the groove 17. Therefore, the assembly capability can be improved. The groove 17 can have any shape as long as the electric wire 7 can be accommodated therein.

[0028] 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 integrally provided on one surface side of the base 11. At least one of the base 11 or the cover 13 comprises a holding portion 15 which holds the electric wire 7.

[0029] In a state in which the electric wire 7 is held by the holding portion 15, the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 relative to the assembly member 5 is maintained. Therefore, when the base 11 and the cover 13 are integrated, the electric wire 7 does not move between the base 11 and the cover 13 and the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 is not deformed. If the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 is not deformed, the arrangement position of the connector 9 of the wire harness 3 relative to the assembly member 5 does not change. Therefore, in a state in which the wire harness assembly 1 is assembled to a target member, the position of the connector 9 coincides with the position of the coupling connector, and the connector 9 can be easily mounted.

[0030] Therefore, in the electrical harness assembly 1, the electrical wire 7 can be held stably by the assembly member 5.

[0031] The holding portion 15 is a groove 17 continuous along the electric wire 7 for housing the electric wire 7.

[0032] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the portion in which the electric wire 7 is arranged, from the outer surface of the assembly member 5 in a state in which the base 11 and the cover 13 are integrated, reducing the size of the wire harness assembly 1.

[0033] In the embodiment described above, the holding portion 15 is provided in the base 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the holding portion 15 may be provided in the cover 13. The holding portion 15 may be provided on both the base 11 and the cover 13.

[0034] In the embodiment described above, the holding portion 15 is the groove 17, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the holding portion 15 may be a pair of gripping portions or the like protruding toward the electric wire 7 to grip the electric wire 7, and the holding portion 15 may have any shape as long as the electric wire 7 can be held thereby. In a case in which the holding portion 15 is a pair of gripping portions, a plurality of pairs of gripping portions may be arranged along the electric wire 7 according to the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7.

[0035] In the described embodiment, the number of electric wires 7 in the wire harness 3 is four, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of electric wires 7 may be three or less or may be five or more. In the above-described embodiments, the 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.

[0036] 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 is within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A wire harness assembly (1) comprising: 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) comprising: a base (11); and a cover (13) integrally provided on one surface side of the base (11), and at least one of the base (11) or the cover (13) comprises a holding portion (15) configured to hold the electric wire (7).

2. The electrical harness assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion (15) is a groove (17) continuous along the electrical wire (7) for accommodating the electrical wire (7).

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