Wiring harness, and wiring harness system

Abstract

To make a fixed member support protectors of wiring harnesses, without requiring the protectors to be directly fixed to the fixed member.SOLUTION: A wiring harness system comprises: a first wiring harness comprising a first electric wire and a first protector that is fixed to a fixed member while receiving the first electric wire; and a second wiring harness provided arranged at least partially juxtaposed with the first wiring harness along the fixed member, and comprising a second electric wire and a second protector that is not fixed to the fixed member at a predetermined portion in a longitudinal direction along the second electric wire while receiving the second electric wire. The first protector comprises: an attachment part for fixing the first protector to the fixed member; and a first connection part for connecting with the predetermined portion of the second protector. The second protector comprises a second connection part disposed at the predetermined portion, and indisplaceably connected to the first connection part without being fixed to the fixed member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wire harness and a wire harness system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in an automobile, a wire harness is used to supply power from a battery to an in-vehicle device. The wire harness disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes electric wires and a protector that houses the electric wires. The protector is formed into a predetermined shape so that the electric wires are routed in a desired path along a fixed member such as a body panel. The protector is fixed to the body panel with a bolt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-115708 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Fig. 2 of Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which two wire harnesses are arranged side by side along a vehicle body panel (fixing member). In order to fix a protector of one of the wire harnesses to the vehicle body panel with a bolt, a hole through which the bolt passes is provided in the vehicle body panel. In order to fix a protector of the other wire harness to the vehicle body panel with a bolt, a hole through which the bolt passes is provided in the vehicle body panel.

[0005] Since the wire harness is routed in a limited space, it may be impossible to provide a structure (e.g., a bracket) for fixing the protector to the vehicle body panel in some locations. Also, holes are provided in the vehicle body panel to fix the protector to the vehicle body panel with bolts, but these holes can cause water and sound to enter the vehicle interior. For this reason, it is sometimes desirable to have as few holes for fixing the protector as possible.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that allows a protector to be supported on a fixing member such as a vehicle body panel without being directly fixed to the fixing member, and a wire harness system that includes the wire harness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A wire harness system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first wire harness having a first electric wire and a first protector that accommodates the first electric wire and is fixed to a fixing member; and a second wire harness having a second electric wire and a second protector that accommodates the second electric wire and is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined longitudinal position along the second electric wire, the second wire harness being arranged along the fixing member with at least a portion of the first wire harness aligned therewith, wherein the first protector has an attachment portion for fixing the first protector to the fixing member and a first connecting portion for connecting to the predetermined position of the second protector, and the second protector has a second connecting portion at the predetermined position that is not fixed to the fixing member and is connected to the first connecting portion in a non-displaceable manner.

[0008] A wire harness according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a mating wire harness having a mating protector that accommodates a mating electric wire and is fixed to a fixing member, and a wire harness that is arranged along the fixing member in at least a portion of a line-up, the wire harness including an electric wire and a protector that accommodates the electric wire and is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location in the longitudinal direction along the electric wire, the protector having a connecting portion at the predetermined location that is not fixed to the fixing member and is non-displaceably connected to a mating connecting portion of the mating protector. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to support a protector of a wire harness on a fixing member such as a vehicle body plate without directly fixing the protector to the fixing member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wire harness system of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the first protector, illustrating the first base portion, the first connecting portion, and the surroundings thereof. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the first protector, illustrating the first base portion, the first connecting portion, and the surroundings thereof. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the second protector showing the second base portion, the second connecting portion, and the surroundings thereof. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the second protector showing the second base portion, the second connecting portion, and the surroundings thereof. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting structure and its surroundings as viewed from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state before the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are completely connected to each other. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before completion of connection between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are completely connected to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Overview of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Below, an overview of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A wire harness system of this embodiment includes a first wire harness having a first electric wire and a first protector that accommodates the first electric wire and is fixed to a fixing member; and a second wire harness having a second electric wire and a second protector that accommodates the second electric wire and is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined longitudinal position along the second electric wire, the second wire harness being arranged along the fixing member with at least a portion of the first wire harness aligned therewith, wherein the first protector has an attachment portion for fixing the first protector to the fixing member and a first connecting portion for connecting to the predetermined position of the second protector, and the second protector has a second connecting portion at the predetermined position that is not fixed to the fixing member and is connected to the first connecting portion in a non-displaceable manner.

[0012] According to the wire harness system of the present embodiment, the second protector of the second wire harness is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location, but is connected to the first protector that is fixed to the fixing member. Moreover, the second connecting portion of the second protector is connected to the first connecting portion of the first protector in a manner that the second connecting portion cannot be displaced. Therefore, even if the second protector is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location, the second protector is indirectly supported by the fixing member by the first protector.

[0013] (2) Preferably, the connecting structure formed by the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided at a portion where the first protector and the second protector gradually approach each other from a portion where the first protector and the second protector are separated from each other. This configuration makes it possible to make the connecting structure small. The supporting rigidity of the second protector by the first protector is increased.

[0014] (3) In the wire harness of (2), a load acting on the second protector acts on the first protector through the connecting structure, and the load is further transmitted to the fixing member through the mounting portion of the first protector. Therefore, preferably, the connecting structure is provided in the vicinity of the mounting portion. With this configuration, the first protector bears and supports the load acting on the second protector, but this load can be reduced.

[0015] (4) The second electric wire may be an electric wire for use at a higher voltage than the first electric wire.

[0016] (5) In the wire harness system of (4), preferably, the first protector has a first main body portion provided along the first electric wire and accommodating the first electric wire, and a first base portion provided protruding from the first main body portion toward the second protector, and the first coupling portion is provided on the second protector side of the first base portion. With this configuration, the first base makes it possible to provide a certain amount of space between the first electric wire and the second electric wire. It is possible to suppress noise that may be generated in the first electric wire by the second electric wire, which is for high voltage.

[0017] (6) In the wire harness system of (5), preferably, the first base portion has an opposing wall portion facing an outer wall of the first main body portion and having the first connecting portion provided thereon, and a pair of side walls connecting the outer wall and the opposing wall portion, and has a hollow structure opening on at least one side, and the first base portion further has a reinforcing portion connecting the outer wall and the opposing wall portion and provided between the pair of side walls. According to this configuration, since the first base portion has a hollow structure, it is possible to suppress an increase in weight of the first protector. The rigidity of the hollow base portion is ensured by the reinforcing portion, and the supporting rigidity of the second protector by the first protector is increased.

[0018] (7) Furthermore, preferably, when the direction in which the first protector and the second protector are aligned at the specified location is defined as the left-right direction, one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a pair of first engaging claws arranged in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, and the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a second engaging claw that, when engaged with the pair of first engaging claws, becomes inseparable in the left-right direction and the perpendicular direction. According to this configuration, when the pair of first and second engagement claws are engaged with each other, the first protector and the second protector are connected to each other so as not to be separated in the left-right direction and in the perpendicular direction thereto.

[0019] (8) Furthermore, in the wire harness system of (7), preferably, when the orthogonal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire or the second electric wire at the specified location is defined as the front-rear direction, and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction, the second connecting part has a guided groove that allows it to move along the up-down direction by being guided by the pair of first engaging claws for connection with the first connecting part, and the first connecting part or the second connecting part further has a locking part that prevents the second connecting part from moving by the guided groove when the pair of first engaging claws are engaged with the second engaging claw. According to this configuration, the pair of first and second engagement claws engage with each other by moving the second protector in the up-down direction relative to the first protector. In this engaged state, the pair of first and second engagement claws is maintained in an engaged state by the locking portion. As a result, the first and second protectors are connected to each other in an inseparable manner in the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction.

[0020] (9) The wire harness of this embodiment includes a mating wire harness having a mating protector that accommodates a mating electric wire and is fixed to a fixing member, and a wire harness that is arranged along the fixing member in a state where at least a portion of the mating wire is lined up, the wire harness includes an electric wire, and a protector that accommodates the electric wire and is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction along the electric wire, and the protector has a connecting portion at the predetermined position that is not fixed to the fixing member and is connected to a mating connecting portion of the mating protector in a non-displaceable manner.

[0021] According to the wire harness of the present embodiment, the protector is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location, but is connected to a mating protector that is fixed to the fixing member. Moreover, the connecting portion of the protector is connected to the mating connecting portion of the mating protector in a manner that makes it impossible for the protector to be displaced. Therefore, even if the protector is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location, the protector is indirectly supported by the fixing member through the mating protector.

[0022] (10) Preferably, the protector has a main body portion that is provided along the electric wire and that houses the electric wire, and a base portion that is provided protruding from the main body portion toward the mating protector. With this configuration, the base portion makes it possible to provide a certain degree of space between the electric wire and the mating electric wire. It is possible to suppress noise that may occur between the electric wire and the mating electric wire. This is particularly suitable when the electric wire is a high-voltage electric wire.

[0023] (11) Preferably, the protector has a seat at the predetermined location on the fixed member side, the seat being capable of coming into contact with the fixed member. According to this configuration, the protector supported by the mating protector is stable. In particular, when an external force acts on a predetermined location and the protector attempts to displace toward the fixed member, the base comes into contact with the fixed member and the protector is supported. As a result, the load acting on the connecting structure formed by the connecting portion and the mating connecting portion due to the external force is reduced, and damage to the connecting structure is prevented.

[0024] (12) Also, preferably, when the direction in which the mating protector and the protector are aligned at the specified location is defined as the left-right direction, the mating connecting portion has second engaging claws that are engageable with a pair of first engaging claws provided in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, and that, when engaged with the pair of first engaging claws, become inseparable in the left-right direction and the perpendicular direction. According to this configuration, when the pair of first engagement claws and second engagement claws are engaged with each other, the mating protector and the protector are connected to each other in an inseparable manner in the left-right direction and in the perpendicular direction thereto.

[0025] (13) Furthermore, in the wire harness of (12), preferably, when the orthogonal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mating wire or the wire at the specified location is defined as the front-rear direction, and the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the up-down direction, the connecting portion has a guided groove that allows it to move along the up-down direction by being guided by the pair of first engaging claws for connection with the mating connecting portion, and the connecting portion further has a locking portion that prevents movement of the connecting portion by the guided groove when the pair of first engaging claws are engaged with the second engaging claw. According to this configuration, the pair of first and second engagement claws engage with each other by moving the protector in the up-down direction relative to the mating protector. In this engaged state, the pair of first and second engagement claws are maintained in an engaged state by the locking portion. As a result, the mating protector and the protector are connected in an inseparable manner in the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction.

[0026] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any combination.

[0027] [About the Wire Harness System] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness system 10 of this embodiment. The wire harness system 10 can be mounted on various devices, but in this embodiment, it is mounted on an automobile. The wire harness system 10 includes a first wire harness 11 and a second wire harness 12. The first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are each used to supply battery power to each vehicle-mounted device. In this embodiment, the first wire harness 11 is a low-voltage wire harness, not shown, which connects a first battery (e.g., a 12-volt battery) to a first vehicle-mounted device. The second wire harness 12 is a high-voltage wire harness, not shown, which connects a second battery (e.g., a 24-volt battery) to a second vehicle-mounted device.

[0028] The first wire harness 11 has a first electric wire 13 and a first protector 14 that houses and protects the first electric wire 13. The first protector 14 is formed into a predetermined shape so that the first electric wire 13 is routed along a vehicle body panel (fixing member) 7 in a desired path. The second wire harness 12 has a second electric wire 15 and a second protector 16 that houses and protects the second electric wire 15. The second protector 16 is formed into a predetermined shape so that the second electric wire 15 is routed along a vehicle body panel 7 in a desired path.

[0029] The first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are arranged side by side along the vehicle body panel 7. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are arranged to face the vehicle body panel 7 over their entire length. The first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are arranged side by side in a close proximity state at two points, and side by side in a separated state at two points. In other words, the wire harness system 10 has a first close portion 17 and a second close portion 19 where the first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are close to each other, and a first separated portion 18 and a second separated portion 20 where the first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are separated from each other.

[0030] A first approaching portion 17, a first separating portion 18, a second approaching portion 19, and a second separating portion 20 are arranged in this order from one side (the lower left side in FIG. 1) to the other side (the upper right side in FIG. 1) in the longitudinal direction of the second wire harness 12. The first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 may have a shape other than the linear shape shown in the figure, and it is sufficient that the first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 are provided in a state where at least a portion of them is aligned along the vehicle body panel 7.

[0031] The first electric wire 13 is composed of one or more electric wires. The second electric wire 15 is composed of one or more electric wires. The first electric wire 13 is a low-voltage electric wire, and the second electric wire 15 is a high-voltage electric wire in which a higher voltage electricity flows than the first electric wire 13. Both ends of the first electric wire 13 are exposed from the first protector 14. The first protector 14 has partial wall portions 65 protruding from the ends. The partial wall portions 65 are provided so as to follow the exposed first electric wire 13. The first electric wire 13 is wrapped around the partial wall portions 65 with adhesive tape and fixed to the first protector 14.

[0032] Both ends of the second electric wire 15 are exposed from the second protector 16, and a corrugated tube 9 is connected to each of both longitudinal sides of the second protector 16, through which the second electric wire 15 passes. Both ends of the second protector 16 have an enlarged shape in order to connect the corrugated tube 9. A second base portion 34, which will be described later, is provided in the portion of the second protector 16 that has the enlarged shape as described above. The second protector 16 has a partial wall portion 66 protruding from an end portion. The partial wall portion 66 is provided so as to fit along the corrugated tube 9 covering the second electric wire 15. The corrugated tube 9 is wrapped around the partial wall portion 66 with adhesive tape and fixed to the second protector 16.

[0033] The first protector 14 is made of synthetic resin and is configured to be long along the first electric wire 13. The first protector 14 has a first case part 21 having a U-shaped cross section and a first lid part 22 attached to the first case part 21. The first electric wire 13 passes through an internal space formed between the first case part 21 and the first lid part 22. The first case part 21 and the first lid part 22 configure a first main body part 31 that houses the first electric wire 13, and the first main body part 31 is provided along the wiring path of the first electric wire 13.

[0034] The first protector 14 is fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at multiple locations (two locations in FIG. 1). To this end, the first protector 14 has a first bracket portion 23 provided on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof and a second bracket portion 24 provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction thereof. The first bracket 23 and the second bracket 24 are integrally formed with the first case portion 21.

[0035] The first protector 14 is directly fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 by the first bracket portion 23 and the second bracket 24. A hole is formed in the vehicle body panel 7 for this fixing. The first bracket portion 23 and the second bracket 24 have a first fixing structure or a second fixing structure, which will be described below, for fixing the first protector 14 to the vehicle body panel 7. The first fixing structure is a structure having a clip that fits into the hole with elastic deformation. The second fixing structure is a structure having a bolt that passes through the hole and a nut that is fastened to the bolt.

[0036] The first protector 14 further has a first connecting portion 25 for connecting with the second protector 16. A specific configuration of the first connecting portion 25 will be described later. The first bracket portion 23 and the first connecting portion 25 are provided in the first approaching portion 17. The second bracket portion 24 and a third bracket portion 28 of the second protector 16 described later are provided in the second separating portion 20. As described above, the first protector 14 has the first bracket portion 23 and the second bracket portion 24 as mounting portions for fixing the first protector 14 to the vehicle body panel 7. Furthermore, the first protector 14 has the first connecting portion 25 for connecting to a part of the predetermined portion 29 of the second protector 16. The predetermined portion 29 is included in the first approach portion 17.

[0037] The second protector 16 is made of synthetic resin and is configured to be long along the second electric wire 15. The second protector 16 has a second case part 26 having a U-shaped cross section and a second lid part 27 attached to the second case part 26. The second electric wire 15 passes through an internal space formed between the second case part 26 and the second lid part 27. The second case part 26 and the second lid part 27 configure a second main body part 32 that houses the second electric wire 15, and the second main body part 32 is provided along the wiring path of the second electric wire 15.

[0038] In this embodiment, the second protector 16 is fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at one location. To this end, the second protector 16 has a third bracket portion 28 provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction thereof. The third bracket 28 is integrally formed with the second case portion 26.

[0039] A part of the second protector 16 is directly fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 by the third bracket portion 28. For this fixing, a hole is formed in the vehicle body panel 7. The third bracket portion 28 has the first constituent structure or the second fixing structure described above in order to fix the second protector 16 to the vehicle body panel 7. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the first bracket portion 23 is fixed to a flat plate portion of the vehicle body panel 7, and the second bracket portion 24 and the third bracket portion 28 are fixed to a girder 7a that the vehicle body panel 7 has and that protrudes from the flat plate portion.

[0040] The second protector 16 is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at one side in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the second protector 16 is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at a predetermined location 29 which is one side in the longitudinal direction of the second protector 16. The predetermined location 29 of the second protector 16 is supported by a first connecting portion 25 of the first protector 14 which is fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 by a first bracket portion 23, and is indirectly fixed to the vehicle body panel 7. For this reason, the second protector 16 has a second connecting portion 30 at the predetermined location 29. The second connecting portion 30 is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 and is connected to the first connecting portion 25 in a non-displaceable manner. The specific configuration of the second connecting portion 30 will be described later.

[0041] The connecting structure 40 constituted by the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 is provided in a first approaching portion 17 where the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 gradually approach each other from the first separating portion 18. That is, the connecting structure 40 is included in the first approaching portion 17. Furthermore, if the direction in which the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 are lined up at a predetermined position 29 included in the first approaching portion 17 is defined as the left-right direction, the first bracket portion 23 is provided on one side of the first protector 14 in the left-right direction, and the connecting structure 40 is provided on the other side of the first protector 14 in the left-right direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the connecting structure 40 is provided in the vicinity of the first bracket portion 23. It is sufficient that the connecting structure 40 is provided in the vicinity of the first bracket portion 23, and it is sufficient that the connecting structure 40 and the first bracket portion 23 are provided within the range of the first approaching portion 17. In other words, the range of the vicinity can be said to be the case where the connecting structure 40 and the first bracket portion 23 are provided in the same approaching portion (first approaching portion 17).

[0043] Here, the directions in this disclosure are defined. As described above, the direction in which the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 are arranged at the predetermined location 29 that is included in the first approach portion 17 and where the second protector 16 is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 is defined as the "left-right direction". In addition, the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire 13 or the second electric wire 15 at the predetermined location 29 is defined as the "front-rear direction". The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the "up-down direction". In this embodiment, the wire harness system 10 is installed on the vehicle body panel 7. In the first wire harness 11, the first case portion 21 is on the bottom and the first lid 22 is on the top, and in the second wire harness 12, the second case portion 26 is on the top and the second lid 27 is on the bottom, but these case portions and lids may be upside down.

[0044] [Specific configuration of connecting structure 40] As described above, the first protector 14 has the first main body portion 31 that houses the first electric wire 13. The first protector 14 further has the first base portion 33 that is provided protruding from the first main body portion 31 toward the second protector 16 side. The first connecting portion 25 is provided on the second protector 16 side of the first base portion 33. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing a part of the first protector 14 showing the first base portion 33 and the first connecting portion 25, as well as their surroundings. Figure 2 is a perspective view when viewed from above, and Figure 3 is a perspective view when viewed from below.

[0045] The first base portion 33 has a first opposing wall portion 36 facing the outer wall 35 of the first main body portion 31, and a pair of first side walls 37, 37 connecting the outer wall 35 and the first opposing wall portion 36. The first base portion 33 further has an upper wall 38 closing a space surrounded by the outer wall 35, the first opposing wall portion 36, and the pair of side walls 37, 37. The first base portion 33 has a hollow structure that opens downward. Note that the upper wall 38 may be omitted, and the first base portion 33 has a hollow structure that opens at least on one side in the up-down direction. The first connecting portion 25 is provided on the first opposing wall portion 36. The first base portion 33 further has a reinforcing portion 39 that connects the outer wall 35 and the first opposing wall portion 36 and is provided between the pair of side walls 37, 37 (see FIG. 3).

[0046] In Fig. 1, the second protector 16 has the second main body portion 32 that houses the second electric wire 15, as described above. The second protector 16 further has the second base portion 34 that is provided protruding from the second main body portion 32 toward the first protector 14. The second connecting portion 30 is provided on the first protector 14 side of the second base portion 34. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing a part of the second protector 16 showing the second base portion 34 and the second connecting portion 30, as well as their surroundings. Fig. 4 is a perspective view when viewed from above, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view when viewed from below.

[0047] The second base portion 34 has a second opposing wall portion 46 facing the outer wall 45 of the second main body portion 32, and a pair of second side walls 47, 47 connecting the outer wall 45 and the second opposing wall portion 46. The second base portion 34 further has a lower wall 48 (see FIG. 5) that closes a space surrounded by the outer wall 45, the second opposing wall portion 46, and the pair of second side walls 47, 47. The second base portion 34 has a hollow structure that opens upward. Note that the lower wall 48 may be omitted, and the second base portion 34 has a hollow structure that opens at least in one of the upper and lower directions. The second connecting portion 30 is provided on the second opposing wall portion 46.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting structure 40 and its surroundings as viewed from above. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the first connecting portion 25 has a pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 provided on the first opposing wall portion 36 at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction. The first engagement claw 41 has a first pillar portion 51 and a first claw portion 52. The first pillar portion 51 is provided protruding from the first opposing wall portion 36 in one of the left-right directions and is long in the up-down direction. The first claw portion 52 is provided protruding from the first pillar portion 51 in the front-rear direction and is long in the up-down direction. The first connecting portion 25 has a guide groove 53 between the first claw portion 52 and the first opposing wall portion 36, with the groove longitudinal direction being the up-down direction. A raised portion 54 is provided between the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 in the first opposing wall portion 36 (see FIG. 3). The raised portion 54 has a contact surface 54b as a surface facing downward toward the vehicle body panel 7. The configuration and function of the raised portion 54 will be described later.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the second connecting portion 30 has a pair of second engaging claws 42, 42 that engage with the first engaging claws 41, 41. The pair of second engaging claws 42, 42 are provided on the second opposing wall portion 46, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The second engaging claw 42 has a second pillar portion 56 and a second claw portion 57. The second pillar portion 56 is provided protruding from the second opposing wall portion 46 in the other of the left-right direction and is long in the up-down direction. The second claw portion 57 is provided protruding from the second pillar portion 56 in the front-rear direction and is long in the up-down direction. The second connecting portion 30 has a guided groove 58 between the second claw portion 57 and the second opposing wall portion 46, with the groove longitudinal direction being the up-down direction. A locking portion 59 is provided between the pair of second engagement claws 42, 42 in the second opposing wall portion 46 (see FIG. 3). The configuration and function of the locking portion 59 will be described later.

[0050] 6 shows a state in which the first engagement claws 41, 41 and the second engagement claws 42, 42 are engaged with each other. In this engaged state, the first claw portion 52 of the first engagement claw 41 fits into the guided groove 58 of the second connecting portion 30, and the second claw portion 57 of the second engagement claw 42 fits into the guide groove 53 of the first connecting portion 25. When the first engagement claws 41, 41 and the second engagement claws 42, 42 are engaged with each other, the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 cannot be separated in the left-right direction and the perpendicular direction.

[0051] In this way, the first connecting portion 25 has a pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The second connecting portion 30 has a pair of second engagement claws 42, 42 that become inseparable in the left-right and front-rear directions when engaged with the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41. Note that, in the present embodiment, the case where the second engagement claws 42, 42 are provided between the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 has been described, but these arrangements may be reversed. In other words, the second connecting portion 30 may have a pair of first engagement claws spaced apart in the front-rear direction, and the first connecting portion 25 may have a second engagement claw that becomes inseparable in the left-right and front-rear directions when engaged with the pair of first engagement claws.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state before the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 are connected. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connection between the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 is completed. As shown in FIG. 7, the second protector 16 is moved in the vertical direction (downward) to approach the first protector 14. Then, the first engagement claws 41, 41 fit into the guided grooves 58, 58 of the second engagement claws 42, 42. By further moving the second protector 16 downward, the state in which the first engagement claws 41, 41 fit into the guided grooves 58, 58 continues, and the second engagement claws 42, 42 come into contact with the lower wall 55 (see FIG. 3) of the first engagement claws 41, 41, and further movement is disabled. This state is a connection completion state between the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 (see FIG. 8).

[0053] In this manner, the second connecting portion 30 has the guided grooves 58, 58. In order to connect the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30, the guided grooves 58, 58 allow the second connecting portion 30 to move in the up-down direction by being guided by the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41.

[0054] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state immediately before the completion of the connection between the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30, as viewed from the front-rear direction. As described above, the second opposing wall portion 46 is provided with the locking portion 59. The locking portion 59 is composed of a base portion 59a extending in the left-right direction from the second opposing wall portion 46, and an elastic piece portion 59b extending in the up-down direction from the base portion 59a. The elastic piece portion 59b has a stopper surface 59c at its tip side. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection completion state. In the connection completion state, the stopper surface 59c comes into contact with the contact surface 54b of the raised portion 54.

[0055] The raised portion 54 has an inclined surface 54a that becomes higher as it extends downward. The elastic piece portion 59b has an inclined surface 59d that approaches the second opposing wall portion 46 as it extends downward. When the second protector 16 is moved up and down (downward) and brought closer to the first protector 14 (see FIG. 9), the inclined surface 59d of the elastic piece 59b eventually comes into contact with the inclined surface 54a of the raised portion 54, and the elastic piece 59b is elastically deformed. When the second protector 16 is further moved so that almost the entire elastic piece 59b passes through the raised portion 54, the elastic piece 59b is displaced toward the first protector 14 by its elastic restoring force. This state is the connection completed state (see FIG. 10).

[0056] In the connected state, the stopper surface 59c of the elastic piece portion 59b can come into contact with the contact surface 54b of the raised portion 54, and further, the lower end 42a of the second engagement claw 42 can come into contact with the lower wall 55 of the first engagement claw 41. In other words, the lock portion 59 and the lower portion of the second engagement claw 42 are sandwiched in the vertical direction between the raised portion 54 and the lower wall 55 of the first engagement claw 41. Therefore, in the connected state, the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 cannot be separated in the vertical direction. In addition, the arrangement of the locking portion 59 and the raised portion 54 may be reversed, with the first connecting portion 25 having the locking portion and the second connecting portion 30 having the raised portion that engages with the locking portion.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, the second protector 16 has a pedestal 60 at a predetermined location 29 that can come into contact with the vehicle body panel 7. In this embodiment, the second cover portion 27 attached to the second case portion 26 having a U-shaped cross section is located on the vehicle body panel 7 side. Therefore, the pedestal 60 is provided as a part of the second cover portion 27. As shown in FIG. 5, the pedestal 60 is provided so as to protrude downward (toward the vehicle body panel 7) from a flat surface 27a that is the lower surface of the second cover portion 27. When the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 are connected to each other, a lower seating surface 60a of the pedestal 60 can come into contact with the vehicle body panel 7.

[0058] [Regarding the Wire Harness System 10 of the Present Embodiment] As described above, the wire harness system 10 of the present embodiment includes the first wire harness 11 and the second wire harness 12 that is provided along the vehicle body panel 7 in a state where at least a part of the wire harness 11 is aligned with the first wire harness 11, as shown in FIG. 1. The first wire harness 11 has the first protector 14 that accommodates the first electric wire 13 and is fixed to the vehicle body panel 7. The second wire harness 12 has the second protector 16 that accommodates the second electric wire 15 and is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at a predetermined position 29 in the longitudinal direction along the second electric wire 15. The first protector 14 has the first bracket portion 23 as an attachment portion for fixing the first protector 14 to the vehicle body panel 7, and the first connecting portion 25 for connecting to the predetermined position 29 of the second protector 16. The second protector 16 has the second connecting portion 30 at the predetermined position 29 that is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 and is connected to the first connecting portion 25.

[0059] According to the wire harness system 10 of the present embodiment, the second protector 16 of the second wire harness 12 is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at the predetermined location 29, but is connected to the first protector 14 which is fixed to the vehicle body panel 7. Moreover, the second connecting portion 30 of the second protector 16 is connected to the first connecting portion 25 of the first protector 14 in a manner that the second protector 16 cannot be displaced relative to the first connecting portion 25 of the first protector 14. Therefore, even if the second protector 16 is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at the predetermined location 29, the second protector 16 is indirectly supported on the vehicle body panel 7 by the first protector 14.

[0060] If a hole is provided in the vehicle body panel 7, the hole will cause water and sound to enter the vehicle interior. In this embodiment, the second protector 16 is not directly fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at the predetermined location 29, so that the number of holes in the vehicle body panel 7 for mounting the second protector 16 can be reduced, and deterioration of waterproof performance and noise reduction performance is suppressed.

[0061] Focusing on the second wire harness 12, the second wire harness 12 is provided along the vehicle body panel 7 in a state where at least a part of the second wire harness is aligned with a mating wire harness that accommodates a mating electric wire and has a mating protector fixed to the vehicle body panel 7. For the second wire harness 12, the first wire harness 11 is the mating wire harness, the first electric wire 13 is the mating electric wire, and the first protector 14 is the mating protector. The second wire harness 12 accommodates the second electric wire 15 and has a second protector 16 that is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at a predetermined location 29. The second protector 16 has a second connecting portion 30 that is not fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at the predetermined location 29 and is connected to a mating connecting portion of the mating protector in a non-displaceable manner. For the second connecting portion 30, the first connecting portion 25 is the mating connecting portion.

[0062] In this embodiment, the connecting structure 40 formed by the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30 is provided at the first approaching portion 17 which is gradually closer to the first separating portion 18 where the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 are separated. This makes it possible to configure the connecting structure 40 small. By shortening the connecting structure 40 in the left-right direction, the supporting rigidity of the second protector 16 by the first protector 14 is increased. The load acting on the second protector 16 acts on the first protector 14 through the connecting structure 40, and the load is further transmitted to the vehicle body panel 7 through the first bracket portion 23 of the first protector 14. Therefore, the connecting structure 40 is provided in the vicinity of the first bracket portion 23. With this configuration, the first protector 14 bears and supports the load acting on the second protector 16, but this load can be reduced.

[0063] The first protector 14 has a first base portion 33 provided protruding from a first main body portion 31 that accommodates the first electric wire 13 toward the second protector 16. The first coupling portion 25 is provided on the second protector 16 side of the first base portion 33. With this configuration, the first base 33 makes it possible to provide a certain amount of space between the first electric wire 13 and the second electric wire 15. The second protector 16 has a second base portion 34 provided protruding from a second main body portion 32 that accommodates the second electric wire 15 toward the first protector 14. With this configuration, the first base 33 makes it possible to provide a certain amount of space between the first electric wire 13 and the second electric wire 15. Therefore, it is possible to suppress noise that may be generated in the first electric wire 13 by the second electric wire 15 that is for high voltage.

[0064] 3, the first base portion 33 has a hollow structure, and further has a reinforcing portion 39 that connects the outer wall 35 and the first opposing wall portion 36 of the first main body portion 31 and is provided between the pair of first side walls 37, 37. Since the first base portion 33 has a hollow structure, it is possible to suppress an increase in weight of the first protector 14. The rigidity of the first base portion 33, which has a hollow structure, is ensured by the reinforcing portion 39, and the supporting rigidity of the second protector 16 by the first protector 14 is increased. Furthermore, a reinforcing portion 39 is connected to the first opposing wall portion 36 at a portion between the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 that constitute the first connecting portion 25. This increases the rigidity of the connecting structure portion 40.

[0065] 1, the second protector 16 has a base 60 at the predetermined location 29 on the vehicle body panel 7 side, which is capable of coming into contact with the vehicle body panel 7. The base 60 stabilizes the second protector 16 supported by the first protector 14. In particular, when an external force acts on the predetermined location 29 and causes the second protector 16 to displace toward the vehicle body panel 7, the base 60 comes into contact with the vehicle body panel 7 to support the second protector 16. As a result, the load acting on the connecting structure 40 due to the external force is reduced, and damage to the connecting structure 40 is prevented.

[0066] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 25 has a pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 provided in the front-rear direction. The second connecting portion 30 is provided between the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41. The first protector 14 and the second protector 16 have second engagement claws 42, 42. When the second engagement claws 42, 42 engage with the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41, the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 are inseparable from each other in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 are connected to each other in a manner that makes them inseparable from each other in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 7, the second connecting portion 30 has guided grooves 58, 58. The guided grooves 58, 58 allow the second connecting portion 30 to move in the up-down direction by being guided by the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 in order to connect the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the second connecting portion 30 has a locking portion 59 having an elastic piece portion 59b. The locking portion 59 prevents the second connecting portion 30 from moving due to the guided grooves 58, 58 when the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 and the second engagement claws 42, 42 are engaged with each other. With this configuration, in order to connect the first connecting portion 25 and the second connecting portion 30, the pair of first engagement claws 41, 41 and the second engagement claws 42, 42 are engaged with each other by moving the second protector 16 in the up-down direction (downward in this embodiment) relative to the first protector 14. In this engaged state, the engagement state is maintained by the lock portion 59. As a result, the first protector 14 and the second protector 16 are connected to each other in an inseparable manner not only in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction but also in the up-down direction.

[0068] [Other matters] 1, the second protector 16 is directly fixed to the vehicle body panel 7 at one location by the third bracket portion 28, and is supported by the first protector 14 at another location by the connecting structure portion 40. Although not shown, the second protector 16 may be supported by the first protector 14 at multiple locations (two locations) by the connecting structure portion 40. Furthermore, the number of portions (connecting structure portions 40) at which the second protector 16 is supported by the first protector 14 may be even greater, for example, three or more locations.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the first protector 14 has a first base portion 33, and the second protector 16 has a second base portion 34, but one or both of the first base portion 33 and the second base portion 34 may be omitted.

[0070] Although the case where the second protector 16 is moved in the up-down direction relative to the first protector 14 to connect the two has been described, the second protector 16 may be moved with a component in the front-rear direction to connect the two. In this case, the groove length direction of the guide groove 53 and the guided groove 58 may be a direction having a component in the front-rear direction rather than the up-down direction. The first engagement claw 41 and the second engagement claw 42 may have a configuration different from that shown in the drawings.

[0071] The above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above-described embodiment, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 7 Body panel (fixing member) 7a digit 9 Corrugated tube 10 Wire Harness System 11 First Wire Harness 12 Second Wire Harness 13 Daiichi Electric Cable 14 First Protector 15 Second electric wire 16 Second Protector 17 First approach part 18 First Defective Division 19 Second approach section 20 Second Defective Section 21 First case part 22 First lid part 23 First bracket part 24 Second bracket part 25 First connection part 26 Second case part 27 Second lid part 27a plane 28 Third bracket part 29 Prescribed Location 30 Second connection part 31 First body part 32 Second body part 33 First base part 34 Second base part 35 Exterior Wall 36 First opposing wall 37 First side wall 38 Upper Wall 39 Reinforcement 40 Connection structure section 41 First engagement claw 42 Second engagement claw 42a bottom end 45 Exterior Wall 46 Second opposing wall 47 Second side wall 48 Lower Wall 51 First pillar part 52 First claw part 53 Guide groove 54 Ridge 54b Contact surface 54a Slope 55 Lower wall 56 Second pillar section 57 Second claw part 58 Guide groove 59 Rock Club 59a base 59b Elastic piece 59c Stopper surface 59d Slope 60 Pedestal 60a Seat 65 Partial wall 66 Partial wall

Claims

1. a first wire harness including a first electric wire and a first protector that accommodates the first electric wire and is fixed to a fixing member; a second wire harness including a second electric wire and a second protector that accommodates the second electric wire and is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location in a longitudinal direction along the second electric wire, and the second wire harness is provided along the fixing member with at least a portion thereof aligned with the first wire harness; Equipped with the first protector has an attachment portion for fixing the first protector to the fixing member and a first connecting portion for connecting to the predetermined portion of the second protector, The second protector has a second connecting portion at the predetermined location, which is not fixed to the fixing member and is connected to the first connecting portion in a non-displaceable manner. Wire harness system.

2. 2. The wire harness system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure formed by the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided at a portion where the first protector and the second protector gradually approach each other from a portion where the first protector and the second protector are separated from each other.

3. The wire harness system according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting structure portion is provided near the mounting portion.

4. The wire harness system according to claim 1 , wherein the second electric wire is an electric wire for use with a higher voltage than the first electric wire.

5. the first protector has a first main body portion provided along the first electric wire and accommodating the first electric wire, and a first base portion provided protruding from the first main body portion toward the second protector, The wire harness system according to claim 4 , wherein the first connecting portion is provided on the first base portion on a side of the second protector.

6. The first base portion has an opposing wall portion facing an outer wall of the first main body portion and in which the first connecting portion is provided, and a pair of side walls connecting the outer wall and the opposing wall portion, and has a hollow structure opening at least on one side, The wire harness system according to claim 5 , wherein the first base portion further includes a reinforcing portion that connects the outer wall and the opposing wall portion and is provided between the pair of side walls.

7. When the direction in which the first protector and the second protector are arranged at the predetermined location is defined as the left-right direction, One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a pair of first engagement claws provided in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, 7. The wire harness system according to claim 1, wherein the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a second engaging claw that becomes inseparable in the left-right direction and the perpendicular direction when engaged with the pair of first engaging claws.

8. When the orthogonal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire or the second electric wire at the predetermined location is defined as a front-rear direction, and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is defined as a top-bottom direction, The second connecting portion has a guided groove for being movable along the up-down direction by being guided by the pair of first engaging claws in order to connect with the first connecting portion, The wire harness system according to claim 7, wherein the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion further has a locking portion for disabling movement of the second connecting portion by the guided groove when the pair of first engagement claws and the second engagement claws are engaged with each other.

9. A mating wire harness having a mating protector that accommodates a mating electric wire and is fixed to a fixing member, and a wire harness that is arranged along the fixing member in a state where at least a part of the wire harness is aligned, Electric wires and a protector that houses the electric wire and is not fixed to the fixing member at a predetermined location in a longitudinal direction along the electric wire, The protector has a connecting portion at the predetermined location that is not fixed to the fixing member and is connected to a mating connecting portion of the mating protector in a non-displaceable manner. Wire harness.

10. 10. The wire harness according to claim 9, wherein the protector has a main body portion provided along the electric wire and accommodating the electric wire, and a base portion provided protruding from the main body portion toward the mating protector.

11. The wire harness according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the protector has a seat that is in the predetermined position on a side of the fixing member and that is capable of coming into contact with the fixing member.

12. When the direction in which the mating protector and the protector are arranged at the predetermined location is defined as the left-right direction, 12. The wire harness according to claim 9, further comprising a pair of first engagement claws that are engageable with the mating connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, and that, when engaged with the pair of first engagement claws, are rendered inseparable in the left-right direction and the perpendicular direction.

13. When the orthogonal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mating wire or the wire at the predetermined location is defined as a front-rear direction, and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction is defined as a top-bottom direction, The connecting portion has a guided groove for being movable along the up-down direction by being guided by the pair of first engaging claws in order to connect with the mating connecting portion, The wire harness according to claim 12, wherein the connecting portion further includes a lock portion for disabling movement of the connecting portion by the guided groove when the pair of first engagement claws and the second engagement claw are engaged with each other.

Images