Wire harness

Abstract

To provide a wire harness capable of improving manufacturability.SOLUTION: A wire harness 10 comprises a shield electric wire 20A, and a cylindrical water stop member 50 attached to the shield electric wire 20A. The shield electric wire 20A has a core wire 21A having conductivity, an insulation coating 22A surrounding the outer periphery of the core wire 21A, a braided wire 23A formed by braiding a plurality of metallic element wires 25, and surrounding the outer periphery of the insulation coating 22A, a sheath 24A surrounding the outer periphery of the braided wire 23A and having insulation properties, and an exposed part 31 in which the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A. The water stop member 50 has a cylindrical heat-shrinkable tube 51 covering the outer periphery of the exposed part 31, and a hot melt member 52 capable of flowing when the heat-shrinkable tube 51 is constricted. The hot melt member 52 is disposed between the heat-shrinkable tube 51 and the exposed part 31, and seals a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulation coating 22A and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24A behind the exposed part 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, some wire harnesses mounted on vehicles such as automobiles include an electric wire and a waterproofing member provided at the middle of the electric wire in the longitudinal direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The waterproofing member is provided at a portion where the insulating coating at the middle of the electric wire is removed and the core wire is exposed from the insulating coating. The waterproofing member is formed by applying silicone to the core wire exposed from the insulating coating and wrapping an insulating resin tape around the silicone to cover it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-72943 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the waterproofing member is formed by applying silicone, it takes a long time (e.g., 8 hours or more) for the silicone to harden, which lengthens the manufacturing time of the wire harness. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in the manufacturability of the wire harness.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can improve manufacturability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A wire harness according to the present disclosure includes a shielded electric wire and a tubular water-stopping member attached to the shielded electric wire, the shielded electric wire having a first end and a second end provided on a side opposite to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire, the shielded electric wire having a conductive core wire, an insulating coating surrounding an outer periphery of the core wire, a braided wire formed by braiding a plurality of metallic strands and surrounding an outer periphery of the insulating coating, a sheath surrounding an outer periphery of the braided wire and having insulating properties, and a first exposed portion provided between the first end and the second end and where the braided wire is exposed from the sheath, the water-stopping member having a tubular heat-shrinkable tube covering an outer periphery of the first exposed portion, and a hot-melt member that is flowable when the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks, the hot-melt member being provided between the heat-shrinkable tube and the first exposed portion and being formed to cover an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of the braided wire in the first exposed portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The wire harness according to the present disclosure has an effect of improving manufacturability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the wire harness of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the wire harness of one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a braided wire according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the braided wire shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a modified wire harness. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified wire harness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A wire harness according to the present disclosure includes a shielded electric wire and a tubular water-stopping member attached to the shielded electric wire. The shielded electric wire has a first end and a second end provided on the opposite side to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire. The shielded electric wire includes a conductive core wire, an insulating coating surrounding an outer periphery of the core wire, a braided wire formed by braiding a plurality of metallic element wires and surrounding an outer periphery of the insulating coating, a sheath surrounding the outer periphery of the braided wire and having insulating properties, and a sheath between the first end and the second end. the water-stopping member has a cylindrical heat-shrinkable tube covering an outer periphery of the first exposed portion, and a hot-melt material that is flowable when the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks, and the hot-melt material is provided between the heat-shrinkable tube and the first exposed portion, and seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath at least one of the side of the first end portion closer to the first end and the side of the second end portion closer to the first exposed portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, a first exposed portion where the braided wire is exposed from the sheath is provided at a longitudinal intermediate portion of the shielded electric wire. A cylindrical heat shrink tube is provided so as to cover the first exposed portion, and a hot melt member is provided between the heat shrink tube and the first exposed portion. A part of the hot melt member seals the gap between the insulating coating and the sheath at least one of the first end side from the first exposed portion and the second end side from the first exposed portion. The hot melt member can prevent liquid such as water from moving along the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire through a gap between the insulating coating and the sheath. For example, even if liquid flows from the first end side toward the first exposed portion through the gap between the insulating coating and the sheath, the hot melt member that seals the gap between the insulating coating and the sheath can prevent the liquid from penetrating the second end side from the hot melt member. In other words, a water-stopping member that suppresses the penetration of liquid between the insulating coating and the sheath can be formed by the hot melt member. This allows the time required for manufacturing the water-stopping member to be reduced by the time required for curing the silicone compared to when the water-stopping member is made of silicone, thereby reducing the time required for manufacturing the wire harness and improving the manufacturability of the wire harness.

[0011] [2] It is preferable that the heat shrink tube is integrated with the hot melt member, and the hot melt member is laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube. According to this configuration, the hot melt member is integrated and laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube. Therefore, when forming a water-stopping member for a shielded electric wire, the heat shrink tube and the hot melt member can be treated as one component. This simplifies the work of forming the water-stopping member compared to when the heat shrink tube and the hot melt member are separate. This improves the manufacturability of the wire harness.

[0012] [3] The wire harness is mounted on a vehicle and electrically connects an external power supply device and a battery device, the shielded electric wire has a second exposed portion provided on the first end side of the first exposed portion and where the braided wire is exposed from the sheath, and the wire harness preferably has a first connector electrically connectable to the external power supply device and attached to the first end of the shielded electric wire, a second connector electrically connectable to the battery device and attached to the second end of the shielded electric wire, and a ground terminal attached to the second exposed portion. According to this configuration, a second exposed portion where the braided wire is exposed from the sheath is provided on the first end side of the shielded electric wire on the first exposed portion side, and a ground terminal is attached to the second exposed portion. In this case, there is a possibility that liquid may enter between the insulating coating and the sheath from the second exposed portion. In contrast, a hot melt member is provided to seal the space between the insulating coating and the sheath, so that even if liquid flows from the second exposed portion toward the second end through the gap between the insulating coating and the sheath, the liquid can be prevented from penetrating toward the second end side beyond the hot melt member.

[0013] [4] It is preferable that the insulating coating is made of a synthetic resin primarily composed of a polyolefin-based resin, the sheath is made of a synthetic resin primarily composed of a polyolefin-based resin, and the hot melt member is made of a synthetic resin primarily composed of a polyolefin-based resin.

[0014] However, when a water-stopping member made of silicone is formed on an insulating coating and sheath made of polyolefin resin, for example, there is room for improvement in the reliability of the water-stopping performance of the water-stopping member. For example, silicone having polarity is difficult to penetrate into the fine irregularities on the surface of non-polar or weakly polar polyolefin resin. Therefore, after the silicone hardens, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient mechanical bond between the silicone and the polyolefin resin, and there is a possibility that sufficient adhesive strength cannot be obtained between the silicone and the polyolefin resin. Therefore, when bending occurs in the water-stopping member, there is a concern that the silicone will peel off from the insulating coating or sheath. Therefore, in order to prevent bending of the water-stopping member, a method of protecting the water-stopping member with a resin protector is considered. However, in this case, a problem occurs in that the vicinity of the water-stopping member becomes large due to the provision of a resin protector.

[0015] In contrast, in the above configuration, the insulating coating, the sheath, and the hot melt member are all made of synthetic resin mainly composed of polyolefin resin. Therefore, the hot melt member and the insulating coating can be bonded with high adhesion strength, and the hot melt member and the sheath can be bonded with high adhesion strength. This allows the hot melt member to suitably seal between the insulating coating and the sheath, improving the reliability of the water-stopping performance of the hot melt member. Even if the water-stopping member is bent, the hot melt member can be prevented from peeling off from the insulating coating and the sheath. Therefore, there is no need to provide a resin protector for the water-stopping member in order to prevent bending of the water-stopping member. As a result, the area near the water-stopping member can be prevented from becoming large, and the wire harness can be prevented from becoming large.

[0016] Here, the "polyolefin resin" in this specification includes olefin homopolymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, and polyolefin elastomers based on olefins. The "polyolefin resin" in this specification also includes a combination of two or more of olefin homopolymers, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, and polyolefin elastomers. The "polyolefin resin" in this specification also includes crosslinked and non-crosslinked resins. Examples of polyethylene include high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and the like. Examples of ethylene copolymers include ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, and the like. Examples of propylene copolymers include propylene-α-olefin copolymers, propylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, propylene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, and the like. Examples of polyolefin elastomers include olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers such as ethylene-based elastomers and propylene-based elastomers, ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPM, EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers (EPDM, EPT), etc. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the expression "main component" includes the meaning of containing other components within the range that does not impair the function of the main component, and includes the meaning that the content of the main component accounts for 50 mass% or more.

[0017] [5] When the shielded electric wire is mounted on the vehicle, it is preferable that the shielded electric wire has a bending region between the first end and the second end, and the bending region includes the first exposed portion. According to this configuration, when the shielded electric wire is mounted on the vehicle, the first exposed portion is disposed in the bending region of the shielded electric wire. That is, when the shielded electric wire is mounted on the vehicle, the first exposed portion is bent and the water-stopping member provided in the first exposed portion is also bent. Here, since the insulating coating, the sheath, and the hot melt member are all made of polyolefin resin, the hot melt member is bonded to the insulating coating and the sheath with high adhesion strength. Therefore, even when the first exposed portion and the water-stopping member are disposed in the bending region, the hot melt member can be suitably suppressed from peeling off from the insulating coating and the sheath. Therefore, it is not necessary to layout the wire harness by removing the first exposed portion and the water-stopping member from the bending region, and therefore the degree of freedom in layout of the wire harness can be improved.

[0018] [6] The bending rigidity of the heat shrink tube is preferably higher than that of the hot melt member. According to this configuration, the bending rigidity of the heat shrink tube is set higher than that of the hot melt member. This increases the bending rigidity of the water-stopping member itself, which includes the heat shrink tube and the hot melt member. Therefore, compared to when the water-stopping member is protected by a resin protector, the water-stopping member can be prevented from being bent sharply compared to when the water-stopping member is composed only of the hot melt member, while preventing the water-stopping member from being bent sharply. As a result, the hot melt member can be prevented from peeling off from the insulating coating and the sheath. Here, in this specification, "sharp bending" refers to bending the target member at an angle of 90 degrees or less.

[0019] [7] The heat shrink tube is preferably transparent, and the hot melt member is preferably transparent. According to this configuration, since the heat shrink tube and the hot melt member covering the first exposed portion where the braided wire is exposed from the sheath are transparent, for example, the state of the braided wire provided inside the heat shrink tube can be visually confirmed from the outside of the heat shrink tube. For example, when forming a water-stopping member for a shielded electric wire, an operator can visually check from the outside of the heat shrink tube whether the braided wire is twisted inside the heat shrink tube and is in a state where the hot melt member is likely to cause poor penetration. This allows the water-stopping performance of the water-stopping member to be visually confirmed after the water-stopping member is formed. Furthermore, the reliability of the water-stopping performance of the water-stopping member can be improved. Here, in this specification, "transparent" means that the member has a transparency to the extent that the member can be seen from one side to the other side through the member, and is a concept that includes colored transparency and translucency in addition to colorless transparency.

[0020] [8] The braided wire has a wire bundle having the plurality of wires, and the braided wire is formed by braiding the plurality of wire bundles, and the gap between adjacent wire bundles is larger than the gap between adjacent wires in one wire bundle, and the hot melt material preferably penetrates the gap between the adjacent wire bundles. According to this configuration, the braided wire is braided so that the gap between adjacent wire bundles is larger than the gap between adjacent wires in one wire bundle. That is, between adjacent wire bundles, a gap larger than the gap between wires in one wire bundle is formed. In other words, in the braided wire, the density of the wires varies. At this time, the hot melt material is more likely to penetrate into the gap between the wire bundles, which are the parts with a sparse density. Therefore, compared to when the wires are uniformly and densely woven throughout the entire braided wire, the hot melt material can easily get around the gaps between the wires of the braided wire (mainly the gaps between the wire bundles in this case) and into the insulating coating on the inside of the braided wire. This allows the hot melt material to be suitably adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating, and the hot melt material can suitably seal the gap between the insulating coating and the sheath. As a result, the reliability of the water-stopping performance of the hot melt material can be improved.

[0021] [9] The heat shrink tube is preferably provided so as to span between the sheath arranged closer to the first end than the first exposed portion and the sheath arranged closer to the second end than the first exposed portion, the hot melt member being a single layer, and the hot melt member seals between the outer peripheral surface of the sheath arranged closer to the first end than the first exposed portion and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube, seals between the outer peripheral surface of the sheath arranged closer to the second end than the first exposed portion and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube, and seals between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating at the first exposed portion and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube. According to this configuration, the single layer hot melt member seals between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath, between the outer peripheral surface of the sheath and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube, and between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube. Therefore, the number of parts in the water-stopping member can be reduced compared to the case where each part is sealed by a plurality of members. This improves the manufacturability of the wire harness.

[0022]

[10] When the shielded electric wire is a first shielded electric wire, the water-stopping member is a first water-stopping member, the heat-shrinkable tube is a first heat-shrinkable tube, the hot melt member is a first hot melt member, the core wire is a first core wire, the insulating coating is a first insulating coating, the braided wire is a first braided wire, the element wire is a first element wire, and the sheath is a first sheath, the wire harness has a third end and a fourth end provided on the opposite side to the third end, and is a second shielded electric wire different from the first shielded electric wire. and a cylindrical second water-stopping member attached to the second shielded electric wire, wherein the second shielded electric wire includes a second core wire capable of electrically connecting the external power supply device and the battery device, a second insulating coating surrounding an outer periphery of the second core wire, a second braided wire formed by braiding a plurality of second metal wires and surrounding an outer periphery of the second insulating coating, a second sheath surrounding an outer periphery of the second braided wire and having insulating properties, and a second sheath provided between the third end portion and the fourth end portion, the second braided wire being exposed from the second sheath. the second water-stopping member has a cylindrical second heat-shrinkable tube covering an outer periphery of the third exposed portion, and a second hot melt member that is flowable when the second heat-shrinkable tube shrinks, the first connector is attached to the third end of the second shielded electric wire, the second connector is attached to the fourth end of the second shielded electric wire, the second hot melt member is provided between the second heat-shrinkable tube and the third exposed portion, and seals a gap between an outer periphery of the second insulating coating and an inner periphery of the second sheath at least one of a side of the third end portion closer to the third exposed portion and a side of the fourth end portion closer to the third exposed portion, the second insulating coating is made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin-based resin, the second sheath is made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin-based resin, and the second hot melt member is made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin-based resin, and the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire are preferably arranged side by side. According to this configuration, in the second shielded wire, the second insulating coating, the second sheath, and the second hot melt member are all made of a synthetic resin containing a polyolefin resin as a main component.Therefore, the second hot melt member is bonded to the second insulating coating and the second sheath with high adhesive strength. Similarly, in the first shielded electric wire, the first insulating coating, the first sheath, and the first hot melt member are all made of synthetic resin mainly composed of polyolefin resin. Therefore, the first hot melt member is bonded to the first insulating coating and the first sheath with high adhesive strength. Therefore, even if the first water-stopping member and the second water-stopping member are arranged in the bending region, the first hot melt member can be prevented from peeling off from the first insulating coating and the first sheath, and the second hot melt member can be prevented from peeling off from the second insulating coating and the second sheath. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a resin protector for the first water-stopping member and the second water-stopping member in order to prevent the first water-stopping member and the second water-stopping member from bending. This makes it possible to prevent the vicinity of the first water-stopping member and the vicinity of the second water-stopping member from becoming large, and therefore to prevent the wire harness from becoming large.

[0023]

[11] When viewed from the direction in which the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire are arranged, it is preferable that the first exposed portion and the third exposed portion at least partially overlap each other. According to this configuration, the first exposed portion of the first shielded electric wire and the third exposed portion of the second shielded electric wire are provided close to each other. Therefore, the first water-stopping member provided in the first exposed portion and the second water-stopping member provided in the third exposed portion are provided close to each other. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a resin protector for the first water-stopping member and the second water-stopping member. Therefore, when the first water-stopping member and the second water-stopping member are provided close to each other, the increase in size of the wire harness can be more significantly suppressed.

[0024]

[12] When viewed from the direction in which the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire are arranged, it is preferable that the first exposed portion and the third exposed portion do not overlap with each other. According to this configuration, the first exposed portion and the third exposed portion are provided at different positions in the length direction of the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire. Therefore, when manufacturing a wire harness, the first shielded member and the second shielded member can be distinguished by checking the positions of the first water-stopping member provided in the first exposed portion and the second water-stopping member provided in the third exposed portion. This makes it possible to prevent the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire from being erroneously assembled.

[0025] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from one drawing to another. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0026] (Overall configuration of the wire harness 10) The wire harness 10 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle V, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more on-board devices. The on-board devices are electrical devices mounted on the vehicle V. The wire harness 10 of this embodiment electrically connects a charging inlet M1 and a battery device M2. The wire harness 10 is formed in an elongated shape so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V, for example.

[0027] In this embodiment, for convenience, the side of the wire harness 10 in the longitudinal direction that is closer to the charging inlet M1 is referred to as the rear, and the side of the wire harness 10 in the longitudinal direction that is closer to the battery M2 is referred to as the front. In addition, the end of each member located on the charging inlet M1 side is referred to as the rear end, and the end of each member located on the battery M2 side is referred to as the front end.

[0028] The wire harness 10 has one or more (two in this embodiment) shielded electric wires 20, a connector C1 attached to the rear end of the shielded electric wire 20, and a connector C2 attached to the front end of the shielded electric wire 20.

[0029] The connector C1 is provided, for example, in the charging inlet M1. The connector C1 constitutes, for example, a part of the charging inlet M1. In other words, the charging inlet M1 has the connector C1. The connector C1 constituting the charging inlet M1 can be electrically connected to an external connector 101 connected to the external power supply device 100. The connector C2 is electrically connected to the battery M2. The battery M2 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. For example, by connecting the external connector 101 to the connector C1 of the charging inlet M1, it becomes possible to charge the battery M2 from the external power supply device 100. In this way, the wire harness 10 of the present embodiment is a wire harness for charging that electrically connects the charging inlet M1 and the battery M2.

[0030] (Configuration of shielded wire 20) As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the shielded electric wire 20 has, for example, a positive shielded electric wire 20A and a negative shielded electric wire 20B. Each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B is, for example, a high-tension electric wire capable of handling high voltage and large current. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B is formed in an elongated shape so as to extend, for example, in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V. The shielded electric wire 20A has a rear end (first end) which is one end in the length direction of the shielded electric wire 20A, and a front end (second end) provided on the opposite side in the length direction of the shielded electric wire 20A from the rear end. The shielded electric wire 20B has a rear end (third end) which is one end in the length direction of the shielded electric wire 20B, and a front end (fourth end) provided on the opposite side in the length direction of the shielded electric wire 20B from the rear end. A connector C1 is attached to the rear end of each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B, and a connector C2 is attached to the front end of each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B.

[0031] Each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B is bent, for example, in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape when mounted on a vehicle V. Each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B has, for example, two bending regions A1, A2 between a rear end and a front end when mounted on a vehicle V. The two shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are arranged side by side. The two shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are arranged, for example, so as to extend in parallel over the entire length of the wire harness 10 in the longitudinal direction. Note that, in FIG. 3, for the sake of simplicity, the cross-sectional structure of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B before being bent at the bending regions A1, A2 is shown.

[0032] (Configuration of shielded wires 20A and 20B) As shown in FIG. 3, the shielded electric wire 20A has a conductive core wire 21A and an insulating coating 22A that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21A and has insulating properties. The shielded electric wire 20A has a braided wire 23A that is formed by braiding a plurality of metal element wires 25 (first element wires) and surrounds the outer periphery of the insulating coating 22A, and a sheath 24A that surrounds the outer periphery of the braided wire 23A and has insulating properties. The braided wire 23A has an electromagnetic shielding function that suppresses the electromagnetic waves from the core wire 21A from being emitted to the outside of the shielded electric wire 20A. That is, the shielded electric wire 20A has an electromagnetic shielding structure by itself. The shielded electric wire 20A has an exposed portion 31 that is provided between the rear end portion and the front end portion of the shielded electric wire 20A and where the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A. The shielded electric wire 20A has, for example, an exposed portion 32 that is provided at a position closer to the rear end portion than the exposed portion 31 and where the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A.

[0033] The shielded electric wire 20B has a conductive core wire 21B and an insulating coating 22B that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21B and has insulating properties. The shielded electric wire 20B has a braided wire 23B that is formed by braiding a plurality of metal wires 25 (second wires) and surrounds the outer periphery of the insulating coating 22B, and a sheath 24B that surrounds the outer periphery of the braided wire 23B and has insulating properties. The braided wire 23B has an electromagnetic shielding function that suppresses the electromagnetic waves from the core wire 21B from being emitted to the outside of the shielded electric wire 20B. That is, the shielded electric wire 20B has an electromagnetic shielding structure itself. The shielded electric wire 20B has an exposed portion 33 that is provided between the rear end portion and the front end portion of the shielded electric wire 20B and where the braided wire 23B is exposed from the sheath 24B. The shielded wire 20B has, for example, an exposed portion 34 that is provided at a position closer to the rear end than the exposed portion 33 and where the braided wire 23B is exposed from the sheath 24B.

[0034] (Configuration of core wires 21A and 21B) Each of the core wires 21A, 21B may be, for example, a stranded wire made of a plurality of metal wires stranded together, or a single core wire made of a single conductor. As the single core wire, for example, a columnar conductor made of a single metal rod having a solid structure inside, or a tubular conductor having a hollow structure inside may be used. Each of the core wires 21A, 21B may be a combination of a stranded wire, a columnar conductor, and a tubular conductor. As the material of each of the core wires 21A, 21B, for example, a metal material such as a copper-based or aluminum-based material may be used.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the insulating coatings 22A and 22B cover the outer circumferential surface of each of the core wires 21A and 21B over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The insulating coatings 22A and 22B are made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties. As the material of the insulating coatings 22A and 22B, for example, a polyolefin resin such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene, a halogen-based polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a thermoplastic elastomer, or the like can be used as the main component. In addition, as the material of the insulating coatings 22A and 22B, one type of material may be used alone, or two or more types of materials may be used in appropriate combination. The insulating coatings 22A and 22B of this embodiment are made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin.

[0036] Each of the braided wires 23A and 23B, for example, surrounds the outer circumferential surface of each of the insulating coatings 22A and 22B over the entire circumferential direction. Each of the braided wires 23A and 23B is formed in a cylindrical shape. Each of the braided wires 23A and 23B has, for example, flexibility.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 5, each of the braided wires 23A, 23B is formed, for example, by braiding a plurality of wire bundles 26 into a cylindrical shape. Each of the braided wires 23A, 23B is formed, for example, by braiding a plurality of wire bundles 26 in a plain weave pattern, that is, by intersecting warp threads and weft threads and braiding them so that they alternately rise and fall. In each of the braided wires 23A, 23B, a mesh 27 is formed by two wire bundles 26 serving as warp threads and two wire bundles 26 serving as weft threads. The braiding method of the wire bundles 26 is not particularly limited, and they may be braided in a satin weave or twill weave, for example.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, each wire bundle 26 has a plurality of metallic wires 25 (five in Fig. 6). That is, in each braided wire 23A, 23B, a plurality of wires 25 are grouped into one set (pick), that is, one wire bundle 26. In each wire bundle 26, the plurality of wires 25 are closely packed. As the material of each wire 25, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used.

[0039] Each of the braided wires 23A, 23B is braided such that a gap 26X between two adjacent wire bundles 26 is larger than a gap 25X between two adjacent wires 25 in one wire bundle 26. That is, a large gap 26X is formed between the wire bundles 26, while a small gap 25X is formed between the wires 25 in each wire bundle 26. In other words, in each of the braided wires 23A, 23B, the density of the wires 25 varies.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, each sheath 24A, 24B surrounds the outer peripheral surface of each braided wire 23A, 23B over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. Each sheath 24A, 24B is made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties. As the material of each sheath 24A, 24B, for example, a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene, a halogen-based polymer such as polyvinyl chloride, or a thermoplastic elastomer can be used. In addition, as the material of each sheath 24A, 24B, one type of material may be used alone, or two or more types of materials may be appropriately combined. The sheaths 24A, 24B of this embodiment are made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin.

[0041] The cross-sectional shape of each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B is, for example, circular. Note that the cross-sectional shape of each of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B is not limited to a circular shape, and may be any shape, such as a semicircular shape, a polygonal shape, a square shape, or a flat shape.

[0042] (Configuration of exposed portion 31) As shown in FIG. 2, the exposed portion 31 is provided in a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20A. The exposed portion 31 is provided in a portion in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20A. The exposed portion 31 is provided, for example, in a bending region A1 of the shielded electric wire 20A. In other words, the bending region A1 has the exposed portion 31. For example, the exposed portion 31 is bent two-dimensionally when the shielded electric wire 20A is mounted on a vehicle V. In the exposed portion 31, the sheath 24A is removed and the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A. In the exposed portion 31, the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A over the entire circumferential circumference of the shielded electric wire 20A.

[0043] (Configuration of exposed portion 32) The exposed portion 32 is provided, for example, near the rear end of the shielded electric wire 20A in the length direction. In the exposed portion 32, the sheath 24A is removed and the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A. For example, in the exposed portion 32, the rear end of the sheath 24A is removed and the rear end of the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A. The exposed portion 32 has a separation portion 32A that does not surround the outer periphery of the core wire 21A and the insulating coating 22A and extends away from the core wire 21A and the insulating coating 22A. The separation portion 32A extends, for example, in a direction intersecting the length direction of the core wire 21A (downward in the figure). The tip of the separation portion 32A is electrically connected to, for example, a metal earth terminal 40. Here, the tip of the separation portion 32A is the end farthest from the rear end of the sheath 24A among the ends of the separation portion 32A in the axial direction (length direction). The earth terminal 40 is electrically connected to a grounding portion G1 provided on, for example, a vehicle body panel. Thus, the separated portion 32A is earth-connected to the grounding portion G1 through the earth terminal 40. The method of joining the separated portion 32A and the earth terminal 40 can be crimping, welding such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding, or other known joining methods. Although not shown, the front end of the braided wire 23A is earth-connected to the grounding portion G2 provided on, for example, a vehicle body panel through a connector C2 or the like. For example, the front end of the braided wire 23A is electrically connected to a metal ring member inside the connector C2 and is earth-connected through the ring member. As a result, both ends of the braided wire 23A in the axial direction are earth-connected. As a result, the braided wire 23A exhibits an electromagnetic shielding function that suppresses the electromagnetic waves from the core wire 21A from being radiated to the outside of the shielded electric wire 20A.

[0044] (Configuration of exposed portion 33) The exposed portion 33 is provided in a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20B. The exposed portion 33 is provided in a portion in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20B. The exposed portion 33 is provided, for example, in a bending region A1 of the shielded electric wire 20B. In other words, the bending region A1 has the exposed portion 33. The exposed portion 33 is bent two-dimensionally, for example, when the shielded electric wire 20B is mounted on the vehicle V. In the exposed portion 33, the sheath 24B is removed and the braided wire 23B is exposed from the sheath 24B. In the exposed portion 33, the braided wire 23B is exposed from the sheath 24B over the entire circumferential circumference of the shielded electric wire 20B.

[0045] For example, when viewed from the direction in which the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are arranged, the exposed portion 33 is provided so as to at least partially overlap the exposed portion 31. For example, the exposed portion 31 and the exposed portion 33 are provided at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B.

[0046] (Configuration of exposed portion 34) The exposed portion 34 is provided, for example, near the rear end of the shielded electric wire 20B in the length direction. In the exposed portion 34, the sheath 24B is removed and the braided wire 23B is exposed from the sheath 24B. For example, in the exposed portion 34, the rear end of the sheath 24B is removed and the rear end of the braided wire 23B is exposed from the sheath 24B. The exposed portion 34 has a separation portion 34B that does not surround the outer periphery of the core wire 21B and the insulating coating 22B and extends away from the core wire 21B and the insulating coating 22B. The separation portion 34B extends, for example, in a direction intersecting the length direction of the core wire 21B (downward in the figure). The tip of the separation portion 34B is electrically connected to, for example, the earth terminal 40. Here, the tip of the separation portion 34B is the end farthest from the rear end of the sheath 24B among the ends of the separation portion 34B in the axial direction (length direction). The tip of the separated portion 32A and the tip of the separated portion 34B are connected together to the earth terminal 40. In the earth terminal 40 of this embodiment, the tip of the separated portion 32A and the tip of the separated portion 34B are crimped together. The earth terminal 40 connects the tip of the separated portion 32A and the tip of the separated portion 34B together to the ground part G1. The tip of the separated portion 34B is grounded to the ground part G1 through the earth terminal 40. The method of joining the separated portion 34B to the earth terminal 40 can be crimping, welding such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding, or other known joining methods. Although not shown in the figure, the front end of the braided wire 23B is grounded to the ground part G2 through, for example, a connector C2. For example, the front end of the braided wire 23B is electrically connected to a metal ring member inside the connector C2 and is grounded through the ring member. As a result, both axial ends of the braided wire 23B are grounded. As a result, the braided wire 23B exhibits an electromagnetic shielding function that suppresses the radiation of electromagnetic waves from the core wire 21B to the outside of the shielded wire 20B.

[0047] (Configuration of Water-Stopping Members 50, 60) The wire harness 10 has a cylindrical water-stopping member 50 attached to the shielded electric wire 20A and a cylindrical water-stopping member 60 attached to the shielded electric wire 20B. The water-stopping member 50 is provided so as to cover the exposed portion 31. The water-stopping member 60 is provided so as to cover the exposed portion 33.

[0048] The waterproofing member 50 has a cylindrical heat shrink tube 51 that covers the exposed portion 31, and a hot melt member 52 provided between the heat shrink tube 51 and the exposed portion 31. The waterproofing member 60 has a cylindrical heat shrink tube 61 that covers the exposed portion 33, and a hot melt member 62 provided between the heat shrink tube 61 and the exposed portion 33.

[0049] (Configuration of heat shrink tubes 51 and 61) The heat shrink tube 51 is attached to a portion of the shielded electric wire 20A in the longitudinal direction. The heat shrink tube 61 is attached to a portion of the shielded electric wire 20B in the longitudinal direction. The heat shrink tube 51 is, for example, already formed as a cylindrical body before the exposed portion 31 is disposed inside the heat shrink tube 51. The heat shrink tube 61 is, for example, already formed as a cylindrical body before the exposed portion 33 is disposed inside the heat shrink tube 61. The heat shrink tubes 51 and 61 are obtained, for example, by stretching a resin member formed into a very thin cylindrical shape by extrusion molding into a thick cylindrical shape in a heated state and then cooling the same. The heat shrink tubes 51 and 61 obtained in this way have a shape memory property that shrinks to the thin cylindrical shape before being stretched when heated.

[0050] The bending rigidity of each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 is higher than, for example, the bending rigidity of each of the hot melt members 52, 62. That is, the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 are harder to bend than the hot melt members 52, 62. The bending rigidity of each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 is lower than, for example, the bending rigidity of each of the core wires 21A, 21B or equal to the bending rigidity of the core wires 21A, 21B.

[0051] Each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 is, for example, transparent. Each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 has a transparency such that the braided wires 23A, 23B provided inside each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 can be seen from the outside of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61.

[0052] The material of each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 may be, for example, a synthetic resin mainly composed of polyolefin resin, polyester resin, nylon resin, fluorine resin, or the like. The material of each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 may be one type of material alone or two or more types of materials in appropriate combination. The heat shrink tubes 51, 61 of this embodiment are made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of polyolefin resin.

[0053] (Configuration of hot melt members 52, 62) The hot melt member 52 is capable of flowing when the heat shrink tube 51 shrinks. The hot melt member 52 is, for example, integrated with the heat shrink tube 51. The hot melt member 52 is, for example, laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51. The hot melt member 52 is, for example, laminated with a uniform thickness on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51 before the exposed portion 31 is disposed inside the heat shrink tube 51, and is formed into a cylindrical shape. The hot melt member 52 is, for example, formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction and the entire length in the axial direction (length direction) of the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51. For example, before the exposed portion 31 is disposed inside the heat shrink tube 51, the inner diameter of the hot melt member 52 is larger than the outer diameter of the shielded electric wire 20A.

[0054] The hot melt member 62 is capable of flowing when the heat shrink tube 61 shrinks. The hot melt member 62 is, for example, integrated with the heat shrink tube 61. The hot melt member 62 is, for example, laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 61. The hot melt member 62 is, for example, laminated with a uniform thickness on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 61 before the exposed portion 33 is disposed inside the heat shrink tube 61, and is formed into a cylindrical shape. The hot melt member 62 is, for example, formed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction and the entire length in the axial direction (length direction) of the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 61. For example, before the exposed portion 33 is disposed inside the heat shrink tube 61, the inner diameter of the hot melt member 62 is larger than the outer diameter of the shielded electric wire 20B.

[0055] Each of the hot melt members 52, 62 is, for example, transparent. Each of the hot melt members 52, 62 has a transparency such that the braided wires 23A, 23B provided inside each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 can be seen from the outside of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61.

[0056] For each of the hot melt members 52, 62, for example, a hot melt adhesive such as polyolefin resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, etc. can be used. For example, the material of each of the hot melt members 52, 62 is preferably the same type of resin material as the material constituting each of the insulating coatings 22A, 22B. For example, the material of each of the hot melt members 52, 62 is preferably the same type of resin material as the material constituting each of the sheaths 24A, 24B. For example, the material of each of the hot melt members 52, 62 is preferably the same type of resin material as the material constituting each of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61. For the material of each of the hot melt members 52, 62, one type of material can be used alone, or two or more types of materials can be appropriately combined. The hot melt members 52, 62 of this embodiment are made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin. The hot melt members 52, 62 are layers formed by, for example, being melted by heating and then cooled and solidified. The hot melt members 52 and 62 in this embodiment are each made of a single layer.

[0057] (Configuration of heat shrink tube 51 and hot melt member 52 after heat shrinking) Next, the configuration of the heat-shrinkable tube 51 and the hot melt member 52 after being heat-shrinked will be described.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the heat shrink tube 51 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31 over the entire circumferential direction. The heat shrink tube 51 is provided, for example, to span between the sheaths 24A located on both sides of the exposed portion 31 in the length direction of the shielded electric wire 20A. The heat shrink tube 51 is provided, for example, to span between the sheath 24A arranged behind the exposed portion 31 and the sheath 24A arranged forward of the exposed portion 31. For example, the rear end of the heat shrink tube 51 surrounds the outer periphery of the sheath 24A arranged behind the exposed portion 31, and the front end of the heat shrink tube 51 surrounds the outer periphery of the sheath 24A arranged forward of the exposed portion 31. The rear end of the heat shrink tube 51 is bonded by a hot melt member 52 over the entire circumferential direction to the outer periphery surface of the sheath 24A arranged behind the exposed portion 31. The front end of the heat shrink tube 51 is bonded, for example, by a hot melt member 52 to the outer circumferential surface of the sheath 24A disposed forward of the exposed portion 31 over the entire circumferential direction.

[0059] The hot melt member 52, for example, seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 24A arranged behind the exposed portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51. The hot melt member 52 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 24A arranged behind the exposed portion 31 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps, and is also in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the heat shrink tube 51 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps. In addition, the hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 24A arranged forward of the exposed portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51. The hot melt member 52 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 24A arranged forward of the exposed portion 31 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps, and is also in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the heat shrink tube 51 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps. As a result, the gap between the sheath 24A and the heat shrink tube 51 located on both sides of the exposed portion 31 is closed. This makes it possible to prevent liquids such as water from penetrating into the water-stopping member 50 from both axial (lengthwise) ends of the water-stopping member 50. A part of the hot melt member 52 is formed to protrude outward beyond the axial end of the heat-shrinkable tube 51.

[0060] The hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A in the exposed portion 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 51 at the axial intermediate portion of the water stop member 50, for example. The hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the heat shrink tube 51 by penetrating between the wires 25 of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31 and coming into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 51, for example. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to fill the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A in the exposed portion 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 51. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to enter the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to fill the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to cover the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to enclose the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31. Note that the hot melt member 52 may not enter the gap 25X (see FIG. 6) between adjacent wires 25 in one wire bundle 26. The hot melt member 52, for example, goes around the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31 toward the insulating coating 22A located inside the braided wire 23A, and covers the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A. The hot melt member 52 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A in the exposed portion 31, for example, over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. The hot melt member 52 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 51, for example, over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0061] The hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24A, for example, behind the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A, for example, by penetrating between the wires 25 of the braided wire 23A and coming into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24A, behind the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 provided behind the exposed portion 31 can prevent liquid such as water from penetrating forward of the water-stopping member 50, even if liquid such as water penetrates into the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A from the exposed portion 32. This can prevent the liquid penetrating from the exposed portion 32 from penetrating into the inside of the connector C2 (see FIG. 2) through the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A.

[0062] The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to fill a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22A arranged behind the exposed portion 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24A. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to enter the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A arranged behind the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to fill the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A arranged behind the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 is formed, for example, so as to cover the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of a part of the braided wire 23A arranged behind the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 is provided, for example, so as to include a part of the braided wire 23A arranged behind the exposed portion 31. Note that the hot melt member 52 may not enter the gap 25X (see FIG. 6) between adjacent wires 25 in one wire bundle 26. The hot melt member 52, for example, wraps around the insulating coating 22A located on the inside of the braided wire 23A through the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A located behind the exposed portion 31, and covers the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A located behind the exposed portion 31. Also, the hot melt member 52, for example, spreads from the inside of the braided wire 23A in the exposed portion 31 to the rear of the exposed portion 31, and covers the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A located behind the exposed portion 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the hot melt member 52 is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A located behind the exposed portion 31 (see FIG. 3) over the entire circumferential direction without any gaps. Also, the hot melt member 52 is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sheath 24A located behind the exposed portion 31 (see FIG. 3) over the entire circumferential direction without any gaps.

[0063] 3, similar to the structure behind the exposed portion 31, for example, the hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner circumferential surface of the sheath 24A ahead of the exposed portion 31. For example, the hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A by penetrating between the multiple wires 25 of the braided wire 23A ahead of the exposed portion 31 and coming into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner circumferential surface of the sheath 24A.

[0064] Next, the configurations of the heat-shrinkable tube 61 and the hot melt member 62 after being heat-shrunk will be described. However, since the structures of the heat-shrinkable tube 61 and the hot melt member 62 after being heat-shrunk are similar to those of the heat-shrinkable tube 51 and the hot melt member 52 after being heat-shrunk, detailed explanations will be omitted here and a brief explanation will be given.

[0065] The heat shrink tube 61 is formed to surround the outer periphery of the braided wire 23B in the exposed portion 33. The heat shrink tube 61 is provided so as to span between the sheath 24B arranged rearward from the exposed portion 33 and the sheath 24B arranged forward from the exposed portion 33. The hot melt member 62 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the sheath 24B arranged rearward from the exposed portion 33 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps, and is also in close contact with the inner periphery of the rear end portion of the heat shrink tube 61 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps. The hot melt member 62 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the sheath 24B arranged forward from the exposed portion 33 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps, and is also in close contact with the inner periphery of the front end portion of the heat shrink tube 61 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction without any gaps. The hot melt member 62, for example, permeates between the wires 25 of the braided wire 23B in the exposed portion 33 and adheres closely to the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 61 and the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22B, thereby sealing the gap between the heat shrink tube 61 and the insulating coating 22B. The hot melt member 62, for example, seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22B and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24B, rearward of the exposed portion 33. The hot melt member 62, for example, seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22B and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24B, forward of the exposed portion 33.

[0066] 2, in the bending region A1 of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B, the two water-stopping members 50, 60 are arranged, for example, side by side. The two water-stopping members 50, 60 are arranged, for example, so as to overlap at least partially in the direction in which the two shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are arranged. The two water-stopping members 50, 60 are arranged, for example, close to each other. The two water-stopping members 50, 60 are arranged, for example, so as to be spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the two shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are arranged. For example, the two heat-shrink tubes 51, 61 are arranged so as not to contact each other.

[0067] (Manufacturing method of wire harness 10) Next, a method for manufacturing the wire harness 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in the step shown in Fig. 7(a), a shielded electric wire 20A having an exposed portion 31 and an exposed portion 32 is prepared. The exposed portion 31 is formed, for example, by removing the sheath 24A at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20A. In the exposed portion 31, the sheath 24A is removed and the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A. The exposed portion 32 is formed, for example, by removing the sheath 24A at the rear end portion of the shielded electric wire 20A. In the exposed portion 32, the rear end portion of the sheath 24A is removed and the rear end portion of the braided wire 23A is exposed from the rear end portion of the sheath 24A.

[0068] 7(a), a heat shrink tube 51 before shrinking is prepared. The heat shrink tube 51 before shrinking is tubular (here, cylindrical). A hot melt member 52 is laminated on the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51 before shrinking. At this time, the hot melt member 52 of this embodiment is integrated with the heat shrink tube 51. The inner diameter of the hot melt member 52 before shrinking is formed to a size that allows the sheath 24A to be housed therein.

[0069] 7(a), the exposed portion 31 is inserted into the heat shrink tube 51. At this time, the heat shrink tube 51 is provided so as to bridge between the sheath 24A rearward of the exposed portion 31 and the sheath 24A forward of the exposed portion 31.

[0070] Next, the heat shrink tube 51 is subjected to a heat treatment. For example, the heat shrink tube 51 is heated by a heater or the like. In this heat treatment, for example, the heat shrink tube 51 is heated for a predetermined time at a heating temperature (for example, about 120°C to 140°C) that is higher than the shrink temperature of the heat shrink tube 51 and lower than the melting temperature of the heat shrink tube 51. This heat treatment causes the heat shrink tube 51 to shrink in the radial and axial directions, and the hot melt member 52 is softened or melted and becomes flowable. As the heat shrink tube 51 shrinks, the hot melt member 52 flows so as to spread in the radial and axial directions of the shielded electric wire 20A. As a result, the hot melt member 52 penetrates between the wires 25 of the braided wire 23A, and spreads through the mesh 27 of the braided wire 23A so as to wrap around the insulating coating 22A located inside the braided wire 23A. In addition, the hot melt member 52 spreads in the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A behind and in front of the exposed portion 31 by flowing toward the axial direction of the shielded electric wire 20A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A behind the exposed portion 31, and seals the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A ahead of the exposed portion 31. At this time, in this embodiment, the insulating coating 22A, the sheath 24A, and the hot melt member 52 are all made of synthetic resin mainly composed of polyolefin resin. Therefore, the hot melt member 52 is bonded to the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A with high adhesion strength. In addition, the hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the heat shrink tube 51 and the sheath 24A behind the exposed portion 31, and seals the gap between the heat shrink tube 51 and the sheath 24A ahead of the exposed portion 31. The heat shrink tube 51 and the hot melt member 52 after shrinking in this manner form the water-stopping member 50. In this process, the hot melt member 52 may flow out of the heat shrink tube 51. The hot melt member 52 that has flowed out of the heat shrink tube 51 spreads, for example, over the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 24A exposed from the heat shrink tube 51.

[0071] 8, a shielded electric wire 20B is prepared, which has the exposed portions 33 and 34, and a waterproofing member 60 that covers the exposed portion 33. Note that the shielded electric wire 20B can be manufactured in the same manner as the shielded electric wire 20A, and therefore a detailed description of the manufacturing method for the shielded electric wire 20B will be omitted here.

[0072] Next, the shielded electric wire 20A and the shielded electric wire 20B are arranged so as to extend in parallel. At this time, the exposed portion 31 of the shielded electric wire 20A and the exposed portion 33 of the shielded electric wire 20B are provided, for example, at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B. That is, the exposed portion 31 and the exposed portion 33 are provided so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B and to be adjacent to each other in the direction in which the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are aligned.

[0073] Next, the separation portion 32A is formed in the exposed portion 32, and the separation portion 34B is formed in the exposed portion 34. Next, the ground terminal 40 is connected to the tip ends of the separation portions 32A, 34B. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the connector C1 is attached to the rear end portion of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B, and the connector C2 is attached to the front end portion of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B. In addition, the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are bent to form the bending regions A1, A2. The wire harness 10 of this embodiment can be manufactured by the above manufacturing steps.

[0074] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The exposed portion 31 where the braided wire 23A is exposed from the sheath 24A is provided at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20A. A cylindrical heat shrink tube 51 is provided so as to cover the exposed portion 31, and a hot melt member 52 is provided between the heat shrink tube 51 and the exposed portion 31. A part of the hot melt member 52 seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24A behind the exposed portion 31 and in front of the exposed portion 31. The hot melt member 52 can prevent liquid such as water from moving along the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire 20A through the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A. Even if liquid flows from the exposed portion 32 toward the exposed portion 31 through the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A, the hot melt member 52 that seals the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A can prevent the liquid from entering behind the hot melt member 52. In other words, the water-stopping member 50 that suppresses the infiltration of liquid between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A can be formed by the hot melt member 52. This makes it possible to shorten the manufacturing time of the water-stopping member 50 compared to the case where the water-stopping member is formed by silicone, by the amount of the silicone curing time that can be omitted. As a result, the manufacturing time of the wire harness 10 can be shortened, and the manufacturability of the wire harness 10 can be improved.

[0075] (2) The hot melt member 52 is laminated integrally on the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 51. Therefore, when forming the water-stopping member 50 for the shielded electric wire 20A, the heat shrink tube 51 and the hot melt member 52 can be treated as one component. This simplifies the work of forming the water-stopping member 50 compared to when the heat shrink tube 51 and the hot melt member 52 are separate bodies. This improves the manufacturability of the wire harness 10.

[0076] (3) The insulating coating 22A, the sheath 24A, and the hot melt member 52 are all made of synthetic resin mainly composed of polyolefin resin. Therefore, the hot melt member 52 and the insulating coating 22A can be bonded with high adhesion strength, and the hot melt member 52 and the sheath 24A can be bonded with high adhesion strength. As a result, the hot melt member 52 can suitably seal between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A, thereby improving the reliability of the water-stopping performance of the hot melt member 52. Even if the exposed portion 31 and the water-stopping member 50 are bent, the hot melt member 52 can be prevented from peeling off from the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A. Therefore, there is no need to provide a resin protector to prevent the water-stopping member 50 from bending. As a result, the area around the water-stopping member 50 can be prevented from becoming large, and the wire harness 10 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0077] (4) Furthermore, even if the exposed portion 31 and the water-stopping member 50 are disposed in the bending region A1, the hot melt member 52 can be suitably prevented from peeling off from the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A. Therefore, it is not necessary to lay out the wire harness 10 by removing the exposed portion 31 and the water-stopping member 50 from the bending regions A1 and A2, and therefore the layout freedom of the wire harness 10 can be improved.

[0078] (5) The bending rigidity of the heat shrink tube 51 is set higher than the bending rigidity of the hot melt member 52. This increases the bending rigidity of the water-stopping member 50 itself, which includes the heat shrink tube 51 and the hot melt member 52. This prevents the water-stopping member 50 from being bent too sharply compared to when the water-stopping member 50 is made only of the hot melt member 52, while preventing the water-stopping member 50 from being enlarged compared to when the water-stopping member 50 is protected by a resin protector. As a result, the hot melt member 52 can be suitably prevented from peeling off from the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A.

[0079] (6) Because the heat shrink tube 51 and the hot melt member 52 covering the exposed portion 31 are transparent, for example, the state of the braided wire 23A provided inside the heat shrink tube 51 can be visually confirmed from the outside of the heat shrink tube 51. When forming the water-stopping member 50 for the shielded electric wire 20A, an operator can visually check from the outside of the heat shrink tube 51 whether the braided wire 23A inside the heat shrink tube 51 is twisted and in a state that is likely to cause poor penetration of the hot melt member 52. This allows the water-stopping performance of the water-stopping member 50 to be visually confirmed after the water-stopping member 50 is formed.

[0080] (7) The braided wire 23A is woven so that the gaps 26X between adjacent wire bundles 26 are larger than the gaps 25X between adjacent wires 25 in one wire bundle 26. In this case, the hot melt material 52 is more likely to penetrate into the gaps 26X between the wire bundles 26, which are the less dense portions. Therefore, compared to a case in which the wires 25 are woven uniformly and densely throughout the braided wire 23A, the hot melt material 52 is more likely to get around the insulating coating 22A, which is located on the inside of the braided wire 23A, through the gaps 25X, 26X (mainly the gaps 26X) between the wires 25. This allows the hot melt material 52 to be suitably attached to the outer circumferential surface of the insulating coating 22A.

[0081] (8) The single layer of hot melt member 52 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 24A, between the outer peripheral surface of the sheath 24A and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51, and between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 22A and the inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube 51. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in the water-stopping member 50 compared to a case where each location is sealed with a plurality of members. This improves the manufacturability of the wire harness 10.

[0082] (9) When viewed from the direction in which the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are arranged, the exposed portions 31 and 33 at least partially overlap each other. Therefore, the exposed portions 31 and 33 are provided close to each other, and the water-stopping members 50 and 60 are provided close to each other. In this case, since the hot melt members 52, 62 and the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B are bonded with high adhesion strength, there is no need to provide a resin protector for the water-stopping members 50, 60. Therefore, when the water-stopping members 50, 60 are provided close to each other, the increase in size of the wire harness 10 can be more significantly suppressed.

[0083] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0084] 9, the exposed portions 31 and 33 may be provided so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the direction in which the shielded electric wires 20A and 20B are arranged. In other words, the exposed portions 31 and 33 may be provided at positions shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wires 20A and 20B.

[0085] According to this configuration, for example, when manufacturing the wire harness 10, the shielded wires 20A, 20B can be suitably distinguished by checking the positions of the waterstopping member 50 provided in the exposed portion 31 and the waterstopping member 60 provided in the exposed portion 33. This makes it possible to prevent the shielded wires 20A, 20B from being erroneously assembled. Furthermore, after assembling the wire harness 10, an inspection can be easily performed to check whether the assembly is normal.

[0086] In the water-stopping member 50 of the above embodiment, the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A is sealed by the hot melt member 52 both in front of the exposed portion 31 and behind the exposed portion 31. However, without being limited to this, for example, the gap between the insulating coating 22A and the sheath 24A may be sealed by the hot melt member 52 only in front of the exposed portion 31 or behind the exposed portion 31. The water-stopping member 60 can also be modified in a similar manner.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the separation portion 32A of the exposed portion 32 and the separation portion 34B of the exposed portion 34 are collectively electrically connected to the ground portion G1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the tip of the separated portion 32A may be electrically connected to a ground terminal 40, and the tip of the separated portion 34B may be electrically connected to a ground terminal 41 different from the ground terminal 40. The ground terminal 40 is electrically connected to, for example, a ground portion G1. As a result, the tip of the separated portion 32A is grounded to the ground portion G1 through the ground terminal 40. The ground terminal 41 is electrically connected to, for example, a ground portion G3 provided on a vehicle body panel or the like. As a result, the tip of the separated portion 34B is grounded to the ground portion G3 through the ground terminal 41.

[0088] In the water-stopping member 50 of the above embodiment, the hot melt member 52 is laminated integrally on the inner peripheral surface of the heat-shrinkable tube 51 before heat shrinking, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heat-shrinkable tube 51 before heat shrinking and the hot melt member 52 may be formed separately. Similarly, the heat-shrinkable tube 61 before heat shrinking and the hot melt member 62 may be formed separately.

[0089] The heat shrink tubes 51, 61 and the hot melt members 52, 62 in the above-described embodiments may be opaque. In the above embodiment, at least one of the insulating coating 22A, the sheath 24A, and the hot melt member 52 may be made of a resin material other than polyolefin resin. Similarly, at least one of the insulating coating 22B, the sheath 24B, and the hot melt member 62 may be made of a resin material other than polyolefin resin.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the bending rigidity of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 is set to be higher than the bending rigidity of the hot melt members 52, 62. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the bending rigidity of the heat shrink tubes 51, 61 may be set to be equal to the bending rigidity of the hot melt members 52, 62, or may be set to be lower than the bending rigidity of the hot melt members 52, 62.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the braided wires 23A, 23B are formed only from the metal wires 25, but this is not limiting. For example, the braided wires 23A, 23B may be formed by braiding the metal wires 25 and wires made of reinforcing fibers. Note that, as the reinforcing fibers, for example, reinforcing fibers having excellent insulating properties and shear resistance can be used. As such reinforcing fibers, for example, para-aramid fibers, polyarylate fibers, glass fibers, and ceramic fibers can be used.

[0092] In the wire harness 10 of the above embodiment, an exterior member may be provided to collectively surround the outer periphery of the shielded electric wires 20A, 20B. As the exterior member, for example, a metal or resin pipe, a corrugated tube, a rubber waterproof cover, or a combination of these may be used.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the shielded electric wire 20 is configured by two shielded electric wires 20A, 20B, but is not limited to this. The number of shielded electric wires configuring the shielded electric wire 20 can be changed depending on the specifications of the vehicle V. For example, the number of shielded electric wires configuring the shielded electric wire 20 may be one, or three or more.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the multiple on-board devices electrically connected to the wire harness 10 are embodied as the charging inlet M1 and the battery device M2, but are not limited thereto. The multiple on-board devices electrically connected to the wire harness 10 are not particularly limited as long as they are electrical devices mounted on the vehicle V.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the connector C1 is embodied as a connector (charging connector) constituting the charging inlet M1, but is not limited to this. For example, the connector C1 may be embodied as a connector provided on an in-vehicle device other than the charging inlet M1. Furthermore, the connector C1 may be embodied as a connector electrically connected to an in-vehicle device other than the charging inlet M1.

[0096] The relative positions of the charging inlet M1 and the battery device M2 in the vehicle V are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the vehicle V. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Wire Harness 20 Shielded wire 20A Shielded Wire (First Shielded Wire) 20B Shielded Wire (Second Shielded Wire) 21A core wire (first core wire) 21B core wire (second core wire) 22A Insulation coating (first insulation coating) 22B Insulation coating (second insulation coating) 23A Braided line (1st braided line) 23B Braided line (second braided line) 24A sheath (first sheath) 24B sheath (second sheath) 25 Wire (1st wire, 2nd wire) 25X Gap 26 Wire bundle 26X Gap 27 Mesh 31 Exposed part (1st exposed part) 32 Exposed part (2nd exposed part) 32A Separation section 33 Exposed part (3rd exposed part) 34 Exposed part 34B Separation section 40,41 Earth terminal 50 Water-stopping member (first water-stopping member) 51 Heat shrink tube (first heat shrink tube) 52 Hot melt material (first hot melt material) 60 Water-stopping member (second water-stopping member) 61 Heat shrink tube (second heat shrink tube) 62 Hot melt material (second hot melt material) 100 External power supply device 101 External Connector A1, A2 bending area C1 Connector (First Connector) C2 Connector (Second Connector) G1,G2,G3 Grounding part M1 Charging Inlet M2 Battery Unit V Vehicle

Claims

1. A shielded wire; a cylindrical water-stopping member attached to the shielded electric wire, The shielded electric wire has a first end and a second end provided on an opposite side to the first end in a longitudinal direction of the shielded electric wire, The shielded wire includes a conductive core wire, an insulating coating surrounding an outer periphery of the core wire, a braided wire formed by braiding a plurality of metallic element wires and surrounding an outer periphery of the insulating coating, a sheath surrounding an outer periphery of the braided wire and having insulating properties, and a first exposed portion provided between the first end portion and the second end portion and at which the braided wire is exposed from the sheath, The water-stopping member includes a cylindrical heat-shrinkable tube that covers an outer periphery of the first exposed portion, and a hot-melt member that is flowable when the heat-shrinkable tube shrinks, The hot melt member is provided between the heat shrink tube and the first exposed portion, and is formed to cover the inner and outer surfaces of the braided wire in the first exposed portion.

2. The heat shrink tube is integrated with the hot melt member, The wire harness according to claim 1 , wherein the hot melt member is laminated on an inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube.

3. The wire harness is mounted on a vehicle and electrically connects an external power supply device and a battery device, the shielded wire has a second exposed portion that is provided closer to the first end than the first exposed portion and where the braided wire is exposed from the sheath, The wire harness includes: a first connector electrically connectable to the external power supply device and attached to the first end of the shielded electric wire; a second connector electrically connectable to the battery device and attached to the second end of the shielded electric wire; a ground terminal attached to the second exposed portion; The wire harness according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The insulating coating is made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin, the sheath is made of a synthetic resin containing a polyolefin resin as a main component, The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein the hot melt member is a synthetic resin containing a polyolefin resin as a main component.

5. the shielded electric wire has a bending region between the first end and the second end in a state where the shielded electric wire is mounted on the vehicle, The wire harness according to claim 4 , wherein the bend region includes the first exposed portion.

6. The wire harness according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the heat shrink tube has a bending rigidity higher than a bending rigidity of the hot melt member.

7. The heat shrink tube is transparent; The wire harness according to claim 4 , wherein the hot melt member is transparent.

8. the braided wire has a wire bundle including the plurality of wires, The braided wire is formed by braiding a plurality of the wire bundles, a gap between adjacent wire bundles is larger than a gap between adjacent wires in one wire bundle, The wire harness according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the hot melt material permeates into gaps between the adjacent wire bundles.

9. the heat shrink tube is provided so as to span between the sheath arranged on the first end side of the first exposed portion and the sheath arranged on the second end side of the first exposed portion, the hot melt member is a single layer; 9. The wire harness according to claim 4, wherein the hot melt member seals between an outer peripheral surface of the sheath arranged closer to the first end than the first exposed portion and an inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube, seals between an outer peripheral surface of the sheath arranged closer to the second end than the first exposed portion and an inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube, and seals between an outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating at the first exposed portion and an inner peripheral surface of the heat shrink tube.

10. When the shielded electric wire is a first shielded electric wire, the water-stopping member is a first water-stopping member, the heat-shrinkable tube is a first heat-shrinkable tube, the hot melt member is a first hot melt member, the core wire is a first core wire, the insulating coating is a first insulating coating, the braided wire is a first braided wire, the element wire is a first element wire, and the sheath is a first sheath, The wire harness includes: a second shielded wire having a third end and a fourth end provided on an opposite side to the third end and different from the first shielded wire; and a cylindrical second water-stopping member attached to the second shielded wire, the second shielded wire includes a second core wire capable of electrically connecting the external power supply device and the battery device, a second insulating coating surrounding an outer periphery of the second core wire, a second braided wire formed by braiding a plurality of second metal wires and surrounding an outer periphery of the second insulating coating, a second sheath surrounding an outer periphery of the second braided wire and having insulating properties, and a third exposed portion provided between the third end portion and the fourth end portion and at which the second braided wire is exposed from the second sheath, the second water-stopping member includes a cylindrical second heat-shrinkable tube that covers an outer periphery of the third exposed portion, and a second hot-melt member that is flowable when the second heat-shrinkable tube shrinks, the first connector is attached to the third end of the second shielded wire, the second connector is attached to the fourth end of the second shielded wire, the second hot melt member is provided between the second heat shrink tube and the third exposed portion, and seals a gap between an outer circumferential surface of the second insulating coating and an inner circumferential surface of the second sheath at least one of a side of the third end portion from the third exposed portion and a side of the fourth end portion from the third exposed portion, The second insulating coating is made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin, the second sheath is made of a synthetic resin containing a polyolefin resin as a main component, The second hot melt member is made of a synthetic resin mainly composed of a polyolefin resin, The wire harness according to claim 4 , wherein the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire are arranged adjacent to each other.

11. The wire harness according to claim 10 , wherein the first exposed portion and the third exposed portion at least partially overlap each other when viewed from a direction in which the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire are arranged side by side.

12. The wire harness according to claim 10 , wherein the first exposed portion and the third exposed portion do not overlap with each other when viewed from a direction in which the first shielded electric wire and the second shielded electric wire are arranged side by side.

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