Wire protection structure

Abstract

To provide a wire protection structure capable of reducing an operation cost at a wire distribution.SOLUTION: A wire protection structure 1 comprises: a service plug 2 that can disconnect a power supply circuit 3; a wire 5 that is electrically connected to a terminal 24 that is provided to the service plug 2; and a wire protection member 6 that is arranged so as to cover an outer periphery of the wire 5, and can protect the wire 5. Also, the wire protection member 6 comprises an extension part 61 that can be extended to an extension direction of the wire 5. Then, one end 6a of the wire protection member 6 is fixed to the service plug 2 or the neighbor of the service plug 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire protection structure.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of conventional wire protection structure, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In this Patent Document 1, a service plug capable of interrupting a power circuit, a wire electrically connected to the service plug, and a protection tube (wire protection member) disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the wire to protect the wire are provided. A wire protection structure is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Thus, in a wire protection structure for protecting a wire connected to a service plug, it is preferable to be able to reduce the working cost during wire routing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. And an object of the present invention is to provide a wire protection structure capable of reducing the working cost during wire routing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An electric wire protection structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a service plug capable of interrupting a power supply circuit, an electric wire electrically connected to a terminal provided on the service plug, and an electric wire protection member arranged to cover the outer circumference of the electric wire and capable of protecting the electric wire, the electric wire protection member having an expansion portion capable of expanding and contracting in the extension direction of the electric wire, and one end of the electric wire protection member being fixed to the service plug or in the vicinity of the service plug. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wire protection structure that can reduce the work costs involved in wiring wires. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wire protection structure according to an embodiment, in which a wire protection member is contracted. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wire protection structure according to an embodiment, in which a wire protection member is in an extended state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a wire protection structure according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] In the following embodiments, an electric wire protection structure that protects an electric wire connected to a service plug mounted on an electric vehicle (for example, HV, PHV, EV, FCV, etc.) will be described as an example.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wire protection structure 1 of this embodiment includes a service plug 2, an electric wire 5 electrically connected to the service plug 2, and a wire protection member 6 arranged to cover the outer periphery of the electric wire 5 and capable of protecting the electric wire 5.

[0012] The service plug 2 includes a first housing 21 made of synthetic resin, a second housing 22 made of synthetic resin, and a lever 23 made of synthetic resin that is rotatably supported by the first housing 21 and that engages and disengages the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 by a rotating operation. In this manner, in this embodiment, the service plug 2 is formed using a lever-type connector. This lever-type service plug 2 is provided with a function of interrupting a power supply circuit 3 formed between a battery (power supply) 31 and a motor (load) 32. Specifically, the power supply circuit 3 formed between the battery (power supply) 31 and the motor (load) 32 is interrupted by operating the lever 23 to separate the first housing 21 from the second housing 22. In this manner, in this embodiment, the service plug 2 is exemplified as one that interrupts a power supply circuit 3 that connects between a motor 32 mounted on an electric vehicle and a battery 31 that supplies power to the motor 32.

[0013] A terminal accommodating chamber 211 is formed in the first housing 21, and a signal terminal (terminal) 24 and a pair of first high voltage terminals 213 are accommodated in this terminal accommodating chamber 211. In addition, support shafts 212 that rotatably support the lever 23 are provided on both sides of the first housing 21, respectively.

[0014] The second housing 22 has a hood portion 221 having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape. The first housing 21 can be fitted into the hood portion 221 or removed from the hood portion 221 by operating the lever 23. In this manner, the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 can be fitted into or removed from each other. The hood portion 221 also accommodates a pair of female second high-voltage terminals 223 that form part of the power supply circuit 3 and are connected to the male first high-voltage terminals 213. The second housing 22 is provided on both sides with cam shafts 222 that engage with the arc-shaped cam grooves 234 of the lever 23.

[0015] The lever 23 includes a pair of arm portions 231 and a grip portion 232 connecting one end of each arm portion 231. The pair of arm portions 231 are each formed with a shaft hole 233 into which a support shaft 212 protruding outward from both sides of the first housing 21 is fitted. In this embodiment, the pair of arm portions 231 are formed to be wider from the center to the other end. The wider portion of each arm portion 231 is each formed with a substantially arc-shaped cam groove 234 into which the cam shaft 222 of the second housing 22 is fitted and comes into sliding contact.

[0016] In this manner, in this embodiment, the support shaft 212 of the first housing 21 is fitted into the shaft hole 233 of the lever 23, and the cam shaft 222 of the second housing 22 is fitted into the cam groove 234, so that the lever 23 is held by the first housing 21 and the second housing 22. In this manner, the hood portions 221 of the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 are fitted into and separated from each other when the lever 23 is rotated.

[0017] In this embodiment, the power supply circuit 3 includes a battery (power supply) 31, a motor (load) 32, and a connection portion 33 that electrically connects the battery (power supply) 31 and the motor (load) 32. The power supply circuit 3 further includes a pair of first high-voltage terminals 213, a pair of second high-voltage terminals 223, and a pair of power supply circuit electric wires 4 that are respectively connected to the pair of second high-voltage terminals 223. As described above, the power supply circuit 3 is configured to cut off the current flow between the battery (power supply) 31 and the motor (load) 32 by operating the lever 23 to separate the first housing 21 that is fitted into the hood portion 221 of the second housing 22 from the hood portion 221. This allows an operator to work safely during vehicle inspection work.

[0018] The signal terminal (terminal) 24 is formed using a conductive metal plate, and a pair of contact portions is formed in this signal terminal (terminal) 24. The electric wires 5 are electrically connected to the pair of contact portions formed in the signal terminal (terminal) 24, respectively.

[0019] The electric wire 5 may be a coated electric wire in which a core wire made of a conductive material (for example, a metal material such as copper or aluminum) is coated with an insulating coating made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0020] A low-voltage connector (connector) 8 serving as a connected member is electrically connected to one end 5a of the electric wire 5, the other end 5b of which is connected to the service plug 2. By connecting a signal wire harness or the like to this low-voltage connector (connector) 8, power from a battery (power source) 31 is supplied to the signal wire harness or the like.

[0021] In this embodiment, the wire protection member 6 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the electric wire 5, and this wire protection member 6 can prevent liquids such as water from adhering to the electric wire 5 and damage to the electric wire 5 due to flying objects or the like. This wire protection member 6 is tubular with one end 6a and the other end 6b open, and by inserting the electric wire 5 into the tube of the wire protection member 6, it is arranged in a state where the outer periphery of the electric wire 5 is covered.

[0022] Here, in this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the work cost during the installation work of the electric wires 5.

[0023] Specifically, wire protection member 6 is provided with expansion / contraction portion 61 that can expand and contract in the extension direction of electric wires 5. One end 6a of wire protection member 6 is fixed to service plug 2 or in the vicinity of service plug 2. In this manner, with one end 6a fixed to service plug 2 or in the vicinity of service plug 2, the other end 6b can expand and contract in the extension direction of electric wires 5.

[0024] In this embodiment, the wire protection member 6 is provided with a bellows portion 611 in which valley portions 6111 and peak portions 6112 are alternately formed along the extending direction of the electric wires 5 (the longitudinal direction of the electric wire protection member 6), so that the wire protection member 6 has an expandable portion 61. One end 6a of the wire protection member 6 is fixed to the electric wires 5 near the service plug 2 with tape 7, so that the one end 6a of the wire protection member 6 is fixed near the service plug 2.

[0025] This makes it possible to cover a wider range of electric wires 5 with the wire protection member 6 simply by pulling the other end 6b of the wire protection member 6 to extend the wire protection member 6. In other words, simply by performing the simple task of pulling the other end 6b of the wire protection member 6 to extend the wire protection member 6, it becomes possible to protect a wider range of electric wires 5 with the wire protection member 6.

[0026] Furthermore, by making the wire protection member 6 flexible, it becomes possible for the wire protection member 6 to more easily follow the deformation of the wires 5, and it becomes unnecessary to expose the portion to be bent so that the wires 5 can be easily bent. In this way, even when the wires 5 are routed in various states, a wider range of the wires 5 can be protected by the wire protection member 6.

[0027] Therefore, by making the wire protection member 6 elastic as in this embodiment, there is no risk of there being any portion of the wire 5 that is not covered by the wire protection member, as occurs when a wire protection member that is poorly adaptable to deformation of the wire 5 is used. In addition, there is no risk of an increase in the number of wire protection members and the number of fixing points with the tape 7, as occurs when a wire protection member that is poorly adaptable to deformation of the wire 5 is used. That is, it is possible to reduce the number of wire protection members 6 and the number of tape fixing points during wiring work. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the labor costs during the installation work of the wire 5.

[0028] In this embodiment, although not shown, the other end 6b of the wire protection member 6 is pulled to elongate the wire protection member 6, and then the other end 6b is fixed to the wire 5 near the low-voltage connector (connector) 8 with tape 7. This allows a wider range of wires 5 to be protected by a single wire protection member 6. This reduces costs and more reliably prevents the wires 5 from breaking, thereby improving the quality of the wire protection structure 1.

[0029] Furthermore, with the wire protection structure 1 according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to perform the work of connecting a connected member, such as a low-voltage connector (connector) 8, to the other end 5b of the wire 5 with the wire protection member 6 contracted and positioned on the service plug 2 side.

[0030] In this way, even when the work of connecting the electric wire 5 to the low-voltage connector (connector) 8 is performed after the electric wire protection member 6 is fixed to the electric wire 5, the work of connecting the electric wire 5 to the low-voltage connector (connector) 8 can be performed without being hindered by the electric wire protection member 6.

[0031] Therefore, unlike the case where the wire protection member 6 is attached after the electric wire 5 and the low-voltage connector (connector) 8 are connected, it is not necessary to make a slit or the like around the periphery of the wire protection member 6 and fit it onto the electric wire 5. In other words, it is possible to prevent gaps from being formed in the middle of the wire protection member 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electric wire 5 is protected using a wire protection member 6 that does not have a slit around its periphery.

[0032] In this way, with the wire protection structure 1 according to this embodiment, it is no longer necessary to first connect the electric wire 5 and the connected member and then fix the wire protection member 6, which has been notched, to the electric wire 5 in order to improve the ease of connecting the electric wire 5 and the connected member. In other words, even when a wire protection member 6 without notches around it is used, it is possible to improve the ease of connecting the electric wire 5 and the connected member. Therefore, it is possible to more easily connect the electric wire 5 and the connected member while preventing gaps from being formed in the middle of the wire protection member 6.

[0033] This makes it easier to obtain a wire protection structure 1 that can more reliably prevent water droplets from penetrating the wire protection member 6 and adhering to the wires 5. As a result, the wires 5 can be protected more reliably, and the quality of the wire protection structure 1 can be further improved.

[0034] Furthermore, if the wire protection member 6 is contracted and positioned on the service plug 2 side and then the connected member is connected to the other end 5b of the wire 5, it is possible to prevent the conductor of the wire 5 from coming into contact with the wire protection member 6 and being damaged.

[0035] [Actions and Effects] The characteristic configuration of the wire protection structure shown in the above embodiment and the effects obtained thereby will be described below.

[0036] The wire protection structure 1 shown in the above embodiment includes a service plug 2 capable of interrupting a power supply circuit 3, and an electric wire 5 electrically connected to a signal terminal (terminal) 24 provided on the service plug 2. Furthermore, the wire protection structure 1 includes a wire protection member 6 that is disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the electric wire 5 and is capable of protecting the electric wire 5.

[0037] Further, the wire protection member 6 includes an expandable portion 61 that is capable of expanding and contracting in the extending direction of the wires 5.

[0038] One end 6 a of the wire protection member 6 is fixed to the service plug 2 or in the vicinity of the service plug 2 .

[0039] In this manner, in the wire protection structure 1 shown in the above embodiment, the wire protection member 6 is made elastic, and one end 6a of the wire protection member 6 is fixed to the service plug 2 or in the vicinity of the service plug 2.

[0040] This makes it possible to cover a wider range of electric wires 5 with the wire protection member 6 simply by pulling the other end 6b of the wire protection member 6 to extend the wire protection member 6. In other words, simply by performing the simple task of pulling the other end 6b of the wire protection member 6 to extend the wire protection member 6, it becomes possible to protect a wider range of electric wires 5 with the wire protection member 6.

[0041] Furthermore, by providing the wire protection member 6 with elasticity, the wire protection member 6 can be made to more easily follow the deformation of the wire 5. In other words, the ability of the wire protection member 6 to follow the deformation of the wire 5 can be further improved.

[0042] In this way, even when the electric wires 5 are routed in various states, a wider range of the electric wires 5 can be protected by the electric wire protection member 6.

[0043] For example, if a wire protection member that has low conformability to deformation of the wire is used, when the wire needs to be bent during installation work, it may be necessary to expose the bent portion of the wire.

[0044] Therefore, when wiring an electric wire by bending it, if a wire protection member that has low conformability to deformation of the electric wire is used, it is necessary to expose the portion that will become the bent portion so that the electric wire can be easily bent, and to place wire protection members on both sides of the exposed portion to protect the electric wire.

[0045] Furthermore, if the bent portion of the electric wire is to be exposed, it is necessary to use two electric wire protection members and fix both ends of each electric wire protection member with tape.

[0046] In this way, when wiring an electric wire by bending it, if a wire protection member that has low adaptability to the deformation of the electric wire is used, there will be parts of the electric wire that are not covered by the wire protection member, and the number of wire protection members and the number of points fixed with tape will increase.

[0047] This makes it impossible to protect a wide area of ​​the wire with the wire protection member, and also makes the wire protection work complicated and time-consuming.Furthermore, there is also the problem that the manufacturing cost of the wire protection structure increases.

[0048] In contrast, with the wire protection structure 1 shown in the above embodiment, when the wire 5 is bent and wired, there is no need to expose the bent portion of the wire 5, so a wider range of the wire 5 can be protected by the wire protection member 6.

[0049] Furthermore, by not exposing the bent portion of the electric wire 5, it becomes unnecessary to place a wire protection member on both sides of the bent portion, and it becomes possible to protect the electric wire 5 using only one wire protection member 6. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the number of wire protection members 6 and the number of points to be fixed with tape during wiring work, and it becomes possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the wire protection structure 1.

[0050] In this way, the wire protection structure 1 shown in the above embodiment can reduce the work costs involved in wiring the wires.

[0051] Furthermore, if a wider range of the wires 5 can be protected by the wire protection member 6, it is possible to more reliably prevent the wires 5 from being broken, which has the advantage of further improving the quality of the wire protection structure 1.

[0052] Furthermore, with the wire protection structure 1 shown in the above embodiment, it becomes possible to perform the work of connecting a connected member, such as a low-voltage connector (connector) 8, to the other end 5b of the wire 5 with the wire protection member 6 contracted and positioned on the service plug 2 side.

[0053] In this way, even when the electric wires 5 are covered with the electric wire protection member 6, the operation of connecting the electric wires 5 to the connected member can be performed without being hindered by the electric wire protection member 6.

[0054] Therefore, it is possible to more easily perform the connection work between the electric wire 5 and the connected member while preventing the formation of a gap in the middle of the electric wire protection member 6. For example, if the connected member is connected to the electric wire 5 by the method described below, it is possible to more easily perform the connection work between the electric wire 5 and the connected member while preventing the formation of a gap in the middle of the electric wire protection member 6. First, the electric wire 5 is inserted from the other end 5b into a space (a through hole that opens only on both sides in the extending direction of the electric wire) in the electric wire protection member 6 that has no notches around it, and one end 6a of the electric wire protection member 6 is fixed to the service plug 2 or the electric wire 5 near the service plug 2. Then, the other end 6b of the electric wire protection member 6 is moved toward the one end 6a to contract the electric wire protection member 6. Then, the connected member is connected to the other end 5b of the electric wire 5 in a state in which the electric wire protection member 6 is contracted and positioned on the service plug 2 side.

[0055] In this way, with the wire protection structure 1 shown in the above embodiment, it is no longer necessary to first connect the electric wire 5 to the connected member and then fix the wire protection member 6, which has been notched, to the electric wire 5 in order to improve the ease of connecting the electric wire 5 to the connected member. That is, even when a wire protection member 6 without notches around the periphery is used, it is possible to improve the ease of connecting the electric wire 5 to the connected member. Therefore, it is possible to more easily connect the electric wire 5 to the connected member while preventing gaps from being formed in the middle of the wire protection member 6.

[0056] This makes it easier to obtain a wire protection structure 1 that can more reliably prevent water droplets from penetrating the wire protection member 6 and adhering to the wires 5. As a result, the wires 5 can be protected more reliably, and the quality of the wire protection structure 1 can be further improved.

[0057] Furthermore, if the wire protection member 6 is contracted and positioned on the service plug 2 side and then the connected member is connected to the other end 5b of the wire 5, it is possible to prevent the conductor of the wire 5 from coming into contact with the wire protection member 6 and being damaged.

[0058] Moreover, the expandable portion 61 may include a bellows portion 611 .

[0059] In this way, by providing the wire protection member 6 with elasticity by forming the bellows portion 611, it is possible to prevent gaps from being formed in the wire protection member 6. Furthermore, by preventing gaps from being formed in the wire protection member 6, it is possible to more reliably prevent water droplets from entering the wire protection member 6 from the middle and adhering to the wire 5. As a result, it is possible to more reliably protect the wire 5.

[0060] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, a lever-type connector is exemplified as the service plug 2. However, the configuration of the service plug is not limited to this configuration, and various configurations are possible. For example, a connector that does not have a lever can also be used as the service plug.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the wire protection member 6 is fixed to the wires 5 near the service plug 2, but the wire protection member 6 can also be fixed directly to the service plug 2.

[0063] Furthermore, it is not necessary to fix the wire protection member 6 using tape 7, and the wire protection member 6 can be fixed in place by various methods such as fitting or engagement.

[0064] In addition, in the above embodiment, the expandable portion 61 of the wire protection member 6 includes the bellows portion 611, but the configuration of the expandable portion 61 of the wire protection member 6 is not limited to this configuration and various configurations are possible. For example, the expandable portion can be formed by connecting multiple tubular portions so that they can slide in the extension direction of the wire.

[0065] It is also possible to directly connect a load to the other end 5b of the electric wire 5 without using the low-voltage connector (connector: connected member) 8.

[0066] The wire protection structure according to this embodiment can also be applied to the electric wire 4 for a power supply circuit.

[0067] In addition, the service plug, power supply circuit, and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Wire protection structure 2 Service plug 24 Signal terminal (terminal) 3 Power circuit 5 Electric wire 6 Wire protection materials 6a one end 61 Telescopic part 611 Bellows

Claims

1. a service plug capable of cutting off a power circuit; an electric wire electrically connected to a terminal provided on the service plug; a wire protection member arranged to cover an outer periphery of the electric wire and capable of protecting the electric wire; Equipped with The wire protection member includes an expansion / contraction portion that is expandable and contractable in an extending direction of the wire, One end of the wire protection member is fixed to the service plug or in the vicinity of the service plug. Wire protection structure.

2. The expansion and contraction portion includes a bellows portion. The wire protection structure according to claim 1 .

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