Protector and coupling structure

Abstract

To provide a protector that can be easily coupled to an exterior member composed of a resin sheet, and a coupling structure.SOLUTION: A coupling portion 50 is provided at an end portion of a base body portion 40 that accommodates a wire harness 100, the coupling portion 50 guiding the wire harness 100 to the outside and coupling a plate-shaped first exterior member 21 composed of a resin sheet. The coupling portion 50 is provided with a placement portion 51 on which the first exterior member 21 is placed and a restriction portion 54 that restricts movement of the first exterior member 21 with respect to the placement portion 51 by placing the first exterior member 21 on the placement portion 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure in which an exterior member composed of a protector for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle and a resin sheet is connected to the protector.

Background Art

[0002] Electrical components installed to improve the operability and comfort of automobiles are electrically connected to a battery or the like using a wire harness, and signal transmission / reception and power supply are performed. The wire harness that connects such electrical components is routed along a two-dimensional or three-dimensional routing path that conforms to the shape of the vehicle, and an exterior member may be attached to prevent interference with other members and damage.

[0003] In recent years, for the purpose of reducing the weight of vehicles, it has been proposed to process a resin sheet that is lightweight and highly processable into a shape capable of accommodating a wire harness and use it as a protector (see Patent Document 1). Thereby, the wire harness can be protected with a simple structure.

[0004] However, in order to protect and route a wire harness along a complex two-dimensional or three-dimensional routing path, it is assumed that a resin-molded protector and a resin sheet are connected and used. For this reason, a resin-molded protector that can easily connect the resin sheet is desired.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a protector and a connection structure that can be easily connected to an exterior member made of a resin sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a protector for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle, and at an end of a protector main body that houses the wire harness, a connection portion is provided for leading the wire harness to the outside and connecting a plate-shaped exterior member made of a resin sheet. The connection portion is provided with a placement portion for placing the exterior member and a protector characterized in that a movement restricting portion is provided for restricting movement of the exterior member with respect to the placement portion when the exterior member is placed on the placement portion.

[0008] The resin sheet includes both a thermoplastic resin sheet and a thermosetting resin sheet. Further, as the resin sheet, it is preferably a synthetic resin foam sheet made of a synthetic resin foam formed into a foamed or porous shape. The movement restricting portion includes a case where movement in the wiring direction is restricted, a case where movement in the plate thickness direction of the exterior member is restricted, and a case where movement in both the wiring direction and the plate thickness direction is restricted.

[0009] According to the present invention, by simply placing a plate-shaped exterior member made of a lightweight and highly processable resin sheet on the connection portion, the plate-shaped exterior member can be easily connected to the connection portion. Furthermore, since the movement of the exterior member can be restricted by the movement restricting portion, the exterior member can be easily and surely arranged at a predetermined position in the connection portion, and the weight of the entire exterior body in which the protector and the exterior member are connected can be reduced.

[0010] In addition, the shape of the exterior member of the resin sheet with high processability can be appropriately changed and connected to the connection portion. That is, since the protector for connecting the exterior member can be made common, the versatility can be improved.

[0011] The protector configured as described above can easily connect the exterior member to the connecting portion. Further, in a state where the exterior member and the protector are connected, movement of the exterior member with respect to the protector can be restricted. Therefore, the workability of the connection work and the workability when arranging the wire harness can be improved, and the versatility can be improved.

[0012] As an aspect of the present invention, the movement restricting portion may include a first restricting portion that restricts movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction of the exterior member, and a second restricting portion that restricts movement of the exterior member in the wiring direction of the wire harness wired to the exterior member placed on the placement portion.

[0013] The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion include not only the case where they are configured separately but also the case where they are configured integrally. When the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are integrally configured, for example, the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are configured by an umbrella-shaped protruding portion protruding from the placement portion toward one side in the plate thickness direction, and include a structure that is locked by inserting the exterior member.

[0014] According to the present invention, a plate-shaped exterior member made of a resin sheet can be easily connected to the connecting portion, and movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction and movement in the wiring direction can be easily restricted. Therefore, the exterior member can be surely arranged at a predetermined position in the connecting portion.

[0015] As another aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion has a pair of side wall portions standing upright from the placement portion in the plate thickness direction, and at least one of the side wall portions is provided with the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion. The first restricting portion protrudes toward the other side of the pair of side wall portions and sandwiches and holds the exterior member in the plate thickness direction with the placement portion. The second restricting portion may be locked to a notch portion obtained by notching an end portion in the width direction of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction.

[0016] According to the present invention, the exterior member can be connected to the connecting portion simply by inserting the exterior member from the opening portion formed by the pair of side wall portions toward the mounting portion. Further, while the first restricting portion can restrict the movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction, and the second restricting portion can restrict the movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction, the pair of side wall portions can restrict the movement of the exterior member in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and the wiring direction. Therefore, the exterior member can be more reliably arranged at a predetermined position in the connecting portion.

[0017] As an aspect of the present invention, the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion may be provided on both of the pair of side wall portions that form a pair. According to the present invention, since the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion provided on both of the pair of side wall portions that form a pair can restrict the movement of the exterior member in the wiring direction and the plate thickness direction, the exterior member can be stably restricted.

[0018] As an aspect of the present invention, the first restricting portion may be configured to be elastically deformable toward the outside of the side wall portion. According to the present invention, since the exterior member can be easily inserted with respect to the mounting portion, the workability can be improved.

[0019] Specifically, by inserting the exterior member from the opening portion of the connecting portion toward the mounting portion, the exterior member abuts against the inside of the side surface of the first restricting portion. As a result, since the first restricting portion can be elastically deformed toward the outside of the side wall portion, the exterior member can be easily inserted. Therefore, the workability of the work of connecting the exterior member to the connecting portion can be improved.

[0020] As an aspect of the present invention, the second restricting portion may be provided in a pair on both sides in the wiring direction with respect to the first restricting portion. According to the present invention, the movement of the exterior member in the wiring direction with respect to the connecting portion can be more reliably and stably restricted. Further, since the second restricting portions provided in a pair so as to sandwich the first restricting portion are engaged with the corresponding notch portions, a desired position in the exterior member can be sandwiched and held by the first restricting portion.

[0021] As an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the movement restricting portions may be provided along the wiring direction. According to the present invention, the movement of the exterior member in the wiring direction and the plate thickness direction can be more reliably restricted. Further, even if the restriction of one movement restricting portion is released, the connected state can be maintained, so that the disconnection between the connecting portion and the exterior member due to an unintended external force can be prevented.

[0022] As an aspect of the present invention, the second restricting portion may be constituted by a rib standing along the side wall portion, and may have a guide portion approaching the side wall portion as it goes toward the side away from the mounting portion. According to the present invention, since the second restricting portion can guide the exterior member toward the mounting portion, the second restricting portion can be easily inserted into the notch portion, and the second restricting portion and the notch portion can also function as a positioning. Further, since the notch portion inserted into the second restricting portion can be guided toward the mounting portion by the guide portion, the second restricting portion and the notch portion can be surely locked.

[0023] As an aspect of the present invention, a protruding portion protruding in a direction away from the mounting portion by the plate thickness of the exterior member from the mounting portion may be provided on the proximal end side of the connecting portion. According to the present invention, in the connecting portion, the positioning of the exterior member with respect to the wiring direction can be performed. Further, in a state where the exterior member is mounted on the mounting portion, since the heights of the protruding portion and the exterior member are the same, it is possible to prevent the wire harness disposed on the exterior member from hitting the bottom and corners of the protector body. Therefore, damage to the wire harness passing through the protector body and the connecting portion can be suppressed.

[0024] As an aspect of the present invention, an assembling portion for assembling another exterior member may be provided on the side of the side wall portion in a direction away from the mounting portion with respect to the first restricting portion so as to face the exterior member held by the first restricting portion.

[0025] According to the present invention, since the wire harness can be arranged between the exterior member placed on the placement portion and another exterior member, it is possible to restrict the movement of the wire harness in the plate thickness direction and protect the wire harness.

[0026] The present invention also includes a protector for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle and a plate-shaped exterior member made of a resin sheet. The exterior member has a notch formed by cutting out an end portion in the width direction in the plate thickness direction. The protector has a connecting portion provided at an end of a protector main body that houses the wire harness, for leading the wire harness to the outside and connecting the exterior member. The connecting portion has a placement portion for placing the exterior member and a pair of side wall portions standing upright from the placement portion in the plate thickness direction. At least one of the side wall portions is provided with a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion. The first restricting portion protrudes toward the other side of the pair of side wall portions, sandwiches and holds the exterior member in the plate thickness direction with the placement portion, and has a connection structure in which the exterior member is held by the first restricting portion with the notch engaged with the second restricting portion.

[0027] According to the present invention, the exterior member can be connected to the connecting portion simply by inserting the exterior member from the opening formed by the pair of side wall portions toward the placement portion. In addition to being able to restrict the movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction by the first restricting portion and the movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction by the second restricting portion, the pair of side wall portions can restrict the movement of the exterior member in the direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction and the wiring direction. Therefore, the exterior member can be arranged at a predetermined position in the connecting portion more reliably.

[0028] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, the direction in which the wire harness is routed on the exterior member placed on the placement portion is defined as the routing direction. The protector is provided with a pair of second restricting portions on both sides of the first restricting portion in the routing direction. At the proximal end side of the connecting portion, a protruding portion that protrudes from the placement portion by the thickness of the exterior member is provided. The distance between the second restricting portion disposed on the proximal end side and the protruding portion may be longer than the distance between the end portion on the proximal end side of the exterior member and the notch portion.

[0029] According to the present invention, in a state where the second restricting portion and the notch portion are locked, the end portion on the side of the protector main body of the exterior member is disposed closer to the connecting portion side than the protruding portion. Therefore, in a state where the exterior member is placed on the placement portion, it is possible to prevent the exterior member from riding up on the bottom surface of the protector main body.

Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a protector and a connection structure that can be easily connected to an exterior member made of a resin sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] An embodiment of this invention will be described below together with FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a harness restraint structure 1, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the harness restraint structure 1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a first exterior member 21, and FIGS. 4 to 6 show schematic cross-sectional views of a first protector 30a. FIGS. 7 to 9 show explanatory drawings of a method for attaching the first exterior member 21 to the first protector 30a, and FIG. 10 shows an explanatory drawing of a method for attaching a second exterior member 22 to the first protector 30a.

[0033] FIGS. 4 to 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 4(a) shows a schematic plan view of the first protector 30a, and FIG. 4(b) shows a schematic enlarged view of part a in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 5(a) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 4(b), FIG. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 4(b), FIG. 5(c) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 4(b), and FIG. 5(d) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 4(b). FIG. 6(a) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left side Wl in FIG. 5(a), FIG. 6(b) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left side Wl in FIG. 5(b). FIG. 6(c) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left side Wl in FIG. 5(c), and FIG. 6(d) shows a schematic enlarged view of a regulating portion 54 on the tip side La in FIG. 5(d).

[0034] FIG. 7(a) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the first exterior member 21 is disposed on the upper side Hu of the first protector 30a, and FIG. 7(b) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the first exterior member 21 is moved to the lower side Hd. FIG. 7(c) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the first exterior member 21 is further moved to the lower side Hd from the state of FIG. 7(b), and FIG. 7(d) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the first exterior member 21 is fixed to the first protector 30a. Note that FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), and 7(d) are cross-sectional views corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4(b).

[0035] FIGS. 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), and 8(d) show enlarged cross-sectional views of the left side Wl in FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), and 7(d). FIG. 9(a) shows a schematic plan view of a state in which the first exterior member 21 is fixed to the first protector 30a, and FIG. 9(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 9(a). FIG. 10(a) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection structure 10 before assembling the second exterior member 22, and FIG. 10(b) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection structure 10. Note that FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are cross-sectional views corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 4(b).

[0036] Here, in FIG. 1, the vertical direction is defined as the height direction H, the direction along the long side of the protective member 20 that is orthogonal to the height direction H and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is defined as the longitudinal direction L, and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H is defined as the width direction W. Further, in FIG. 1, the left side along the longitudinal direction L is defined as the tip side La, and the right side is defined as the rear end side Lb. The upper side along the height direction H is defined as the upper side Hu, the lower side is defined as the lower side Hd, the left side along the width direction W is defined as the left side Wl, and the right side along the width direction W is defined as the right side Wr.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the harness restraint structure 1 is composed of a wire harness 100 routed in a vehicle and a connection structure 10 that externally wraps and protects the wire harness 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wire harness 100 is composed of a laminated wire 110 in which coated wires arranged in parallel are laminated in the height direction H, and connectors 120 attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction L of the laminated wire 110.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection structure 10 is composed of a protection member 20 and two protectors 30 that house a part of the laminated wire 110 of the wire harness 100 and are connected to the protection member 20.

[0039] The protection member 20 is composed of a flat resin sheet having flexibility that can be bent. The resin sheet constituting the protection member 20 is a thermoplastic resin foam sheet composed of a synthetic resin foam formed into a foamed or porous shape, has a predetermined rigidity, and has flexibility, elasticity, and thermoplasticity. Further, since the protection member 20 is formed in a sheet shape, it has excellent workability. Furthermore, it is lighter than a molded resin product (for example, made of polypropylene) having the same shape as the protection member 20.

[0040] The density of the resin foam sheet constituting the resin sheet is not particularly limited. However, for example, from the point of equalizing mechanical properties, improving the degree of freedom in the design of the protection member 20, and further improving the strength against stress on the laminated wire 110 externally mounted on the protection member 20, 200 Kg / m 3 or more and 1000 Kg / m 3 or less is preferable. Also, from the point of further improving the balance between light weight and mechanical strength, 300 Kg / m 3 or more and 600 Kg / m 3 or less is more preferable, and 350 Kg / m 3 or more and 550 Kg / m 3 or less is particularly preferable.

[0041] Further, the thickness of the resin sheet is not particularly limited. However, for example, from the viewpoint of improving the balance between ease of bending and mechanical strength, particularly the mechanical strength against stress applied to the laminated wire 110 covered by the protective member 20, it is preferably 0.50 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less, and particularly preferably 1.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. In addition, the thermoplastic resin foam sheet may have a non-foamed layer formed on one or both sides thereof.

[0042] That is, the resin sheet (thermoplastic resin foam sheet) may have a configuration having a foamed layer and a non-foamed layer formed on the foamed layer. By forming a non-foamed layer on the surface of the thermoplastic resin foam sheet, the mechanical strength of the protective member 20 is improved, and the protection performance of the laminated wire 110 to be covered is further improved. The thickness of the non-foamed layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0043] In addition, the number density of air bubbles in the foamed layer of the resin sheet is not particularly limited. The lower limit value thereof is preferably 800 bubbles / mm 3 or more from the viewpoint of more reliably preventing anisotropy of mechanical properties, and particularly preferably 1000 bubbles / mm 3 or more. On the other hand, the upper limit value of the above-mentioned number density of air bubbles is, for example, 1010 bubbles / mm 3 or less from the viewpoint of more reliably obtaining excellent mechanical strength.

[0044] The protective member 20 composed of such a resin sheet is composed of a first exterior member 21 that connects two protectors 30 on the lower side Hd and a second exterior member 22 that is disposed on the upper side Hu of the first exterior member 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0045] The first exterior member 21 is a plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with a predetermined thickness along the height direction H. At locations corresponding to the four corners of the first exterior member 21, a plurality of pairs of cutouts 23 along the longitudinal direction L of the first exterior member 21 and intermediate cutouts 24 provided between the cutouts 23 are provided.

[0046] The cutout portion 23 is a cutout formed by cutting out the first exterior member 21 in the height direction H with a predetermined width, and is composed of a first cutout portion 231 provided on the outer side in the longitudinal direction L of the first exterior member 21 and a second cutout portion 232 provided on the inner side in the longitudinal direction L of the protection member 20 rather than the first cutout portion 231.

[0047] The first cutout portion 231 is formed in a rectangular shape having a predetermined length along the width direction W and the longitudinal direction L. The second cutout portion 232 has the same shape as the first cutout portion 231.

[0048] The intermediate cutout portion 24 is a cutout that is cut out wider along the width direction W than the cutout portion 23 between the paired cutout portions 23 along the longitudinal direction L. Note that the length of the intermediate cutout portion 24 along the longitudinal direction L is substantially equal to the length of the cutout portion 23 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0049] The cutout portion 23 and the intermediate cutout portion 24 configured as described above are respectively provided on the opposing long sides of the first exterior member 21. In other words, the cutout portion 23 is provided at eight locations on the first exterior member 21, and the intermediate cutout portion 24 is provided at four locations. Note that a predetermined interval (referred to as interval L1) is provided between the first cutout portion 231 provided on the most end side in the longitudinal direction L among the plurality of provided first cutout portions 231 and the end of the first exterior member 21 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0050] The second exterior member 22 has the same shape as the first exterior member 21 except that the cutout portion 23 and the intermediate cutout portion 24 are not provided. That is, the second exterior member 22 is a resin sheet having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with the same length as the first exterior member 21 along the width direction W and the longitudinal direction L.

[0051] Two protectors 30 are provided along the longitudinal direction L. Note that the protector 30 disposed on the tip side La is referred to as the first protector 30a, and the protector 30 disposed on the rear end side Lb of the first protector 30a is referred to as the second protector 30b (see FIG. 2).

[0052] The protector 30 is composed of a base 31 having a concave cross-sectional shape with an opening on the upper side Hu, and a cover 32 that covers a part of the opening of the base 31. The base 31 is integrally formed by a base main body portion 40 that protects the tip side La of the laminated wire 110, and a connecting portion 50 that is provided on the rear end side Lb of the base main body portion 40 and connects the first exterior member 21.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the base main body portion 40 is integrally formed by a bottom surface portion 41, and a pair of main body side wall portions 42 that stand upright from both ends in the width direction W of the bottom surface portion 41.

[0054] The bottom surface portion 41 is a plate having a predetermined thickness along the height direction H, and a connector fixing portion 43 for fixing the connector 120 of the wire harness 100 is provided.

[0055] Note that the connector fixing portions 43 in the first protector 30a are arranged in three in parallel along the width direction W at the tip side La of the bottom surface portion 41. On the other hand, the connector fixing portions 43 in the second protector 30b are arranged in two in parallel on the right side Wr of the bottom surface portion 41.

[0056] The pair of main body side wall portions 42 stand upright upwardly Hu from both ends in the width direction W of the bottom surface portion 41 at a predetermined height. Specifically, the height along the height direction H of the main body side wall portion 42 is formed higher than the height along the height direction H of the laminated wire 110. Further, a locking portion (not shown) for locking and fixing the cover 32 is provided on the main body side wall portion 42.

[0057] Next, the connecting portion 50 will be described. Note that the description of the connecting portion 50 will be made using the first protector 30a. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the connecting portion 50 is provided on the rear end side Lb of the base main body portion 40, and is integrally formed by a mounting portion 51 on which a part of the protection member 20 can be mounted, and a pair of connecting side wall portions 52 that stand upright from both ends in the width direction W of the mounting portion 51.

[0058] The placement part 51 is a plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view that extends from the rear end side Lb of the bottom face part 41 and has a predetermined thickness along the height direction H. More specifically, the placement part 51 has a width equal to the length along the width direction W of the protection member 20 and is composed of a flat plate having the same thickness as the bottom face part 41. That is, the upper surface of the placement part 51 is flush with the bottom face part 41. Further, at the end of the front end side La of the placement part 51, a protrusion part 511 is provided that raises a part of the placement part 51 upward to the upper side Hu.

[0059] The protrusion part 511 protrudes by a height substantially equal to the plate thickness of the first exterior member 21. In this embodiment, the protrusion part 511 is formed over the entire length in the width direction W of the placement part 51. However, the shape of the protrusion part 511 is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of them may be provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction W of the placement part 51.

[0060] The pair of connecting side wall parts 52 are walls that stand upright upward from both ends in the width direction W of the placement part 51. More specifically, the connecting side wall parts 52 have a height substantially equal to the height in the height direction H of the main body side wall part 42 of the base main body part 40 and are integrally formed with the main body side wall part 42.

[0061] On such a pair of connecting side wall parts 52, restricting parts 54 for restricting the movement of the protection member 20 placed on the placement part 51 are provided at two locations at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction L. Further, a locking convex part 55 is provided between the two restricting parts 54 in the connecting side wall part 52.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a), the restricting part 54 is composed of a pair of restricting ribs 56 that protrude from the connecting side wall part 52 and a protruding restricting part 57 provided between the pair of restricting ribs 56. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the restricting rib 56 is a rib that protrudes along the width direction W from the pair of connecting side wall parts 52 and is provided in pairs at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction L.

[0063] Specifically, the regulating rib 56 is a plate-like body with chamfered corners on the inner and upper sides Hu in the width direction W, and has a thickness substantially equal to the length along the longitudinal direction L of the first notch 231. That is, a part of the outer edge on the inner side in the width direction W of the regulating rib 56 has an inclined surface (referred to as the rib inclined surface 561) that inclines in a direction approaching the connecting side wall portion 52 as it goes toward the upper side Hu. The regulating rib 56 configured as described above is provided in a pair with a space therebetween that is substantially equal to the space between the first notch 231 and the second notch 232 that constitute the notch 23 of the first exterior member 21.

[0064] Also, the connecting side wall portion 52 between the pair of regulating ribs 56 is formed in a reverse U-shaped cross section with approximately three-quarters of the height of the connecting side wall portion 52 cut out from the lower end Hd toward the upper side Hu. Here, the connecting side wall portion 52 between the regulating ribs 56 is referred to as the intermediate side wall portion 58. In addition, a through hole 512 penetrating along the height direction H is provided at the outer end in the width direction W on the mounting portion 51 corresponding to between the pair of regulating ribs 56.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b), the intermediate side wall portion 58 is composed of an outer wall portion 581 formed flush with the outer surface of the connecting side wall portion 52, a connecting wall portion 582 protruding from the upper side Hu of the outer wall portion 581 toward the inner side in the width direction W, and an inner wall portion 583 extending from the tip of the connecting wall portion 582 toward the lower side Hd. A space S is formed between the outer wall portion 581 and the inner wall portion 583.

[0066] The outer wall portion 581 has a thickness approximately one-third of that of the connecting side wall portion 52 along the width direction W. The connecting wall portion 582 protrudes from the upper end of the outer wall portion 581 on the upper side Hu toward the inner side in the width direction W. The connecting wall portion 582 has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the connecting side wall portion 52 along the width direction W.

[0067] The inner wall portion 583 is in the shape of a flat plate having a length shorter than the length along the height direction H of the outer wall portion 581 from the tip portion of the connecting wall portion 582. Both end portions in the longitudinal direction L of the inner wall portion 583 are notched from the end portion on the lower side Hd to about four-fifths of the height of the inner wall portion 583. That is, the base end portion of the inner wall portion 583 is supported by the inner wall portion 583 and the regulating rib 56. Note that an inclined surface 584 that inclines inward in the width direction W as it goes toward the lower side Hd is formed at the tip portion of the inner wall portion 583.

[0068] A protruding portion 59 that protrudes in the width direction W is provided on the inner wall portion 583 configured as described above. As shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b), the protruding portion 59 is integrally formed by a pair of side protruding portions 591 that protrude along the width direction W from the pair of inner wall portions 583 and a lower protruding portion 592 that connects the end portions on the lower side Hd of the pair of side protruding portions 591 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0069] The side protruding portion 591 has a substantially right-angled triangular shape in a side view that protrudes inward in the width direction W from both ends in the longitudinal direction L of the inner wall portion 583. More specifically, the side protruding portion 591 is a plate-like body that protrudes from the central portion in the height direction H of the notched portion between the inner wall portion 583 and the regulating rib 56, and inclines inward in the width direction W as it goes toward the lower side Hd. Further, the protruding length of the end portion on the lower side Hd of the side protruding portion 591 is configured to be shorter than the protruding length along the width direction W of the regulating rib 56, and the inclination angle of the side protruding portion 591 is substantially equal to the inclination angle of the regulating rib 56 with respect to the connecting side wall portion 52. That is, the side protruding portion 591 is disposed outside the regulating rib 56 in the width direction W. Here, the inner surface in the width direction W of the side protruding portion 591 is defined as the protruding portion inclined surface 593.

[0070] The lower protruding portion 592 connects the end portions on the lower side Hd of the pair of side protruding portions 591 along the longitudinal direction L. In this way, an interval substantially equal to the plate thickness of the first exterior member 21 is provided between the lower protruding portion 592 that connects the pair of side protruding portions 591 and the mounting portion 51 in the height direction H.

[0071] The inner wall portion 583 and the protruding portion 59 configured in this way constitute the protrusion restricting portion 57. The protrusion restricting portion 57 configured in this way can be elastically deformed toward the space S with the connection portion with the connecting wall portion 582 as a fulcrum by applying an external force toward the outside in the width direction W to the side protruding portion 591.

[0072] The restricting portion 54 configured in this way is provided at two locations in the connecting side wall portion 52 at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction L. Specifically, the interval between the restricting portions 54 is substantially equal to the interval between the first notch portion 231 and the second notch portion 232 that constitute the notch portion 23 of the first exterior member 21. Also, between the restricting rib 56 provided at the most distal end side La among the plurality of restricting ribs 56 provided on the connecting side wall portion 52 and the protruding portion 511, an interval longer than the interval L1 of the first exterior member 21 in the longitudinal direction L (referred to as interval L2) is provided (see FIGS. 5(d) and 6(d)).

[0073] The locking convex portion 55 is a rectangular parallelepiped protruding along the width direction W from the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 above the protruding portion 59 on the upper side Hu. The length along the width direction W and the length along the longitudinal direction L of the locking convex portion 55 are substantially equal to the length along the width direction W and the length along the longitudinal direction L of the intermediate notch portion 24.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 32 is a lid having substantially the same shape as the bottom surface of the base 31. The cover 32 is provided with a portion to be locked (not shown) that can be locked to a locking portion (not shown) provided on the main body side wall portion 42 of the base 31.

[0075] Next, a manufacturing method of the harness restricting structure 1 in which a part of the wire harness 100 is housed in the connecting structure 10 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. First, with respect to the wiring board designed such that the wire harness 100 has a desired wiring path, the first protector 30a and the second protector 30b are installed so that the connecting portions 50 provided on the first protector 30a and the second protector 30b face each other in the longitudinal direction L.

[0076] Next, the first exterior member 21 disposed above the connecting portion 50 is moved downward toward the lower side Hd and locked and fixed to the connecting portion 50. Hereinafter, regarding the locking and fixing of the first exterior member 21 to the connecting portion 50, an explanation will be given based on the connecting portion 50 constituting the first protector 30a.

[0077] First, the first exterior member 21 is disposed above the connecting portion 50 such that the notch 23 and the intermediate notch 24 in the first exterior member 21 face the upper side Hu of the regulating portion 54 and the locking convex portion 55 provided on the connecting side wall portion 52. Then, the first exterior member 21 disposed above the connecting portion 50 is moved downward (see FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a)).

[0078] Here, since the regulating rib 56 tapers toward the upper side Hu, the regulating rib 56 can be surely inserted through the notch 23. Further, since the notch 23 inserted into the regulating rib 56 can be guided to the side of the mounting portion 51 by the rib inclined surface 561, the first exterior member 21 can be guided to a predetermined position in the connecting portion 50.

[0079] Subsequently, by further moving the first exterior member 21 having the regulating rib 56 inserted through the notch 23 downward, the outer edge portion 25, which is the outer edge between the pair of notches 23 in the first exterior member 21, comes into contact with the protruding inclined surface 593. As a result, a force pushing outward in the width direction W acts on the protruding regulating portion 57, and the protruding regulating portion 57 can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction W with the connecting portion with the connecting wall portion 582 as the base (see FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b)). Therefore, since the resistance to the downward movement of the first exterior member 21 can be reduced, the first exterior member 21 can be easily moved downward.

[0080] In this way, while elastically deforming the protrusion restricting portion 57, by moving the first exterior member 21 downward toward the lower side Hd, the outer edge portion 25 can be moved downward to a position lower than the downward protrusion portion 592. As a result, the first exterior member 21 can be placed on the placement portion 51. At this time, the force with which the first exterior member 21 presses the protrusion restricting portion 57 outward in the width direction W via the protrusion 59 is released, and the protrusion restricting portion 57 returns to its original position by the restoring force. That is, the downward protrusion portion 592 moves upward to the upper side Hu of the outer edge portion 25, and the first exterior member 21 can be clamped between the placement portion 51 and the protrusion 59. Therefore, the protrusion restricting portion 57 can restrict the upward movement of the first exterior member 21 to the upper side Hu.

[0081] In this way, in a state where the first exterior member 21 is placed on the placement portion 51, the restricting rib 56 comes to be locked to the notch portion 23. That is, the restricting rib 56 can restrict the movement of the first exterior member 21 along the longitudinal direction L (see Fig. 9(a)).

[0082] Note that the above-described protrusion restricting portion 57 and restricting rib 56 are provided at two locations on each of the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 in the connecting portion 50, for a total of four locations. Therefore, the movement of the first exterior member 21 along the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L with respect to the protector 30 can be reliably restricted. That is, it is possible to prevent the connected first exterior member 21 from inadvertently coming out of the connecting portion 50.

[0083] Furthermore, on the placement portion 51, a protrusion portion 511 that protrudes at a height substantially equal to the plate thickness of the first exterior member 21 is provided, and the distance L2 between the protrusion portion 511 and the restricting rib 56 provided at the most distal end side La is formed to be shorter than the distance L1 of the first exterior member 21. As a result, the end portion of the first exterior member 21 on the distal end side La is arranged on the rear end side Lb with respect to the protrusion portion 511. Therefore, in a state where the first exterior member 21 is placed on the placement portion 51, it is possible to prevent the first exterior member 21 from riding over the protrusion portion 511.

[0084] Next, the wire harness 100 is accommodated in the first protector 30a and the second protector 30b connected by the first exterior member 21. Specifically, the laminated electric wire 110 of the wire harness 100 is arranged with respect to the protector 30, and the connector 120 is fixed to the connector fixing portion 43 provided on the protector 30.

[0085] Here, the regulating rib 56 protrudes toward the inner side in the width direction W from the protruding regulating portion 57. Therefore, when the wire harness 100 is arranged on the protector 30 or after it is arranged, contact between the wire harness 100 and the protruding regulating portion 57 can be prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the movement regulation of the first exterior member 21 by the protruding regulating portion 57 from being unintentionally released.

[0086] Thereafter, the second exterior member 22 is arranged so as to face the first exterior member 21, and an external force is applied to the second exterior member 22 so as to be convex upward on the upper side Hu to bend it. Then, the bent second exterior member 22 is moved downward to the lower side Hd, and both end portions in the width direction W of the second exterior member 22 are inserted between the inserted laminated electric wire 110 and the locking convex portion 55.

[0087] Then, by releasing the external force that bent the second exterior member 22, the second exterior member 22 can be restored to its original shape. Thereby, the second exterior member 22 can be attached to the protector 30 (see FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b)).

[0088] In this way, by attaching the second exterior member 22, the first exterior member 21 and the second exterior member 22 can sandwich the wire harness 100. Therefore, movement of the wire harness 100 in the height direction H can be regulated, and the wire harness 100 can be protected. Finally, by attaching the cover 32 to the base 31, the harness regulating structure 1 can be manufactured.

[0089] As described above, the harness restricting structure 1 restricts the movement of the first exterior member 21 connected to the protector 30 in the longitudinal direction L by the restricting rib 56 and restricts the movement along the height direction H by the protruding restricting portion 57. Here, the restricting rib 56 protrudes along a direction orthogonal to the extending direction (longitudinal direction L) of the connecting side wall portion 52. However, the restricting rib 56 is not necessarily limited to this configuration as long as it can restrict the movement of the first exterior member 21 in the longitudinal direction L. For example, it may be provided inclined with respect to the connecting side wall portion 52.

[0090] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a protector 30x having a rib inclined with respect to the connecting side wall portion 52 and a first exterior member 21x connected to the protector 30x will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0091] Here, FIG. 11(a) shows a schematic enlarged plan view of the tip side La of the first exterior member 21x, and FIG. 11(b) shows a schematic enlarged plan view of the connecting portion 50 of the protector 30x. FIG. 12 shows a schematic enlarged plan view of the connecting portion 50 in a state where the first exterior member 21x and the wire harness 100 are inserted through the protector 30x. In the following description of the first exterior member 21x and the protector 30x, the same components as those of the above-described first exterior member 21 and protector 30 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0092] The first exterior member 21x has a notch portion 23x instead of the notch portion 23 and is substantially the same configuration as the first exterior member 21 except that the intermediate notch portion 24 is not provided. That is, the first exterior member 21x is a plate having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with a predetermined thickness along the height direction H, similar to the first exterior member 21. A plurality of notch portions 23x are provided along the longitudinal direction L at positions corresponding to the four corners of the first exterior member 21x.

[0093] The cutout portion 23x is a cutout formed by cutting out the first exterior member 21x with a predetermined width in the height direction H as shown in Fig. 11(a). It has a first cutout portion 231x that inclines toward the outside in the longitudinal direction L of the first exterior member 21x, a second cutout portion 232x that inclines toward the inside in the longitudinal direction L, and a third cutout portion 233 that cuts out the four corners of the first exterior member 21x into a substantially right trapezoid shape in plan view.

[0094] The first cutout portion 231x is a cutout having the same width and length as the first cutout portion 231 in plan view, and inclines toward the tip side La as it goes toward the inside in the width direction W. The second cutout portion 232x is a cutout having the same width and length as the second cutout portion 232 in plan view, and inclines toward the rear end side Lb as it goes toward the inside in the width direction W.

[0095] The third cutout portion 233 is a cutout having a length along the width direction W equal to that of the first cutout portion 231x and the second cutout portion 232x, and forms inclined edges inside in the longitudinal direction L respectively. Specifically, the third cutout portion 233 provided at the end of the tip side La of the first exterior member 21x forms an edge that inclines at the same angle as the first cutout portion 231x with respect to the outer edge along the longitudinal direction L of the first exterior member 21x, and the third cutout portion 233 provided at the end of the rear end side Lb forms an edge that inclines at the same angle as the second cutout portion 232x (see Fig. 11(a)). A predetermined interval (referred to as interval L1x) is provided between the end of the longitudinal direction L of the first exterior member 21x and the above-mentioned inclined edge.

[0096] The first cutout portion 231x, the second cutout portion 232x, and the third cutout portion 233 configured as described above are provided at both ends in the width direction W of the first exterior member 21x, with a predetermined interval from the end in the longitudinal direction L along the longitudinal direction L. Specifically, a third notch 233 is provided at the end of the tip side La. At a predetermined interval from the third notch 233, two second notches 232x and two first notches 231x are alternately provided at a predetermined interval as they go toward the rear end side Lb (see Fig. 11(a)). On the other hand, a third notch 233 is provided at the end of the rear end side Lb. At a predetermined interval from the third notch 233, two first notches 231x and two second notches 232x are alternately provided at a predetermined interval as they go toward the tip side La (not shown).

[0097] The first notch 231x and the second notch 232x, which are provided so as to be separated from each other as they go toward the inside in the width direction W, form a pair. Also, between the first notch 231x and the second notch 232x, which approach each other as they go toward the inside in the width direction W, a trapezoidal surface (referred to as trapezoidal surface 26) that tapers as it goes toward the inside in the width direction W is formed in a plan view (see Fig. 11(a)).

[0098] The protector 30x to which the first exterior member 21x configured as described above is connected has inclined ribs 56x instead of the pair of regulating ribs 56 protruding from the connecting side wall portion 52, and has the same configuration as the protector 30 except that the locking convex portion 55 is not provided.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 11(b), the inclined rib 56x is a rib having the same shape as the regulating rib 56, protruding from the pair of connecting side wall portions 52, and is inclined in the longitudinal direction L as it goes toward the inside in the width direction W in a plan view. That is, the protruding length of the inclined rib 56x protruding from the connecting side wall portion 52 is equal to the protruding length of the regulating rib 56 protruding from the connecting side wall portion 52.

[0100] Specifically, in a plan view, the inclined rib 56x has a first inclined rib 56xa that inclines toward the tip side La as it goes toward the inside in the width direction W, and a second inclined rib 56xb that inclines toward the rear end side Lb as it goes toward the inside in the width direction W.

[0101] The first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb configured as described above are alternately provided at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction L from the boundary portion with the base main body portion 40. Specifically, a first inclined rib 56xa is provided at the boundary portion with the base main body portion 40, and two second inclined ribs 56xb and two first inclined ribs 56xa are alternately provided at a predetermined interval toward the opening side (see Fig. 11(b)). That is, a first inclined rib 56xa is provided at the end portion on the rear end side Lb of the connecting side wall portion 52.

[0102] Also, between the first inclined rib 56xa provided at the most distal end side La among the plurality of inclined ribs 56x provided on the connecting side wall portion 52 and the protrusion portion 511, an interval longer than the interval L1x of the first exterior member 21x along the longitudinal direction L (let it be the interval L2x) is provided (see Fig. 11(b)).

[0103] Note that the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb that are spaced apart from each other toward the inside in the width direction W are paired, and a protrusion restricting portion 57 is provided therebetween. Also, the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb that approach each other toward the inside in the width direction W form a frustum-shaped space in a plan view that tapers toward the inside in the width direction W therebetween. And, as described above, the inclined rib 56x has the same shape as the restricting rib 56. That is, the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb have a shorter protruding amount in the width direction W than the restricting rib 56.

[0104] The protector 30x configured as described above can place the first exterior member 21x above the placement portion 51 and place the first exterior member 21x on the placement portion 51 by moving the first exterior member 21x downward toward the lower side Hd. At this time, the inclined rib 56x is locked to the notch portion 23x, and the first exterior member 21x can be clamped between the protrusion restricting portion 57 and the placement portion 51. Thereby, the first exterior member 21x can be connected to the protector 30x.

[0105] Here, the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb having the same shape as the regulating rib 56 are inclined with respect to the connecting side wall portion 52. For this reason, the length along the protruding direction in the width direction W is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the regulating rib 56.

[0106] That is, in a state where the wire harness 100 is inserted into the protector 30x, an excess space can be formed between the laminated wire 110 and the connecting side wall portion 52 (see FIG. 12). Therefore, since interference between the laminated wire 110 and the inclined rib 56x can be suppressed, it is possible to more reliably prevent the inserted laminated wire 110 from being damaged.

[0107] Also, in the locked state between the inclined rib 56x and the notch portion 23x, the inclined rib 56x is locked with the notch portion 23x by substantially the same locking length as that between the regulating rib 56 and the notch portion 23. For this reason, the movement of the first exterior member 21x in the longitudinal direction L can be regulated with substantially the same locking force as the locking between the regulating rib 56 and the notch portion 23, and interference between the laminated wire 110 and the inclined rib 56x can be suppressed.

[0108] Furthermore, when the first exterior member 21x is connected to the protector 30x, the trapezoidal surface 26 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb (see FIG. 12). In this way, the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb that sandwich the trapezoidal surface 26 can regulate the bending of the connected first exterior member 21x.

[0109] Specifically, even when an external force directed inward in the width direction W acts on the first exterior member 21x formed of the resin sheet as described above and tries to bend it, the inclined edge portions of the trapezoidal surface 26 come into contact with the first inclined rib 56xa and the second inclined rib 56xb that approach each other as they go inward in the width direction W. In this way, since the movement of the trapezoidal surface 26 inward in the width direction W can be regulated, the bending of the connected first exterior member 21x can be regulated.

[0110] In this way, the protector 30x can restrict the movement of the first exterior member 21x to be connected in the longitudinal direction L by the inclined rib 56x, and can also restrict the first exterior member 21x from curving. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the connected first exterior member 21x from accidentally coming out of the connecting portion 50. Furthermore, damage to the inserted laminated electric wire 110 can also be prevented.

[0111] The protector 30, 30x configured in this way is provided with a connecting portion 50 at the end of the base body portion 40 that houses the wire harness 100. The connecting portion 50 leads the wire harness 100 to the outside and connects the plate-shaped first exterior member 21 made of a resin sheet. The connecting portion 50 is provided with a mounting portion 51 for mounting the first exterior member 21, and a restricting portion 54 that restricts the movement of the first exterior member 21 with respect to the mounting portion 51 by mounting the first exterior member 21 on the mounting portion 51.

[0112] The connecting structure 10 is composed of the protector 30, 30x and the first exterior members 21, 21x as described above. With the notches 23, 23x locked to the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x, the first exterior members 21, 21x are held by the protrusion restricting portion 57.

[0113] Thereby, by simply placing the plate-shaped first exterior members 21, 21x made of a lightweight and highly workable resin sheet on the connecting portion 50, the plate-shaped first exterior members 21, 21x can be easily connected to the connecting portion 50. Furthermore, since the movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x can be restricted by the restricting portion 54, the first exterior members 21, 21x can be easily and reliably arranged at a predetermined position in the connecting portion 50, and the weight of the entire exterior body connecting the protector 30, 30x and the first exterior members 21, 21x can be reduced.

[0114] Also, the shape of the first exterior members 21, 21x made of a resin sheet with high workability can be appropriately changed and connected to the connecting portion 50. That is, since the protectors 30, 30x for connecting the first exterior members 21, 21x can be made common, the versatility can be improved.

[0115] The protectors 30, 30x configured as described above can easily connect the first exterior members 21, 21x to the connecting portion 50. Further, in a state where the first exterior members 21, 21x and the protectors 30, 30x are connected, movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x with respect to the protectors 30, 30x can be restricted. Therefore, workability of the connecting operation and workability when arranging the wire harness 100 can be improved, and versatility can be improved.

[0116] Further, the restricting portion 54 is provided with a protruding restricting portion 57 that restricts movement of the first exterior member 21 in the height direction H, and a restricting rib 56 and an inclined rib 56x that restrict movement of the first exterior member 21 in the longitudinal direction L of the wire harness 100 routed to the first exterior member 21 placed on the placing portion 51.

[0117] As a result, the plate-shaped first exterior members 21, 21x made of a resin sheet can be easily connected to the connecting portion 50, and movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the height direction H and movement in the longitudinal direction L can be easily restricted. Therefore, the first exterior members 21, 21x can be surely arranged at a predetermined position in the connecting portion 50.

[0118] Further, the connecting portion 50 has a pair of connecting side wall portions 52 erected in the height direction H from the placing portion 51, and the protruding restricting portion 57, the restricting rib 56, and the inclined rib 56x are provided on both of the connecting side wall portions 52. The protruding restricting portion 57 protrudes toward the other side of the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 and sandwiches and holds the first exterior member 21 in the height direction H with the placing portion 51. The restricting rib 56 and the inclined rib 56x are locked to the notch portions 23, 23x formed by notching the end portions of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the width direction W in the height direction H.

[0119] According to this, the first exterior members 21, 21x can be connected to the connecting portion 50 simply by inserting the first exterior members 21, 21x from the opening portion formed by the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 toward the mounting portion 51. Further, while the protruding restriction portion 57 can restrict the movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the height direction H, and the restricting rib 56 and the inclined rib 56x can restrict the movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the height direction H, in addition, the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 can restrict the movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the direction orthogonal to the height direction H and the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, the first exterior members 21, 21x can be more reliably arranged at a predetermined position in the connecting portion 50.

[0120] Further, the protruding restriction portion 57, the restricting rib 56, and the inclined rib 56x are provided on both of the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 that form a pair. Thereby, since the protruding restriction portion 57, the restricting rib 56, and the inclined rib 56x provided on both of the pair of connecting side wall portions 52 that form a pair can restrict the movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H, the first exterior members 21, 21x can be stably restricted.

[0121] Further, the protruding restriction portion 57 is configured to be elastically deformable toward the outside of the connecting side wall portion 52. Thereby, since the first exterior members 21, 21x can be easily inserted with respect to the mounting portion 51, the workability can be improved.

[0122] Specifically, by inserting the first exterior members 21, 21x from the opening portion of the connecting portion 50 toward the mounting portion 51, the first exterior members 21, 21x come into contact with the inside (inside in the width direction W) of the side surface of the protruding restriction portion 57. Thereby, since the protruding restriction portion 57 can be elastically deformed toward the outside of the connecting side wall portion 52, the first exterior members 21, 21x can be easily inserted. Therefore, the workability of the work of connecting the first exterior members 21, 21x to the connecting portion 50 can be improved.

[0123] Further, the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x are provided in pairs on both sides of the protruding regulating portion 57 in the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the movement of the connecting portions 50 of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the longitudinal direction L can be regulated more reliably and stably. Further, since the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x provided in pairs so as to sandwich the protruding regulating portion 57 are engaged with the corresponding notches 23, 23x, the desired positions of the first exterior members 21, 21x can be sandwiched and held by the protruding regulating portion 57.

[0124] Further, a plurality of regulating portions 54 are provided along the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the movement of the first exterior members 21, 21x in the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H can be regulated more reliably. Further, even if the regulation of one regulating portion 54 is released, the connected state can be maintained, so that the disconnection of the connection between the connecting portion 50 and the first exterior members 21, 21x due to an unintended external force can be prevented.

[0125] Further, regulating ribs 56 and inclined ribs 56x are provided standing along the connecting side wall portion 52, and the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x have rib inclined surfaces 561 that approach the connecting side wall portion 52 as they go toward the side (upper side Hu) away from the mounting portion 51. According to this, the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x can guide the first exterior members 21, 21x toward the mounting portion 51, so that the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x can be easily inserted into the notches 23, 23x, and the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x can also act as a positioning means for the notches 23, 23x. Further, since the notches 23, 23x inserted into the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x can be guided toward the mounting portion 51 by the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x, the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x can be reliably engaged with the notches 23, 23x.

[0126] Further, on the tip side La of the connecting portion 50, a protruding portion 511 is provided which protrudes in a direction (upper side Hu) away from the mounting portion 51 by the thickness of the first exterior members 21 and 21x from the mounting portion 51. Thereby, in the connecting portion 50, the first exterior members 21 and 21x can be positioned in the longitudinal direction L. Further, in a state where the first exterior members 21 and 21x are mounted on the mounting portion 51, since the height of the protruding portion 511 and the first exterior members 21 and 21x is the same, the wire harness 100 disposed on the first exterior members 21 and 21x can be prevented from hitting the bottom of the base main body portion 40 and the corners. Therefore, damage to the wire harness 100 passing through the base main body portion 40 and the connecting portion 50 can be suppressed.

[0127] Also, in the harness regulating structure 1, a locking convex portion 55 for assembling the second exterior member 22 is provided on the side (upper side Hu) in the direction away from the mounting portion 51 with respect to the protruding regulating portion 57 in the connecting side wall portion 52 so as to face the first exterior member 21 held by the protruding regulating portion 57.

[0128] Thereby, since the wire harness 100 can be disposed between the first exterior member 21 and the second exterior member 22 mounted on the mounting portion 51, the movement of the wire harness 100 in the height direction H can be regulated and the wire harness 100 can be protected.

[0129] Also, the direction in which the wire harness 100 is routed on the first exterior members 21 and 21x mounted on the mounting portion 51 is defined as the longitudinal direction L. The protectors 30 and 30x are provided with regulating ribs 56 and inclined ribs 56x in pairs on both sides of the protruding regulating portion 57 in the longitudinal direction L, and on the tip side La of the connecting portion 50, a protruding portion 511 that protrudes from the mounting portion 51 by the thickness of the first exterior members 21 and 21x is provided. And the distances (intervals L2 and L2x) between the regulating ribs 56 and the inclined ribs 56x disposed on the tip side La and the protruding portion 511 are longer than the distances (intervals L1 and L1x) between the end portions in the longitudinal direction L of the first exterior members 21 and 21x and the cutout portions 23 and 23x.

[0130] As a result, in a state where the regulating rib 56 and the inclined rib 56x are locked with the notches 23 and 23x, the end portion of the base main body portion 40 of the first exterior member 21, 21x on the side of the tip side La is disposed on the side of the connecting portion 50 (rear end side Lb) rather than the protruding portion 511. Therefore, in a state where the first exterior members 21, 21x are placed on the placing portion 51, it is possible to prevent the first exterior members 21, 21x from riding up on the bottom surface of the base main body portion 40.

[0131] In the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-described embodiment, The wire harness of this invention corresponds to the wire harness 100, and similarly hereinafter, The protector corresponds to the protectors 30, 30x, The protector main body corresponds to the base main body portion 40, The exterior member corresponds to the protection member 20, The connecting portion corresponds to the connecting portion 50, The placing portion corresponds to the placing portion 51, The movement restricting portion corresponds to the restricting portion 54, The plate thickness direction corresponds to the height direction H, The first restricting portion corresponds to the protruding restricting portion 57, The wiring direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction L, The second restricting portion corresponds to the regulating rib 56 and the inclined rib 56x, The side wall portion corresponds to the connecting side wall portion 52, The standing direction corresponds to the height direction H, The width direction corresponds to the width direction W, The notch corresponds to the notches 23, 23x, The rib corresponds to the regulating rib 56 and the inclined rib 56x, The guide portion corresponds to the rib inclined surface 561, The connecting structure corresponds to the connecting structure 10, The protruding portion corresponds to the protruding portion 511, The assembling portion corresponds to the locking convex portion 55, but This invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0132] For example, in the present embodiment, the restricting portion 54 is composed of two parts, namely, a protruding restricting portion 57 and a restricting rib 56 (inclined rib 56x). However, as long as the movement of the first exterior member 21 placed on the placing portion 51 can be restricted, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the restricting portion 54 may be integrally formed. In that case, for example, the restricting portion 54 may be formed in an umbrella shape standing upright from the placing portion 51, and a structure that can be locked by placing the first exterior member 21 may be adopted.

[0133] In addition, although the same number of the protruding restricting portion 57 and the restricting rib 56 (inclined rib 56x) are provided on both of the pair of connecting side walls 52, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, both the protruding restricting portion 57 and the restricting rib 56 (inclined rib 56x) may be provided only on one of the connecting side walls 52. In that case, on the other connecting side wall 52, only the protruding restricting portion 57 may be provided, or only the restricting rib 56 (inclined rib 56x) may be provided. Furthermore, only the protruding restricting portion 57 may be provided on one of the connecting side walls 52, and only the restricting rib 56 (inclined rib 56x) may be provided on the other connecting side wall 52.

[0134] Furthermore, although the restricting portion 54 positions the protectors 30 and 30x by placing the first exterior members 21 and 21x from the upper side Hu, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a structure may be adopted in which the first exterior members 21 and 21x are placed on the placing portion 51 along the width direction W. In that case, for example, a slit having a shape corresponding to the plate thickness of the first exterior members 21 and 21x may be provided on the connecting side wall 52, and a structure that can be locked by inserting the first exterior members 21 and 21x into the slit may be adopted.

[0135] In addition, a structure may be adopted in which the first exterior members 21 and 21x are placed on the placing portion 51 along the longitudinal direction L. In that case, for example, a structure may be adopted in which the first exterior members 21 and 21x inserted along the longitudinal direction L and the placing portion 51 are locked to each other.

[0136] In addition, the protector 30 is provided with a locking convex portion 55 for mounting the second exterior member 22. However, if the first exterior member 21 can be connected to the mounting portion 51, the locking convex portion 55 may not be provided.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0137] 10… Connecting structure 20… Protective member 23, 23x… Notch 30, 30x… Protector 40… Base main body portion 50… Connecting portion 51… Mounting portion 52… Side wall portion 54… Movement restricting portion 55… Locking convex portion 56… Restricting rib 56x… Inclined rib 57… Protrusion restricting portion 100… Wire harness 511… Protrusion 561… Rib inclined surface H… Height direction L… Longitudinal direction W… Width direction

Claims

1. A protector for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle, at an end of a protector body that houses the wire harness, a connecting portion is provided for leading the wire harness to the outside and connecting a plate-shaped exterior member made of a resin sheet, the connecting portion includes, a placement portion for placing the exterior member, a movement restricting portion for restricting movement of the exterior member with respect to the placement portion when the exterior member is placed on the placement portion, a protector.

2. The movement restricting portion includes, a first restricting portion for restricting movement of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction of the exterior member, a second restricting portion for restricting movement of the exterior member in the routing direction of the wire harness routed in the exterior member placed on the placement portion, The protector according to claim 1.

3. The connecting portion includes, a pair of side wall portions standing upright in the plate thickness direction from the placement portion, at least one of the side wall portions is provided with the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion, the first restricting portion, projects toward the other side of the pair of side wall portions and sandwiches and holds the exterior member in the plate thickness direction with the placement portion, the second restricting portion locks to a notch portion formed by notching an end portion in the width direction of the exterior member in the plate thickness direction, The protector according to claim 2.

4. The first restricting portion and the second restricting portion are provided on both of the pair of side wall portions, The protector according to claim 3.

5. The first restricting portion is configured to be elastically deformable toward the outside of the side wall portion, The protector according to claim 3 or claim 4.

6. The second restricting portion, is provided in a pair on both sides in the routing direction with respect to the first restricting portion, The protector according to claim 3.

7. A plurality of movement restricting portions are provided along the routing direction, The protector according to claim 3.

8. The second restricting portion is constituted by ribs standing upright along the side wall portion, and has a guide portion that approaches the side wall portion as it goes toward the side away from the placement portion, The protector according to claim 3.

9. At the proximal end side of the connecting portion, a protruding portion is provided that protrudes in a direction away from the placement portion by the plate thickness of the exterior member, The protector according to claim 3.

10. On the side of the side wall portion that is farther from the placement portion than the first restricting portion in the direction away from the placement portion, an assembling portion for assembling another exterior member is provided so as to face the exterior member held by the first restricting portion. The protector according to claim 3.

11. A protector for protecting a wire harness routed in a vehicle, composed of a plate-shaped exterior member made of a resin sheet, the exterior member has a notch portion formed by cutting out an end portion in the width direction in the plate thickness direction, the protector is provided at an end portion of a protector body that houses the wire harness, and has a connecting portion that leads the wire harness to the outside and connects the exterior member, the connecting portion has a placement portion for placing the exterior member, and a pair of side wall portions erected from the placement portion in the plate thickness direction, at least one of the side wall portions is provided with a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion, the first restricting portion is projecting toward the other side of the paired side wall portions, and sandwiches and holds the exterior member in the plate thickness direction with the placement portion, the exterior member is held by the first restricting portion with the notch portion locked to the second restricting portion connection structure.

12. Taking the direction in which the wire harness is routed on the exterior member placed on the placement portion as the routing direction, the protector is on both sides of the first restricting portion in the routing direction, the second restricting portions are provided in pairs, at the proximal end side of the connecting portion, a protruding portion protruding from the placement portion by the plate thickness of the exterior member is provided, the distance between the second restricting portion arranged on the proximal end side and the protruding portion is longer than the distance between the end portion on the proximal end side of the exterior member and the notch portion The connection structure according to claim 11.

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