Wire assembly

Abstract

To provide a wire assembly with a simple structure which is easily assembled as well.SOLUTION: A regulation member 5 is formed by assembling a plurality of sheet-like members 1. The sheet-like members 1 have predetermined length and slits 3 are formed from one end side. The slits 3 have approximately the same width as thickness of the sheet-like members 1 and the other sheet-like member 1 can be inserted into the slit 3. An approximately cross-shaped regulation member 5 can be formed by assembling such two sheet-like members 1 by facing the slits 3 each other to orthogonally cross each other. The regulation member 5 is inserted into a part of a longitudinal direction of a flexible tube. The regulation member 5 stretches from the inside of the flexible tube and the curve of the flexible tube is regulated by inserting the regulation member 5 into the flexible tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire assembly in which an electric wire is inserted inside a flexible tube.

Background Art

[0002] A wire harness routed in an automobile is arranged along a predetermined routing path. At this time, protectors or pipes made of hard resin are used at portions where rigidity is required to fix the routing path of the wire harness.

[0003] However, since the protector is made of resin formed by injection molding or the like and is specific to each vehicle type of the automobile, its versatility is low. In addition, in a general pipe made of hard resin, the wall thickness is thin, and it may not be possible to obtain the desired rigidity.

[0004] On the other hand, a routing wire harness using a path restricting member formed in a long shape along the wire harness has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Patent Document 1 regulates the path of the wire harness without using such a tubular body because when the wire harness is accommodated in a tubular body such as a conventional protector, it becomes larger in size, increases in material cost, and further increases in weight.

[0007] However, in the method as in Patent Document 1, in order not to accommodate the wire harness inside the tubular body, it is necessary to tape the entire wire harness or at predetermined intervals over the entire length, and the assembly workability is poor.

[0008] Furthermore, since the path restricting member in Patent Document 1 is formed by injection molding, it is not necessarily highly versatile. Although it is described in Patent Document 1 that the path restricting member may be formed by bonding, welding, screwing, fitting, etc. of plate-like members, bonding, welding, screwing, etc. require their processes and the structures therefor, resulting in poor assembly workability. Also, in Patent Document 1, a structure for fitting plate-like members is not disclosed. However, in order to fit four regulating piece parts in a cross shape, a fine fitting structure is required, and injection molding, cutting, etc. are required to form the plate-like members, resulting in poor manufacturability.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a wire assembly having a simple structure and easy assembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention is a wire assembly comprising a protective tube, a wire inserted into the protective tube, and a restricting member inserted into at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the protective tube to restrict the bending of the protective tube.

[0011] The restricting member may be formed by profile extrusion, but is preferably formed by a sheet-like member.

[0012] In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protective tube, the restricting member may be formed in at least two different radial directions of the flexible tube.

[0013] Slits are formed in the sheet-like member, and the restricting member may be formed by combining a plurality of the sheet-like members by the slits.

[0014] The restricting member may be formed by bending one sheet-like member.

[0015] The protective tube is a flexible tube, and the restricting member is partially arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube, and a flexible portion may be formed in at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube where the restricting member is not arranged.

[0016] A notch may be formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the restricting member, a tape may be wound around the notch, and the restricting member and the electric wire may be fixed with the tape.

[0017] The protective tube is a corrugated tube, a convex portion may be formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the restricting member, and the convex portion may be fitted to the concavo-convex shape of the inner surface of the corrugated tube.

[0018] According to the present invention, by simply inserting a restricting member for restricting the bending of the protective tube inside the protective tube, for example, even in the case of a conventional hard resin pipe or the like, the rigidity can be increased by the restricting member. Therefore, the bending restricting portion can be easily formed only at the portion where rigidity is required. In addition, since the restricting member only needs to be inserted into the necessary portion of the protective tube, the manufacturability is also good.

[0019] In addition, by forming such a restricting member with a sheet-like member, the versatility is high and the restricting member can be easily manufactured.

[0020] In addition, by forming the restricting member in at least two different radial directions of the protective tube, high rigidity can be ensured.

[0021] In addition, by combining a plurality of sheet-like members having slits, it is not necessary to perform molding by injection molding, and also a joining process such as adhesion or screwing is not required.

[0022] In addition, when viewed from the tube axis direction, since a single sheet-like member is bent to form the restricting member, it is not necessary to combine a plurality of members, and the restricting member can be formed with a simple structure.

[0023] Further, when the protective tube is a flexible tube, by partially arranging the restricting member in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube so that the restricting member is not arranged in at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube, bending of a part of the flexible tube is restricted and bending of another part is allowed. Therefore, for example, it can be folded and handled during transportation or the like.

[0024] Also, by forming a notch in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the restricting member, a tape can be wound around the notch, so that it is easy to fix the restricting member and the electric wire with the tape.

[0025] Further, when the protective tube is a corrugated tube, by forming a convex portion in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the restricting member, the convex portion can be fitted into the concavo-convex shape of the inner surface of the corrugated tube to suppress displacement of the restricting member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric wire assembly having a simple structure and easy to assemble.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, the restricting member for an electric wire according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1(a) is an exploded perspective view of the restricting member 5, and Fig. 1(b) is an assembled perspective view of the restricting member 5. The restricting member 5 may be formed by profile extrusion molding, but is preferably formed by combining a plurality of sheet-like members 1.

[0029] The material of the sheet-like member 1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material having a certain degree of rigidity, for example, a foamed sheet made of a thermoplastic resin. The resin type of the thermoplastic resin foamed sheet is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyamide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polytetrafluoroethylene resin, acrylic resin, and the like.

[0030] The thermoplastic resin foam sheet may have a non-foamed layer on both sides or one side. That is, the thermoplastic resin foam sheet may have a structure having a foamed layer and a non-foamed layer formed on the foamed layer. In this way, by using a foamed resin, weight reduction can be achieved, insulation can be enhanced, and processing becomes easier.

[0031] The sheet-like member 1 has a predetermined length, and a slit 3 is formed from one end side in the length direction. The slit 3 is formed substantially at the center in the width direction of the sheet-like member 1 and is formed up to a position about 1 / 2 of the length of the sheet-like member 1. Further, tapered or arcuate cutouts are formed at the four corners of the sheet-like member 1. Note that the formation direction of the slit 3 is the length direction of the sheet-like member 1, and the direction orthogonal to this is the width direction.

[0032] The slit 3 has a width substantially the same as the thickness of the sheet-like member 1, and the other sheet-like member 1 can be inserted into the slit 3. By combining such two sheet-like members 1 with the slits 3 facing each other and orthogonal to each other, a substantially cross-shaped regulating member 5 can be formed.

[0033] Next, the usage method of the regulating member 5 will be described. FIG. 1(c) is a diagram showing a state in which the electric wire 7 is arranged on the regulating member 5. As described above, since the regulating member 5 is substantially cross-shaped, the electric wire 7 can be arranged in each of the four partitioned parts. Note that the electric wires 7 arranged in each part may be a plurality of wires instead of one wire.

[0034] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the regulating member 5 and the electric wire 7 are fixed by a tape 9, FIG. 2(b) is a front view, and FIG. 2(c) is a plan view. By winding the tape 9 around the regulating member 5, the electric wire 7 and the regulating member 5 can be fixed.

[0035] Fig. 3(a) is a front view showing the wire assembly 10 in which the regulating member 5 and the wire 7 are inserted into the flexible tube 11, and Fig. 3(b) is a side view. The flexible tube 11 is a corrugated tube and is a protective tube having flexibility through which the wire 7 is inserted. More specifically, the flexible tube 11 has ridges and valleys alternately formed in the longitudinal direction, and adjacent ridges have independent shapes from each other.

[0036] The wire 7 is inserted throughout the entire length of the flexible tube 11. However, in this embodiment, the regulating member 5 is inserted into a part of the flexible tube 11 in the longitudinal direction. Here, the width of the regulating member 5 is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible tube 11. Therefore, by inserting the regulating member 5 into the flexible tube 11, the regulating member 5 protrudes from the inside of the flexible tube 11, and the bending of the flexible tube 11 is regulated.

[0037] Fig. 4(a) is a view (omitting the illustration of the wire) showing a state in which the regulating member 5 is partially arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 11. As described above, the regulating member 5 regulates the bending of the flexible tube 11. Therefore, the portion where the regulating member 5 is arranged becomes a linear deformation regulating portion 13. On the other hand, the portion where the regulating member 5 is not arranged becomes a freely flexible portion 15 that can be deformed by the flexibility of the flexible tube 11.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the deformation regulating portion 13 is held in a linear state, but the freely flexible portion 15 can be freely bent. That is, by arranging the regulating member 5 partially in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 11 and not arranging the regulating member 5 in at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 11, a portion having partial flexibility can be formed. By doing so, for example, during transportation, it can be bent small and handled, and when wiring, the deformation regulating portion 13 can perform wiring while maintaining a linear shape in a predetermined portion. When it may be linear throughout the entire length, the regulating member 5 may be inserted throughout the entire length.

[0039] As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the restricting member 5 is formed by combining a plurality of sheet-like members 1, a highly versatile wire assembly with a simple structure and easy assembly can be obtained. Further, since the plurality of sheet-like members 1 are combined by the slits 3, the structure is simple and the assembly work is easy. Further, the restricting member 5 has a substantially cross shape, and in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 11, the restricting member 5 is formed in at least two different radial directions of the flexible tube 11. Therefore, the bending of the flexible tube 11 can be more reliably restricted.

[0040] Further, by arranging the restricting member 5 only in a part of the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 11, a freely flexible portion 15 that can be partially bent can be formed. Therefore, it can be bent compactly during transportation or the like, and special packaging materials or the like are not required. Further, during wiring, the restricting member 5 is arranged in the straight portion to form the deformation restricting portion 13, and the portion that needs to be bent and wired is made into the freely flexible portion 15, so that wiring with a higher degree of freedom can be performed.

[0041] Note that, although the flexible tube 11 which is a corrugated tube is used as the protection tube described above, if the freely flexible portion 15 is not required, a conventional hard resin pipe may be used as the protection tube. As described above, the hard resin pipe has a thin wall thickness and low rigidity, but the rigidity can be increased by inserting the restricting member 5.

[0042] Further, by forming a chamfered notch at the corner of the sheet-like member 1, the catching on the unevenness of the inner surface of the flexible tube 11 is suppressed, and the insertion work into the flexible tube 11 becomes easy.

[0043] Note that, when sufficient rigidity cannot be ensured only by combining two sheet-like members 1 as the restricting member 5, a plurality of sheet-like members 1 may be stacked and combined.

[0044] Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5(a) is an exploded perspective view of the regulating member 5a, and FIG. 5(b) is an assembled perspective view of the regulating member 5a. In the following description, components that exhibit the same functions as those in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 4, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0045] The regulating member 5a is formed by combining two sheet-like members 1a. The sheet-like member 1a has substantially the same configuration as the sheet-like member 1, but is different in that a notch portion 16 is formed. The notch portion 16 is formed at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like member 1a and on both sides in the width direction. That is, in the notch portion 16, the width of the sheet-like member 1a becomes narrower than that of other portions.

[0046] FIG. 5(c) is a plan view showing a state in which the electric wire 7 is disposed on the regulating member 5a and fixed with the tape 9. Since the notch portion 16 is formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the regulating member 5a, the tape 9 is wound around the notch portion 16, and the regulating member 5a and the electric wire 7 can be fixed with the tape 9.

[0047] According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the regulating member 5a has the notch portion 16 in the outer peripheral portion, the fixing with the tape 9 becomes easy, and the displacement in the longitudinal direction between the regulating member 5a and the electric wire 7 can be suppressed.

[0048] Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6(a) is a plan view showing a state in which the electric wire 7 is fixed to the regulating member 5b with the tape 9. The regulating member 5b has substantially the same configuration as the regulating member 5a, but is different in that a convex portion 18 protruding from the outer peripheral portion is formed. The sheet-like member constituting the regulating member 5b has a convex portion 18 protruding in the width direction in a part of the outer peripheral portion. That is, in the substantially cross-shaped regulating member 5b, the convex portions 18 protrude outward in each of the four directions.

[0049] FIG. 6(b) is an axial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the regulating member 5b and the electric wire 7 are inserted into the flexible tube 11. As described above, the flexible tube 11 is a corrugated tube in which ridges and valleys are alternately formed in the longitudinal direction. That is, on the inner surface of the flexible tube 11, inner surface concave portions 17a and inner surface convex portions 17b are alternately and repeatedly continuous in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] Here, the total width (total height) of the convex portion 18 of the regulating member 5b is larger than the minimum inner diameter of the flexible tube 11 (the inner diameter of the inner surface convex portion 17b) and smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the flexible tube 11 (the inner diameter of the inner surface concave portion 17a). For this reason, the convex portion 18 fits into the uneven shape of the inner surface of the corrugated tube.

[0051] By doing so, it is possible to suppress the regulating member 5b from moving in the longitudinal direction inside the flexible tube 11. Although the convex portions 18 are formed in each of the four directions of the regulating member 5b, for example, they may be in two directions facing each other. Also, in the illustrated example, the convex portions 18 are arranged at two positions in each direction, but they may be at one position. When arranging the convex portions 18 at a plurality of locations, the interval between the convex portions 18 may be an integer multiple of the uneven pitch of the corrugated tube.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the flexible tube 11 is an independent wave corrugated tube is shown, but it is not limited to this. FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing a process of inserting the regulating member 5b into a flexible tube 11a in which a valley and ridge shape is formed spirally with respect to the longitudinal direction. In this case, the convex portions 18 protruding in four directions are arranged with a shift in the length direction so as to match the spiral pitch. As shown in FIG. 7(b), with the convex portions 18 fitted into the inner surface concave portions 17a of the flexible tube 11a, by rotating the flexible tube 11a relative to the central axis (arrow A in the figure), as shown in FIG. 7(c), the convex portions 18 and the spiral inner surface concave portions 17a can be engaged with each other and the regulating member 5b can be screwed and inserted into the flexible tube 11a (arrow B in the figure).

[0053] According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by providing the convex portion 18 on the outer peripheral portion of the restricting member 5b, the displacement of the flexible tubes 11 and 11a inside can be suppressed. Further, with respect to the flexible tube 11a having a spiral wave shape, by rotating the convex portion 18 in a state of being engaged with the inner surface concave portion 17a of the flexible tube 11a, the restricting member 5b can be screwed into and inserted into the flexible tube 11a.

[0054] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8(a) is an exploded perspective view of the restricting member 5c, and FIG. 8(b) is an assembled perspective view of the restricting member 5c. In each of the above-described embodiments, the slits 3 of the sheet-like members having the same shape are engaged with each other and assembled. In this embodiment, however, it is formed by combining a plurality of sheet-like members 1 with a relatively long sheet-like member 1b.

[0055] The sheet-like member 1b has a slit 3a formed along the longitudinal direction substantially at the center in the width direction. The plurality of slits 3a formed in a straight line are each closed on both sides in the longitudinal direction. That is, the slit 3a does not open at the longitudinal ends of the sheet-like member 1b. On the other hand, the sheet-like member 1 has a slit 3 having a predetermined length formed from the longitudinal end at substantially the center in the width direction.

[0056] The sheet-like member 1 is inserted from above the sheet-like member 1b so as to penetrate each slit 3a. When the sheet-like member 1 is inserted up to the position of the slit 3 of the sheet-like member 1, the restricting member 5c is formed by shifting the sheet-like member 1 in the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like member 1b and inserting a part of the sheet-like member 1b into the slit 3.

[0057] In the illustrated example, two sheet-like members 1 are combined with the sheet-like member 1b, but three or more may be used. Further, although the sheet-like member 1 and the sheet-like member 1b are fixed by the slit 3, other fixing methods may be used.

[0058] According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by using the regulating member 5c, even when, for example, the regulating member 5c becomes longer, by dividing the sheet-like member 1 into a plurality of parts, a substantially cross-shaped shape can be more reliably maintained over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 9(a) is a plan view showing the sheet-like member 1c constituting the regulating member 5d, and FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the regulating member 5d. In each of the above-described embodiments, a plurality of sheet-like members are combined to form the regulating member 5d. However, the regulating member 5d of this embodiment is formed by bending a single sheet-like member 1c.

[0060] The sheet-like member 1c has cutout portions at four corners and is formed by a partial cut (thick broken line C in the figure) and a bent portion (thin broken line D in the figure). By cutting the cut portion C and bending the bent portion D in a predetermined direction, a three-dimensional shape as shown in FIG. 9(b) can be formed.

[0061] The regulating member 5d is formed with a holding portion 19 for holding the electric wire and a support surface 21 for supporting the electric wire. FIG. 10 is a front view of a state in which the electric wire 7 is arranged on the regulating member 5d. In the front view, the regulating member 5d has a substantially cross shape and is provided in each of the four partition portions. The electric wire 7 is inserted into the holding portion 19, and the electric wire 7 is arranged on the support surface 21. In this state, by fixing the electric wire 7 and the regulating member 5d with the tape 9, the shape of the regulating member 5d can also be maintained.

[0062] According to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Thus, the regulating member may be formed from a single sheet-like member.

[0063] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 11(a) is a front view showing the wire assembly 10a. In each of the above-described embodiments, the completely tubular flexible tubes 11 and 11a are used as the protective tubes, but in this embodiment, a flexible tube 11b with a slit is used. That is, in the flexible tube 11b, a part in the circumferential direction is cut out to form a slit 25. The slit 25 is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 11b. Therefore, it is not necessary to insert the wire 7 or the like from the end of the flexible tube 11b, and by widening the slit 25, the wire 7 or the like can be inserted into the inside from the slit 25.

[0064] Here, in the front view, a fixing portion 23 is formed at one tip of the substantially cross-shaped restricting member 5a. That is, among the restricting members 5e formed substantially crosswise in four directions, one is longer than the other three directions, and at the tip of the said direction, a pair of sheet-like members are fixed substantially parallel to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the said direction, and the fixing portion 23 is formed. The sheet-like members forming the fixing portion 23 are fixed in combination by the various methods described above.

[0065] The circumferential end of the flexible tube 11b in the slit 25 is inserted into the gap between the pair of sheet-like members constituting the fixing portion 23. That is, the circumferential end of the flexible tube 11b is fixed to the restricting member 5e at the fixing portion 23. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the opening of the slit 25 of the flexible tube 11b.

[0066] Note that, as in the wire assembly 10b shown in FIG. 11(b), instead of the fixing portion 23 composed of sheet-like members parallel to each other, a restricting member 5f having a fixing portion 23a combined so as to intersect each other may be used. That is, if a recess into which the circumferential end of the flexible tube 11b fits is formed, the form of the fixing portion is not particularly limited.

[0067] According to the sixth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Thus, it is also applicable to the flexible tube 11b with a slit, and by providing the fixing portions 23 and 23a, the end of the flexible tube 11b in the slit 25 can be fixed.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0069] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, each restricting member has a substantially cross shape (protruding in four directions) on the front surface, but it is not limited to this, and it may be formed in a substantially T shape (protruding in three directions) or protruding in five or more directions.

[0070] Further, in order to obtain higher rigidity, the width direction ends of each sheet-like member may be bent to form a rib structure. Further, when forming the deformation restricting portion 13 and the freely flexible portion 15, a mark may be provided on the outer surface of the flexible tube so that the formation ranges of each can be grasped from the outside.

[0071] Moreover, it goes without saying that the respective configurations in the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c... sheet-like members 3, 3a... slits 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f... restricting members 7... electric wire 9... tape 10, 10a... electric wire assemblies 11, 11a, 11b... flexible tubes 13... deformation restricting portion 15... freely flexible portion 16... notch 17a... inner surface concave portion 17b... inner surface convex portion 18... convex portion 19... holding portion 21... support surface 23, 23a……… Fixed part 25……… Slit

Claims

1. A protective tube, an electric wire inserted through the protective tube, a regulating member inserted into at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the protective tube to regulate the bending of the protective tube, and an electric wire assembly characterized by comprising the above.

2. The electric wire assembly according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member is formed by a sheet-like member.

3. The electric wire assembly according to claim 2, wherein in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protective tube, the regulating member is formed in at least two different radial directions of the protective tube.

4. The electric wire assembly according to claim 3, wherein slits are formed in the sheet-like member, and the regulating member is formed by combining a plurality of the sheet-like members by the slits.

5. The electric wire assembly according to claim 3, wherein the regulating member is formed by bending one sheet-like member.

6. The protective tube is a flexible tube, and the regulating member is partially arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube, and a flexible portion is formed in at least a part of the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube where the regulating member is not arranged. The electric wire assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The electric wire assembly according to claim 1, wherein a notch is formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the regulating member, a tape is wound around the notch, and the regulating member and the electric wire are fixed by the tape.

8. The protective tube is a corrugated tube, a convex portion is formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion of the regulating member, and the convex portion fits into the concave-convex shape of the inner surface of the corrugated tube. The electric wire assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that.

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