Wire harness assembly

Abstract

To provide a wire harness assembly which can stably hold an electric wire in an assembling member.SOLUTION: A wire harness assembly 1 includes: a wire harness 3 with an electric wire 7 and a connector 9 electrically connected to a terminal part of the electric wire 7; and an assembling member 5 including the wire harness 3 in the inside. The assembling member 5 has a base material 11 and a cover material 13 integrally with the base material 11 on one side. At least one of the base material 11 and the cover material 13 is provided with a holding unit 15 for holding the electric wire 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire harness assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a wire harness assembly, there is known one including a wire harness having an electric wire and a connector electrically connected to a terminal portion of the electric wire, and an assembly sheet as an assembly member in which the wire harness is disposed inside (see Patent Document 1). In this wire harness assembly, the assembly sheet has a sound insulation / heat insulation sheet as a base material and a bonding sheet as a cover material integrally provided on one surface side of the sound insulation / heat insulation sheet. In such a wire harness assembly, with the electric wires of the wire harness arranged in a predetermined shape on one surface side of the sound insulation / heat insulation sheet, the bonding sheet is attached to one surface side of the sound insulation / heat insulation sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the wire harness assembly as in Patent Document 1 above, when integrating the base material and the cover material, the electric wires may move between the base material and the cover material, and the arrangement shape of the electric wires may be deformed. When the arrangement shape of the electric wires is deformed, the arrangement position of the connector of the wire harness may fluctuate, and it may be difficult to perform the fitting of the connector.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness assembly capable of stably holding electric wires on an assembly member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The wire harness assembly according to this embodiment includes a wire harness having an electric wire and a connector electrically connected to a terminal portion of the electric wire, and an assembly member in which the wire harness is disposed inside. The assembly member has a base material and a cover material integrally provided on one surface side of the base material, and at least one of the base material and the cover material is provided with a holding portion for holding the electric wire.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wire harness assembly capable of stably holding an electric wire in an assembly member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the wire harness assembly according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness assembly 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to a wire harness 3 that electrically connects between electrical components (not shown), such as between a power source mounted on a vehicle and a device, or between devices. The wire harness 3 is arranged in a predetermined shape inside an assembly member 5 that is integrally assembled. The wire harness assembly 1 is assembled to a target member (not shown), such as a door trim of a vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the wire harness assembly 1 includes a wire harness 3 and an assembly member 5.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the wire harness 3 includes electric wires 7 and connectors 9.

[0013] The electric wire 7 is, for example, a coated electric wire in which the outer periphery of a core wire made of a conductive material is coated with an insulating coating, and a plurality (here, four) are used. Note that the electric wire 7 may be a flat cable in which a plurality of core wires are arranged in parallel and the outer periphery is coated with an insulating coating. The terminal portions on both sides of the plurality of electric wires 7 are respectively exposed from the assembly member 5 and arranged. The terminal portions on one end side of the plurality of electric wires 7 are gathered and arranged at one location, and the terminal portions on the other end side are arranged so as to branch respectively.

[0014] The connector 9 includes, for example, a housing (not shown) made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin and terminals (not shown) made of a conductive material. The housing is, for example, capable of fitting with a mating housing (not shown) of a mating connector (not shown) electrically connected to an electrical component mounted on a vehicle. The terminals are electrically connected to the terminal portions of the electric wires 7 and are housed in the housing. The terminals are electrically connected to mating terminals (not shown) housed in the mating housing when the housing and the mating housing are fitted together. The connectors 9 are used in a plurality (here, five) corresponding to the terminal portions of the plurality of electric wires 7 exposed from the assembly member 5.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the assembly member 5 includes a base material 11 and a cover material 13.

[0016] The base material 11 is made of, for example, a foam such as urethane, a non-woven fabric such as polypropylene fiber, polyethylene terephthalate fiber, or polyester-based fiber, and has sound insulation and heat insulation properties. The base material 11 is formed in a sheet shape with a size set so as to be disposed within the range of the target member, and is assembled to the target member by fixing means (not shown) such as press-fitting. On one side of the base material 11, a plurality (here, four) of electric wires 7 of the wire harness 3 are arranged in a predetermined shape. The terminal portions of the plurality of electric wires 7 arranged on the base material 11 are such that each electric wire 7 has a predetermined length and protrudes from the outer edge of the base material 11, and the connector 9 is disposed outside the base material 11.

[0017] The cover material 13 is made of, for example, a film such as vinyl chloride or polyethylene, an independent foam or continuous foam such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or elastomer, and has sound insulation and heat insulation properties. The cover material 13 is formed in a sheet shape with a size set to be equivalent to that of the base material 11 so as to be disposed within the range of the target member, and a thickness set to be thinner than that of the base material 11. An adhesive is applied to the surface of the cover material 13 facing the base material 11, and the cover material 13 is attached to one side of the base material 11 so as to sandwich the base material 11 and the plurality of electric wires 7. In a state where the cover material 13 is integrally attached to the base material 11, a plurality of electric wires 7 arranged in a predetermined shape are held inside the base material 11 and the cover material 13. Therefore, the assembly member 5 can protect the electric wires 7 of the wire harness 3 and can maintain the arrangement shape of the electric wires 7.

[0018] The connector 9 exposed from the assembly member 5 is fitted to the mating connector in a state where the wire harness assembly 1 is assembled to the target member. At this time, since the electric wire 7 has a predetermined length and is exposed from the outer edge of the assembly member 5, the connector 9 can be freely moved, facilitating the fitting of the connector 9 and the mating connector. By fitting the connector 9 and the mating connector, the electrical components are electrically connected to each other.

[0019] Here, in the conventional wire harness assembly, the base material 11 and the cover material 13 were not provided with a structure for holding the electric wire 7 of the wire harness 3 disposed inside the assembly member 5. For this reason, when the base material 11 and the cover material 13 are integrally provided (attached), the electric wire 7 may move between the base material 11 and the cover material 13, deforming the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7. When the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 is deformed, the arrangement position of the connector 9 of the wire harness 3 with respect to the assembly member 5 fluctuates. When the wire harness assembly 1 with the arrangement position of the connector 9 fluctuated is assembled to the target member, the positions of the connector 9 and the mating connector are different, and it may be difficult to fit the connector 9.

[0020] Therefore, in the wire harness assembly 1, a holding portion 15 for holding the electric wire 7 of the wire harness 3 disposed inside the assembly member 5 is provided on at least one of the base material 11 and the cover material 13. In the following description, it is assumed that the holding portion 15 is provided on the base material 11, but the holding portion 15 may be provided on the cover material 13.

[0021] The holding portion 15 is provided on the opposing surface with the cover material 13 on one surface side of the base material 11. The holding portion 15 is provided on the base material 11 along the electric wire 7 in accordance with the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7. The holding portion 15 is continuous along the electric wire 7 and forms a groove portion 17 capable of accommodating the electric wire 7 inside. Both ends of the electric wire 7 on the terminal portion side (connector 9 side) of the groove portion 17 serving as the holding portion 15 are respectively open. Before the base material 11 and the cover material 13 are combined, the electric wire 7 is accommodated in the groove portion 17 serving as the holding portion 15. In a state where the electric wire 7 is held by the holding portion 15, the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 with respect to the assembling member 5 is maintained. Therefore, when the base material 11 and the cover material 13 are integrally provided (attached), the electric wire 7 does not move between the base material 11 and the cover material 13, and the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 does not deform. If the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 does not deform, the arrangement position of the connector 9 of the wire harness 3 with respect to the assembling member 5 does not fluctuate. For this reason, in a state where the wire harness assembly 1 is assembled to the target member, the positions of the connector 9 and the mating connector coincide, and the fitting of the connector 9 can be easily performed. In addition, since the holding portion 15 is a groove portion 17 that is continuous along the electric wire 7 and in which the electric wire 7 is accommodated, in a state where the base material 11 and the cover material 13 are integrally provided, it is possible to suppress the arrangement portion of the electric wire 7 from protruding from the outer surface of the assembling member 5. For this reason, the wire harness assembly 1 can be miniaturized.

[0022] Here, an example of the groove portion 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. The groove portion 17 shown in FIG. 5 is formed by making a cut on one surface side of the base material 11. The cut-shaped groove portion 17 is accommodated so that the electric wire 7 is press-fitted therein. The cut-shaped groove portion 17 has high adhesion to the electric wire 7. Therefore, the movement of the electric wire 7 can be stably restricted. The groove portion 17 shown in FIG. 6 is formed in a V-shaped cross section on one surface side of the base material 11. The V-shaped groove portion 17 has high adhesion to the electric wire 7 and low insertion force of the electric wire 7 into the groove portion 17. Therefore, while restricting the movement of the electric wire 7, the assemblability can be improved. The groove portion 17 shown in FIG. 7 is formed in a U-shaped cross section on one surface side of the base material 11. The U-shaped groove portion 17 has low insertion force of the electric wire 7 into the groove portion 17. Therefore, the assemblability can be improved. Note that the groove portion 17 may have any shape as long as it can accommodate the electric wire 7.

[0023] In such a wire harness assembly 1, a wire harness 3 having an electric wire 7 and a connector 9 electrically connected to the terminal portion of the electric wire 7, and an assembly member 5 in which the wire harness 3 is disposed inside are provided. Further, the assembly member 5 has a base material 11 and a cover material 13 integrally provided on one surface side of the base material 11. And, at least one of the base material 11 and the cover material 13 is provided with a holding portion 15 for holding the electric wire 7.

[0024] In a state where the electric wire 7 is held by the holding portion 15, the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 with respect to the assembly member 5 is maintained. Therefore, when the base material 11 and the cover material 13 are integrally provided, the electric wire 7 does not move between the base material 11 and the cover material 13, and the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 does not deform. If the arrangement shape of the electric wire 7 does not deform, the arrangement position of the connector 9 of the wire harness 3 with respect to the assembly member 5 does not fluctuate. Therefore, in a state where the wire harness assembly 1 is assembled to the target member, the positions of the connector 9 and the mating connector coincide, and the fitting of the connector 9 can be easily performed.

[0025] Therefore, in such a wire harness assembly 1, the electric wire 7 can be stably held by the assembly member 5.

[0026] Further, the holding portion 15 is a groove portion 17 that is continuous along the electric wire 7 and in which the electric wire 7 is accommodated.

[0027] Therefore, in a state where the base material 11 and the cover material 13 are integrally provided, it is possible to suppress the arrangement portion of the electric wire 7 from protruding from the outer surface of the assembling member 5, and the wire harness assembly 1 can be miniaturized.

[0028] As described above, the present embodiment has been described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0029] For example, in the wire harness assembly according to the present embodiment, the holding portion is provided on the base material. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the holding portion may be provided on the cover material. In addition, the holding portion may be provided on both the base material and the cover material.

[0030] Further, the holding portion is a groove portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the holding portion may be a pair of gripping portions that protrude toward the electric wire and grip the electric wire. As long as the electric wire can be held, the holding portion may have any form. In addition, when the holding portion is a pair of gripping portions, a plurality of pairs of gripping portions may be arranged along the electric wire according to the arrangement shape of the electric wire.

[0031] Also, the number of electric wires in the wire harness is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of electric wires may be three or less or five or more. In addition, one end side of a plurality of electric wires is aggregated into one connector. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a connector may be provided for each of one end sides of a plurality of electric wires.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0032] 1 Wire harness assembly 3 Wire harness 5 Assembling member 7 Electric wire 9 Connector 11 Base material 13 Cover material 15 Holding part 17 Groove part

Claims

1. A wire harness having a wire and a connector electrically connected to a terminal portion of the wire, and an assembly member in which the wire harness is disposed inside, comprising: The assembly member has a base material and a cover material integrally provided on one surface side of the base material, A wire harness assembly in which a holding portion for holding the wire is provided on at least one of the base material and the cover material.

2. The wire harness assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is a groove portion that is continuous along the wire and in which the wire is accommodated.

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