Binding member

Abstract

To provide a belt type binding member in which a height of a buckle portion is lower than before and a wire harness hardly interferes with an elastic locking piece when binding a belt.SOLUTION: A binding member 1 integrally includes a belt portion 4 and a buckle portion 3. A base end of the belt portion 4 is branched to right and left with a gap 4h interposed therebetween, and being connected to a lower surface 3b of the buckle portion 3 separately on both left and right sides. An elastic locking piece 3BK extends beyond a connection position with the lower surface 3b of the belt portion 4 in a belt insertion direction I3 of a belt insertion hole 3h, and enters a gap 4h when a free end side is elastically deformed downward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a binding member for binding and holding a longitudinal wiring member.

Background Art

[0002] When arranging a longitudinal wiring member such as a wire harness in a vehicle, each clamp (binding member) that binds and holds the wiring member at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction is fixed to each position on the vehicle body side (see Patent Documents 1 to 4). Such clamps include tape types and belt types. The tape type clamp binds and holds the wire harness by winding a plate-shaped sleeve integrally formed with the clamp together with the wire harness with a separate tape. The belt type clamp binds and holds the wire harness by surrounding the wire harness with a belt integrally formed with the clamp and inserting the belt into a buckle formed at the base end of the belt.

[0003] In recent years, the development of an automatic binding device for automatically binding a wiring member such as a wire harness to such a clamp has been studied. In this case, the clamp adopted is a belt type, not a tape type. In the case of the tape type, manual work by a person is more suitable, and automation by a device is difficult.

[0004] However, when comparing the tape-type clamp 101 (tape 101T) as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 with the belt-type clamp 102 (belt portion 102A) as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tape-type has the advantage that it can be formed with a lower height because there is no buckle portion 102B. That is, when fixed to the panel 300 on the vehicle body side, the clamp with a lower height can be arranged closer to the distance h (see FIGS. 11 and 13) between the panel on the vehicle body side and the wire harness, so that the space S on the wire harness 200 side (reference numeral 400 is a structure inside the vehicle compartment) can be made wider. For this reason, the degree of freedom in routing can be increased. Further, even if there is a structure 400 (surrounding object) in the space S, a sufficient width j of clearance can be secured between the structure 400 and the wire harness 200, so that interference and the like are less likely to occur.

[0005] Also, in the belt-type clamp 102 (see FIGS. 12 and 13), when the tip side of the elastic locking piece for preventing removal when inserted into the buckle portion 102B has a structure in contact with the wire harness 200, there is also a problem that when the belt 102A binds, the elastic locking piece is pressed against the wire harness 200 and becomes difficult to bend, and it becomes troublesome to insert the belt 102A into the buckle portion 102B.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a belt-type fastening member having a lower height of the buckle portion than before and being less likely to interfere with the wire harness in the elastic locking piece when the belt is fastened. Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

[0008] The fastening member for solving the above problems is a fastening member integrally including a belt portion that wraps around the outer periphery of a longitudinally arranged wiring member, and a buckle portion that fixes the belt portion by inserting it into a belt insertion hole from its tip, the buckle portion has an upper surface portion above the belt insertion hole, a lower surface portion below it, and side surface portions on the left and right sides, the lower surface portion has an elastic locking piece that extends from the entrance side to the exit side of the belt insertion hole and is supported in a cantilever state so that the extended tip becomes a free end, and a locking claw that protrudes upward is formed on the free end side thereof, the belt portion is continuously formed with locking grooves that lock in the direction opposite to the insertion direction with respect to the locking claw when inserted into the belt insertion hole from the entrance side, in a row in the belt longitudinal direction, the base end of the belt portion branches to the left and right with a gap in between, and is separately connected to both the left and right sides with respect to the lower surface (bottom surface) of the buckle portion, the elastic locking piece extends beyond the connection position of the belt portion with the lower surface of the buckle portion in the belt insertion direction of the belt insertion hole, and when the free end side elastically deforms downward, it is provided so as to enter the gap.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the wire harness held by fastening is disposed offset to the entrance side of the belt insertion hole with respect to the lower surface (bottom surface) of the buckle portion. The elastic locking piece extends from the entrance side to the exit side of the belt insertion hole beyond the connection position of the belt portion, the fixed end side exists on the entrance side rather than the connection position of the belt portion, and the main deflection free end side (locking claw side) exists on the exit side rather than the connection position of the belt portion. For this reason, the elastic locking piece is less likely to be interfered with by the wire harness held by fastening, and particularly the deflection of the free end side is less likely to be inhibited.

[0010] Further, according to the above configuration, when the elastic locking piece elastically deforms such that the free end side deflects downward, it enters the gap formed between the branches at the base end of the belt portion. This entry is protected in a form sandwiched by the bifurcated shape (forked shape) of the base end of the belt portion, so it is less likely to be interfered with by the bundled and held wire harness. Thereby, downward deflection of the free end side of the elastic locking piece can be ensured.

[0011] The lowermost surface of the buckle portion can be formed flush with the lower surface of the elastic locking piece.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the elastic locking piece extends beyond the lower surface position of the buckle portion and deflects downward into the outer space below the buckle portion. Conventionally, a space for the elastic locking piece to deflect is secured inside the buckle portion (between the upper and lower widths from the lower surface to the upper surface of the buckle portion) (see FIG. 4 of Patent Document 2, FIGS. 4 of Patent Document 3, and FIG. 3 of Patent Document 4). Even when the elastic locking piece is in a deflected state, it was protected by being sandwiched between the left and right wall portions of the buckle portion. However, due to the existence of this space, the buckle portion could not be thinned. According to the above configuration, since the outer space below the buckle portion is used as a space for the elastic locking piece to deflect, the lower surface portion of the buckle portion can be thinned. And when the elastic locking piece deflects, it enters inside the forked shape of the base end of the belt portion, so it is less likely to be interfered with by the bundled and held wire harness, and downward deflection of the free end side can be ensured.

[0013] It is provided with an engaging portion for assembling to the vehicle body side (separate member). The two buckle portions are formed side by side in a form parallel to the belt insertion direction, and the belt portions extend downward from their respective lower surfaces. The engaging portion can be formed to protrude upward at the plate-shaped connecting portion that connects the opposing side surfaces of the two buckle portions.

[0014] According to the above configuration, like the tape-type clamp (refer to FIGS. 10 and 11), the wire harness can be bundled at two positions sandwiching the engagement portion, and the wire harness can be linearly arranged between these two positions. As a result, the wire harness between these two positions can be bundled and held so as to be maintained linearly, and in the linear section, it is possible to avoid interference with other structural parts due to bending (for example, contact between the member 300 (protrusion 301) on the vehicle body side shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and the vicinity of A of the wire harness 200). Also, in the linear section, since the connecting portion is arranged facing the vehicle body side, the contact between the vehicle body side and the wire harness can be protected by the connecting portion.

[0015] A convex portion protruding outward can be provided on the side surface portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the convex portion can be used as a gripping portion gripped by the automatic bundling device, and by gripping the convex portion in a form in which the gripping portion fits, the position and posture of the bundling member in the gripping state can be made constant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The bundling member 1 integrally has a base portion and a wiring bundling portion. The bundling member 1 may integrally have another member fixing portion, a base portion, and a wiring bundling portion. When integrally having another member fixing portion, the bundling member 1 has another member fixing portion protruding and formed on the first side of the base portion, and a wiring bundling portion formed on the second side opposite to the first side of the base portion.

[0020] The bundling member 1 of the first embodiment is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a belt clamp 1A having a belt portion 4 (bundling portion) that wraps around the outer periphery of a longitudinal wiring 200 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) as a wiring bundling portion, an anchor portion 2 (engagement portion) for assembling to the vehicle body side as another member fixing portion, and a buckle portion 3 (bundling fixing portion) provided at the proximal end of the belt portion 4 and fixing the distal end side of the belt portion 4 by inserting it into a belt insertion hole 3h as a base portion 5. The wiring 200 is a wire harness in which a plurality of wirings such as signal lines and power lines are bundled.

[0021] In the present invention, the bundling member 1 is not limited to the belt clamp 1A, and any belt-type bundling member having a belt portion 4 and a buckle portion 3 may be used. Also, the wiring 200 is not limited to a wire harness, and it may be another longitudinal wiring.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two buckle portions 3 are formed side by side in a manner parallel to the belt insertion direction I3, and belt portions 4 corresponding to each other extend downward from the lower surfaces 3b of each. The anchor portion 2 projects upward at the center of a plate-shaped connecting portion 6 that connects the opposing side surfaces 3c (see FIG. 5) of the two buckle portions 3, and is formed in a shape such that the upward direction is the insertion direction (assembly direction) for assembling to the vehicle body side. The connecting portion 6 is included in the base portion 5 together with the two buckle portions 3, 3.

[0023] Each buckle portion 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an upper surface portion 3A that forms the upper inner wall of the belt insertion hole 3h (see FIGS. 5 and 6), a lower surface portion 3B that forms the lower inner wall, and side surface portions 3C, 3C that form the left and right inner walls. The belt insertion hole 3h is formed to penetrate from the front (entrance) to the back (exit) of the buckle portion 3. The belt insertion direction I3 of the belt insertion hole 3h here is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z1 and the horizontal direction X1 of the belt clamp 1A.

[0024] The belt portion 4 extends downward from the lower surface portion 3B (lower surface 3b) of each buckle portion 3. The anchor portion 2 projects upward from the upper surface portion 3A (upper surface 3a) of the buckle portion 3, and is formed in a shape such that the upward direction is the insertion direction for assembling to the vehicle body side.

[0025] The anchor portion 2 is a well-known insertion fixing portion that is inserted into and fixed to prevent removal from the through hole 100h of a plate member 100 (for example, a vehicle body panel) as shown in FIG. 4 here. The anchor portion 2 is not limited to this shape, and may have another shape according to the assembly partner.

[0026] One of the side surface portions 3C, 3C of each buckle portion 3 has a convex portion 3P (clamping convex portion) that projects outward. Here, convex portions 3P are formed on the outer side surfaces 3c (see FIG. 5) of both sides of the base portion having a side-by-side structure arranged in the order of the buckle portion 3, the connecting portion 6, and the buckle portion 3. The convex portion 3P has a shape in which the positional change and the posture change of the convex portion are restricted when it is fitted from the outside with a corresponding concave-shaped portion.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 6, the lower surface portion 3B of each buckle portion 3 has an elastic locking piece 3BK that extends from the inlet side (right side in Fig. 6) to the outlet side (left side in Fig. 6) of the belt insertion hole 3h. The elastic locking piece 3BK is supported in a cantilever state such that the extended tip becomes a free end. A locking claw 3k that protrudes upward is formed on the free end side of the elastic locking piece 3BK. Here, the lower surface portion 3B forms notches that extend from the outlet side to the inlet side of the belt insertion hole 3h and are arranged in the left-right direction X1 in the region below the belt insertion hole 3h, and the elastic locking piece 3BK is formed between these notches.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 6, the lowermost surface 3b0 of the lower surface 3b of each buckle portion 3 (lower surface portion 3B) is formed flush here, including the lower surface 3bk of the elastic locking piece 3BK.

[0029] Each belt portion 4 has a locking groove 4k that locks to the locking claw 3k when inserted into the belt insertion hole 3h from the inlet side. The locking groove 4k forms a concave portion of unevenness that is continuously formed in a row in the belt longitudinal direction (along the belt longitudinal direction).

[0030] Note that the locking groove 4k in Fig. 6 is shown only for the vicinity of the section that locks to the locking claw 3k of the elastic locking piece 3BK, and the illustration of other sections is omitted.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, the base end of each belt portion 4 branches left and right with a gap 4h in between, and is separately connected to the lower surface 3b (which can also be called the bottom surface) of the corresponding buckle portion 3 on both the left and right sides (left - right direction X1). That is, the base end portion 4B of the belt portion 4 forms a bifurcated shape portion that bifurcates into two branches (Y - shaped) toward the base end side.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, the elastic locking piece 3BK of each buckle portion 3 extends from the inlet side to the outlet side of the belt insertion hole 3h in a form that crosses the connection position C4 with the lower surface portion 3B (lower surface 3b) of the belt portion 4 in the belt insertion direction I3. When the free end side (left side in Fig. 6) elastically deforms downward, it is provided so as to enter the gap 4h.

[0033] The fixing of the belt portion 4 to the buckle portion 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0034] The belt portion 4 is formed into a loop by being inserted into the belt insertion hole 3h from the entrance side (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The belt portion 4 inserted into the belt insertion hole 3h from the entrance side receives the locking claws 3k of the buckle portion 3 in the locking grooves 4k arranged in the belt longitudinal direction. However, by being pushed in the belt insertion direction I3, the free end side (the side of the locking claws 3k) of the elastic locking piece 3BK is deflected downward (the lower side in FIG. 6), and the locking claws 3k are overcome, and the insertion progresses by repeating this. Then, when the progress (insertion) stops, any one of the locking grooves 4k arranged in the belt longitudinal direction receives the locking claws 3k, and they (4k, 3k) are locked in the direction opposite to the belt insertion direction I3, so that the belt portion 4 is in a state of being fixed to prevent coming off with respect to the buckle portion 3 (a state in which coming off in the direction opposite to the belt insertion direction I3 is prevented).

[0035] When the belt portion 4 is formed into a loop as shown in FIG. 4, the longitudinal arranging material 200 is arranged on the inner peripheral side thereof, and by inserting it into the belt insertion hole 3h thereon, the arranging material 200 can be more firmly bound and held. The bound and held arranging material 200 is arranged so as to be biased toward the entrance side (the right side in FIG. 6) of the belt insertion hole 3h with respect to the lower surface 3b (bottom surface) of the buckle portion 3 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic locking piece 3BK extends from the entrance side to the exit side of the belt insertion hole 3h, crossing the connection position C4 of the belt portion 4, and the main deflecting free end side (including the locking claws 3k) exists on the exit side with respect to the connection position C4 of the belt portion 4 (the left side in FIG. 6). For this reason, the free end side of the elastic locking piece 3BK is less likely to be interfered with by the bound and held arranging material 200.

[0037] Further, when the elastic locking piece 3BK is elastically deformed so that the free end side deflects downward in FIG. 6, it enters into the through hole 4h provided in the base end portion 4B of the belt portion 4 (see the broken line in FIG. 6). This entry is sandwiched and protected by the bifurcated shape (forked shape) of the base end portion 4B of the belt portion 4.

[0038] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, since one set of the belt portion 4 and the buckle portion 3 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the anchor portion 2, when the wiring material 200 is bound by both of them, the wiring material 200 is linearly held in a state of facing the linear connecting portion 6 in the section between them.

[0039] As described above, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes such as addition and omission can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the claims.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the binding members 1 of the second and third embodiments are belt clamps 1B and 1C having a belt portion 4 as a wiring material binding portion, an anchor portion 2 as another member fixing portion, and a buckle portion 3 as a base portion, similar to the first embodiment.

[0041] In the belt clamp 1B of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portion 6 does not exist, and the buckle portion 3 and the belt portion 4 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The anchor portion 2 is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface portion 3A of the buckle portion 3. On the left and right side surfaces 3c, 3c of the buckle portion 3, convex portions 3P protruding outward are formed symmetrically left and right.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, in the belt clamp 1C of the third embodiment, the anchor portion 2 protrudes upward at one end of the connecting portion 6 and is connected to the side surface 3c of the buckle portion 3 at the other end. The connection is the same as in the first embodiment. The buckle portion 3 and the belt portion 4 are also the same as in the first embodiment. At one end of the connecting portion 6 of the third embodiment, a convex portion 3Q protruding outward is provided at its tip. The convex portion 3Q is formed in a symmetric shape at a position symmetric with the convex portion 3P protruding outward from the side surface 3c of the buckle portion 3 on the other end side.

[0043] The bundling member 1 of the fourth embodiment is a bundling belt 1D (bundling band) that is configured in the same manner as the second embodiment, but does not have an anchor portion 2 for assembling to the vehicle body side. The buckle portion 3 and the belt portion 4 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and convex portions 3P protruding outward are symmetrically formed on the left and right side surfaces 3c, 3c of the buckle portion 3.

Explanation of Signs

[0044] 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) Bundling member (belt clamp, bundling band) 2 Anchor portion (engagement portion, other member fixing portion) 3 Buckle portion (base portion) 3A Upper surface portion 3B Lower surface portion 3C Side surface portion 3BK Elastic locking piece 3P Convex portion (clamping convex portion, gripping convex portion) 3h Belt insertion hole 3k Locking claw 4 Belt portion (cabling material bundling portion) 4B Base end portion (belt base end portion, branched shape portion, bifurcated shape portion) 4k Locking groove 4h Gap 5 Base portion 6 Connecting portion (base portion) 200 Cabling material C4 Connection position I3 Belt insertion direction

Claims

1. A binding member integrally comprising a belt portion that surrounds the outer periphery of an elongated arranging member, and a buckle portion that inserts and fixes the belt portion into a belt insertion hole from its tip, wherein the buckle portion has an upper upper surface portion, a lower lower surface portion, and left and right side surface portions above the belt insertion hole, the lower surface portion has an elastic locking piece that extends from the inlet side to the outlet side of the belt insertion hole and is supported in a cantilever state so that the extended tip becomes a free end, and a locking claw that protrudes upward is formed on the free end side, in the belt portion, locking grooves that lock in a direction opposite to the insertion direction with respect to the locking claw when inserted into the belt insertion hole from the inlet side are continuously formed side by side in the belt longitudinal direction, the proximal end of the belt portion branches to the left and right with a gap therebetween, and is separately connected to both the left and right sides of the lower surface of the buckle portion, the elastic locking piece extends in a form that crosses the connection position of the belt portion with the lower surface of the buckle portion in the belt insertion direction of the belt insertion hole, and when the free end side elastically deforms downward, it is provided so as to enter the gap. A binding member.

2. The binding member according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost surface of the buckle portion is formed flush with the lower surface of the elastic locking piece.

3. Comprising an engaging portion for assembling to the vehicle body side, the buckle portions are formed in two side by side in a form parallel to the belt insertion direction, and the belt portions extend downward from their respective lower surfaces, the engaging portion is formed to protrude upward in a plate-shaped connecting portion that connects the opposing side surfaces of the two buckle portions. The binding member according to claim 1.

4. The binding member according to claim 1, wherein the side surface portion has a convex portion that protrudes outward.

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