Wiring harness and protector

Abstract

To provide a wiring harness and a protector capable of improving assembly workability of a cover after connecting electric wiring members to each other.SOLUTION: A protector 40 includes a protector body 50 having a first arrangement portion 51 and a second arrangement portion 52, a first cover 60 covering the first arrangement portion 51, and a second cover 70 covering the second arrangement portion 52. A first wiring 22 is provided in the first arrangement portion 51. A connection portion C between a first terminal and a second terminal is provided in the second arrangement portion 52. The second cover 70 is separate from each of the protector body 50 and the first cover 60. The first cover 60 has a first engagement portion 65. The second cover 70 has a second engagement portion 74 engaged with the first engagement portion 65. Then, the second cover 70 is configured to be rotatable from an open position to a closed position covering the second arrangement portion 52 about the contact portion between the first engagement portion 65 and the second engagement portion 74 as a rotation axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wire harness and a protector. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a wire harness including a plurality of electric wire members electrically connected to one another and a protector that houses the electric wire members. In this wire harness, the protector is composed of a protector body and a cover that is assembled to the protector body. In this wire harness, terminals of the electric wire members are connected to one another inside the protector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-19434 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described wire harness, for example, as a method of assembling the wire harness to a vehicle, the protector may be fixed to the vehicle, the electric wire members may be connected to each other inside the protector body, and then the cover may be assembled to the protector body. In the protector of Patent Document 1, when assembling the cover to the protector body, it is necessary to engage the locking portions on the cover with the multiple locking portions provided on the side walls of the protector body. This makes it difficult to assemble the cover with one hand, and the task is particularly difficult when the cover is assembled at a high position.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness and a protector that enable improved workability in assembling a cover after connecting electric wire members to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises a first electric wire member having a first terminal and a first electric wire connected to the first terminal, and a protector that houses the first electric wire member, wherein the first terminal is connected to a second terminal of a second electric wire member inside the protector, and the protector comprises a protector main body having a first arrangement portion in which the first electric wire is arranged and a second arrangement portion in which a connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is arranged, a first cover that covers the first arrangement portion, and a second cover that is separate from each of the protector main body and the first cover and covers the second arrangement portion, wherein the first cover has a first locking portion, and the second cover has a second locking portion that locks to the first locking portion, and the second cover is configured to be rotatable from an open position to a closed position that covers the second arrangement portion, with the contact portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion as a rotation axis.

[0007] The protector disclosed herein also houses a first terminal and a first wire member having a first wire connected to the first terminal, and the first terminal is connected to a second terminal of a second wire member inside, and includes a protector main body having a first arrangement portion in which the first wire is arranged and a second arrangement portion in which a connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is arranged, a first cover covering the first arrangement portion, and a second cover that is separate from the protector main body and the first cover and covers the second arrangement portion, wherein the first cover has a first locking portion, and the second cover has a second locking portion that locks to the first locking portion, and the second cover is configured to be rotatable from an open position to a closed position that covers the second arrangement portion, with the contact portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion as a rotation axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the wire harness and protector of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the workability of assembling the cover after connecting the electric wire members to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the wire harness of the same configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the protector body in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engagement relationship between the first cover and the second cover in the same embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engagement relationship between the first cover and the second cover in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the protector main body in the same embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the wire harness of the same configuration with the second cover in an open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The wire harness of the present disclosure includes: [1] A wire harness comprising: a first electric wire member having a first terminal and a first electric wire connected to the first terminal; and a protector accommodating the first electric wire member; wherein the first terminal is connected to a second terminal of a second electric wire member inside the protector; the protector comprising: a protector body having a first arrangement portion in which the first electric wire is arranged and a second arrangement portion in which a connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is arranged; a first cover covering the first arrangement portion; and a second cover separate from the protector body and the first cover and covering the second arrangement portion; wherein the first cover has a first locking portion, and the second cover has a second locking portion that locks to the first locking portion; and the second cover is configured to be rotatable from an open position to a closed position that covers the second arrangement portion, with the contact portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion as a rotation axis.

[0011] According to this configuration, first, the first cover is assembled to the protector body with the first wire member disposed thereon. Then, by removing the second cover, the first terminal is exposed from the protector. This allows the first terminal and the second terminal to be connected inside the protector body with the first cover assembled to the protector body. Then, the second cover is assembled to the protector body, and the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal is covered with the second cover. When assembling the second cover, the second locking portion is engaged with the first locking portion, and the second cover is rotated to the closed position around the contact portion thereof as a rotation axis. This allows the second cover to be assembled with one hand, improving the ease of assembly of the second cover.

[0012] [2] The first locking portion has a slit provided in the first cover, and the second locking portion is configured to be insertable into the slit. According to this configuration, after the second locking portion is inserted into the slit, the second cover can be rotated to the closed position around the contact portion between the slit and the second locking portion as the rotation axis.

[0013] [3] When the rotation axis intersects with a horizontal plane, the first locking portion can hold the second cover in the open position. According to this configuration, the second cover can be held in the open position with the second locking portion inserted into the slit, thereby further improving the ease of assembling the second cover.

[0014] [4] The slit is formed between a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other, the second wall portion is provided between the end of the first cover facing the second cover and the first wall portion, the tip end of the first wall portion has an inclined portion inclined toward the second wall portion, and the second locking portion contacts the inclined portion when the second cover is in the closed position. With this configuration, when the second cover is in the closed position, the inclined portion can hold the second locking portion so that it does not come off the slit.

[0015] [5] A bolt is fixed to the protector body, the first terminal has a through hole into which the bolt is inserted, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected by the bolt and a nut screwed onto the bolt.

[0016] According to this configuration, because the first terminal has a through hole through which the bolt is inserted, movement of the first terminal is restricted even in a state in which the bolt is simply inserted into the through hole but the nut is not yet tightened. Therefore, the first electric wire member can be more securely held relative to the protector body before the nut is tightened on the bolt. As a result, it becomes easier to transport and distribute the wire harness in a state in which the first electric wire member is attached to the protector body and before the second electric wire member is connected to the first electric wire member.

[0017] [6] The second arrangement portion has a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the second terminal around the bolt, and the rotation restricting portion is located inside the protector further than the end of the protector from which the second electric wire member is led out. With this configuration, the rotation restricting portion can prevent the second terminal from rotating when the nut is tightened or loosened.

[0018] [7] The first arrangement portion and the first cover sandwich the first electric wire member. This configuration allows the first electric wire member to be more reliably held in the protector, facilitating transportation and distribution of the wire harness in a state in which the first electric wire member is attached to the protector body and before the second electric wire member is connected to the first electric wire member.

[0019] [8] The first arrangement portion has a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of the first electric wire member in the length direction. According to this configuration, the movement restricting portion can more reliably hold the first electric wire member in the protector, which makes it easier to transport and distribute the wire harness in a state in which the first electric wire member is attached to the protector body and before the second electric wire member is connected to the first electric wire member.

[0020] [9] The first arrangement portion has a first bottom wall and two first side walls that protrude from both side edges of the first bottom wall and face each other, the second arrangement portion has a second bottom wall and two second side walls that protrude from both side edges of the second bottom wall and face each other, the movement restricting portion is provided on at least the first side wall of the first arrangement portion, and the height of the first side wall is set higher than the height of the second side wall.

[0021] This configuration makes it easier to ensure the length of the movement restricting portion provided on the first side wall, thereby more effectively restricting the movement of the first electric wire member by the movement restricting portion. Furthermore, by lowering the second side wall, it is possible to prevent the second side wall from interfering with the connection of the first terminal and the second terminal. This contributes to improving the workability when connecting the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0022]

[10] The first electric wire member has a corrugated tube that covers the outer periphery of the first electric wire, and the corrugated tube has a bellows structure in which annular convex portions and annular concave portions having an outer diameter smaller than that of the convex portions are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the movement regulating portion is an engaging convex portion that engages with the concave portion.

[0023] According to this configuration, the engaging protrusions as the movement restricting portions engage with the recesses of the corrugated tube, thereby making it possible to restrict movement of the first wire member including the corrugated tube in the length direction.

[0024]

[11] The protector has a lead-out opening for leading the first electric wire member to the outside of the protector, and the insulating coating of the first electric wire is located inside the lead-out opening. According to this configuration, the exposed portion of the core wire of the first electric wire can be disposed inside the protector.

[0025]

[12] The second cover has a first end having the second engaging portion, a second end opposite the first end, and an engaging portion, and the second arrangement portion has a locking portion that engages with the engaging portion when the second cover is in the closed position, and the locking portion is located closer to the second end than the connecting portion.

[0026] With this configuration, one end of the second cover can be held by the engagement between the second locking portion and the first locking portion, and the other end of the second cover can be held by the engagement between the engaging portion and the locking portion. This makes it possible to hold both ends of the second cover, thereby stabilizing the assembled state of the second cover.

[0027]

[13] The first cover is connected to the first placement portion via a hinge portion, and the first cover is configured to be rotatable around the hinge portion between an open position and a closed position that covers the first placement portion.

[0028] According to this configuration, the first cover that can be opened and closed relative to the first arrangement section can be configured integrally with the first arrangement section.

[14] The protector of the present disclosure accommodates a first terminal and a first wire member having a first wire connected to the first terminal, and the first terminal is connected to a second terminal of a second wire member inside the protector, and includes a protector body having a first arrangement portion in which the first wire is arranged and a second arrangement portion in which a connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is arranged, a first cover covering the first arrangement portion, and a second cover separate from the protector body and the first cover and covering the second arrangement portion, wherein the first cover has a first locking portion, and the second cover has a second locking portion that locks to the first locking portion, and the second cover is configured to be rotatable from an open position to a closed position covering the second arrangement portion, with a contact portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion as a rotation axis.

[0029] According to this configuration, first, the first cover is assembled to the protector body with the first wire member disposed thereon. Then, by removing the second cover, the first terminal is exposed from the protector. This allows the first terminal and the second terminal to be connected inside the protector body with the first cover assembled to the protector body. Then, the second cover is assembled to the protector body, and the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal is covered with the second cover. When assembling the second cover, the second locking portion is engaged with the first locking portion, and the second cover is rotated to the closed position around the contact portion thereof as a rotation axis. This allows the second cover to be assembled with one hand, improving the ease of assembly of the second cover.

[0030] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the wire harness and protector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for the sake of convenience, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ between drawings. Furthermore, "parallel" and "orthogonal" in this specification do not only refer to cases where the wire harness and protector are strictly parallel or orthogonal, but also include cases where the wire harness and protector are roughly parallel or orthogonal within the scope of the operation and effect of this embodiment.

[0031] In this specification, "facing" refers to surfaces or components facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. Also, in this specification, "facing" refers to both cases where a component separate from the two components is interposed between the two components, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two components.

[0032] (Configuration of wire harness 10) The wire harness 10 electrically connects electrical devices mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0033] 1 and 2, the wire harness 10 includes a first electric wire member 20, a second electric wire member 30, and a protector 40 that houses the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 are electrically connected inside the protector 40. The first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 are drawn out from the protector 40 in opposite directions to each other in the longitudinal direction X of the first electric wire member 20, for example.

[0034] Hereinafter, the length direction X of the first wire member 20 will be simply referred to as the "length direction X." (Configuration of the first wire member 20) 2, the first electric wire member 20 has a first terminal 21, a first electric wire 22 connected to the first terminal 21, and a corrugated tube 25 covering the outer periphery of the first electric wire 22. The corrugated tube 25 is drawn out from the protector 40.

[0035] (Configuration of first terminal 21) The first terminal 21 has a circular through-hole 21a. The first terminal 21 can be made of a metal material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or stainless steel.

[0036] (Configuration of the first electric wire 22) The first electric wire 22 has a core wire 23 made of a conductor and an insulating coating 24 that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 23. The core wire 23 can be made of a metal material such as a copper or aluminum material. The insulating coating 24 can be made of a synthetic resin whose main component is a polyolefin resin such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene.

[0037] The core wire 23 is exposed from the insulating sheath 24 at the end of the first electric wire 22. The core wire 23 exposed from the insulating sheath 24 is electrically connected to the first terminal 21. (Configuration of Corrugated Tube 25) The corrugated tube 25 has a bellows structure in which annular protrusions 26 and annular recesses 27 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the protrusions 26 are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction X. The corrugated tube 25 is flexible.

[0038] For example, a conductive resin material or a non-conductive resin material can be used as the material of the corrugated tube 25. For example, the resin material can be a synthetic resin such as polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, or ABS resin.

[0039] The end of the corrugated tube 25 pulled out from the protector 40 and the first electric wire 22 are fixed by a fixing member 28 such as tape. The fixing member 28 is wrapped around the entire circumference of the end of the corrugated tube 25 and the first electric wire 22. This restricts relative movement between the corrugated tube 25 and the first electric wire 22.

[0040] (Configuration of the second wire member 30) The second electric wire member 30 has a second terminal 31 and a second electric wire 32 connected to the second terminal 31 .

[0041] The second terminal 31 and the second wire 32 have the same configuration as the first terminal 21 and the first wire 22, respectively. Therefore, the configuration of the second wire member 30 is denoted by the symbol "3*", which is obtained by adding "10" to the symbol "2*" indicating the configuration of the first wire member 20, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0042] (Configuration of protector 40) As shown in FIG. 1, the protector 40 includes a protector body 50, a first cover 60, a second cover 70, and a bolt 80 provided on the protector body 50.

[0043] The protector body 50, the first cover 60, and the second cover 70 are each made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyamide. When the protector 40 is exposed to a high-temperature environment, for example, because it is placed near a heat source, it is preferable to use polyamide, which has better heat resistance than polypropylene, as the constituent material of the protector body 50, the first cover 60, and the second cover 70.

[0044] (Configuration of protector body 50) 1 and 2, the protector body 50 has a first arrangement portion 51 and a second arrangement portion 52. The first electric wire 22 is arranged in the first arrangement portion 51. The connecting portion C between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 is arranged in the second arrangement portion 52. The first cover 60 is a cover that covers the first arrangement portion 51. The second cover 70 is a cover that covers the second arrangement portion 52.

[0045] 2 and 3, the first arrangement portion 51 has a first bottom wall 51a extending in the longitudinal direction X, two first side walls 51b protruding from both side edges of the first bottom wall 51a and facing each other, and a first opening 51c facing the first bottom wall 51a. The first opening 51c is formed by the two first side walls 51b.

[0046] The second arrangement portion 52 has, for example, a second bottom wall 52a extending in the longitudinal direction X, two second side walls 52b protruding from both side edges of the second bottom wall 52a and facing each other, and a second opening 52c facing the second bottom wall 52a. The second bottom wall 52a is continuous with the first bottom wall 51a. The second side wall 52b extends from the first side wall 51b in the longitudinal direction X. The second opening 52c is formed by the two second side walls 52b.

[0047] The protector body 50 has a first end 50A located on one side in the longitudinal direction X and a second end 50B located on the other side in the longitudinal direction X. The first electric wire member 20 is drawn out from the first end 50A. The second electric wire member 30 is drawn out from the second end 50B. The first arrangement portion 51 is provided on the first end 50A side of the protector body 50 in the longitudinal direction X. The second arrangement portion 52 is provided on the second end 50B side of the protector body 50 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0048] The protector 40 has an outlet 41 at the end on the first end portion 50A side, through which the first electric wire member 20 is led out of the protector 40. The corrugated tube 25 and the insulating coating 24 of the first electric wire 22 are positioned inside the outlet 41. That is, the exposed portion of the core wire 23 at the tip of the first electric wire 22 is disposed inside the protector 40.

[0049] The first arrangement portion 51 has an inner surface provided with engaging protrusions 53 that fit into the recesses 27 of the corrugated tube 25. For example, a plurality of engaging protrusions 53 are provided at intervals from one another in the longitudinal direction X. Each engaging protrusion 53 has, for example, an arc shape that follows the outer circumferential surface of the recess 27. Each engaging protrusion 53 is provided, for example, near the first end 50A of the protector main body 50. Each engaging protrusion 53 is provided, for example, continuously from the first bottom wall 51a to each first side wall 51b.

[0050] 1 and 3, an anti-slip protrusion 54 that prevents the corrugated tube 25 from slipping out of the first opening 51c is provided on the inner surface of the first side wall 51b. The corrugated tube 25 arranged in the first arrangement portion 51 comes into contact with the anti-slip protrusion 54, thereby preventing the corrugated tube 25 from slipping out of the first opening 51c.

[0051] (Configuration of the first cover 60) 2 and 3, the first cover 60 covers the first opening 51c. Therefore, the first cover 60 covers the first electric wire 22 arranged in the first arrangement portion 51.

[0052] The first cover 60 is, for example, molded integrally with the protector main body 50. More specifically, the first cover 60 is connected to one of the first side walls 51b via a hinge portion 62. The first cover 60 also has a first engagement portion 63 that engages with a first lock portion 55 provided on the other first side wall 51b. The first cover 60 rotates about the hinge portion 62 as a fulcrum, thereby opening and closing the first opening 51c. The first engagement portion 63 engages with the first lock portion 55, thereby holding the first cover 60 in a closed state in which it covers the first opening 51c.

[0053] The first cover 60 has a first end 60a located on one side in the longitudinal direction X and a second end 60b located on the other side in the longitudinal direction X. The first end 60a of the first cover 60 is, for example, located at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the first end 50A of the protector body 50. The second end 60b of the first cover 60 faces the second arrangement portion 52.

[0054] The first cover 60 has an inner surface facing the first arrangement portion 51 provided with engaging protrusions 64 that fit into the recesses 27 of the corrugated tube 25. For example, a plurality of engaging protrusions 64 are provided at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction X. Each engaging protrusion 64 has, for example, an arc shape that follows the outer circumferential surface of the recess 27. Each engaging protrusion 64 is provided, for example, near the first end portion 60a of the first cover 60. For example, the engaging protrusion 64 of the first cover 60 is located at the same position as the engaging protrusion 53 of the first arrangement portion 51 in the longitudinal direction X. As a result, the engaging protrusions 53 and the engaging protrusions 64 sandwich the corrugated tube 25 from both sides in the radial direction. The engaging protrusions 53 and the engaging protrusions 64 fit into the recesses 27 of the corrugated tube 25, thereby restricting movement of the corrugated tube 25 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0055] (Configuration of the first locking portion 65) The first cover 60 has a first locking portion 65 at the second end 60b. As shown in Fig. 4, the first locking portion 65 has a slit 66. The slit 66 is formed, for example, along a width direction Y of the protector 40 that is perpendicular to the length direction X. The length direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are all perpendicular to one another. The slit 66, for example, penetrates the first cover 60 along the height direction Z of the protector 40.

[0056] The first locking portion 65 has, for example, a first wall portion 67 and a second wall portion 68 that define a slit 66. The first wall portion 67 and the second wall portion 68 each protrude from the outer surface of the first cover 60. The first wall portion 67 and the second wall portion 68 each extend linearly along the width direction Y. That is, the first wall portion 67 and the second wall portion 68 face each other in the length direction X, and the slit 66 is defined between the first wall portion 67 and the second wall portion 68.

[0057] The second wall portion 68 is provided between the second end portion 60b of the first cover 60 and the first wall portion 67. That is, between the first wall portion 67 and the second wall portion 68, the second wall portion 68 is provided at a position closer to the second end portion 60b.

[0058] The first wall portion 67 has a base portion 67a extending along the height direction Z, and an inclined portion 67b extending from the tip of the base portion 67a while being inclined with respect to the height direction Z. The base portion 67a faces the second wall portion 68 in the length direction X. The inclined portion 67b is inclined so as to approach the second wall portion 68 side and the second arrangement portion 52 side as it approaches the tip side.

[0059] (Configuration of second arrangement section 52) 2 and 3, the second arrangement portion 52 has a bolt 80 on the second bottom wall 52a. The bolt 80 has a head 81 fixed to the second bottom wall 52a and a male threaded portion 82 protruding from the head 81 toward the second opening 52c. The male threaded portion 82 protrudes in a height direction Z of the protector 40, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. In the height direction Z, the height of the male threaded portion 82 is set higher than that of each second side wall 52b. As a result, the male threaded portion 82 is exposed from the protector body 50.

[0060] 2, the protector 40 has a fixing portion 42 for fixing the head 81 of the bolt 80 to the second bottom wall 52a. The fixing portion 42 covers the head 81 on the underside of the protector body 50 so that the head 81 is not exposed to the outside. The fixing portion 42 may be molded integrally with the protector body 50, or may be configured as a separate body from the protector body 50. When the fixing portion 42 is molded integrally with the protector body 50, the fixing portion 42 may be connected to the protector body 50 by a hinge portion, and the fixing portion 42 may be configured to be openable and closable around the hinge portion.

[0061] 1 and 2, the male thread portion 82 is inserted into the through hole 21a of the first terminal 21 and the through hole 31a of the second terminal 31. Then, a nut 83 is screwed onto the male thread portion 82, thereby fastening the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31. In this embodiment, the fastening portion formed by the bolt 80 and the nut 83 serves as a connecting portion C between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31. The first terminal 21, the second terminal 31, and the connecting portion C are arranged in the second arrangement portion 52.

[0062] Each second side wall 52b of the second arrangement section 52 is set to have a low height in the height direction Z. Specifically, the height of each second side wall 52b is set so that the nut 83 does not overlap with each second side wall 52b when viewed from the width direction Y. This is to ensure sufficient hand space when an operator attaches the nut 83 to the male thread portion 82.

[0063] The second arrangement portion 52 has a rotation restricting portion 56 that restricts rotation of the second terminal 31 in the circumferential direction around the bolt 80. The rotation restricting portions 56 are provided, for example, on both sides of the second terminal 31 in the width direction Y. The rotation restricting portions 56 extend, for example, from the inner surface of the second side wall 52b toward the inside of the second arrangement portion 52. The rotation restricting portions 56 are configured to be able to come into contact with the second terminal 31 in the circumferential direction around the bolt 80. That is, when the nut 83 is tightened, the second terminal 31 can come into contact with one of the rotation restricting portions 56, and when the nut 83 is loosened, the second terminal 31 can come into contact with the other rotation restricting portion 56.

[0064] 6, in the height direction Z, a height H1 of each rotation restricting portion 56 relative to the second bottom wall 52a is set higher than a height H2 of each second side wall 52b relative to the second bottom wall 52a. This makes it possible to ensure hand space by lowering the height H2 of the second side wall 52b, while allowing the second terminal 31 to abut against the rotation restricting portion 56. In addition, a height H3 of the first side wall 51b is set higher than the height H2 of the second side wall 52b.

[0065] (Configuration of second cover 70) The second cover 70 covers the second opening 52c of the second arrangement portion 52. Therefore, the second cover 70 covers the first terminal 21, the second terminal 31, and the connecting portion C arranged in the second arrangement portion 52.

[0066] The second cover 70 is a separate body from the protector body 50 and the first cover 60. The second cover 70 has a first end 70a located on one side in the longitudinal direction X and a second end 70b located on the other side in the longitudinal direction X. The second end 70b of the second cover 70 is, for example, located at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the second end 50B of the protector body 50. Furthermore, the first end 70a of the second cover 70 faces the first cover 60 side in the longitudinal direction X.

[0067] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the second cover 70 has, for example, a top wall 71 extending in the longitudinal direction X and facing the second bottom wall 52a, and two side walls 72 protruding from both side edges of the top wall 71 and facing each other.

[0068] Each side wall 72 of the second cover 70 has a second engagement portion 73 that engages with a second locking portion 57 provided on each second side wall 52b of the second arrangement portion 52. The second locking portion 57 of each second side wall 52b is located closer to the second end portion 50B than the male thread portion 82 of the bolt 80 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0069] (Configuration of second locking portion 74) The second cover 70 has a second locking portion 74 that locks into the first locking portion 65 of the first cover 60. The second locking portion 74 has a flat shape that can be inserted into the slit 66 in the first locking portion 65. The second locking portion 74 extends along the width direction Y. The second cover 70 is configured to be rotatable, with the contact point between the first locking portion 65 and the second locking portion 74 as a fulcrum, from the open position shown in FIG. 7 to a closed position that covers the second arrangement portion 52.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 4, the second locking portion 74 is inclined toward the inside of the protector 40 as it moves toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction X. Fig. 4 also shows the engagement state between the first locking portion 65 and the second locking portion 74 when the second cover 70 is in the closed position. When the second cover 70 is in the closed position, the second locking portion 74 comes into contact with the inclined portion 67b of the first locking portion 65 in a state where it is substantially parallel to the inclined portion 67b. In other words, the second locking portion 74 comes into surface contact with the inclined portion 67b.

[0071] When assembling the second cover 70, first, the second locking portion 74 is inserted into the slit 66 of the first cover 60 in the closed state. At this time, the second locking portion 74 is inserted between the tip of the inclined portion 67b and the tip of the second wall portion 68.

[0072] 5 shows an example of an engagement state between the first locking portion 65 and the second locking portion 74 when the second cover 70 is in the open position. When the second cover 70 is in the open position, the second locking portion 74 is located between the first wall portion 67 and the second wall portion 68. This allows the second cover 70 to be held in the open position. The second cover 70 can rotate from the open position to the closed position around a rotation axis L, which is the contact portion between the second locking portion 74 and the tip of the second wall portion 68. The rotation axis L is, for example, along the width direction Y.

[0073] 6 and 7, the first cover 60 has protrusions 69 protruding from the top surface of the first cover 60 on both sides of the first locking portion 65 in the width direction Y. Meanwhile, the second cover 70 has positioning portions 75 formed on both sides of the second locking portion 74 in the width direction Y, facing the second locking portion 74 with a gap between them. The protrusions 69 of the first cover 60 are inserted between the second locking portions 74 and the positioning portions 75. This positions the second cover 70 relative to the first cover 60 in the width direction Y.

[0074] (Assembly mode of wire harness 10) When assembling the wire harness 10, first, the first cover 60 is opened and the second cover 70 is removed from the protector body 50. In this state, the corrugated tube 25 of the first electric wire member 20 is accommodated in the first arranging portion 51 through the first opening 51c. At this time, the first terminal 21 is arranged in the second arranging portion 52 so that the male thread portion 82 of the bolt 80 is inserted into the through hole 21a of the first terminal 21.

[0075] Next, the first cover 60 is rotated around the hinge portion 62 to the closed position where it covers the first opening 51c, and the first engagement portion 63 is engaged with the first lock portion 55. This holds the first cover 60 in the closed position. When the first cover 60 is in the closed position, the corrugated tube 25 is sandwiched in the height direction Z between the first cover 60 and the first bottom wall 51a. This holds the first electric wire member 20 in the protector body 50. Furthermore, at this time, the first terminal 21 is inserted onto the male thread portion 82 of the bolt 80. Therefore, the male thread portion 82 of the bolt 80 restricts movement of the first terminal 21 in the length direction X and the width direction Y. Therefore, before the nut 83 is tightened onto the bolt 80, the first electric wire member 20 can be more securely held relative to the protector body 50. As a result, the wire harness 10 in a state in which the first electric wire member 20 is attached to the protector body 50 and before the second electric wire member 30 is connected to the first electric wire member 20 can be easily transported and distributed.

[0076] Next, the first electric wire member 20 and the protector 40 assembled to the first electric wire member 20 are attached to an attachment location on the vehicle. At this stage, the second electric wire member 30 has not yet been connected to the first electric wire member 20, and the second cover 70 has not yet been attached to the protector body 50. Therefore, the male thread portion 82 of the bolt 80 and the first terminal 21 are exposed from the protector body 50.

[0077] Next, the second terminal 31 of the second electric wire member 30, which is separately routed in the vehicle, is inserted onto the male thread portion 82 and overlapped with the first terminal 21. After that, a nut 83 is attached to the male thread portion 82. This fastens the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 together. When tightening the nut 83, it is preferable to place the second terminal 31 against one of the rotation restricting portions 56. Furthermore, because the bolt 80 is not covered by the first cover 60, the work of attaching the nut 83 can be easily performed.

[0078] Next, the second cover 70 is attached to the second arrangement portion 52 in which the first terminals 21, the second terminals 31, and the connecting portion C are arranged. First, the second locking portion 74 of the second cover 70 is inserted into the slit 66 of the first cover 60. Then, the second cover 70 is rotated to the closed position around the rotation axis L, which is the contact portion between the second wall portion 68 constituting the slit 66 and the second locking portion 74, and the second engaging portion 73 is engaged with the second locking portion 57. This holds the second cover 70 in the closed position, covering the second arrangement portion 52. At this time, the second end portion 70b of the second cover 70 is fixed by the engagement between the second engaging portion 73 and the second locking portion 57, while the second end portion 70a of the second cover 70 is prevented from coming off the slit 66 due to the abutment of the second locking portion 74 with the inclined portion 67b.

[0079] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The protector 40 includes a protector body 50 having a first arrangement portion 51 and a second arrangement portion 52, a first cover 60 covering the first arrangement portion 51, and a second cover 70 covering the second arrangement portion 52. The first electric wire 22 is arranged in the first arrangement portion 51. The second arrangement portion 52 has a connecting portion C between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31. The second cover 70 is a separate body from the protector body 50 and the first cover 60. The first cover 60 has a first locking portion 65. The second cover 70 has a second locking portion 74 that locks with the first locking portion 65. The second cover 70 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis L, which is a contact portion between the first locking portion 65 and the second locking portion 74, from an open position to a closed position where the second cover 70 covers the second arrangement portion 52.

[0080] According to this configuration, first, the first cover 60 is assembled to the protector body 50 with the first wire member 20 disposed thereon. Then, by removing the second cover 70, the first terminal 21 is exposed from the protector 40. This allows the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 to be connected inside the protector body 50 with the first cover 60 assembled to the protector body 50. Then, the second cover 70 is assembled to the protector body 50, and the connection portion C between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 is covered by the second cover 70. When assembling the second cover 70, the second locking portion 74 is engaged with the first locking portion 65, and the second cover 70 is rotated to the closed position around the contact portion thereof as the rotation axis L. This allows the second cover 70 to be assembled with one hand, improving the ease of assembly of the second cover 70.

[0081] Furthermore, the second cover 70 is separate from each of the protector body 50 and the first cover 60. Here, when the second cover 70 is integrally molded with the protector body 50 via a hinge or the like, the hinge is also made of a synthetic resin such as polyamide. Polyamide has excellent heat resistance but is vulnerable to dryness. Therefore, if the assembly of the wire harness 10 to the vehicle, i.e., the connection between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 and the assembly of the second cover 70, is performed in a dry environment such as a cold region, there is a risk of the hinge being damaged when the second cover 70 is rotated via the hinge. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the second cover 70 is separate from each of the protector body 50 and the first cover 60, so there is no need to worry about the hinge being damaged.

[0082] (2) The first locking portion 65 has a slit 66 provided in the first cover 60. The second locking portion 74 is configured to be insertable into the slit 66. With this configuration, after the second locking portion 74 is inserted into the slit 66, the second cover 70 can be rotated to the closed position around the contact portion between the slit 66 and the second locking portion 74 as the rotation axis.

[0083] (3) When the rotation axis L intersects with the horizontal plane, the first locking portion 65 can hold the second cover 70 in the open position. With this configuration, the second cover 70 can be held in the open position when the second locking portion 74 is inserted into the slit 66, which further improves the ease of assembling the second cover 70.

[0084] (4) The slit 66 is formed between a first wall portion 67 and a second wall portion 68 that face each other. The second wall portion 68 is provided between the first wall portion 67 and a second end portion 60b of the first cover 60 that faces the second cover 70. The tip portion of the first wall portion 67 has an inclined portion 67b that is inclined toward the second wall portion 68. The second locking portion 74 contacts the inclined portion 67b when the second cover 70 is in the closed position. With this configuration, when the second cover 70 is in the closed position, the inclined portion 67b can hold the second locking portion 74 so that it does not come off the slit 66.

[0085] (5) The bolt 80 is fixed to the protector body 50. The first terminal 21 has a through hole 21a through which the bolt 80 is inserted. The first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 are connected by the bolt 80 and a nut 83 screwed onto the bolt 80. With this configuration, because the first terminal 21 has the through hole 21a through which the bolt 80 is inserted, movement of the first terminal 21 is restricted even in a state in which the bolt 80 is simply inserted into the through hole 21a but the nut 83 is not yet tightened. Therefore, the first electric wire member 20 can be more reliably held relative to the protector body 50 before the nut 83 is tightened onto the bolt 80. As a result, the wire harness 10 in a state in which the first electric wire member 20 is attached to the protector body 50 and before the second electric wire member 30 is connected to the first electric wire member 20 can be easily transported and distributed.

[0086] (6) The second arrangement portion 52 has a rotation restricting portion 56 that restricts rotation of the second terminal 31 around the bolt 80. The rotation restricting portion 56 is located further inside the protector 40 than the second end portion 50B from which the second electric wire member 30 is led out of the protector 40. According to this configuration, the rotation restricting portion 56 can prevent the second terminal 31 from rotating together when the nut 83 is tightened or loosened.

[0087] (7) The first arrangement portion 51 and the first cover 60 sandwich the first electric wire member 20. This configuration makes it possible to more reliably hold the first electric wire member 20 in the protector 40. As a result, it becomes easier to transport and distribute the wire harness 10 in a state in which the first electric wire member 20 is attached to the protector body 50 and before the second electric wire member 30 is connected to the first electric wire member 20.

[0088] (8) The first arranging portion 51 has the engaging protrusion 53 as a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of the first electric wire member 20 in the length direction X. According to this configuration, the engaging protrusion 53 can more reliably hold the first electric wire member 20 in the protector 40. As a result, the wire harness 10 in a state in which the first electric wire member 20 is attached to the protector body 50 and before the second electric wire member 30 is connected to the first electric wire member 20 can be easily transported and distributed.

[0089] (9) The first arrangement portion 51 has a first bottom wall 51a and two first side walls 51b that protrude from both side edges of the first bottom wall 51a and face each other. The second arrangement portion 52 has a second bottom wall 52a and two second side walls 52b that protrude from both side edges of the second bottom wall 52a and face each other. The engaging protrusions 53 are provided on at least the first side wall 51b of the first arrangement portion 51. The height H3 of the first side wall 51b is set higher than the height H2 of the second side wall 52b. This configuration makes it easier to ensure the length of the engaging protrusions 53 provided on the first side wall 51b, thereby more effectively restricting the movement of the first electric wire member 20 by the engaging protrusions 53. Furthermore, by lowering the second side wall 52b, it is possible to prevent the second side wall 52b from interfering with the connection between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31. As a result, this can contribute to improving the workability when connecting the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31.

[0090] (10) The first electric wire member 20 has a corrugated tube 25 that covers the outer periphery of the first electric wire 22. The corrugated tube 25 has a bellows structure in which annular protrusions 26 and annular recesses 27 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the protrusions 26 are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction X. The engaging protrusions 53 serving as movement restricting portions engage with the recesses 27 of the corrugated tube 25. With this configuration, the engaging protrusions 53 engage with the recesses 27 of the corrugated tube 25, thereby restricting movement of the first electric wire member 20 including the corrugated tube 25 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0091] (11) The protector 40 has a lead-out opening 41 through which the first electric wire member 20 is led out of the protector 40. The insulating coating 24 of the first electric wire 22 is located inside the lead-out opening 41. With this configuration, the exposed portion of the core wire 23 of the first electric wire 22 can be disposed inside the protector 40.

[0092] (12) The second cover 70 has a first end 70a having a second engaging portion 74, a second end 70b opposite the first end 70a, and a second engaging portion 73. The second arrangement portion 52 has a second locking portion 57 that engages with the second engaging portion 73 when the second cover 70 is in the closed position. The second locking portion 57 is located closer to the second end 70b than the connecting portion C in the longitudinal direction X. With this configuration, the first end 70a of the second cover 70 can be held by the engagement between the second engaging portion 74 and the first engaging portion 65, and the second end 70b of the second cover 70 can be held by the engagement between the second engaging portion 73 and the second locking portion 57. This makes it possible to hold both ends of the second cover 70, thereby stably assembling the second cover 70.

[0093] (13) The first cover 60 is connected to the first arrangement section 51 via a hinge section 62. The first cover 60 is configured to be rotatable around the hinge section 62 between an open position and a closed position in which it covers the first arrangement section 51. This configuration makes it possible to form the first cover 60, which can be opened and closed relative to the first arrangement section 51, integrally with the first arrangement section 51.

[0094] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. The second electric wire member 30 can be omitted from the wire harness 10.

[0095] The corrugated tube 25 may be omitted from the first electric wire member 20. In this case, the first arrangement portion 51 and the first cover 60 may be configured to be in direct contact with the first electric wire 22. The first cover 60 may be configured as a separate body from the protector main body 50 .

[0096] The bolt 80 may protrude at an angle relative to the second bottom wall 52a. The bolt 80 may be insert-molded into the protector body 50 . The connection structure between the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 31 is not limited to fastening with the bolt 80 and the nut 83, but may be changed to another connection structure. In other words, the bolt 80 may be omitted from the protector body 50.

[0097] The height H3 of the first side wall 51b may be equal to or smaller than the height H2 of the second side wall 52b. The position of the second locking portion 57 in the longitudinal direction X may be changed to the same position as the bolt 80 or to a position closer to the first arrangement portion 51 than the bolt 80.

[0098] For example, if the second electric wire member 30 has a corrugated tube similar to that of the first electric wire member 20, the rotation restricting portion 56 can be omitted from the second arrangement portion 52. The configurations of the first locking portion 65 and the second locking portion 74, such as their shapes, are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the protector 40.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the length directions of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 are aligned in the same direction, but this is not limited thereto, and the length directions of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 may intersect.

[0100] The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10 Wire harness 20 First electric wire member 21 1st terminal 21a Through hole 22 First Electric Wire 23 core wire 24 Insulation coating 25 Corrugated tube 26 Convex part 27 Recess 28 Fixing member 30 Second electric wire member 31 2nd terminal 31a Through hole 32 Second Electric Wire 40 Protector 41 Outlet 42 Fixed part 50 Protector body 50A First end 50B 2nd end 51 1st placement part 51a 1st bottom wall 51b 1st side wall 51c 1st opening 52 2nd placement part 52a Second bottom wall 52b Second side wall 52c 2nd opening 53 Engagement protrusion (movement restriction portion) 54 Anti-slip protrusion 55 First Lock 56 Rotation control part 57 Second locking part (locking part) 60 First Cover 60a First end 60b 2nd end 62 Hinge part 63 First engagement portion 64 Engagement protrusion 65 First locking part 66 Slit 67 1st wall 67a base 67b Slope 68 Second wall section 69 Protrusion 70 Second Cover 70a 1st end 70b 2nd end 71 Top Wall 72 Side wall 73 Second engagement portion (engagement portion) 74 Second locking part 75 Positioning part 80 volts 81 Head 82 Male thread 83 Nut C connection part H1 Height H2 height H3 height L rotation axis X length direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. a first wire member having a first terminal and a first wire connected to the first terminal; a protector that houses the first electric wire member; Equipped with A wire harness in which the first terminal is connected to a second terminal of a second electric wire member inside the protector, The protector comprises: a protector body having a first arrangement portion in which the first electric wire is arranged and a second arrangement portion in which a connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is arranged; a first cover that covers the first arrangement portion; a second cover that is separate from the protector main body and the first cover and covers the second arrangement portion, the first cover has a first locking portion, the second cover has a second locking portion that locks onto the first locking portion, the second cover is configured to be rotatable about a contact portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion as a rotation axis from an open position to a closed position covering the second arrangement portion. Wire harness.

2. the first locking portion has a slit provided in the first cover, The second locking portion is configured to be insertable into the slit. The wire harness according to claim 1 .

3. With the rotation axis intersecting a horizontal plane, the first locking portion can hold the second cover in the open position. The wire harness according to claim 2 .

4. The slit is formed between a first wall portion and a second wall portion facing each other, the second wall portion is provided between the first wall portion and an end portion of the first cover facing the second cover, a tip end of the first wall portion has an inclined portion inclined toward the second wall portion, the second engaging portion contacts the inclined portion when the second cover is in the closed position; The wire harness according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A bolt is fixed to the protector body, the first terminal has a through hole into which the bolt is inserted, the first terminal and the second terminal are connected by the bolt and a nut screwed onto the bolt; The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the second arrangement portion has a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the second terminal around the bolt, The rotation restricting portion is located more inward of the protector than an end portion of the protector from which the second electric wire member is led out. The wire harness according to claim 5 .

7. The first arrangement portion and the first cover sandwich the first electric wire member. The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The first arrangement portion has a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of the first electric wire member in a length direction. The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the first arrangement portion has a first bottom wall and two first side walls that protrude from both side edges of the first bottom wall and face each other; the second arrangement portion has a second bottom wall and two second side walls that protrude from both side edges of the second bottom wall and face each other, the movement restricting portion is provided on at least the first side wall of the first arrangement portion, The height of the first side wall is set to be higher than the height of the second side wall. The wire harness according to claim 8.

10. the first electric wire member has a corrugated tube that covers an outer periphery of the first electric wire, the corrugated tube has a bellows structure in which annular convex portions and annular concave portions having an outer diameter smaller than that of the convex portions are alternately provided in a longitudinal direction, The movement restricting portion is an engaging protrusion that engages with the recess. The wire harness according to claim 8 or 9.

11. the protector has a lead-out opening for leading the first electric wire member out of the protector, The insulating coating of the first electric wire is located inside the outlet. The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the second cover has a first end portion having the second locking portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and an engaging portion; the second arrangement portion has a lock portion that engages with the engagement portion when the second cover is in the closed position, The locking portion is located closer to the second end than the connecting portion. The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the first cover is connected to the first arrangement portion via a hinge portion, The first cover is configured to be rotatable about the hinge portion between an open position and a closed position in which the first cover covers the first arrangement portion. The wire harness according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A protector that houses a first electric wire member having a first terminal and a first electric wire connected to the first terminal, and in which the first terminal is connected to a second terminal of a second electric wire member, a protector body having a first arrangement portion in which the first electric wire is arranged and a second arrangement portion in which a connecting portion between the first terminal and the second terminal is arranged; a first cover that covers the first arrangement portion; a second cover that is separate from the protector main body and the first cover and covers the second arrangement portion, the first cover has a first locking portion, the second cover has a second locking portion that locks onto the first locking portion, the second cover is configured to be rotatable about a contact portion between the first locking portion and the second locking portion as a rotation axis from an open position to a closed position covering the second arrangement portion. Protector.

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