Wire harness

Abstract

To provide a wire harness capable of suppressing scattering of a liquid going along a braided wire in an area where liquid ingress is not allowed, in a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A wire harness 10 comprises: a cylindrical grommet 21 provided so as to penetrate a hole 14a provided on a partition wall 14 for blocking entrance of liquid into an area R1 where liquid ingress is not allowed located above, while being brought into close contact with the hole 14a; electric wires 22 provided so as to penetrate the grommet 21; a cylindrical braided wire 23 provided so as to penetrate the grommet 21 while covering an outer circumference of the electric wires 22; a water-stopping material 24 provided so as to plug between the electric wires 22 and the grommet 21 above the hole 14a; and a water-absorbing material 25 provided so as to come into contact with the braided wire 23 in the area R1 where liquid ingress is not allowed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, some wire harnesses are installed to pass through holes provided in a partition wall to prevent liquid from flowing into the liquid-impermeable area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This wire harness includes a grommet that is installed to pass through the hole while being in close contact with the hole, electric wires that are installed to pass through a small-diameter cylindrical portion of the grommet, and a water-stopping material and a water-absorbing material that are installed between the grommet and the electric wires. The water-stopping materials are installed on both sides of the small-diameter cylindrical portion of the grommet in the longitudinal direction. The water-absorbing material is installed between the two water-stopping materials within the small-diameter cylindrical portion. The small-diameter cylindrical portion of the grommet is provided with holes for evaporating liquid that has reached the water-absorbing material. In a wire harness configured in this manner, even if liquid passes through one of the water-stopping materials and reaches the water-absorbing material, it is absorbed and temporarily stored in the water-absorbing material. The liquid stored in the water-absorbing material then gradually evaporates to the outside through the holes. This prevents, for example, liquid from scattering in the form of droplets in the liquid-impermeable area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-157108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the grommet shape of the above-described wire harness is complicated, and it is unclear whether it can be used in cases where a cylindrical braided wire is provided to cover the outer periphery of the electric wire.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can suppress the scattering of liquid that has flowed along a braided wire into a liquid-impermeable area with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical grommet that is fitted tightly to and passes through a hole provided in a partition wall that prevents liquid from flowing into an upper liquid-impermeable area, an electric wire that is arranged to pass through the grommet, a cylindrical braided wire that is arranged to pass through the grommet while covering the outer periphery of the electric wire, a water-stopping material that is arranged to seal the gap between the electric wire and the grommet above the hole, and a water-absorbing material that is arranged to contact the braided wire in the liquid-impermeable area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the wire harness of the present disclosure, with a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has flowed along the braided wire from splashing in the liquid impermeable area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wiring path of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a wire harness according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [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 cylindrical grommet that is fitted tightly to a hole provided in a partition wall that prevents liquid from flowing into an upper liquid-impermeable area and that passes through the hole; an electric wire that is arranged to pass through the grommet; a cylindrical braided wire that is arranged to pass through the grommet while covering the outer periphery of the electric wire; a water-stopping material that is arranged to seal the gap between the electric wire and the grommet above the hole; and a water-absorbing material that is arranged to contact the braided wire in the liquid-impermeable area.

[0010] This configuration includes a water-stopping material that seals the gap between the wire and the grommet above the hole in the partition wall, preventing liquid from flowing into the liquid-impermeable area from below. Furthermore, a water-absorbing material is provided in the liquid-impermeable area so that it comes into contact with the braided wire. Even if a small amount of liquid flows down the braided wire and reaches the liquid-impermeable area due to capillary action, the liquid is absorbed and temporarily stored in the water-absorbing material. The liquid stored in the water-absorbing material then gradually evaporates. This prevents, for example, liquid from splashing in the form of droplets in the liquid-impermeable area.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the braided wire is arranged to pass between the outer periphery of the water-stopping material and the inner periphery of the grommet, and has a first fold portion that is folded back outside the grommet to cover the outer periphery of the grommet, and a second fold portion that is further folded back from the tip of the first fold portion to cover the outer periphery of the first fold portion, and the water-absorbing material may be arranged to cover the outer periphery of the second fold portion.

[0012] With this configuration, a small amount of liquid that flows down the braided wire will be directed toward the first folded portion and the second folded portion. The first folded portion is positioned to cover the outer periphery of the grommet, and the second folded portion is positioned to cover the outer periphery of the first folded portion, so their positions are stable. Therefore, the liquid can be stably absorbed by the absorbent material that is provided to cover the outer periphery of the second folded portion.

[0013] [3] In the above [2], the water-absorbent material may be provided so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the second folded portion. According to this configuration, the water-absorbing material is provided so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the second folded portion, and therefore can absorb liquid without leaking from a part of the outer periphery of the second folded portion.

[0014] [4] In the above item [3], a binding band may be provided that is arranged to surround the outer periphery of the water absorbent material and thereby fixes the water absorbent material to the second folded portion. According to this configuration, a cable tie is provided that surrounds the outer periphery of the absorbent material and secures the absorbent material to the second folded portion, so that the absorbent material can be secured more stably than when securing the absorbent material using, for example, adhesive tape.

[0015] [5] In the above [4], the cable tie may be arranged outside the area where the water-stopping material is provided. With this configuration, the cable tie is positioned outside the area where the watertight material is provided, so the braided wire, which is positioned between the outer periphery of the watertight material and the inner periphery of the grommet, can be tightly sandwiched between the watertight material and the grommet, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that flows along the braided wire toward the first and second folded portions.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for the convenience of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of each part may differ from one drawing to another. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0017] (Overall configuration of the wire harness 10) 1 electrically connects two or more electrical devices. The wire harness 10 of this embodiment electrically connects an inverter 11 installed in the front of a vehicle V, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, to a high-voltage battery 12 installed behind the inverter 11 on the vehicle V.

[0018] The inverter 11 is connected to a wheel drive motor (not shown) that serves as a power source for running the vehicle. The inverter 11 generates AC power from DC power from a high-voltage battery 12 and supplies the AC power to the motor. The high-voltage battery 12 is a battery capable of supplying a voltage of, for example, several hundred volts.

[0019] The wire harness 10 is routed, for example, to pass under the floor of the vehicle V. That is, a longitudinal intermediate portion of the wire harness 10 is routed to pass outside the vehicle compartment below an underfloor panel 13 of the vehicle V. The vehicle V also has a liquid-impermeable area R1 in which the high-voltage battery 12 is installed, and a partition wall 14 that prevents liquid from flowing from a lower liquid-impermeable area R2 to the upper liquid-impermeable area R1. The partition wall 14 has a hole 14a (see FIG. 2 ), and the wire harness 10 that passes outside the vehicle compartment below the underfloor panel 13 is routed so as to penetrate the hole 14a of the partition wall 14 and be connected to the high-voltage battery 12.

[0020] 2 to 4, the wire harness 10 includes a cylindrical grommet 21, electric wires 22, a cylindrical braided wire 23, a water-stopping material 24, a water-absorbing material 25, and a cable tie 26. The wire harness 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of electric wires 22, i.e., two electric wires 22.

[0021] (Grommet 21 configuration) The grommet 21 is made of rubber or elastomer and is provided so as to be in close contact with the hole 14a of the partition wall 14 and to pass through the hole 14a.

[0022] In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the grommet 21 has an attachment portion 21a that can be attached to the hole 14a of the partition wall 14, a first cylindrical portion 21b that extends upward from the attachment portion 21a, and a second cylindrical portion 21c that extends downward from the attachment portion 21a.

[0023] (Configuration of electric wire 22) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electric wire 22 has a core wire 22a and an insulating coating 22b that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 22a.

[0024] The core wire 22a is formed of, for example, a twisted wire made by twisting together a plurality of conductive wires, a single core wire, etc. The core wire 22a is made of, for example, a metal material such as copper or aluminum. The cross section of the core wire 22a in this embodiment is formed to have a perfect circular shape.

[0025] The insulating coating 22b covers the entire outer periphery of the core wire 22a and is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin containing polyolefin resin, such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene, as a main component.

[0026] The two electric wires 22 are arranged to pass through the grommet 21. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the two electric wires 22 are arranged to extend from the lower liquid-permeation-permitted region R2 through the second tubular portion 21c and the first tubular portion 21b of the grommet 21 to the upper liquid-impermeable region R1.

[0027] (Structure of braided wire 23) The braided wire 23 is formed by weaving conductive wires. For example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used as the material of the braided wire 23. The braided wire 23 of this embodiment covers two electric wires 22 together. In other words, the braided wire 23 of this embodiment is a multi-core lumped shield braided wire. Note that each figure shows a schematic diagram of the weaving of the wires of the braided wire 23. Furthermore, each end of the braided wire 23 is connected to an earth member (not shown) such as a vehicle body or a metal case.

[0028] The braided wire 23 is provided so as to cover the outer peripheries of the two electric wires 22 and to pass through the grommet 21. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the braided wire 23 is provided so as to cover the outer peripheries of the two electric wires 22 and to extend from the lower liquid-permeable region R2 through the second tubular portion 21c and the first tubular portion 21b of the grommet 21 to the upper liquid-impermeable region R1.

[0029] 3, the braided wire 23 has a first folded portion 23a and a second folded portion 23b. The first folded portion 23a is folded back outside the first tubular portion 21b of the grommet 21, thereby covering the outer periphery of the grommet 21. The second folded portion 23b is further folded back from the tip of the first folded portion 23a, thereby covering the outer periphery of the first folded portion 23a.

[0030] (Configuration of water-stopping material 24) The waterproof material 24 is made of, for example, rubber, elastomer, or resin material. 2, the water-stopping material 24 is provided above the hole 14a of the partition wall 14 so as to seal the gap between the electric wire 22 and the grommet 21. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water-stopping material 24 of this embodiment is provided so as to seal the gap between the electric wire 22 and the braided wire 23. In other words, the braided wire 23 is provided so as to pass between the outer periphery of the water-stopping material 24 and the inner periphery of the grommet 21. Furthermore, the water-stopping material 24 of this embodiment is provided at the tip end of the first tubular portion 21b of the grommet 21.

[0031] (Configuration of water absorbent material 25) The water-absorbing material 25 is a material that easily absorbs liquid, and is made of, for example, a resin material having voids therein, or a nonwoven fabric, etc. The water-absorbing material 25 of this embodiment is made of a water-absorbing polymer sheet.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the water absorbent material 25 is provided so as to contact the braided wire 23 outside the grommet 21 in the liquid impermeable region R1. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the water absorbent material 25 of this embodiment is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the second folded-back portion 23b of the braided wire 23. Moreover, the water absorbent material 25 is provided so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the second folded-back portion 23b.

[0033] (Configuration of cable tie 26) The cable tie 26 is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. Note that the cable tie 26 of this embodiment has a flexible strip portion and a lock portion that is provided at an end of the strip portion in the longitudinal direction and locks the strip portion that has been passed through, but the detailed structure is omitted and is shown schematically in each drawing.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the cable ties 26 are arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the water absorbent material 25, thereby fixing the water absorbent material 25 to the second folded portion 23b. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the cable ties 26 are arranged outside the area where the water stop material 24 is provided. That is, the cable ties 26 are arranged so as to sandwich the second folded portion 23b, the first folded portion 23a, the first tubular portion 21b, and the braided wire 23 inside the first tubular portion 21b between the water absorbent material 25 and the water stop material 24. Note that when fastened with the cable ties 26, the water absorbent material 25 and the like will bend inward, but the respective figures only show a schematic illustration of the bent state and the like.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2 , the wire harness 10 of the present embodiment includes a split corrugated tube 27. The split corrugated tube 27 is made of a resin material such as polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, or ABS resin. The split corrugated tube 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a slit in a part of the circumferential direction. The split corrugated tube 27 has a bellows structure in which large-diameter portions and small-diameter portions are alternately provided along its length. The split corrugated tube 27 allows the electric wires 22 and the braided wire 23 to be inserted therein through the slits. The split corrugated tube 27 is flexible and easily bendable due to its bellows structure. The split corrugated tube 27 is connected to the second tubular portion 21 c of the grommet 21 and is provided to cover the two electric wires 22 and the braided wire 23. The split corrugated tube 27 is routed to pass outside the vehicle cabin below the underfloor panel 13 (see FIG. 1 ). The split corrugated tube 27 protects the two electric wires 22 and the braided wire 23 from, for example, flying stones from the ground.

[0036] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the wire harness 10 configured as above will be described. For example, if the lower part of the vehicle V is submerged in water, the wire harness 10 in the liquid penetration permissible region R2 may become wet. In this case, the liquid may flow from the slits in the split corrugated tube 27 into the interior of the split corrugated tube 27 and into the interior of the grommet 21, but the water-stopping material 24 prevents the liquid from flowing into the liquid penetration impermissible region R1. However, a small amount of liquid may flow down the braided wire 23 due to capillary action and reach the liquid penetration impermissible region R1. This small amount of liquid reaches the first folded portion 23a and the second folded portion 23b, where it is absorbed and temporarily stored in the water absorbent material 25. The liquid stored in the water absorbent material 25 gradually evaporates over time.

[0037] (Effects of the embodiment) Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The water-stopping material 24 is provided above the hole 14a in the partition wall 14 to block the gap between the electric wire 22 and the grommet 21, thereby preventing liquid from flowing into the liquid-impermeable region R1 from below. Furthermore, the water-absorbing material 25 is provided so as to contact the braided wire 23 in the liquid-impermeable region R1. Therefore, even if a small amount of liquid flows down the braided wire 23 by capillary action and reaches the liquid-impermeable region R1, the liquid is absorbed and temporarily stored in the water-absorbing material 25. The liquid stored in the water-absorbing material 25 then gradually evaporates. This prevents, for example, liquid from splashing in the form of droplets in the liquid-impermeable region R1.

[0038] (2) The braided wire 23 has a first folded portion 23a that is folded back to cover the outer periphery of the grommet 21, and a second folded portion 23b that is folded back from the tip of the first folded portion 23a to cover the outer periphery of the first folded portion 23a. The water-absorbing material 25 is provided to cover the outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b. Therefore, a small amount of liquid running down the braided wire 23 flows toward the first folded portion 23a and the second folded portion 23b. The first folded portion 23a is provided to cover the outer periphery of the grommet 21, and the second folded portion 23b is provided to cover the outer periphery of the first folded portion 23a, so that the positions of the first folded portion 23a and the second folded portion 23b are stable. Therefore, the water-absorbing material 25 that is provided to cover the outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b can stably absorb liquid.

[0039] (3) The water absorbent material 25 is provided so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b, and therefore can absorb liquid without leaking from a part of the outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b.

[0040] (4) The cable ties 26 are provided to surround the outer periphery of the absorbent material 25 and thereby secure the absorbent material 25 to the second folded portion 23b. Therefore, the absorbent material 25 can be more stably secured than when the absorbent material 25 is secured using adhesive tape or the like.

[0041] (5) Because the cable tie 26 is disposed outside the area where the water-stopping material 24 is provided, the braided wire 23, which is disposed between the outer periphery of the water-stopping material 24 and the inner periphery of the grommet 21, can be tightly sandwiched between the water-stopping material 24 and the grommet 21. This reduces the amount of liquid that flows along the braided wire 23 toward the first folded portion 23a and the second folded portion 23b.

[0042] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the braided wire 23 has the first folded portion 23a and the second folded portion 23b, and the water-absorbing material 25 is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b, but this is not limited to this.

[0044] For example, it may be modified as shown in Fig. 5. The braided wire 31 in this example does not have the first folded portion 23a and the second folded portion 23b of the above embodiment, and simply extends in a cylindrical shape while covering the electric wire 22 even outside the first cylindrical portion 21b of the grommet 21. The water absorbent material 32 in this example is wound around the braided wire 31 with an adhesive or the like so that it extends in a cylindrical shape continuous with the first cylindrical portion 21b. Even in this case, the same effect as effect (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the water-absorbing material 25 is arranged to cover the entire outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b, but this is not limited to this, and the water-absorbing material 25 may be arranged to cover only a portion of the outer periphery of the second folded portion 23b.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 10 includes the cable ties 26 that fix the water absorbent material 25 to the second folded portion 23b, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the water absorbent material 25 may be fixed to the second folded portion 23b by other structures or methods. For example, instead of the cable ties 26, an adhesive tape may be provided that is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the water absorbent material 25 and fix the water absorbent material 25 to the second folded portion 23b.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the cable ties 26 are arranged outside the area where the water-stopping material 24 is provided, but this is not limited to this, and the cable ties 26 may be arranged at a position offset from the outside of the area where the water-stopping material 24 is provided.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the braided wire 23 is a multi-core lumped shield braided wire that collectively covers two electric wires 22, but this is not limiting and may be changed to, for example, a plurality of braided wires that individually cover the electric wires 22. In this case, the braided wire may be arranged to pass between the outer periphery of the electric wires 22 and the inner periphery of the water-stopping material 24. Even in this case, the same effect as effect (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained as long as the water-absorbing material is arranged to contact the braided wire outside the grommet 21 in the liquid-impermeable region R1.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 10 includes the split corrugated tube 27, but this is not limiting and the wire harness 10 may be configured without the split corrugated tube 27. Furthermore, the split corrugated tube 27 may be replaced with another exterior member that protects the electric wires 22 and the braided wire 23, or may be replaced with a metal pipe or the like that houses the electric wires 22, is connected to the braided wire 23, and is disposed below the underfloor panel 13 (see FIG. 1).

[0050] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 10 includes two electric wires 22, but this is not limited thereto, and the wire harness 10 may include only one electric wire 22, or may include three or more electric wires 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Wire harness 11 Inverter 12 High-voltage battery 13 Underfloor panel 14 Partition Wall 14a hole 21 Grommet 21a Fitting part 21b 1st cylinder part 21c 2nd cylinder part 22 Electric wire 22a core wire 22b Insulation coating 23 Braided wire 23a First fold 23b Second folded part 24 Water-stopping material 25 Water absorbing material 26 Cable ties 27 Corrugated tube with split 31 Braided wire 32 Water absorbing material R1 Area where liquid cannot enter R2 Liquid ingress tolerance area V vehicle

Claims

1. a cylindrical grommet provided to penetrate through a hole provided in a partition wall that prevents liquid from flowing into the upper liquid-impermeable area while being in close contact with the hole; an electric wire provided to pass through the grommet; a cylindrical braided wire that covers the outer periphery of the electric wire and passes through the grommet; a water-stopping material provided above the hole so as to seal between the electric wire and the grommet; a water-absorbing material provided in contact with the braided wire in the liquid-impermeable region; A wire harness equipped with

2. The braided wire is provided so as to pass between an outer periphery of the water-stopping material and an inner periphery of the grommet, and has a first folded portion that is folded back outside the grommet to cover the outer periphery of the grommet, and a second folded portion that is further folded back from a tip of the first folded portion to cover the outer periphery of the first folded portion, The water-absorbing material is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the second folded portion. The wire harness according to claim 1 .

3. The water-absorbing material is provided so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the second folded portion. The wire harness according to claim 2 .

4. A binding band is provided to surround the outer periphery of the water absorbent material and fix the water absorbent material to the second folded portion. The wire harness according to claim 3 .

5. The binding band is arranged outside the portion where the water-stopping material is provided. The wire harness according to claim 4.

Images