Protector and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a protector and a wire harness which can improve retention force of a plurality of electric wires.SOLUTION: A protector 1 includes a first member 10 having a first bottom wall 11 supporting a plurality of electric wires W extending in an axial line direction X, and a second member 20 having a second bottom wall 21 which faces the first bottom wall 11 and supports the plurality of electric wires W, wherein the first member 10 and the second member 20 sandwich the plurality of electric wires W between the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 in a state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed along the contours of the plurality of electric wires W.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As an example of a technology relating to a conventional wire harness protector, Patent Document 1 discloses a protector including a first member having a first bottom wall that supports a plurality of electric wires extending along an axial direction, and a second member having a second bottom wall that faces the first bottom wall and accommodates the plurality of electric wires between the second bottom wall and the first bottom wall. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-114401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the protector described in Patent Document 1 above has room for further improvement, for example, in terms of the holding force for a plurality of electric wires.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a protector and a wire harness that can improve the holding force of a plurality of electric wires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the protector of the present invention comprises a first member having a first bottom wall that supports a plurality of electric wires extending along an axial direction, and a second member having a second bottom wall that faces the first bottom wall and supports the plurality of electric wires, and the first member and the second member clamp the plurality of electric wires between the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall in a state in which the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the plurality of electric wires. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the protector and the wire harness according to the present invention, the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the electric wires, and the electric wires are sandwiched between the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall, thereby enabling the electric wires to be held. As a result, the protector and the wire harness have an advantage of being able to improve the holding force of the electric wires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a wire harness to which a protector according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the protector according to the embodiment, showing a state before the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a protector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of a wire harness to which a protector according to a first modified example is applied. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of a protector according to a first modified example, showing a state before the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a protector according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view of a wire harness to which a protector according to the second modification is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary perspective view of a protector according to a second modified example, showing a state before the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a protector according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments and modifications include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

[0010] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications disclosed below include similar components. Therefore, in the following, the similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts, members, portions, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0011] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness WH to which a protector 1 according to an embodiment is applied. The protector 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated into the wire harness WH that is routed in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness WH is, for example, a component in which a plurality of electric wires W used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect various devices mounted on the vehicle, and the plurality of electric wires W are connected to the devices using connectors or the like. The wire harness WH of this embodiment includes a plurality of conductive electric wires W and the protector 1 that holds the plurality of electric wires W. Note that the wire harness WH may be configured to further include various other components such as grommets, electrical connection boxes, and fixtures.

[0012] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are approximately perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically coincides with the extending direction of the multiple electric wires W, the inserting direction of the multiple electric wires W into the protector 1, the longitudinal direction (extending direction) of the protector 1, etc. The width direction Y typically coincides with the width direction of the protector 1, the stacking direction of a first member 10 and a second member 20 of the protector 1 (described later), etc. The height direction Z typically coincides with the height direction (up-down direction) of the protector 1, etc. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description will be described as directions when the protector 1 is assembled to a vehicle.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the wire harness WH includes, for example, a trunk portion W1 extending along the axial direction X and a branch portion W2 branching from the trunk portion W1. The trunk portion W1 is a main portion of the wire harness WH and is formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires W. The trunk portion W1 may include, for example, a portion of the wire harness WH in which the largest number of electric wires W are bundled, or may include a portion of the wire harness WH having the largest outer diameter. Note that, for convenience, the illustration of the plurality of electric wires W constituting the trunk portion W1 is simplified in Figs. 1 to 3, etc.

[0014] The branch wire portion W2 is a sub-harness portion of the wire harness WH and is formed by one or more electric wires W branching from the trunk wire portion W1. In the present embodiment, the wire harness WH is provided with, for example, a plurality of branch wire portions W2. The branch wire portions W2 are bent along the width direction Y with respect to the trunk wire portion W1 extending along the axial direction X, and are routed by being drawn outward at positions offset from the protector 1 in the axial direction X. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case in which the wire harness WH is provided with one protector 1, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a plurality of protectors 1 may be provided at intervals along the axial direction X, and a plurality of branch wire portions W2 may be drawn out along the width direction Y at positions between the plurality of protectors 1.

[0015] The plurality of electric wires W are formed, for example, to extend linearly along the axial direction X and to extend with approximately the same diameter in the axial direction X (extension direction). The electric wire W includes a core wire and an insulating coating that covers the core wire. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the core wire (cross-sectional shape intersecting the axial direction X) is approximately circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating is approximately annular, so that the electric wire W has an approximately circular cross-sectional shape as a whole. Note that in this embodiment, the plurality of electric wires W are configured to have the same outer diameter as each other, but this example is not limiting. For example, the electric wire W that constitutes the branch wire portion W2 may be configured to have a different outer diameter from the plurality of electric wires W that constitute the trunk wire portion W1.

[0016] The protector 1 includes, for example, a first member 10, a second member 20, a hinge 30, and a locking unit 40. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are formed of a flexible, bendable member such as synthetic resin. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are formed into a plate shape and are integrated with each other by a clip structure using the locking unit 40 (described later) with the above-mentioned multiple electric wires W sandwiched between them. The protector 1 is configured to have a flat shape that is thinned along the width direction Y as a whole by assembling the first member 10 and the second member 20 together.

[0017] The hinge 30 rotatably connects the second member 20 to the first member 10. The hinge 30 has, for example, a rotation center Ax (rotation axis) extending along the axial direction X. The second member 20 is configured to be rotatable by rotation of the hinge 30 about the rotation center Ax between a closed position (see FIG. 1 ) that closes an insertion space of the protector 1 through which a plurality of electric wires W are inserted, and an open position (see FIG. 2 ) that opens the insertion space. Note that, for convenience, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the angle between the first member 10 and the second member 20 in the open position is approximately 45 degrees; however, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the angle between the first member 10 and the second member 20 in the open position may be another angle, for example, approximately 90 degrees or approximately 180 degrees.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protector 1, showing the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 in a state before elastic deformation. As shown in FIG. 2, the first member 10 includes, for example, the first bottom wall 11, a plurality of beads 12 (see FIG. 3), and a clamp 13. The first bottom wall 11 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape and extends along the axial direction X. The first bottom wall 11 supports the plurality of electric wires W from one side in the width direction Y. The first bottom wall 11 is a structure for defining an insertion space of the protector 1. The insertion space is a space into which the main wire portions W1 of the plurality of electric wires W are inserted and routed along the axial direction X.

[0019] The plurality of beads 12 (see FIG. 3) are formed integrally with, for example, the first bottom wall 11. The plurality of beads 12 protrude from the first bottom wall 11 toward the other side in the width direction Y (the side toward the plurality of electric wires W) and extend along a direction intersecting the axial direction X (the height direction Z in FIG. 3). The plurality of beads 12 are spaced apart from one another along the axial direction X and, for example, function as anti-slip devices for the plurality of electric wires W by being arranged in contact with the plurality of electric wires W.

[0020] The clamp 13 is provided, for example, on the surface of the first bottom wall 11 opposite to the plurality of beads 12. The clamp 13 is provided in approximately the center of the first bottom wall 11 and protrudes from the first bottom wall 11 toward one side in the width direction Y. The clamp 13 functions as a part for fixing the protector 1 to a target part of the vehicle.

[0021] The second member 20 includes, for example, a second bottom wall 21 and a plurality of beads 22. The second bottom wall 21 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape and extends along the axial direction X. The second bottom wall 21 supports the plurality of electric wires W from the other side in the width direction Y. The second bottom wall 21 is a structure for defining an insertion space of the protector 1. The insertion space is a space into which main wire portions W1 of the plurality of electric wires W are inserted and routed along the axial direction X. The main wire portions W1 are, for example, exposed in a section not covered by the second bottom wall 21 and the first bottom wall 11, where the plurality of electric wires W are exposed.

[0022] The plurality of beads 22 are formed integrally with, for example, the second bottom wall 21. The plurality of beads 22 protrude from the second bottom wall 21 toward one side in the width direction Y (the side of the plurality of electric wires W) and extend along a direction intersecting the axial direction X (the height direction Z in FIG. 3 ). The plurality of beads 22 are spaced apart from one another along the axial direction X and, for example, function as anti-slip devices for the plurality of electric wires W by being arranged in contact with the plurality of electric wires W. The plurality of beads 22 may be provided, for example, offset from the plurality of beads 12 in the axial direction X, or may be provided side by side with the plurality of beads 12 in the width direction Y.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the protector 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are provided with a plurality of through holes 11c, 21c that penetrate the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21, respectively, along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, a plurality of through holes 11c (see Fig. 2) are provided at intervals from one another along the axial direction X at an end 11a on one side in the height direction Z of the first bottom wall 11. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 21c are provided at intervals from one another along the axial direction X at an end 21a on one side in the height direction Z of the second bottom wall 21.

[0024] In this embodiment, the end 11a is the end of the first member 10 (first bottom wall 11) opposite the end 11b on the hinge 30 side, and the end 21a is the end of the second member 20 (second bottom wall 21) opposite the end 21b on the hinge 30 side. The multiple through holes 11c provided in the end 11a overlap with the multiple through holes 21c provided in the end 21a in the width direction Y. The above-mentioned locking portion 40 is attached to the multiple through holes 11c and the multiple through holes 21c.

[0025] The locking portion 40 is for locking the second member 20 relative to the first member 10 in the closed position (see FIG. 3), for example. In this embodiment, the locking portion 40 is configured by clip members 41 that are provided separately from the first member 10 and the second member 20. The clip members 41 are provided in pairs at a distance from each other in the axial direction X to correspond to the multiple through holes 11c, 21c. Each of the pair of clip members 41 is configured to include, for example, a bottom wall 41a, a middle wall 41b, a pair of side walls 41c, and a pair of claw portions 41d.

[0026] The bottom wall 41a is a portion of the clip member 41 that extends in the width direction Y so as to span between the end 11a of the first member 10 and the end 21a of the second member 20. The bottom wall 41a supports the two end portions 11a, 21a from one side in the height direction Z. The middle wall 41b is a portion of the clip member 41 that protrudes from the center of the bottom wall 41a in the width direction Y toward the other side in the height direction Z and is inserted between the two end portions 11a, 21a. In this embodiment, the length of the middle wall 41b in the height direction Z is longer than the length of the pair of side walls 41c in the height direction Z, and protrudes into the insertion space of the protector 1.

[0027] The pair of side walls 41c are portions of the clip member 41 that protrude from both ends of the bottom wall 41a in the width direction Y toward the other side in the height direction Z. The pair of side walls 41c support the two ends 11a, 21a from both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of claw portions 41d are portions of the clip member 41 that protrude from the other ends of the pair of side walls 41c in the height direction Z toward the center in the width direction Y, i.e., toward the through holes 11c, 21c. The pair of claw portions 41d have locking surfaces that face the edges of the through holes 11c, 21c in the height direction Z, and when the second member 20 is in the closed position, the locking surfaces and the edges of the through holes 11c, 21c are locked in the height direction Z, thereby locking the second member 20 to the first member 10 in the closed position.

[0028] Here, in the present embodiment, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are assembled so that the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 sandwich the plurality of electric wires W between them in a state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the plurality of electric wires W. That is, in the present embodiment, in a state in which the first member 10 and the second member 20 are assembled, the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y by the width of the plurality of electric wires W and are curved relative to each other in a substantially U-shape that opens toward the center side in the width direction Y (the side of the plurality of electric wires W). As a result, an elastic restoring force is generated in the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21, which increases the surface pressure between the first bottom wall 11 and the plurality of electric wires W and also increases the surface pressure between the second bottom wall 21 and the plurality of electric wires W, thereby enhancing the holding force of the plurality of electric wires W.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of claw portions 41d of the clip member 41 described above are engaged with the plurality of through holes 11c, 21c in a state in which an elastic restoring force is generated in the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21. In a state in which the pair of claw portions 41d and the plurality of through holes 11c, 21c are engaged with each other, movement of the first member 10 and the second member 20 in the width direction Y toward the sides in which they move away from each other, i.e., toward the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 3, is restricted, and a state in which the surface pressure between the first bottom wall 11 and the plurality of electric wires W is increased and a state in which the surface pressure between the second bottom wall 21 and the plurality of electric wires W is increased are maintained.

[0030] In this embodiment, for example, the pair of clip members 41 are attached in a state in which the claw portions 41d on one side in the width direction Y are locked into the multiple through holes 11c of the first member 10 (see FIG. 2). Next, the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed (bent) along the outline of the multiple electric wires W, and in this state, the claw portions 41d on the other side in the width direction Y of the pair of clip members 41 are locked into the multiple through holes 21c of the second member 20. At this time, in this embodiment, for example, the end portion 21a of the second member 20 is inserted so as to slide from the other side in the height direction Z into the opening between the claw portion 41d on the other side in the width direction Y of the pair of clip members 41 and the middle wall 41b. Through these steps, the second member 20 can be assembled to the first member 10 via the pair of clip members 41.

[0031] As described above, the protector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment include the first member 10 having the first bottom wall 11 that supports the plurality of electric wires W extending along the axial direction X, and the second member 20 having the second bottom wall 21 that faces the first bottom wall 11 and supports the plurality of electric wires W. The first member 10 and the second member 20 sandwich the plurality of electric wires W between the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 in a state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the plurality of electric wires W. With this configuration, the protector 1 and the wire harness WH can hold the plurality of electric wires W, for example, by sandwiching the plurality of electric wires W between the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 in a state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the plurality of electric wires W. As a result, the protector 1 and the wire harness WH can improve the holding force of the plurality of electric wires W, and furthermore, the first member 10 and the second member 20 can be configured to be thinner along the width direction Y.

[0032] The protector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment also include a hinge 30 that rotatably couples the second member 20 to the first member 10 about a rotation center Ax extending along the axial direction X, and a locking portion 40 that locks together the ends 11a, 21a of the first member 10 and the second member 20 on the opposite side from the hinge 30 when the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed. With this configuration, the protector 1 and the wire harness WH can, for example, couple the second member 20 to the first member 10 by the hinge 30 rotatably between a closed position (see FIG. 1 ) and an open position (see FIG. 2 ), and can therefore hold (maintain) the elastically deformed state of the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 by locking the second member 20 in the closed position by the locking portion 40.

[0033] In the protector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the locking portion 40 is configured by a clip member 41 that is provided separately from the first member 10 and the second member 20. With this configuration, the protector 1 and the wire harness WH can, for example, relatively easily hold (maintain) a state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed by the clip member 41.

[0034] Furthermore, in the protector 1 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 extend in a direction (height direction Z) intersecting the axial direction X, are spaced apart from each other along the axial direction X, and include a plurality of beads 12, 22 that abut against the plurality of electric wires W. With this configuration, the protector 1 and the wire harness WH have, for example, the plurality of beads 12, 22 that function as anti-slip devices for the plurality of electric wires W, and can therefore suppress relative movement of the plurality of electric wires W in the axial direction X with respect to the first member 10 and the second member 20.

[0035] [First Modification] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a wire harness WH to which a protector 1A according to a first modified example is applied. The protector 1A shown in Fig. 4 has a configuration similar to that of the protector 1 according to the above embodiment. Therefore, the protector 1A can obtain the same functions and effects as the above embodiment based on the similar configuration.

[0036] However, this modified example differs from the above embodiment in that, as shown in Fig. 4, the locking portion 40 is configured by a locking mechanism 42 that is integrally provided with the first member 10 and the second member 20. The locking mechanism 42 is for locking the second member 20 relative to the first member 10 in the closed position (see Fig. 4). The locking mechanisms 42 are provided, for example, in pairs spaced apart from each other in the axial direction X. Each pair of locking mechanisms 42 is configured, for example, to include a locking portion 42a (see Fig. 5) and a locked portion 42b.

[0037] Fig. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of a protector 1A according to a first modified example, showing the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 in a state before elastic deformation, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the protector 1A according to the first modified example. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the locking portion 42a is provided, for example, on the outer surface of a protruding portion 14 that protrudes toward the other side in the width direction Y from an end portion 11a of the first bottom wall 11 opposite the hinge 30. The locking portion 42a is formed, for example, in the shape of a claw that is inserted into the locked portion 42b along the width direction Y, and has a locking surface 42a1 (see Fig. 6) that faces the locked portion 42b in the width direction Y.

[0038] The locked portion 42b is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the protruding portion 24 that protrudes from the end 21a of the second bottom wall 21 opposite the hinge 30 toward the other side in the width direction Y. The locked portion 42b is formed, for example, in the shape of a locking hole into which the locking portion 42a is inserted along the width direction Y, and a tapered surface 42b1 (see FIG. 6) that is inclined toward one side in the height direction Z as it approaches one side in the width direction Y is provided at the open end on the entrance side of the locked portion 42b. Furthermore, a locked surface 42b2 (see FIG. 6) that faces the locking surface 42a1 of the locking portion 42a in the width direction Y is provided at the open end on the exit side of the locked portion 42b, and the locked surface 42b2 and the locking surface 42a1 are locked together in the width direction Y, thereby locking the second member 20 to the first member 10.

[0039] In this modified example, the locking portion 42a of the locking mechanism 42 described above is locked with the locked portion 42b in a state in which an elastic restoring force is generated in the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21. In a state in which the locking portion 42a and the locked portion 42b are locked with each other, movement of the first member 10 and the second member 20 in the width direction Y toward the side in which they move away from each other, i.e., toward the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 6, is restricted, and a state in which the surface pressure between the first bottom wall 11 and the plurality of electric wires W is increased and a state in which the surface pressure between the second bottom wall 21 and the plurality of electric wires W is increased are maintained.

[0040] As described above, in the protector 1A and the wire harness WH of this modified example, the locking portion 40 is configured by the locking mechanism 42 that is integrally provided with the first member 10 and the second member 20. With this configuration, the protector 1A and the wire harness WH can, for example, relatively easily hold (maintain) a state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed by the locking mechanism 42. Note that, in this modified example, the locking portion 42a is provided on the first member 10 and the locked portion 42b is provided on the second member 20, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the locked portion 42b may be provided on the first member 10 and the locking portion 42a may be provided on the second member 20.

[0041] [Second Modification] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a wire harness WH to which a protector 1B according to a second modification is applied. The protector 1B shown in Fig. 7 has a configuration similar to that of the protector 1 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the protector 1B can obtain the same functions and effects as the above embodiment based on the similar configuration.

[0042] However, this modified example differs from the above embodiment in that, as shown in Fig. 7, the locking section 40 is configured by a clamp 43 that secures the first member 10 and the second member 20 to the target portion. The clamp 43 of this modified example serves both as the clamp 13 of the above embodiment and the first modified example and as the locking section 40. The clamp 43 has the function of locking the second member 20 relative to the first member 10 in the closed position (see Fig. 4). The clamp 43 is configured, for example, to include a clip 43a (see Fig. 8) that engages with a through-hole in the target portion.

[0043] Fig. 8 is an exemplary perspective view of a protector 1B according to a second modified example, showing the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 in a state before elastic deformation, and Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the protector 1B according to the second modified example. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the clip 43a is provided, for example, at the end 21a of the second bottom wall 21 opposite the hinge 30, and protrudes from the end 21a toward one side in the width direction Y (toward the first bottom wall 11). A pair of locking portions 43b protruding in a claw shape (umbrella shape) are provided at both ends of the clip 43a in the axial direction X. The pair of locking portions 43b are formed in a tapered shape that is inclined toward the center in the axial direction X (the sides that approach each other) as it moves toward one side in the width direction Y.

[0044] An opening 11d into which the clip 43a is inserted is provided at the end 11a of the first bottom wall 11 on the opposite side from the hinge 30. The opening 11d is a through-hole that penetrates the first bottom wall 11 along the width direction Y. A pair of ribs 15 is provided on both sides of the opening 11d in the end 11a in the axial direction X. The pair of ribs 15 extend along the height direction Z. In this modification, for example, the clip 43a is engaged with the through-hole of the fixation target portion, and the plate-shaped fixation target portion is sandwiched between the pair of locking portions 43b of the clip 43a and the pair of ribs 15, thereby fixing the protector 1 to the fixation target portion and locking the second member 20 to the first member 10.

[0045] In this modified example, the pair of locking portions 43b of the clamp 43 described above are locked to the fixed portion in a state in which an elastic restoring force is generated in the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21. In a state in which the pair of locking portions 43b and the fixed portion are locked to each other, movement of the first member 10 and the second member 20 in the width direction Y toward the sides in which they move away from each other, i.e., toward the open position indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 9, is restricted, and a state in which the surface pressure between the first bottom wall 11 and the plurality of electric wires W is increased and a state in which the surface pressure between the second bottom wall 21 and the plurality of electric wires W is increased are maintained.

[0046] As described above, in the protector 1BA and the wire harness WH of this modified example, the locking portion 40 is configured by the clamp 43 that fixes the first member 10 and the second member 20 to the fixing target portion. With this configuration, the protector 1B and the wire harness WH can, for example, relatively easily hold (maintain) the state in which the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21 are elastically deformed by the clamp 43, and therefore the clamp 43 and the locking portion 40 can be used together (shared), thereby reducing the effort and cost required to manufacture the protector 1B and the wire harness WH.

[0047] In the above embodiment and modified example, an example is given in which multiple beads 12, 22 are provided on each of the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21, but this example is not limited to this, and for example, multiple beads 12 or multiple beads 22 may be provided on only one of the first bottom wall 11 and the second bottom wall 21.

[0048] While the above describes exemplary embodiments and modifications of the present invention, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, format, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1, 1A, 1B Protector 10 First member 11 First bottom wall 11a End 12 beads 20 Second member 21 Second bottom wall 21a End 22 Bead 30 Hinge 40 Lock Section 41 Clip member 42 Locking mechanism 43 Clamp W electric wire W1 Main line W2 branch line part WH Wire Harness X-axis direction Z Height direction (direction intersecting with the axis direction)

Claims

1. a first member having a first bottom wall that supports a plurality of electric wires extending along an axial direction; a second member having a second bottom wall facing the first bottom wall and supporting the plurality of electric wires; the first member and the second member sandwich the plurality of electric wires between the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall in a state in which the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the plurality of electric wires, Protector.

2. a hinge that rotatably connects the second member to the first member about a rotation center extending along the axial direction; a locking portion that locks together end portions of the first member and the second member opposite to the hinge when the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed, The protector according to claim 1 .

3. The locking portion is configured by a clip member provided separately from the first member and the second member. The protector according to claim 2 .

4. The locking portion is configured by a locking mechanism that is integrally provided with the first member and the second member. The protector according to claim 2 .

5. The locking portion is configured by a clamp that fixes the first member and the second member to a fixing target portion. The protector according to claim 2 .

6. At least one of the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction, is spaced apart from one another along the axial direction, and includes a plurality of beads that come into contact with the plurality of electric wires. The protector according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a plurality of electric wires extending along an axial direction; a protector that holds the plurality of electric wires, The protector comprises: a first member having a first bottom wall that supports the plurality of electric wires; a second member having a second bottom wall facing the first bottom wall and supporting the plurality of electric wires; the first member and the second member sandwich the plurality of electric wires between the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall in a state in which the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall are elastically deformed along the outer shapes of the plurality of electric wires, Wire harness.

Images