Protector fitting structure

Abstract

To provide a protector fitting structure in which multiple protectors are easy to fit and advantageous for space savings.SOLUTION: A protector fitting structure 1 comprises multiple protectors 10 and 20 and a long flat plate bracket 30 for supporting the multiple protectors 10 and 20. Each of the multiple protectors 10 and 20 comprises a first engaging part 13 or a second engaging part 23, which makes the bracket 30 penetrate in the first direction or accommodates the bracket. For example, the first engaging part 13, on which a first locking protrusion 13f is disposed, includes an elastic piece 13e that is elastically deformed when the first locking protrusion 13f contacts the bracket 30. The bracket 30 includes multiple triangular locking holes 33 arranged in the first direction, each having an upper limb 34a with an upstream side of equilateral triangle or isosceles triangle in the first direction. The multiple protectors 10 and 20 are stacked on top of each other when the first locking protrusion 13f or the like of each protector is locked by any one of the locking holes 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protector mounting structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various wire harnesses are arranged inside vehicles such as automobiles. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a structure in which a bracket having a locking hole is erected inside the vehicle, and the protector is attached by inserting the bracket into a fitting portion in a protector through which the wire harness is inserted, and locking a locking protrusion in the fitting portion into the locking hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-290434 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the mounting structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, one protector is mounted to one bracket. Therefore, when multiple protectors through which different wire harnesses are inserted are required to be installed, a bracket is required for each protector, which makes it difficult to secure installation space.

[0005] Furthermore, in the mounting structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, the opening shape of the locking hole formed in the bracket is rectangular, so there is room for improvement, for example, from the standpoint of making it easier to lock the locking protrusion into the locking hole while ensuring rigidity.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a protector mounting structure that facilitates mounting of multiple protectors and is advantageous in terms of space saving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A protector mounting structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of protectors that house portions of separate wire harnesses, and a long, flat bracket that supports the plurality of protectors, each of which has an engagement portion that passes through or houses the bracket along a first direction, the engagement portion having a locking protrusion and an elastic piece that elastically deforms when the locking protrusion comes into contact with the bracket, the bracket being arranged along the first direction and having a plurality of triangular locking holes whose upper edge is regarded as the base of an equilateral triangle or an isosceles triangle, and the plurality of protectors are stacked on top of each other by having the locking protrusion of each protector engage with one of the respective locking holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a protector mounting structure that facilitates mounting of a plurality of protectors and is advantageous in terms of space saving. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protector mounting structure in which one protector is mounted. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protector mounting structure in which two protectors are mounted. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first protector. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first cover included in the first protector. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second protector. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the protector mounting structure corresponding to the cross section VII-VII in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the protector mounting structure corresponding to the cross section VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A protector mounting structure according to one embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] 1 and 2 are perspective views of a protector mounting structure 1 according to one embodiment. In the protector mounting structure 1 shown in Fig. 1, only a first protector 10 is mounted to a bracket 30. In the protector mounting structure 1 shown in Fig. 2, two protectors, a first protector 10 and a second protector 20, are mounted to the bracket 30.

[0012] Generally, a plurality of wire harnesses are arranged inside a vehicle such as an automobile. The protector mounting structure 1 is a structure for mounting a protector that houses at least a portion of the wire harness to a bracket 30 that is installed in advance in the vehicle when the wire harness is to be installed at a predetermined position inside the vehicle.

[0013] The protector mounting structure 1 includes a plurality of protectors and a bracket 30 for mounting these protectors. In this embodiment, the protector mounting structure 1 includes at least a first protector 10 and a second protector 20 as the plurality of protectors.

[0014] 3 is a perspective view of the first protector 10. The first protector 10 houses and protects at least a part of the first wire harness 101 (see FIG. 7). The first protector 10 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and has a first housing portion 11 and a first cover 12.

[0015] The first accommodating portion 11 has a generally long and narrow shape corresponding to the routing path of the first wire harness 101, and directly accommodates a portion of the first wire harness 101. The first accommodating portion 11 has, for example, a bottom wall 11a, a first side wall 11b, and a second side wall 11c.

[0016] The bottom wall 11a has the first wire harness 101 placed on its inner surface. The first side wall 11b and the second side wall 11c face each other in a position perpendicular to the bottom wall 11a and are continuous with the side edges of the bottom wall 11a. An area of ​​the first accommodating section 11 facing the bottom wall 11a is open to the outside. When the first cover 12 is attached to the first accommodating section 11 so as to cover the open area, the first accommodating section 11, together with the first cover 12, becomes a cylinder having a first internal space IS1 in which the first wire harness 101 is placed.

[0017] Hereinafter, a first direction will be defined as a reference for defining various directions. As an example, in this embodiment, the Z direction is defined as the vertical or up-down direction from bottom to top. In this case, the first direction is the direction along the Z direction. For example, the direction in which the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing portion 11 is along the first direction.

[0018] 1 and subsequent figures, the shape of first protector 10 is shown with only its both ends in the length direction corresponding to the Y direction perpendicular to the Z direction abbreviated to focus attention particularly on the portion attached to bracket 30. That is, the shape of first protector 10 in the length direction may be longer than the length shown in the figures. Also, first protector 10 is not necessarily limited to a linear shape along the Y direction, and may have a curved portion that changes its extension direction midway.

[0019] The first protector 10 also has a first engagement portion 13 that is integral with the first housing portion 11 and engages with the bracket 30. The first engagement portion 13 is a frame portion that is provided on the outer surface of the first side wall 11b and forms a first space S1 (see FIG. 7) that penetrates along the first direction. The first engagement portion 13 has a front wall portion 13a that includes a cutout portion 13b, two side wall portions 13c, two upper wall portions 13d, an elastic piece 13e, and two guide ribs 13g.

[0020] The front wall 13a faces the first side wall 11b with a gap therebetween. The cutout 13b in the front wall 13a is provided to prevent a part of the bent elastic piece 13e from interfering with the front wall 13a when the bracket 30 passes through the first space S1. In this embodiment, the direction in which the front wall 13a faces the first side wall 11b is the X direction, which is perpendicular to both the Z direction and the Y direction.

[0021] The two side wall portions 13c face each other in a position perpendicular to the first side wall 11b and are continuous with the side edges of the front wall portion 13a. Note that, in order to improve the rigidity of the first engagement portion 13, the upper edge of each side wall portion 13c in the first direction may be a reinforcing rib that slopes downward in the first direction from the first side wall 11b toward the top of the front wall portion 13a.

[0022] The two upper wall portions 13d are continuous with one of the side wall portions 13c and a part of the upper end of the front wall portion 13a while ensuring an area in which the elastic piece 13e exists in the Y direction. The upper wall portion 13d has an opening 13h that communicates with the first space S1 and allows the bracket 30 to pass through.

[0023] The elastic piece 13e is a flat plate-like portion that faces the first side wall 11b across the first space S1 and constitutes a first locking mechanism together with a first locking hole 33a (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided in the bracket 30. The lower end of the elastic piece 13e is a fixed end supported by a support wall 13i (see FIG. 7) that is continuous with a portion of the lower end of the front wall portion 13a. The upper end of the elastic piece 13e is a free end that is set at the same height as the upper wall portion 13d. The elastic piece 13e is elastically deformable. When not subjected to an external force and not deflected, the elastic piece 13e is maintained in a position protruding from the support wall 13i in the first direction.

[0024] Furthermore, the elastic piece 13e has a first locking protrusion 13f (see FIGS. 7 and 8) on its surface facing the first side wall 11b, the first locking protrusion 13f partially fitting into the first locking hole 33a of the bracket 30 penetrating the first space S1. When the first locking protrusion 13f comes into contact with the bracket 30 entering the first space S1 along the first direction, it is desirable that the first locking protrusion 13f bends the elastic piece 13e without impeding the bracket 30 from penetrating the first space S1. Therefore, the lower end portion of the first locking protrusion 13f is an inclined surface 13j (see FIG. 7) that slopes so that its height from the surface of the elastic piece 13e increases from the bottom end to the top end. Furthermore, the planar shape of the inclined surface 13j as viewed in the X direction may be an inverted triangle whose width in the Y direction gradually increases from the bottom end to the top end, in accordance with the shape of the two side edges 34b of the first locking hole 33a. On the other hand, the upper end portion of the first locking projection 13f is a generally flat upper end surface 13k (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0025] Two guide ribs 13g (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are provided on the first side wall 11b so as to face one of the side wall portions 13c in the Y direction while ensuring a passing area for the side end rib 31b on the bracket 30. Each guide rib 13g extends along the first direction, similar to the side wall portion 13c. When the first protector 10 is attached to the bracket 30, the attachment direction of the first protector 10 is corrected by the guide ribs 13g appropriately coming into contact with the side end ribs 31b.

[0026] In this embodiment, the length of the first protector 10 in the Y direction is set to be relatively short, and therefore only one first engagement portion 13 is provided on the first side wall 11b. On the other hand, if the length of the first protector 10 is set to be relatively long, a plurality of first engagement portions 13 may be provided on the first side wall 11b at appropriate intervals.

[0027] 4 is a perspective view of the first cover 12. As described above, the first cover 12 covers the open area facing the bottom wall 11a in the first housing portion 11. For example, when the first cover 12 is not attached to the first housing portion 11, an operator can store the first wire harness 101 in the first internal space IS1 from the outside through the open area. The first cover 12 has a top plate portion 12a, a first side plate portion 12b, and a second side plate portion 12c.

[0028] The top plate 12a is a main body of the first cover 12 that covers the open area when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing unit 11. The first side plate 12b and the second side plate 12c face each other in a perpendicular orientation to the top plate 12a and are continuous with the side edges of the top plate 12a. The inner surface of the first side plate 12b closely faces a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall 11b of the first housing unit 11 when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing unit 11. On the other hand, the inner surface of the second side plate 12c closely faces a portion of the outer surface of the second side wall 11c of the first housing unit 11 when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing unit 11. Therefore, the upper end of the first housing unit 11 near the open area is sandwiched between the first side plate 12b and the second side plate 12c when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing unit 11. This prevents the first cover 12 from being excessively misaligned relative to the first housing portion 11 in the X direction.

[0029] The lengths of the first side plate portion 12b and the second side plate portion 12c along the first direction are set appropriately based on, for example, the depth of the first housing portion 11 along the first direction or the size of the first engagement portion 13. In this embodiment, the size of the first engagement portion 13 is substantially the same as the size of a second engagement portion 23 included in the second protector 20, which will be described later. On the other hand, the depth of the first housing portion 11 is set, for example, to be shallower than the depth of the second housing portion 21 included in the second protector 20. Therefore, when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing portion 11, the tip end of the first side plate portion 12b is close to the upper part of the first engagement portion 13. In such a case, the length of the first side plate portion 12b may be shorter than the length of the second side plate portion 12c.

[0030] The first cover 12 also has a first locking piece 12e at the tip of the first side plate 12b, which protrudes in the direction opposite to the first direction and is elastically deformable. When the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing 11, the tip of the first locking piece 12e comes into contact with an upper end surface 13k of a first locking projection 13f on the elastic piece 13e (see FIGS. 7 and 8). That is, the installation position of the first locking piece 12e on the first side plate 12b, its length along the first direction, and its width along the Y direction are each preset so that the tip of the first locking piece 12e can come into contact with the upper end surface 13k when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing 11. In this embodiment, for example, the width of the first locking piece 12e is the same as the width of the first locking projection 13f (see FIG. 8).

[0031] Furthermore, the first locking piece 12e has a first claw portion 12f that is folded back at its tip so as to face the elastic piece 13e when the first cover 12 is attached to the first accommodating portion 11. The first claw portion 12f is locked into a first hole portion that is pre-formed in the bracket 30 when the first cover 12 is attached to the first accommodating portion 11. In this embodiment, the first hole portion is a first locking groove 35a (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that is continuous with a part of the upper edge 34a of the first locking hole 33a.

[0032] Furthermore, the first cover 12 may have first avoidance grooves 12g for avoiding interference with reinforcing ribs that may be provided at the upper end of each side wall portion 13c when the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing portion 11. In this embodiment, the two first avoidance grooves 12g are grooves that penetrate a part of the first side wall 11b in the first direction.

[0033] 5 is a perspective view of the second protector 20. The second protector 20 houses and protects at least a part of the second wire harness 102 (see FIG. 7). The second protector 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and has a second housing portion 21 and a second cover 22.

[0034] The second accommodating portion 21 generally has a long and narrow shape that matches the routing path of the second wire harness 102, and directly accommodates a portion of the second wire harness 102. The second accommodating portion 21 has, for example, a bottom wall 21a, a first side wall 21b, and a second side wall 21c.

[0035] The bottom wall 21a has the second wire harness 102 placed on its inner surface. The first side wall 21b and the second side wall 21c face each other in an orientation perpendicular to the bottom wall 21a and are continuous with the side edges of the bottom wall 21a. An area of ​​the second accommodating section 21 that faces the bottom wall 21a is open to the outside. When the second cover 22 is attached to the second accommodating section 21 so as to cover the open area, the second accommodating section 21, together with the second cover 22, becomes a cylinder having a second internal space IS2 in which the second wire harness 102 is disposed.

[0036] The direction in which the second cover 22 is attached to the second housing portion 21 is opposite to the first direction, similar to the direction defined for the first protector 10. In addition, in each of the figures from FIG. 1 onward, the shape of the second protector 20 is also abbreviated, with both ends in the length direction corresponding to the Y direction being shown, similar to the shape of the first protector 10. That is, the shape of the second protector 20 in the length direction may be longer than the length shown in the figures. Furthermore, the second protector 20 is not necessarily limited to a linear shape along the Y direction, and may have a curved portion that changes its extension direction midway. Furthermore, the overall shape of the second protector 20 in the length direction does not necessarily have to match the overall shape of the first protector 10 in the length direction; for example, the two may have different length dimensions, or one may be partially branched off midway.

[0037] The second protector 20 also has a second engagement portion 23 that is integral with the second housing portion 21 and engages with the bracket 30. The second engagement portion 23 is a frame portion that is provided on the outer surface side of the first side wall 21b and forms a second space S2 (see FIG. 7) that penetrates along the first direction. The second engagement portion 23 has a front wall portion 23a including a cutout portion 23b, two side wall portions 23c, two upper wall portions 23d, an elastic piece 23e, and two guide ribs 23g.

[0038] The front wall 23a faces the first side wall 21b with a gap therebetween. The cutout 23b in the front wall 23a is provided to prevent a part of the elastic piece 23e that is bent when the bracket 30 passes through the second space S2 from interfering with the front wall 23a. Note that in the second protector 20 as well, the direction in which the front wall 23a faces the first side wall 21b is the X direction.

[0039] The two side wall portions 23c face each other in a position perpendicular to the first side wall 21b and are continuous with the side end portions of the front wall portion 23a. Note that the upper end portion in the first direction of each side wall portion 23c may be a reinforcing rib, similar to the first engagement portion 13 of the first protector 10.

[0040] The two upper wall portions 23d are each continuous with one of the side wall portions 23c and a part of the upper end of the front wall portion 23a, while ensuring an area in the Y direction where the elastic piece 23e is present. As will be described in detail below, since the second protector 20 is assumed to be installed at the top of multiple protectors supported by one bracket 30, the bracket 30 does not need to penetrate the second engagement portion 23 and protrude further upward. Therefore, each upper wall portion 23d does not need to have an opening such as the opening 13h provided in the upper wall portion 13d of the first protector 10.

[0041] The elastic piece 23e is a flat plate-like portion that faces the first side wall 21b across the second space S2 and constitutes a second locking mechanism together with a second locking hole 33b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided in the bracket 30. The lower end of the elastic piece 23e is a fixed end supported by a support wall 23i (see FIG. 7) that is continuous with a portion of the lower end of the front wall portion 23a. The upper end of the elastic piece 23e is a free end that is set at the same height as the upper wall portion 23d. The elastic piece 23e is elastically deformable. When not subjected to an external force and not deflected, the elastic piece 23e is maintained in a position protruding from the support wall 23i in the first direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the elastic piece 23e has, on its surface facing the first side wall 21b, a second locking protrusion 23f (see FIGS. 7 and 8), a portion of which enters the second locking hole 33b of the bracket 30 housed in the second space S2. It is desirable that the second locking protrusion 23f bends the elastic piece 23e without impeding the entry of the bracket 30 when it comes into contact with the bracket 30 entering the second space S2 along the first direction. Therefore, the lower end portion of the second locking protrusion 23f is an inclined surface 23j (see FIG. 7) that slopes so that its height from the surface of the elastic piece 23e increases from the bottom end to the top end. Furthermore, the planar shape of the inclined surface 23j when viewed in the X direction may be an inverted triangle whose width in the Y direction gradually increases from the bottom end to the top end, in accordance with the shape of the two side edges 34b of the second locking hole 33b. On the other hand, the upper end portion of the second locking projection 23f is a generally flat upper end surface 23k (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In this embodiment, the shape of the elastic piece 23e is the same as the shape of the elastic piece 13e provided in the first engagement portion 13 of the first protector 10.

[0043] Two guide ribs 23g (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are provided on the first side wall 21b so as to face one of the side wall portions 23c in the Y direction while ensuring a passing area for the side end rib 31b on the bracket 30. Each guide rib 23g extends along the first direction, similar to the side wall portion 23c. When the second protector 20 is attached to the bracket 30, the attachment direction of the second protector 20 is corrected by the guide ribs 23g appropriately contacting the side end ribs 31b.

[0044] In this embodiment, the length of the second protector 20 in the Y direction is set to be relatively short, and therefore only one second engagement portion 23 is provided on the first side wall 21b. On the other hand, if the length of the second protector 20 is set to be relatively long, a plurality of second engagement portions 23 may be provided on the first side wall 21b at appropriate intervals.

[0045] The second cover 22 has the same shape and function as the first cover 12 included in the first protector 10, and covers an open area facing the bottom wall 21a in the second housing portion 21. For example, when the second cover 22 is not attached to the second housing portion 21, an operator can store the second wire harness 102 in the second internal space IS2 from the outside through the open area. The second cover 22 has a top plate portion 22a, a first side plate portion 22b, and a second side plate portion 22c.

[0046] The top plate portion 22a is a main body portion of the second cover 22 that covers the open area when the second cover 22 is attached to the second storage portion 21. The first side plate portion 22b and the second side plate portion 22c face each other in an orientation perpendicular to the top plate portion 22a and are continuous with the side edge of the top plate portion 22a. The inner surface of the first side plate portion 22b closely faces a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall 21b of the second storage portion 21 when the second cover 22 is attached to the second storage portion 21. On the other hand, the inner surface of the second side plate portion 22c closely faces a portion of the outer surface of the second side wall 21c of the second storage portion 21 when the second cover 22 is attached to the second storage portion 21. Therefore, the upper end portion of the second storage portion 21 near the open area is sandwiched between the first side plate portion 22b and the second side plate portion 22c when the second cover 22 is attached to the second storage portion 21. This prevents the second cover 22 from being excessively misaligned relative to the second housing portion 21 in the X direction.

[0047] The lengths of the first side plate portion 22b and the second side plate portion 22c along the first direction are set appropriately based on, for example, the depth of the second accommodating portion 21 along the first direction or the size of the second engaging portion 23. In the present embodiment, the depth of the second accommodating portion 21 is set to be deeper than the depth of the first accommodating portion 11 included in the first protector 10, for example. In such a case, the lengths of the first side plate portion 22b and the second side plate portion 22c may be the same.

[0048] The second cover 22 also has a second locking piece 22e at the tip of the first side plate portion 22b, which protrudes in the direction opposite to the first direction and is elastically deformable. When the second cover 22 is attached to the second housing portion 21, the tip of the second locking piece 22e comes into contact with an upper end surface 23k of a second locking projection 23f on the elastic piece 23e (see FIGS. 7 and 8). That is, with respect to the second locking piece 22e, its installation position on the first side plate portion 22b, its length along the first direction, and its width along the Y direction are each preset so that its tip can come into contact with the upper end surface 23k when the second cover 22 is attached to the second housing portion 21. In the present embodiment, for example, the width of the second locking piece 22e is the same as the width of the second locking projection 23f (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, since the depth of the second accommodating portion 21 is set to be deeper than the depth of the first accommodating portion 11, the length dimension of the second locking piece 22e may be longer than the length dimension of the first locking piece 12e.

[0049] Additionally, the second locking piece 22e has a second claw portion 22f (see FIGS. 7 and 8) folded back at the tip so as to face the elastic piece 23e when the second cover 22 is attached to the second accommodating portion 21. The second claw portion 22f is locked into a second hole portion that is pre-formed in the bracket 30 when the second cover 22 is attached to the second accommodating portion 21. In this embodiment, the second hole portion is a second locking groove 35b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that is continuous with a part of the upper edge 34a of the second locking hole 33b.

[0050] Furthermore, the second cover 22 may have second avoidance grooves 22g for avoiding interference with reinforcing ribs that may be provided on the upper end of each side wall portion 23c when the second cover 22 is attached to the second housing portion 21. In this embodiment, the two second avoidance grooves 22g are grooves formed by cutting out a portion of the first side wall 21b in the X direction.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket 30. The bracket 30 can support multiple protectors. The bracket 30 is a long, flat, plate-shaped member made of, for example, synthetic resin. In this embodiment, the extension direction or longitudinal direction of the bracket 30 corresponds to the Z direction in the figure, which is along the first direction. The width direction of the bracket 30 corresponds to the Y direction in the figure. The thickness direction of the bracket 30 corresponds to the X direction in the figure. The bracket 30 has a bracket main body portion 31 and a bracket support portion 32.

[0052] The bracket main body 31 supports multiple protectors so that they are stacked along the first direction. In the present embodiment, the bracket main body 31 has a shape capable of supporting two protectors, a first protector 10 and a second protector 20, as an example. In the first direction, one end of the bracket 30 is a fixed end that is continuous with the bracket support portion 32, and the other end of the bracket 30 is a tip portion 31a that protrudes along the first direction.

[0053] The bracket main body 31 also has two side end ribs 31b (see FIG. 8) extending along the first direction at both end portions in the Y direction. The side end ribs 31b function as reinforcing parts for improving the rigidity of the bracket main body 31, and can also function as guide parts that come into contact with the guide rib 13g of the first protector 10 or the guide rib 23g of the second protector 20 as appropriate.

[0054] The bracket support portion 32 is a connection portion that integrally supports the bracket main body portion 31 and is connected to the vehicle. Note that the specific connection structure for connecting the bracket support portion 32 to the vehicle is not particularly limited. For example, the bracket support portion 32 may be pre-formed with a bolt hole (not shown), and the bracket support portion 32 may be connected to the vehicle by fastening a bolt (not shown) that passes through the bolt hole to a part of the vehicle.

[0055] The bracket 30 also has a plurality of locking holes 33 that each penetrate a portion of the bracket main body 31 in the X direction. Each locking hole 33 is used to lock one protector. In this embodiment, the bracket 30 has two locking holes 33: a first locking hole 33a for locking the first protector 10, and a second locking hole 33b for locking the second protector 20.

[0056] The locking holes 33 have the same shape. Specifically, the locking holes 33 are formed by a triangular edge 34 having a substantially triangular shape with the downstream edge in the first direction as the apex and the upstream edge in the first direction as the base. The triangular edge 34 includes an upper edge 34a and two side edges 34b. The upper edge 34a is a linear edge along the Y direction. The two side edges 34b are linear edges that are symmetrical to each other. The edge where the upper edge 34a and the side edges 34b are continuous, and the edge where the two side edges 34b are continuous may be curved. In other words, the planar shape of the locking holes 33 when viewed in the X direction is a triangle with the upstream side in the first direction regarded as the upper edge 34a as the base of an equilateral or isosceles triangle. Furthermore, the locking holes 33 are arranged in the bracket main body 31 at intervals in the extension direction along the first direction, and are each positioned at the center in the width direction along the Y direction.

[0057] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the protector mounting structure 1 corresponding to the VII-VII cross section in Fig. 2. Specifically, Fig. 7 depicts the protector mounting structure 1 cut along a virtual XZ plane that passes through the centers in the Y direction of each of the locking holes 33 in the bracket 30.

[0058] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the protector mounting structure 1 corresponding to the VIII-VIII cross section in Figure 7. Specifically, Figure 8 depicts the protector mounting structure 1 cut by a virtual YZ plane that passes through the tips of the first locking piece 12e and the second locking piece 22e while being close to the first locking projection 13f and the second locking projection 23f. However, while Figure 7, which refers to the cut position, is a view in which the protector mounting structure 1 is divided at the center in the Y direction, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the entire protector mounting structure 1 in the Y direction.

[0059] When the first protector 10 and the second protector 20 are attached to the bracket 30, they are stacked on top of each other in the first direction. At this time, the first protector 10 and the second protector 20 may be in contact with each other, or may be spaced apart while being close to each other as shown in Fig. 7. That is, the spacing in the first direction between the locking holes 33 in the bracket main body 31 is set in advance, assuming the position where the first protector 10 and the second protector 20 are attached to the bracket 30 while maintaining their stacked state.

[0060] Furthermore, the bracket 30 has holes for engaging the claws provided on the engaging pieces of each cover when the first protector 10 and the second protector 20 are attached to the bracket 30. In this embodiment, the holes are engaging grooves 35, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0061] Specifically, the bracket 30 has a first hole portion that engages with the first claw portion 12f provided on the first locking piece 12e of the first cover 12. In this embodiment, the first hole portion is a first locking groove 35a that is continuous with a part of the upper edge 34a of the first locking hole 33a and is exposed in a direction toward the first side wall 11b when the first protector 10 is attached to the bracket 30. When the first cover 12 is attached to the first housing portion 11, the tip portion of the first locking piece 12e contacts the upper end surface 13k of the first locking projection 13f. Therefore, the dimensions of each part related to the first locking groove 35a are preset to dimensions that can accommodate at least the tip portion of the first claw portion 12f in a state in which the tip portion of the first locking piece 12e contacts the upper end surface 13k when the first protector 10 is attached to the bracket 30.

[0062] The bracket 30 also has a second hole portion that engages the second claw portion 22f provided on the second locking piece 22e of the second cover 22. In this embodiment, the second hole portion is a second locking groove 35b that is continuous with a portion of the upper edge 34a of the second locking hole 33b and is exposed in a direction toward the first side wall 21b when the second protector 20 is attached to the bracket 30. When the second cover 22 is attached to the second housing portion 21, the tip portion of the second locking piece 22e contacts the upper end surface 23k of the second locking projection 23f. Therefore, the dimensions of each portion related to the second locking groove 35b are preset to dimensions that can accommodate at least the tip portion of the second claw portion 22f in a state in which the tip portion of the second locking piece 22e contacts the upper end surface 13k when the second protector 20 is attached to the bracket 30.

[0063] In addition, in the protector mounting structure 1, if the first protector 10 has multiple first engagement portions 13 and similarly the second protector 20 has multiple second engagement portions 23, a bracket 30 may exist for each combination of the first engagement portions 13 and the second engagement portions 23.

[0064] Next, the operation of the protector mounting structure 1 will be described.

[0065] First, as shown in Fig. 1, the first protector 10 can be attached to the bracket 30 that has been installed in advance inside the vehicle. An operator inserts the tip portion 31a of the bracket 30 into the first space S1 of the first engagement portion 13 in a first direction from the opening on the side closer to the bottom wall 11a of the accommodating portion 11. Note that the first protector 10 has a portion of the first wire harness 101 accommodated in the accommodating portion 11 in advance, and the first cover 12 is attached to the accommodating portion 11.

[0066] As the worker continues to push down the first protector 10, the first protector 10 advances while being guided by the side end rib 31b of the bracket 30, and the bracket 30 contacts the inclined surface 13j of the first locking projection 13f, deflecting the elastic piece 13e. As the worker further pushes down the first protector 10, a portion of the first locking projection 13f finally enters and locks into the first locking hole 33a provided in the bracket 30, and the elastic piece 13e restores its shape, resulting in the protector mounting structure 1 in the state shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the tip of the first locking piece 12e contacts the upper end surface 13k of the first locking projection 13f, and the first claw portion 12f is locked in the first locking groove 35a. In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the tip portion of the bracket 30 where the second locking hole 33b is provided is exposed from the opening 13h of the first engagement portion 13.

[0067] 2, the second protector 20 can be attached to the bracket 30 to which the first protector 10 is already attached. The worker inserts the tip portion 31a of the bracket 30 into the second space S2 of the second engagement portion 23 in the first direction from the opening on the side closer to the bottom wall 21a of the accommodating portion 21. Note that the second protector 20 is assumed to have a portion of the second wire harness 102 housed in the accommodating portion 21 in advance, and the second cover 22 attached to the accommodating portion 21.

[0068] As the worker continues to press down the second protector 20, the second protector 20 advances while being guided by the side end rib 31b of the bracket 30, and the bracket 30 comes into contact with the inclined surface 23j of the second locking projection 23f, deflecting the elastic piece 23e. As the worker continues to press down the second protector 20, a portion of the second locking projection 23f finally enters and locks into the second locking hole 33b provided in the bracket 30, and the elastic piece 23e restores its shape, resulting in the protector mounting structure 1 reaching the state shown in Fig. 2. At this time, the tip end of the second locking piece 22e comes into contact with the upper end surface 23k of the second locking projection 23f, and the second claw portion 22f is locked in the second locking groove 35b. In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion 31a of the bracket 30 abuts against a part of the upper wall portion 23d of the second engagement portion 23, and therefore does not penetrate the second engagement portion 23 and is not exposed further upward.

[0069] That is, when the Z direction is the up-down direction in the protector mounting structure 1, the first protector 10 is the protector arranged in the lower tier, and the second protector 20 is the protector arranged in the upper tier. In addition, since there are only two protectors in this embodiment, the second protector 20 is the protector arranged in the uppermost tier.

[0070] Next, the effects of the protector mounting structure 1 will be described.

[0071] The protector mounting structure 1 includes a plurality of protectors that house portions of separate wire harnesses, and a long, flat bracket 30 that supports the plurality of protectors. Each of the plurality of protectors has an engaging portion that allows the bracket 30 to pass through or house the bracket 30 along a first direction. The engaging portion has a locking protrusion and an elastic piece that elastically deforms when the locking protrusion comes into contact with the bracket 30. The bracket 30 is arranged along the first direction and has a plurality of triangular locking holes 33, with the upstream side in the first direction being the upper edge 34a, which is regarded as the base of an equilateral or isosceles triangle. The plurality of protectors are stacked one on top of the other by locking the locking protrusion of each protector into one of the locking holes 33.

[0072] Here, in the above example, the multiple protectors correspond to two protectors, a first protector 10 and a second protector 20. The first protector 10 accommodates a first wire harness 101, and the second protector 20 accommodates a second wire harness 102. In the above example, the first protector 10 includes a first engagement portion 13 through which the bracket 30 passes along the first direction. The second protector 20 includes a second engagement portion 23 that accommodates the bracket 30 along the first direction. In the above example, the first engagement portion 13 includes a first locking protrusion 13f and an elastic piece 13e that elastically deforms when the first locking protrusion 13f comes into contact with the bracket 30. The second engagement portion 23 includes a second locking protrusion 23f and an elastic piece 23e that elastically deforms when the second locking protrusion 23f comes into contact with the bracket 30. In the above example, the first direction corresponds to the Z direction. Furthermore, in the above example, the first locking projection 13f of the first protector 10 is locked in the first locking hole 33a, and the second locking projection 23f of the second protector 20 is locked in the second locking hole 33b, thereby stacking the first protector 10 and the second protector 20 together.

[0073] First, in the protector mounting structure 1, multiple protectors are mounted to one bracket 30 so as to be stacked in the first direction. This makes it possible to minimize wasted space between multiple protectors, which is advantageous for space saving. Also, since a bracket is not required for each protector, i.e., the bracket 30 can be shared, the number of parts can be reduced and manufacturing costs can be kept down.

[0074] Furthermore, in the protector mounting structure 1, the opening shape of the multiple locking holes formed in the bracket 30 is the triangular shape defined above. By employing locking holes with such an opening shape, there are advantages such as making it easier to catch locking protrusions such as the first locking protrusion 13f by ensuring a wide width of the upper edge 34a, and on the other hand, narrowing the width on the downstream side in the first direction to ensure greater rigidity.

[0075] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a protector mounting structure 1 that facilitates mounting of a plurality of protectors and is advantageous in terms of space saving.

[0076] In the above example, the protector mounting structure 1 includes two protectors, the first protector 10 and the second protector 20, but it may also have a structure in which three or more protectors are stacked.

[0077] Furthermore, in the protector mounting structure 1, each of the multiple protectors may include a housing portion that houses the wire harness and a cover that covers the open area of ​​the housing portion from the direction opposite to the first direction. The locking projection may have an inclined surface that contacts the bracket 30 entering along the first direction and an upper end surface on the opposite side of the inclined surface in the first direction. The bracket 30 may have multiple holes based on the positions of the locking holes 33. The cover may have a locking piece that protrudes in the direction opposite to the first direction and a claw portion that is continuous with the tip of the locking piece and is folded back toward the elastic piece when the cover is attached to the housing portion. Here, it is assumed that the cover is attached to the housing portion for each protector, and the locking projection is locked in the locking hole 33. At this time, the tip of the locking piece may contact the upper end surface of the locking projection, and the claw portion may be locked in the hole.

[0078] In the above example, the first protector 10 includes a first housing portion 11 and a first cover 12. The second protector 20 includes a second housing portion 21 and a second cover 22. In the above example, the first locking projection 13f includes an inclined surface 13j and an upper end surface 13k. The second locking projection 23f includes an inclined surface 23j and an upper end surface 23k. In the above example, the bracket 30 includes a first hole portion based on the position of the first locking hole 33a and a second hole portion based on the position of the second locking hole 33b. In the above example, the first cover 12 includes a first locking piece 12e and a first claw portion 12f. The second cover 22 includes a second locking piece 22e and a second claw portion 22f.

[0079] According to this protector mounting structure 1, when all the protectors are supported by the bracket 30, the tip of the locking piece contacts the upper end surface of the locking projection, and the claw portion is locked in the hole, for each protector. At this time, the tip of the locking piece contacts the upper end surface of the locking projection, restricting movement of the cover in the direction opposite to the first direction. Meanwhile, the claw portion is locked in the hole, restricting movement of the cover in the first direction. Therefore, because movement of the cover in the first direction is restricted for each protector, rattle of the cover relative to the housing portion or rattle of the protector relative to the bracket 30 can be reduced. Furthermore, by eliminating such rattle, it is possible to reduce the generation of abnormal noise caused by contact between protectors due to rattle.

[0080] In the protector mounting structure 1, the plurality of holes may be a plurality of locking holes 33.

[0081] According to this protector mounting structure 1, for each protector, the tip of the locking piece comes into contact with the upper end surface of the locking projection, and the claw portion is locked to the upper edge 34a of the locking hole 33. In this case, the bracket 30 can utilize the locking hole 33 for locking the locking projection without having to separately form a hole portion for locking the claw portion, which is advantageous in that the manufacturing costs of the bracket 30 can be reduced, for example.

[0082] In the protector mounting structure 1, the plurality of holes may be locking grooves 35 that are continuous with a part of the upper edge 34a of the locking hole 33.

[0083] Here, in the above example, the first hole portion is the first locking groove 35a, and the second hole portion is the second locking groove 35b.

[0084] Due to various shape or dimensional constraints, such as the size of the opening shape of the locking hole 33 or the overall size of the locking protrusion, it may be difficult to directly lock the claw portion into the locking hole 33. In contrast, with this protector mounting structure 1, the occurrence of various types of rattle can be suppressed by using the locking groove 35, which is formed separately in the bracket 30 and is continuous with part of the upper edge 34a of the locking hole 33, as a hole portion.

[0085] Although one embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Protector mounting structure 10 First Protector 11 First storage section 12 First Cover 12e 1st locking piece 12f 1st claw part 13 First engagement portion 13e, 23e Elastic piece 13f 1st locking protrusion 13j,23j Slope 13k,23k top surface 20 Second Protector 21 Second storage section 22 Second Cover 22f 2nd claw part 23 Second engagement portion 22e 2nd locking piece 23f 2nd locking protrusion 30 Bracket 33 Locking hole 33a 1st locking hole 33b 2nd locking hole 34a Upper edge 35 Locking groove 35a 1st locking groove 35b 2nd locking groove 101 First wire harness 102 Second wire harness

Claims

1. a plurality of protectors for housing portions of separate wire harnesses; a long, flat bracket that supports a plurality of the protectors; Each of the protectors includes an engagement portion through which the bracket passes or is housed in the protector along a first direction; the engaging portion has a locking protrusion provided thereon, and an elastic piece that is elastically deformed when the locking protrusion comes into contact with the bracket, the bracket has a plurality of triangular locking holes arranged along the first direction, with the upstream side in the first direction being the upper edge of an equilateral triangle or an isosceles triangle, A protector mounting structure in which the plurality of protectors are stacked on one another by the locking projection of each protector being locked into one of the locking holes.

2. Each of the plurality of protectors includes a housing portion that houses the wire harness and a cover that covers an open area of ​​the housing portion from a direction opposite to the first direction, the locking projection has an inclined surface with which the bracket that has entered along the first direction comes into contact, and an upper end surface on the opposite side in the first direction from the inclined surface, the bracket has a plurality of holes based on the positions of the locking holes, The cover is a locking piece protruding in a direction opposite to the first direction; a claw portion that is continuous with the tip end of the locking piece and is folded back so as to face the elastic piece when the cover is attached to the storage part, 2. The protector mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein, for each protector, when the cover is attached to the accommodating portion and the locking projection is locked in the locking hole, the tip of the locking piece comes into contact with the upper end surface of the locking projection and the claw portion is locked in the hole portion.

3. The protector mounting structure according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of holes are the plurality of locking holes.

4. The protector mounting structure according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of holes are locking grooves that are continuous with a part of the upper edge of the locking hole.

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