Wire harness
The wire harness design with a grommet, binding member, and spacer member addresses insertion challenges and gaps, ensuring watertightness and reducing parts, thus improving assembly efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024028315
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing wire harnesses face issues with poor workability during insertion of cylindrical portions into tubular portions with small inner diameters, leading to increased parts and potential gaps that compromise watertightness.
A wire harness design that includes a grommet with multiple tubular portions, a binding member to tighten the outer periphery, and a spacer member interposed between these portions to reduce gaps, using a single binding member to ensure watertightness.
The design achieves watertightness while reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, enhancing the water-stopping properties and simplifying the assembly process.
Smart Images
Figure 2025130918000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wire harness. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there has been a wire harness that includes a plurality of electric wires and a grommet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This grommet has a fitting portion that can be fitted into a fixing hole provided in a panel or the like, and a tubular portion through which the plurality of electric wires pass. In addition, a portion of the extending direction of the plurality of electric wires is sandwiched between a foam sheet and gathered into a single cylindrical shape, thereby forming the cylindrical portion together with the foam sheet. The cylindrical portion is then disposed within a tubular portion whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. This prevents liquid from passing between the electric wires and the tubular portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-165061 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the above-described wire harness, the workability of inserting the cylindrical portion into the tubular portion having a small inner diameter is poor. Therefore, for example, a wire harness configured such that a grommet is provided with a plurality of tubular portions through which a plurality of electric wires are respectively passed, and the outer periphery of the tubular portions is fastened with a fastening member such as a cable tie, can be considered. In such a wire harness, the outer periphery of the tubular portions is fastened with a fastening member after the electric wires are passed through the tubular portions, thereby facilitating the wire passing work and ensuring watertightness.
[0005] However, in such a wire harness, if a bundling member is provided for each tubular portion, the number of parts increases. Also, if a single bundling member is used to fasten multiple tubular portions together, large gaps may occur between the tubular portions, reducing adhesion at those locations and potentially reducing watertightness.
[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can ensure watertightness while reducing the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The wire harness of the present disclosure is a wire harness comprising a plurality of electric wires, a grommet having a plurality of tubular portions through which each of the plurality of electric wires passes, and a binding member arranged to tighten the outer periphery of the tubular portions, thereby preventing the passage of liquid between the electric wires and the tubular portions, and further comprising a spacer member interposed between the tubular portions, and the binding member arranged to tighten the plurality of tubular portions together together with the spacer member. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the wire harness of the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure watertightness while reducing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a wire harness according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a wire harness according to another embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wire harness according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The wire harness of the present disclosure includes: [1] A wire harness comprising a plurality of electric wires, a grommet having a plurality of tubular portions through which each of the plurality of electric wires passes, and a binding member arranged to tighten the outer periphery of the tubular portions to prevent the passage of liquid between the electric wires and the tubular portions, wherein the wire harness comprises a spacer member interposed between the tubular portions, and the binding member is arranged to tighten the plurality of tubular portions together together with the spacer member.
[0011] According to this configuration, the spacer members are provided between the tubular portions, and the bundling member is provided to fasten the multiple tubular portions together with the spacer members, so that the spacer members can reduce the gaps between the tubular portions while using a single bundling member, thereby ensuring watertightness in each of the multiple tubular portions while reducing the number of parts.
[0012] [2] In the above item [1], the spacer member may have an arcuate surface that is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. According to this configuration, the spacer member has an arcuate surface that is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and therefore, compared to a configuration that does not have an arcuate surface, the gaps that are generated between the cylindrical portions by the spacer member can be made smaller, thereby improving the watertightness of each of the multiple cylindrical portions.
[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the spacer member may have a pair of engaging ribs that protrude and are engageable with both ends of the binding member in the width direction. According to this configuration, the spacer member has a pair of engaging ribs that protrude and can engage with both ends of the binding member in the width direction, thereby preventing the binding member from slipping off relative to the spacer member.
[0014] [4] In the above item [3], the pair of engaging ribs may be provided on both sides in a direction intersecting the direction in which the cylindrical portions are arranged. According to this configuration, the pair of engaging ribs are provided in both the direction in which the tubular portions are arranged and the direction intersecting the direction, so that the binding member is more effectively prevented from shifting relative to the spacer member than, for example, when the engaging ribs are provided only in one of the directions intersecting the direction in which the tubular portions are arranged.
[0015] [5] In the above [3] or [4], the spacer member may have a cover portion that covers the binding member by connecting the tips of the pair of engaging ribs together. According to this configuration, the spacer member has a cover portion that covers the binding member by connecting the tips of the pair of engaging ribs, preventing the binding member from climbing over the engaging ribs, thereby further preventing the binding member from shifting relative to the spacer member.
[0016] [6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], the tubular portion may have a pair of engaging steps that can engage with both ends of the binding member in the width direction. According to this configuration, the cylindrical portion has a pair of engagement steps that can engage with both ends of the binding member in the width direction, thereby preventing the binding member from slipping off from the cylindrical portion.
[0017] [7] In any one of the above items [1] to [6], the spacer member may be made of a resin material. According to this configuration, the spacer member is made of a resin material, and therefore can be made lighter and less expensive than, for example, a spacer member made of a metal material.
[0018] [8] In any one of the above items [1] to [7], the binding member may be made of a resin material. According to this configuration, the binding member is made of a resin material, and therefore can be made lighter and less expensive than, for example, a binding member made of a metal material.
[0019] [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.
[0020] (Overall configuration of the wire harness 10) 1 and 2 includes a plurality of electric wires 20, a grommet 30, a bundling member 40, and a spacer member 50. The wire harness 10 of this embodiment includes two electric wires 20.
[0021] (Configuration of electric wire 20) As shown in FIG. 3, the electric wire 20 has a core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that covers the outer periphery of the core wire 21.
[0022] The core wire 21 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 21 is made of, for example, a metal material such as copper or aluminum. The cross section of the core wire 21 in this embodiment is formed to have a perfect circular shape.
[0023] The insulating coating 22 covers the entire outer periphery of the core wire 21. The insulating coating 22 is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin containing, as a main component, a polyolefin resin such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene.
[0024] (Grommet 30 configuration) The grommet 30 is made of, for example, rubber or elastomer. As shown in Fig. 2, the grommet 30 has a fitting portion 31 that can be fitted into a fixing hole provided in a panel or the like (not shown), and a plurality of tubular portions 32 through which the plurality of electric wires 20 are respectively passed. The grommet 30 of this embodiment has two tubular portions 32. The tubular portion 32 has a pair of engagement steps 33 that can engage with both ends of the binding member 40 in the width direction by reducing the outer diameter of the tubular portion 32 in part of the extending direction.
[0025] (Configuration of binding member 40) The binding member 40 is made of, for example, a resin material. The binding member 40 of this embodiment is a cable tie having a flexible strip-shaped portion 41 and a locking portion 42 that is provided at one end of the strip-shaped portion 41 in the longitudinal direction and locks the strip-shaped portion 41 when it is passed through.
[0026] 1, the bundling member 40 is provided to fasten the outer periphery of the tubular portion 32, thereby preventing the passage of liquid between the electric wires 20 and the tubular portion 32. The bundling member 40 of this embodiment is provided to fasten a plurality of tubular portions 32 together together with a spacer member 50, which will be described later. Note that FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the wire harness 10 before assembly, and schematically illustrates the bundling member 40 in a state where the belt-like portion 41 is passed through the lock portion 42.
[0027] (Configuration of spacer member 50) The spacer member 50 is made of a resin material such as polypropylene, polyamide, polyacetal, ABS resin, etc. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the spacer member 50 is interposed between the cylindrical portions 32. The spacer member 50 is formed so as to reduce the gaps that occur between the cylindrical portions 32.
[0028] 3, the spacer member 50 has arcuate surfaces 51 that come into surface contact with the outer peripheral surfaces 32a of the cylindrical portions 32. A pair of arcuate surfaces 51 are provided corresponding to the outer peripheral surfaces 32a of the two opposing cylindrical portions 32.
[0029] 2, the spacer member 50 has a pair of engagement ribs 52 that protrude to be engageable with both ends in the width direction of the binding member 40. The pair of engagement ribs 52 are provided on both sides in a direction intersecting the direction in which the cylindrical portions 32 are lined up, as seen in the extension direction of the cylindrical portions 32 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the engagement rib 52 is provided so as to protrude from a flat surface that is along a straight line connecting the outer peripheral surfaces 32a of the two cylindrical portions 32, as seen in the extension direction of the cylindrical portions 32.
[0030] (Operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the wire harness 10 configured as above will be described. A part of the outer circumferential surface 32a of the tubular portion 32 is in contact with the spacer member 50, while the other part of the outer circumferential surface 32a is fastened by the binding member 40. This prevents liquid from passing between the electric wires 20 and the tubular portion 32.
[0031] (Effects of the embodiment) Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) The binding member 40 includes spacer members 50 interposed between the tubular portions 32, and is configured to fasten the plurality of tubular portions 32 together together with the spacer members 50. Thus, while using a single binding member 40, the spacer members 50 can reduce the gaps between the tubular portions 32. This allows the number of parts to be reduced while ensuring watertightness in each of the plurality of tubular portions 32. The reduction in the number of parts of the binding member 40 contributes to a reduction in the number of assembly steps and contributes to a reduction in the size of the wire harness 10. In particular, when the binding member 40 is a cable tie as in this embodiment, the assembly process is facilitated because the steps of passing the belt-like portion 41 through the locking portion 42 and cutting off the excess belt-like portion 41 are performed only once.
[0032] (2) The spacer member 50 has an arcuate surface 51 that is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface 32a of the cylindrical portion 32. Therefore, for example, compared to a configuration that does not have the arcuate surface 51, the spacer member 50 can further reduce gaps that occur between the cylindrical portions 32. Therefore, the water-stopping properties of each of the multiple cylindrical portions 32 can be further improved.
[0033] (3) The spacer member 50 has a pair of engaging ribs 52 that protrude and can engage with both ends of the binding member 40 in the width direction, thereby preventing the binding member 40 from shifting relative to the spacer member 50. This prevents, for example, the spacer member 50 from falling off the binding member 40.
[0034] (4) Since the pair of engaging ribs 52 are provided in both the direction in which the tubular portions 32 are aligned and the direction intersecting the direction in which the tubular portions 32 are aligned, the binding member 40 is more effectively prevented from shifting relative to the spacer member 50 than, for example, when the engaging ribs 52 are provided only in one of the directions intersecting the direction in which the tubular portions 32 are aligned.
[0035] (5) The tubular portion 32 has a pair of engagement steps 33 that can engage with both widthwise ends of the binding member 40, thereby preventing the binding member 40 from shifting relative to the tubular portion 32. This prevents, for example, the binding member 40 from falling off the tubular portion 32.
[0036] (6) The spacer member 50 is made of a resin material, and therefore can be made lighter and less expensive than, for example, a metal material. (7) The binding member 40 is made of a resin material, and therefore can be made lighter and less expensive than, for example, a binding member made of a metal material.
[0037] (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.
[0038] 4 to 6 may be used. Similar to the spacer member 50 of the above embodiment, the spacer member 60 of this example has an arcuate surface 61 that comes into surface contact along the outer peripheral surface 32a of the tubular portion 32, and a pair of engaging ribs 62 that protrude and are engageable with both ends of the binding member 40 in the width direction. The spacer member 60 of this example further has a cover portion 63 that covers the binding member 40 by connecting the tips of the pair of engaging ribs 62. In other words, the spacer member 60 has an insertion hole 64 formed by the engaging rib 62 and the cover portion 63 so that the binding member 40 can be inserted therethrough.
[0039] In this way, the binding member 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 64, and the binding member 40 is prevented from climbing over the engaging rib 62. Therefore, the binding member 40 is further prevented from shifting relative to the spacer member 60.
[0040] In the above embodiment, the spacer member 50 has the arcuate surface 51 that is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface 32a of the cylindrical portion 32, but this is not limited thereto and the spacer member 50 may have a different shape as long as it is formed to reduce the gap between the cylindrical portions 32. For example, the arcuate surface 51 may be changed to a plurality of flat surfaces that are substantially aligned with the outer circumferential surface 32a of the cylindrical portion 32.
[0041] In the above embodiment, the spacer member 50 has a pair of engaging ribs 52 that protrude so as to be able to engage with both ends of the width direction of the binding member 40, but this is not limited to this, and the spacer member 50 may be configured without a pair of engaging ribs 52.
[0042] In the above embodiment, the pair of engagement ribs 52 are provided in both the direction in which the tubular portions 32 are aligned and the direction intersecting the direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the ribs may be provided only in one of the directions intersecting the direction in which the tubular portions 32 are aligned.
[0043] In the above embodiment, the tubular portion 32 of the grommet 30 has a pair of engagement steps 33 that can engage with both ends of the binding member 40 in the width direction, but this is not limited to this, and the grommet 30 may be configured not to have a pair of engagement steps 33.
[0044] In the above embodiment, the spacer member 50 is made of a resin material, but this is not limitative and the spacer member 50 may be made of other materials such as metal or rubber. In the above embodiment, the binding member 40 is made of a resin material, but is not limited to this and may be made of other materials such as metal. Also, the binding member 40 may be replaced with an adhesive tape.
[0045] In the above embodiment, the wire harness 10 includes two electric wires 20, but is not limited thereto and may include three or more electric wires 20. In this case, the number of tubular portions 32 and the number of spacer members 50 must be changed according to the number of electric wires 20. For example, when three electric wires 20 are included, the wire harness 10 must include three tubular portions 32 and two spacer members 50. [Explanation of symbols]
[0046] 10 Wire harness 20 Electric wire 21 Core Wire 22 Insulation coating 30 Grommets 31 Fitting part 32 Cylindrical part 32a Outer surface 33 Engagement step 40 Binding member 41 Belt 42 Lock Section 50 spacer member 51 Arc Surface 52 Engagement rib 60 Spacer member 61 Arc Surface 62 Engagement rib 63 Cover 64 Insertion hole
Claims
1. A plurality of wires; a grommet having a plurality of cylindrical portions through which the plurality of electric wires are respectively passed; a binding member that is provided to fasten the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion and thereby prevents the passage of liquid between the electric wire and the cylindrical portion; A wire harness comprising: a spacer member interposed between the cylindrical portions, The binding member is provided so as to fasten together the plurality of tubular portions together with the spacer member. Wire harness.
2. the spacer member has an arcuate surface that is in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion; The wire harness according to claim 1 .
3. The spacer member has a pair of engaging ribs that protrude to be engageable with both ends of the binding member in the width direction. The wire harness according to claim 1 .
4. The pair of engagement ribs are provided on both sides in a direction intersecting a direction in which the cylindrical portions are arranged. The wire harness according to claim 3 .
5. The spacer member has a cover portion that covers the binding member by connecting the tips of the pair of engaging ribs together. The wire harness according to claim 3 .
6. The cylindrical portion has a pair of engagement steps that can be engaged with both ends of the binding member in the width direction. The wire harness according to claim 1 .
7. The spacer member is made of a resin material. The wire harness according to claim 1 .
8. The binding member is made of a resin material. The wire harness according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Method and structure for turning off water between cables of grommet
JP2000165061A