Wire harness

Abstract

To provide a wire harness in which a flat wiring member formed in a U-shape can be elongated in a linear shape.SOLUTION: A wire harness 1 includes: a flat wiring member 100 formed in a U-shape; a first case 10 holding a first part 110; a second case 20 holding a second part 120; and a rotation structure 60. The first case and the second case can be engaged with each other with the shape of the flat wiring member being a linear shape. The straight flat wiring member has a first folded part 150 and a second folded part. An intermediate part is folded along a folded line along an extending direction X of the first part in the first folded part, the second part is folded along the folded line orthogonal to the extending direction in the second folded part. The rotation structure is configured to form the second folded part in a second portion by relatively rotating the first case and the second case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are flat wiring materials such as flexible printed circuit boards. Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible printed circuit board that can easily realize long wiring. The flexible printed circuit board of Patent Document 1 includes a first strip-shaped member and a second strip-shaped member each having a conductive portion and an insulating portion covering the conductive portion, and a first connecting member that connects a first end of the first strip-shaped member to a first end of the second strip-shaped member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-170699 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to be able to make a U-shaped flat wiring material into a long, straight line.Using a U-shaped flat wiring material can reduce the manufacturing and installation costs of the flat wiring material.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness in which a flat wiring material formed in a U-shape can be made into a straight, long shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wire harness of the present invention includes a flat wiring material formed in a U-shape having a linear first portion, a linear second portion, and an intermediate portion connecting an end of the first portion and an end of the second portion, a first case for holding the first portion, a second case for holding the second portion, and a rotation structure for relatively rotating the first case and the second case, wherein the first case and the second case are engageable with each other while the shape of the flat wiring material is linear, and in the linear-shaped flat wiring material, a line extending from the first portion in a plan view is formed on the extension line of the first portion. The second portion extends, and the flat wiring material has a linear shape and has a first fold portion and a second fold portion, and in the first fold portion, the middle portion is folded along a fold line along the extension direction in which the first portion extends, and in the second fold portion, the second portion is folded along a fold line perpendicular to the extension direction so that a part of the second portion overlaps with the middle portion, and the rotation structure is configured to form the second fold portion in the second portion by rotating the first case and the second case relative to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The wire harness according to the present invention includes a flat wiring material formed in a U-shape, a first case for holding a first portion of the flat wiring material, a second case for holding a second portion of the flat wiring material, and a rotation structure for rotating the first case and the second case relative to each other, wherein the first case and the second case can be engaged with each other while the shape of the flat wiring material is linear. The rotation structure is configured to form a second folded portion in the second portion of the flat wiring material by rotating the first case and the second case relative to each other. The wire harness according to the present invention has the effect of enabling the flat wiring material formed in a U-shape to be elongated into a linear shape. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flat wiring material according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the flat wiring material according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the case according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a flat wiring material according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotation structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotation structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotation structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotation structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rotation structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a first case and a second case according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a wire harness according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a wire harness according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a wire harness according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a wire harness according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 18. The embodiment relates to a wire harness. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the wire harness according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a flat wiring material according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the flat wiring material according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a plan view of a case according to the embodiment, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the case according to the embodiment, Figs. 6 to 8 are plan views of the wire harness according to the embodiment, Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the flat wiring material according to the embodiment.

[0011] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment, Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the wire harness according to the embodiment, Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment, and Figs. 14 to 18 are views showing an example of a rotation structure according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a cross-section taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 shows a cross-section taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 8. Fig. 13 shows a cross-section taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 1.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the wire harness 1 of the embodiment has a flat wiring material 100, a first case 10, a second case 20, and a rotating structure 60. As will be described below, the first case 10 and the second case 20 of the present embodiment can deform the flat wiring material 100 formed in a U-shape into a linear shape and hold it. The first case 10 and the second case 20 are configured to engage with each other while holding the linearly shaped flat wiring material 100. The flat wiring material 100 of Fig. 1 is held in a linear shape by the two cases 10 and 20.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a main part of the flat wiring material 100 held in a linear shape as in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows the U-shaped flat wiring material 100 before being deformed into a linear shape. The flat wiring material 100 is, for example, an FPC (flexible printed circuit board). The flat wiring material 100 of this embodiment is arranged in a battery module and detects the voltage and temperature of the battery cells of the battery module.

[0014] When the flat wiring material 100 is an FPC, the flat wiring material 100 has a base film, a conductive layer, and a coverlay. The conductive layer is sandwiched and protected between the base film and the coverlay. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive metal foil and has a circuit pattern including multiple detection lines 140. The flat wiring material 100 is flexible and can be bent when being wired.

[0015] The flat wiring material 100 shown in Figure 3 has a substantially U-shape in plan view. The flat wiring material 100 has a first portion 110, a second portion 120, and an intermediate portion 130. The first portion 110 and the second portion 120 have substantially rectangular shapes in plan view. The flat wiring material 100 has a slit 100s formed between the first portion 110 and the second portion 120.

[0016] The intermediate portion 130 connects the end of the linear first portion 110 and the end of the linear second portion 120. The shape of the intermediate portion 130 in a planar view is approximately trapezoidal. The intermediate portion 130 has a tapered shape in which its width narrows as it moves away from the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 along the extension direction X. The extension direction X is the direction in which the first portion 110 extends, and is the longitudinal direction of the first portion 110. In the flat wiring material 100 in its initial shape before deformation, the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 extend in the same extension direction X and are aligned in the width direction Y. The width direction Y is a direction perpendicular to the extension direction X and is the width direction of the first portion 110 and the second portion 120.

[0017] The flat wiring material 100 of this embodiment is provided with branch portions 170 connected to the bus bar 200. The branch portions 170 extend from the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 in the width direction Y. The tip portions of the branch portions 170 are connected to the bus bar 200 by solder or the like.

[0018] Figures 4 and 5 show the first case 10 and the second case 20 of this embodiment. The first case 10 and the second case 20 are molded, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. The first case 10 has a main body 11 and a cover 18. The main body 11 and the cover 18 are molded, for example, as a single unit. In the first case 10 of this embodiment, the main body 11 and the cover 18 are connected via a hinge portion 11e. The main body 11 has a support wall 11a that supports the first portion 110 of the flat wiring material 100. The support wall 11a is formed in a straight line along the extension direction X. The cover 18 has an opposing wall 18a that covers the support wall 11a. The first portion 110 of the flat wiring material 100 is accommodated and held between the support wall 11a and the opposing wall 18a.

[0019] A first shaft support portion 19A and a second shaft support portion 19B are provided at an end portion of the main body 11 in the extension direction X. The first shaft support portion 19A rotatably supports a first rotating shaft 25A of the second case 20. The second shaft support portion 19B rotatably supports a second rotating shaft 25B of the second case 20.

[0020] The second case 20 according to the embodiment has a main body 21 and a cover 24. The main body 21 and the cover 24 are, for example, molded integrally. In the second case 20 according to the embodiment, the main body 21 and the cover 24 are connected via a hinge portion 21e. The main body 21 has a support wall 21a that supports the second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100. The support wall 21a is formed in a straight line along the extension direction X. The cover 24 has an opposing wall 24a that covers the support wall 21a. The second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100 is accommodated and held between the support wall 21a and the opposing wall 24a.

[0021] A first rotation shaft 25A is provided at an end of the main body 21 in the extension direction X. A second rotation shaft 25B is provided at an end of the cover 24 in the extension direction X. The first rotation shaft 25A protrudes from a side surface of the main body 21 in the width direction Y. The second rotation shaft 25B extends in the width direction Y so as to cross the end of the cover 24. Both end portions of the second rotation shaft 25B are supported by second bearing portions 19B.

[0022] In the wire harness 1 according to the embodiment, the rotation structure 60 is configured by the two pivotal support portions 19A, 19B of the first case 10 and the two rotation shafts 25A, 25B of the second case 20. The rotation structure 60 enables the two cases 10, 20 to rotate relative to each other as shown in FIG.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 5, the first case 10 has a first engagement portion 12, and the second case 20 has a second engagement portion 22. The first engagement portion 12 is disposed at an end of the main body 11 in the extension direction X. The second engagement portion 22 is disposed at an end of the main body 21 in the extension direction X. The two engagement portions 12, 22 engage with each other at a second relative position shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] Fig. 6 shows the flat wiring material 100 assembled to the first case 10 and the second case 20. The first case 10 and the second case 20 shown in Figs. 4 and 6 are arranged side by side in the width direction Y. In this specification, with respect to the first case 10 and the second case 20, the relative position in which the two cases 10, 20 are arranged side by side in the width direction Y is referred to as a first relative position. As shown in Fig. 4, when the two cases 10, 20 are arranged in the first relative position, the support wall 11a of the first case 10 and the support wall 21a of the second case 20 are arranged side by side in the width direction.

[0025] The first portion 110 of the flat wiring material 100 is accommodated in the main body 11 of the first case 10 and is supported by the support wall 11a. The process of accommodating the first portion 110 in the first case 10 is performed, for example, by a worker. The second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100 is accommodated in the main body 21 of the second case 20 and is supported by the support wall 21a. The process of accommodating the second portion 120 in the second case 20 is performed, for example, by a worker. The two accommodation processes are performed, for example, with the two cases 10, 20 held by a jig plate.

[0026] Once the flat wiring material 100 is housed in the two cases 10, 20, a closing process is performed to close the covers 18, 24. In the closing process, the cover 18 of the first case 10 is assembled to the main body 11 while bending the hinge portion 11e. In the closing process, the cover 24 of the second case 20 is assembled to the main body 21 while bending the hinge portion 21e. The two closing processes are performed, for example, by a worker. Figure 7 shows the covers 18, 24 in a closed state. The opposing wall 18a of the cover 18 covers the first portion 110 of the flat wiring material 100. The opposing wall 24a of the cover 24 covers the second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100.

[0027] A first rotation step is performed to rotate the second case 20 relative to the first case 10 from the state shown in FIG. 7. In the first rotation step, the second case 20 is rotated relative to the first case 10 around a rotation axis Cx shown in FIG. 7 as the rotation center. The rotation axis Cx is, for example, a straight line extending in the extension direction X between the two covers 18, 24. This rotation may be performed using, for example, a jig plate. In this case, the jig plate may have a main body that supports the first case 10 and a support member that supports the second case 20. The support member is supported by the main body so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Cx.

[0028] The second case 20 is rotated relative to the first case 10 around the rotation axis Cx as the center of rotation, and the second case 20 is overlapped on the first case 10. As a result, the second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100 overlaps with the first portion 110 and faces the first portion 110.

[0029] 8 shows the state in which the second case 20 is stacked on the first case 10 after the first rotation process is completed. In this specification, with respect to the first case 10 and the second case 20, the relative position in which the two cases 10, 20 overlap in the height direction Z is referred to as the intermediate relative position. In the intermediate relative position, the second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100 overlaps with the first portion 110 and faces the first portion 110. The height direction Z is a direction perpendicular to both the extension direction X and the width direction Y.

[0030] When the two cases 10, 20 rotate around the rotation axis Cx and are positioned at an intermediate relative position, the middle portion 130 of the flat wiring material 100 is bent along the rotation axis Cx. Figure 9 shows a cross section IX-IX of Figure 8, and Figure 10 shows the flat wiring material 100 in the state of Figure 8. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a first folded portion 150 is formed in the middle portion 130 of the flat wiring material 100.

[0031] In the first folded portion 150, the intermediate portion 130 is folded along a folding line L1 along the extension direction X. The folding line L1 is, for example, a straight line extending in the extension direction X between the two covers 18, 24. The intermediate portion 130 has a first region 130a connected to the first portion 110 and a second region 130b connected to the second portion 120. The intermediate portion 130 is folded so that the first region 130a and the second region 130b face each other in the height direction Z.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9, the first case 10 has a protective cover 11g that protects the middle portion 130 of the flat wiring material 100. The protective cover 11g is connected to the support wall 11a via a hinge portion 11f. The protective cover 11g engages with the support wall 11a after the first rotation process is performed. The first case 10 accommodates the middle portion 130, which is folded back in a U-shape, between the support wall 11a and the protective cover 11g. The opposing wall 18a of the cover 18 is sandwiched inside the folded back middle portion 130. The hinge portion 11f covers the first folded back portion 150 and protects the first folded back portion 150.

[0033] 11, when the two cases 10, 20 are positioned in an intermediate relative position, the second portion 120 extends along the support surface 24b. The support surface 24b is a surface of the opposing wall 24a of the cover 24, and faces the support wall 21a. The support surface 24b supports the second portion 120 and causes the second portion 120 to extend in the extension direction X.

[0034] When the first case 10 and the second case 20 are positioned at an intermediate relative position, the two cases 10, 20 are connected by the rotation structure 60. As shown in FIG. 9 , a first rotation shaft 25A of the second case 20 is rotatably supported by a first pivotal support portion 19A of the first case 10. The first pivotal support portion 19A has a piece portion 19c standing in the height direction Z and a locking portion 19d. The piece portion 19c has a slit 19e extending in the height direction Z. The end of the first rotation shaft 25A is inserted into the slit 19e and locked by the locking portion 19d.

[0035] The second rotating shaft 25B of the second case 20 is rotatably supported by the second pivotal support portion 19B of the first case 10. The second pivotal support portion 19B has a slit 19f formed in the side wall 11h. The side wall 11h is disposed on both sides of the support wall 11a in the width direction Y. An end of the second rotating shaft 25B is inserted into the slit 19f and rotatably supported by the side wall 11h. The two rotating shafts 25A, 25B are inserted into the two pivotal support portions 19A, 19B, thereby rotatably connecting the first case 10 and the second case 20. This forms a bus bar module 400. The bus bar module 400 includes a plurality of bus bars 200 and the wire harness 1 of the embodiment.

[0036] In the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the pivotal support portions 19A and 19B are arranged at both ends of the first case 10 in the width direction Y. The first pivotal support portion 19A is arranged at one end of the first case 10 in the width direction Y, and the second pivotal support portion 19B is arranged at the other end of the first case 10 in the width direction Y. This maximizes the locking pitch LY. The locking pitch LY is the maximum distance between the two pivotal support portions 19A and 19B in the width direction Y. In other words, the locking pitch LY is the maximum distance from the point on the first rotating shaft 25A supported by the first pivotal support portion 19A to the point on the second rotating shaft 25B supported by the second pivotal support portion 19B.

[0037] In the wire harness 1 of this embodiment, both ends of the second rotating shaft 25B are rotatably supported by the second bearing portions 19B. Therefore, the second rotating shaft 25B and the second bearing portions 19B can rotate the two cases 10, 20 relative to each other. Furthermore, the first rotating shaft 25A is rotatably supported by the first bearing portions 19A. This increases the lock pitch LY, improving the stability of rotation in the second rotation step described below.

[0038] 12 is a diagram illustrating the second rotation process. The second rotation process is performed, for example, in a factory where the busbar module 400 is assembled to a vehicle or the like. As shown in FIG. 12, in the second rotation process, the second case 20 is rotated relative to the first case 10 from an intermediate relative position toward a second relative position, which will be described later. In the second rotation process, the second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10 around the central axes of the two rotation shafts 25A, 25B as the rotation center.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a state in which the two cases 10, 20 are positioned at a second relative position after the second rotation process is completed. In the second relative position, the first case 10 and the second case 20 are aligned linearly along the extension direction X. In this state, the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100 are aligned linearly. In other words, the second portion 120 is positioned on an extension of the first portion 110 in a plan view. Furthermore, the multiple bus bars 200 are aligned linearly along the extension direction X. The cover 18 of the first case 10 covers the first portion 110 with the opposing wall 18a, protecting it. The cover 24 of the second case 20 covers the second portion 120 with the opposing wall 24a, protecting it.

[0040] By performing the second rotation process, a second folded portion 160 is formed in the flat wiring material 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the second folded portion 160 is a portion folded along a folding line L2 perpendicular to the extension direction X. In the second folded portion 160, the second portion 120 is folded along the folding line L2 so that a part of the second portion 120 overlaps with the middle portion 130. In this embodiment, the folding line L2 is a straight line along the width direction Y. When the second folded portion 160 is formed, the second region 130b of the middle portion 130 and the base end portion 120a of the second portion 120 face each other. The base end portion 120a is the end portion of the second portion 120 closer to the middle portion 130.

[0041] FIG. 13 shows a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 1. That is, the cross section in FIG. 13 is a cross section in a state in which the two cases 10, 20 are positioned in a second relative position. As shown in FIG. 13, in the second relative position, the top surface 18t of the first case 10 and the top surface 24t of the second case 20 are positioned on the same plane. In this embodiment, the top surface 18t is the outer surface of the cover 18. If the outer surface of the cover 18 has a step in the height direction Z, the top surface 18t may be the surface of the outer surface of the cover 18 that is farthest from the support wall 11a in the height direction Z. The top surface 18t may be the outer surface of a major portion of the cover 18. In this embodiment, the top surface 24t is the outer surface of the cover 24. The top surface 24t may be the outer surface of a major portion of the cover 24.

[0042] As described below, the rotation structure 60 of this embodiment is configured so that the two top surfaces 18t, 24t are positioned on the same plane. As shown in FIG. 11 , the rotation structure 60 has an axis 25x. The axis 25x is the axis of the first rotation shaft 25A and the second rotation shaft 25B. The rotation structure 60 rotates the first case 10 and the second case 20 relative to each other around the axis 25x. The axis 25x is located on a plane that includes the top surface 24t of the second case 20. The two cases 10, 20 are stacked at an intermediate relative position so that the two top surfaces 18t, 24t are in contact. At this time, the axis 25x is located on a plane that includes the two top surfaces 18t, 24t.

[0043] When the two cases 10, 20 are positioned at the second relative position by the second rotation step, the top surface 24t of the second case 20 is positioned on an extension of the top surface 18t of the first case 10, as shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, according to the wire harness 1 of the present embodiment, the two top surfaces 18t, 24t are positioned at appropriate positions both when the two cases 10, 20 are at the intermediate relative position and when the two cases 10, 20 are at the second relative position. The wire harness 1 of the present embodiment can rotate the two cases 10, 20 relative to each other while suppressing misalignment of the two cases 10, 20 in the height direction Z.

[0044] The rotation structure 60 may be configured so that the position of the axis 25x is adjustable. FIG. 14 shows a rotation structure 60 in which the position of the axis 25x is variable. The rotation structure 60 in FIG. 14 has a swinging unit 26 provided on the second case 20. The swinging unit 26 is disposed, for example, at an end of the second case 20 in the extension direction X. The swinging unit 26 is swingable relative to the main body 21 of the second case 20. The swinging unit 26 is connected to the main body 21 via, for example, a hinge. The rotation shafts 25A and 25B of the second case 20 are disposed on the swinging unit 26. As the swinging unit 26 swings relative to the main body 21, the position of the axis 25x relative to the main body 21 changes in the height direction Z.

[0045] 14, the two cases 10, 20 are positioned at an intermediate relative position. Because the position of the axis 25x is variable, it is possible to move the position of the axis 25x at the intermediate relative position closer to the support wall 11a of the first case 10. This allows the rotating structure 60 to be made lower in height.

[0046] Figure 15 shows the two cases 10, 20 positioned in a second relative position. The two cases 10, 20 are fixed to each other by the engagement of the first engagement portion 12 and the second engagement portion 22 shown in Figure 5. The two engagement portions 12, 22 are configured to position the two top surfaces 18t, 24t on the same plane, as shown in Figure 15. When the two engagement portions 12, 22 are engaged, the swinging portion 26 swings with respect to the main body 21 so as to position the two top surfaces 18t, 24t on the same plane.

[0047] The cross-sectional shapes of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B may be flat. The cross-sectional shapes of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B in FIG. 16 are flat with a minor axis direction Sx and a major axis direction Lx. The minor axis direction Sx and the major axis direction Lx are perpendicular to each other. The cross-sectional shapes of the illustrated rotating shafts 25A and 25B are oval. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the first case 10 and the second case 20 are engaged with each other, with the shape of the flat wiring material 100 being linear. In other words, the two cases 10 and 20 in FIG. 16 are positioned in a second relative position. At this time, the minor axis direction Sx of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B is perpendicular to the extension direction X. Furthermore, the major axis direction Lx of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B is parallel to the extension direction X.

[0048] Rotating shafts 25A, 25B having such a cross-sectional shape enable a low profile of wire harness 1. In Fig. 16, dashed dotted line 60i indicates the position of the upper end of rotating structure 60 when rotating shafts 25A, 25B have a circular cross-sectional shape. When the position of axis 25x is determined according to top surfaces 18t, 24t of two cases 10, 20, the height of rotating structure 60 changes according to the diameters of rotating shafts 25A, 25B.

[0049] 16, by making the cross-sectional shapes of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B flat, it is possible to reduce the size of the rotating structure 60 in the height direction Z. Furthermore, by making the cross-sectional shapes of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B flat, it is possible to shorten the axial length in the minor axis direction Sx while ensuring the required strength of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B.

[0050] The rotation structure 60 may have a restricting member that restricts the rotation shafts 25A and 25B from falling off. The rotation structure 60 shown in Fig. 17 has two rotation shafts 25A and 25B, two bearing portions 19A and 19B, and two restricting members 61. The two restricting members 61 include a first restricting member 61A and a second restricting member 61B.

[0051] The support portions 19A and 19B have support grooves 19g formed in the side wall 11j of the first case 10. The support grooves 19g are arc-shaped. The support groove 19g of the first support portion 19A rotatably supports the first rotating shaft 25A of the second case 20. The support groove 19g of the second support portion 19B rotatably supports the second rotating shaft 25B of the second case 20.

[0052] The restricting member 61 is a member that engages with the first case 10 to restrict the rotation shafts 25A, 25B from falling off. The restricting member 61 has a support wall 62 and a pair of side walls 63. The pair of side walls 63 are erected from the support wall 62 and face each other. One of the side walls 63 is provided with an engagement hole 63a. The side wall 11j is provided with a protrusion 11k that engages with the engagement hole 63a. The support wall 62 covers the support groove 19g and the rotation shafts 25A, 25B, and sandwiches the rotation shafts 25A, 25B between the support groove 19g and the support wall 62.

[0053] 18, the second stop member 61B engages with the side wall 11j to hold the second rotating shaft 25B. Similarly, the first stop member 61A engages with the side wall 11j to hold the first rotating shaft 25A. The rotating shafts 25A, 25B are held by the stop member 61, which is separate from the first case 10, thereby improving the holding force. The stop member 61 may be molded from reinforced resin so as to have greater rigidity than the first case 10.

[0054] As described above, the wire harness 1 of this embodiment includes the flat wiring material 100 formed in a U-shape, the first case 10, the second case 20, and the rotation structure 60. The flat wiring material 100 includes a linear first portion 110, a linear second portion 120, and an intermediate portion 130 connecting the first portion 110 and the second portion 120. The first case 10 holds the first portion 110, and the second case 20 holds the second portion 120. The rotation structure 60 rotates the first case 10 and the second case 20 relative to each other.

[0055] The first case 10 and the second case 20 can be engaged with each other while the shape of the flat wiring material 100 is linear. In the linear flat wiring material 100, the second portion 120 extends on an extension line of the first portion 110 in a plan view. The linear flat wiring material 100 has a first folded portion 150 and a second folded portion 160. In the first folded portion 150, the middle portion 130 is folded back along a folding line L1 along the extension direction X. In the second folded portion 160, the second portion 120 is folded back along a folding line L2 perpendicular to the extension direction X so that a part of the second portion 120 overlaps with the middle portion 130.

[0056] The rotation structure 60 is configured to form the second folded portion 160 in the second portion 120 by relatively rotating the first case 10 and the second case 20. The wire harness 1 of this embodiment can elongate the U-shaped flat wiring material 100 into a linear shape.

[0057] The rotation structure 60 of the embodiment has rotation shafts 25A and 25B, and rotates the first case 10 and the second case 20 relative to each other around the axis 25x of the rotation shafts 25A and 25B as the rotation center. The first case 10 and the second case 20 have covers 18 and 24 that cover the flat wiring material 100 and top surfaces 18t and 24t that are the outer surfaces of the covers 18 and 24, and the axis 25x of the rotation shafts 25A and 25B is arranged on a plane including the top surface 24t. In the above embodiment, the rotation shafts 25A and 25B are arranged on the second case 20, but instead, the rotation shafts 25A and 25B may be arranged on the first case 10. In this case, the axis 25x may be arranged on a plane including the top surface 18t of the first case 10. In addition, when the rotation shafts 25A and 25B are arranged on the first case 10, the pivot support portions 19A and 19B may be arranged on the second case 20.

[0058] The rotating structure 60 has rotating shafts 25A and 25B, and rotates the first case 10 and the second case 20 relative to each other around the axis 25x of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B as the center of rotation. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B may be a flat shape having a minor axis direction Sx. When the flat wiring material 100 is linear and the first case 10 and the second case 20 are engaged, it is preferable that the minor axis direction Sx of the rotating shafts 25A and 25B be perpendicular to the extension direction X. This configuration enables the rotating structure 60 to be low-profile.

[0059] [Modification of the embodiment] A wire harness 1 according to a modified example of the embodiment will be described. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a first case and a second case according to the modified example of the embodiment, and Figs. 20 to 22 are perspective views of the wire harness according to the modified example of the embodiment. The wire harness 1 according to the modified example of the embodiment differs from the wire harness 1 of the above-described embodiment in that, for example, the rotation structure 60 includes a second hinge portion 27b.

[0060] 19, the first case 10 according to the modified embodiment has a connecting portion 27 that is connected to the second case 20. The connecting portion 27 constitutes a rotation structure 60. The connecting portion 27 is formed in a plate shape and protrudes in the width direction Y relative to the main body 21. The illustrated connecting portion 27 is molded integrally with the main body 21.

[0061] The connecting portion 27 has a main body 27m, a first hinge portion 27a, a second hinge portion 27b, a first engagement portion 27c, and a second engagement portion 27d. The main body 27m has a flat plate shape and is adjacent to the support wall 21a in the width direction Y. The main body 27m has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The first hinge portion 27a connects the main body 21 of the second case 20 and the main body 27m of the connecting portion 27. The illustrated connecting portion 27 has a plurality of first hinge portions 27a. The first hinge portions 27a are formed thinner than the main body 27m.

[0062] The first engaging portion 27c is a locking piece that protrudes from the main body 27m. The illustrated connecting portion 27 has two first engaging portions 27c. The first engaging portions 27c engage with the engaging portions 21f of the second case 20 to fix the main body 27m to the main body 21.

[0063] The second hinge portion 27b is connected to an end of the main body 27m in the extension direction X. The second hinge portion 27b is formed thinner than the main body 27m. The second engagement portion 27d engages with the first case 10 and connects the second hinge portion 27b to the first case 10. The second engagement portion 27d is arranged at an end of the second hinge portion 27b in the extension direction X. More specifically, the second engagement portion 27d is arranged at an end of the second hinge portion 27b opposite the main body 27m side. The second engagement portion 27d protrudes in the height direction Z relative to the second hinge portion 27b and has a claw 27e. The illustrated connecting portion 27 has two second engagement portions 27d. The two second engagement portions 27d are arranged at both ends of the second hinge portion 27b in the width direction Y.

[0064] 19 is curved in a substantially U-shape. Second hinge portion 27b may be molded to have such a U-shape, or may be bent when connecting portion 27 is connected to first case 10.

[0065] The second case 20 has a first rotation shaft 25A similar to that of the above embodiment. The first rotation shaft 25A is located on an extension of the claw 27e when the second case 20 is viewed from above. The main body 21 of the second case 20 has an arm that protrudes in the extension direction X, and the first rotation shaft 25A protrudes from the tip of this arm.

[0066] The first case 10 has two engaging portions 17 corresponding to the two second engaging portions 27d. The engaging portions 17 are part of the rotation structure 60 and hold the second engaging portions 27d. The engaging portions 17 are slits or recesses provided in the side wall 11h of the first case 10. The claws 27e of the connecting portion 27 are inserted into the engaging portions 17 and are locked by the side wall 11h.

[0067] The first case 10 has a first shaft support portion 19A similar to that of the above embodiment. The first shaft support portion 19A supports a first rotary shaft 25A of the second case 20 so that the first rotary shaft 25A can rotate.

[0068] As shown in Figure 20, the flat wiring material 100 is assembled to two cases 10, 20 positioned at a first relative position. At the first relative position, the connecting portion 27 of the second case 20 is connected to the first case 10. The engaging portion 17 of the first case 10 engages with the second engaging portion 27d to connect the two cases 10, 20.

[0069] The two cases 10, 20 can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis Cx. The rotation axis Cx is a line extending in the direction X along the first hinge portion 27a of the connecting portion 27. In the first rotation step, the two cases 10, 20 rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis Cx as the center of rotation while deforming the first hinge portion 27a.

[0070] 21 shows the two cases 10, 20 positioned in an intermediate relative position after the first rotation step is completed. The first rotation shaft 25A of the second case 20 is rotatably supported by the first shaft support portion 19A. The first rotation step forms a first folded portion 150 in the flat wiring material 100.

[0071] 21, a second rotation process is executed. In the second rotation process, the two cases 10, 20 rotate relative to each other so as to straighten the second hinge portion 27b. At this time, the first rotation shaft 25A and the first pivot support portion 19A suppress misalignment of the rotation centers about which the two cases 10, 20 rotate relative to each other, thereby stabilizing the rotation.

[0072] Figure 22 shows the two cases 10, 20 positioned in the second relative position after the second rotation process is completed. As shown in Figure 22, the second hinge portion 27b of the connecting portion 27 is deformed along the extension direction X. The main body 27m of the connecting portion 27 functions as a cover that covers the flat wiring material 100. The main body 27m is adjacent to the cover 24 in the extension direction X and can cover the second portion 120 of the flat wiring material 100.

[0073] The rotation structure 60 according to the modified embodiment includes a second hinge portion 27b provided at the connecting portion 27 that connects the first case 10 and the second case 20. The rotation structure 60 having the second hinge portion 27b allows the rotation structure 60 to have a low profile.

[0074] The contents disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Wire harness 10: First case 11: Main body 11a: support wall, 11e: hinge portion, 11f: hinge portion 11g: Protective cover, 11h: Side wall, 11j: Side wall, 11k: Protrusion 12:First engaging part 17: Engagement part 18: Cover, 18a: Opposing wall, 18t: Top surface 19A: First axis branch, 19B: Second axis branch 19f: Slit, 19g: Support groove 20: Second case 21: Main body 21a: support wall, 21e: hinge portion, 21f: engagement portion 22:Second engagement part 24: Cover, 24a: Opposing wall, 24b: Support surface, 24t: Top surface 25A: First rotating shaft, 25B: Second rotating shaft, 25x: Axis 26: Swinging part 27:Connection part 27a: first hinge portion, 27b: second hinge portion, 27c: first engagement portion 27d: Second engaging part, 27e: Claw, 27m: Main body 60: Rotating structure 61: Restriction member, 61A: First restriction member, 61B: Second restriction member 62: Support wall, 63: Side wall 100: Flat wiring material, 110: First part, 120: Second part 130: Middle part, 130a: First area, 130b: Second area 140: Detection line 200: Bus bar 400: Busbar module Lx: Long axis direction, Sx: Short axis direction X: Extension direction, Y: Width direction, Z: Height direction

Claims

1. A flat wiring material formed in a U-shape having a linear first portion, a linear second portion, and an intermediate portion connecting an end of the first portion and an end of the second portion; a first case for holding the first portion; a second case for holding the second part; a rotation structure that rotates the first case and the second case relative to each other; Equipped with The first case and the second case are engageable with each other while the shape of the flat wiring material is linear, In the linear flat wiring material, the second portion extends on an extension line of the first portion in a plan view, The linear flat wiring material has a first folded portion and a second folded portion, In the first folded portion, the intermediate portion is folded along a folding line along an extension direction in which the first portion extends, In the second folded portion, the second portion is folded along a folding line perpendicular to the extending direction so as to overlap a part of the second portion with the intermediate portion, The rotation structure is configured to form the second folded portion in the second portion by rotating the first case and the second case relative to each other. A wire harness characterized by:

2. the rotation structure has a rotation shaft, and rotates the first case and the second case relative to each other about an axis of the rotation shaft; The first case and the second case have a cover that covers the flat wiring material and a top surface that is an outer surface of the cover, The axis of the rotation shaft is disposed on a plane including the top surface. The wire harness according to claim 1 .

3. the rotation structure has a rotation shaft, and rotates the first case and the second case relative to each other about an axis of the rotation shaft; The cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft is a flat shape having a minor axis direction, When the shape of the flat wiring material is linear and the first case and the second case are engaged with each other, the minor axis direction of the rotation shaft is perpendicular to the extension direction. The wire harness according to claim 1 .

4. The rotation structure includes a hinge portion provided at a connecting portion that connects the first case and the second case. The wire harness according to claim 1 .

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