Insulating structure and wire harness

Abstract

To provide an insulating structure and a wire harness capable of enhancing versatility.SOLUTION: An insulating structure 40 protects a first electric wire member 20 and a second electric wire member 30. The insulating structure 40 includes: a first insulating member 41 that holds a first connecting portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20; and a second insulating member 42 that holds a second connecting portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 disposed adjacent to the first connecting portion 22. The insulating structure 40 includes a coupling structure 43 capable of coupling the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. The coupling structure 43 includes: a first coupling structure 43A; and a second coupling structure. The first coupling structure 43A is a structure in which the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 can be coupled to each other along a first direction. The second coupling structure is a structure in which the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 can be coupled to each other along a second direction intersecting the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an insulating structure and a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, an insulating member is known that holds a plurality of adjacently arranged electric wires in spaces on both sides of a partition portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-156735 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described electric wires can also be used by connecting the core wires of the electric wires together. When wiring an electric wire member having a connection portion connecting the core wires of the electric wires together, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of protecting the connection portion to have the connection portion held by an insulating structure. In some cases, an insulating structure that holds such an electric wire member having a connection portion is required to be versatile enough to accommodate different arrangements of the connection portions of multiple electric wire members.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an insulating structure and a wire harness that can enhance versatility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The insulating structure of the present disclosure is an insulating structure that protects a first wire member having a plurality of first core wires and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first core wires together, and a second wire member having a plurality of second core wires and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second core wires together, and includes a first insulating member that holds the first connection portion, a second insulating member that holds the second connection portion that is arranged adjacent to the first connection portion, and a connecting structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member, wherein the connecting structure includes a first connecting structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a first direction, and a second connecting structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a second direction that intersects the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The insulating structure and wire harness of the present disclosure have the effect of improving versatility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the wire harness. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the wire harness. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a wire harness. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified wire harness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The insulating structure of the present disclosure is an insulating structure that protects a first electric wire member having a plurality of first core wires and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first core wires together, and a second electric wire member having a plurality of second core wires and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second core wires together, and includes a first insulating member that holds the first connection portion, a second insulating member that holds the second connection portion arranged adjacent to the first connection portion, and a connecting structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member, wherein the connecting structure includes a first connecting structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a first direction, and a second connecting structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a second direction that intersects the first direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, the first connection portion of the first electric wire member and the second connection portion of the second electric wire member can be protected by the insulating structure connected using the first connecting structure. Furthermore, the first connection portion of the first electric wire member and the second connection portion of the second electric wire member can also be protected by the insulating structure connected using the second connecting structure. That is, the insulating structure exhibits a protective function corresponding to the first connection portion and the second connection portion, which are arranged in different ways. Therefore, the versatility of the insulating structure can be improved. This can reduce, for example, the cost of the molding die for forming the insulating structure and the man-hours required for designing the insulating structure.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the first insulating member may include a first base wall portion, a pair of first side walls provided on the first base wall portion, and a first retaining portion provided between the pair of first side walls and holding the first connecting portion, the second insulating member may include a second base wall portion, a pair of second side walls provided on the second base wall portion, and a second retaining portion provided between the pair of second side walls and holding the second connecting portion, the first connecting structure may be configured to connect the first side walls and the second side walls so that they face each other, and the second connecting structure may be configured to connect the first base wall portions and the second base wall portions so that they face each other. With this configuration, the first connecting portion can be protected between the pair of first side walls of the first insulating member, and the second connecting portion can be protected between the pair of second side walls of the second insulating member.

[0012] [3] In the above item [2], the first connecting structure may include a structure in which a tip end of the first side wall sandwiches a tip end of the second side wall. This configuration allows the first connecting structure to be configured relatively simply.

[0013] [4] In the above [2] or [3], the first base wall portion may have a first through hole, the second base wall portion may have a second through hole, and the second connecting structure may include a structure for inserting a connecting binding member into the first through hole and the second through hole. This configuration allows the second connecting structure to be configured relatively simply.

[0014] [5] In the above [4], the first through hole may include a pair of first through holes spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member, and the second through hole may include a pair of second through holes spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member.

[0015] According to this configuration, the first insulating member and the second insulating member can be connected together by inserting the connecting binding member into the pair of first through holes and the pair of second through holes. This makes it possible to, for example, prevent the connecting binding member from shifting relative to the first insulating member and the second insulating member. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the first insulating member and the second insulating member from shifting relative to each other, thereby further improving the shape stability of the insulating structure.

[0016] [6] In the above [3] or [4], the second connecting structure may be configured to fix the first electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the first insulating member, and may be configured to fix the second electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the second insulating member.

[0017] According to this configuration, the first and second insulating members can be respectively held by the first and second connecting portions using the connecting binding member. This makes it possible to omit or reduce the number of holding members that hold the first and second connecting portions of the first and second insulating members, respectively. This makes it possible to simplify the holding structure that holds the first and second connecting portions in the insulating structure.

[0018] [7] In the above [6], the connecting binding member in the second connecting structure may include a first connecting binding member and a second connecting binding member arranged at a distance along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member.

[0019] This configuration can prevent misalignment of the first connecting portion with respect to the first insulating member, and can also prevent misalignment of the second connecting portion with respect to the second insulating member, thereby further improving the protection performance of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0020] [8] In any one of the above [2] to [7], each of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member may have a plurality of electric wires extending in parallel, and each of the first base wall portion and the second base wall portion may have a support surface that can come into contact with the plurality of electric wires. With this configuration, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can be stably held by the first base wall portion of the first insulating member and the second base wall portion of the second insulating member, respectively.

[0021] [9] A wire harness according to the present disclosure includes the insulating structure according to any one of [1] to [8] above, the first electric wire member, and the second electric wire member. This configuration provides a wire harness including an insulating structure with improved versatility. As described above, it is possible to reduce the cost of a mold for molding the insulating structure and the number of steps required for designing the insulating structure, thereby improving the productivity of the wire harness.

[0022] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the insulating structure and wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for the sake of convenience, some of the components may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of each part may differ from one drawing to another. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" used in this specification are used simply to distinguish between objects and are not used to rank the objects.

[0023] Each drawing shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis of each drawing is along the length direction of the electric wire. The Y-axis and Z-axis of each drawing are along orthogonal directions that are perpendicular to the length direction of the electric wire.

[0024] An embodiment of the insulating structure and the wire harness will be described below. (Overall configuration of the wire harness 10) 1 to 6, the wire harness 10 includes a first electric wire member 20, a second electric wire member 30, and an insulating structure 40 that protects the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The wire harness 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more on-board devices.

[0025] (Configuration of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30) The first wire member 20 has a plurality of first core wires 21A and a first connection portion 22 that connects the plurality of first core wires 21A together. The second wire member 30 has a plurality of second core wires 31A and a second connection portion 32 that connects the plurality of second core wires 31A together.

[0026] The first core wire 21A constitutes the first electric wire 21. The first electric wire 21 has the first core wire 21A and an insulating coating that surrounds the outer periphery of the first core wire 21A and has insulating properties. The second core wire 31A constitutes the second electric wire 31. The second electric wire 31 has the second core wire 31A and an insulating coating that surrounds the outer periphery of the second core wire 31A and has insulating properties. That is, the first electric wire member 20 has a plurality of first electric wires 21 and a first connection portion 22. The second electric wire member 30 has a plurality of second electric wires 31 and a second connection portion 32. In FIG. 1 , the center line CL of each of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 31 is illustrated by a dashed dotted line. The center line CL is a line that passes through the center of each of the cross sections of the first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 31.

[0027] Examples of the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A include a twisted wire formed by twisting together a plurality of metal wires, and a single core wire formed of a single conductor. Examples of the single core wire include a columnar conductor formed of a single columnar metal rod with a solid interior, and a tubular conductor with a hollow interior. The first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A may be a combination of multiple types of core wires, such as twisted wires and single core wires. Examples of materials that can be used for the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A include copper-based, aluminum-based, and other metal materials.

[0028] The insulating coating, for example, covers the outer periphery of each of the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A over the entire circumference around the center line CL of each of the first core wire 21A and the second core wire 31A. The insulating coating can be made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties.

[0029] The first electric wire 21 and the second electric wire 31 may be shielded electric wires. The shielded electric wires include a core wire, an insulating coating, a conductive electromagnetic shielding member that surrounds the outer periphery of the insulating coating, and an insulating sheath that surrounds the outer periphery of the electromagnetic shielding member.

[0030] The first connecting portion 22 connects, for example, one first core wire 21A to two first core wires 21A. The second connecting portion 32 connects, for example, one second core wire 31A to two second core wires 31A. The first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 can be configured by, for example, a splice terminal, a welded portion, or the like. The first connecting portion 22 may be configured to connect, for example, one first core wire 21A to three or more first core wires 21A, or may be configured to connect two or more first core wires 21A to two or more first core wires 21A. The second connecting portion 32 may be configured to connect one second core wire 31A to three or more second core wires 31A, or may be configured to connect two or more second core wires 31A to two or more second core wires 31A.

[0031] The first electric wire member 20 includes a plurality of first electric wires 21 extending in parallel, and the second electric wire member 30 includes a plurality of second electric wires 31 extending in parallel. The first electric wire member 20 of this embodiment includes two first electric wires 21 extending in parallel, but may include three or more first electric wires 21 extending in parallel. The second electric wire member 30 of this embodiment includes two second electric wires 31 extending in parallel, but may include three or more second electric wires 31 extending in parallel. For example, connectors (not shown) are provided at the ends of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The connectors are electrically connected to mating connectors of, for example, in-vehicle devices.

[0032] (Overall configuration of insulating structure 40) The insulating structure 40 includes a first insulating member 41, a second insulating member 42, and a connecting structure 43 that can connect the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. The first insulating member 41 holds the first connecting portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20. The second insulating member 42 holds the second connecting portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. The second connecting portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 is disposed adjacent to the first connecting portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20.

[0033] 1 to 3 protects the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 that are adjacent along the Y axis. In the first insulating structure 40A, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are arranged side by side along the Y axis in correspondence with the positions of the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0034] 4 to 6 protects the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 that are adjacent along the Z axis. In the second insulating structure 40B, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are arranged side by side along the Z axis in correspondence with the positions of the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0035] (Configuration of the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42) 1 to 6, the first insulating member 41 includes a first base wall portion 41A and a pair of first side wall portions 41B provided on the first base wall portion 41A. The first insulating member 41 includes a first holding portion 41C provided between the pair of first side wall portions 41B. The first holding portion 41C holds the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20.

[0036] The second insulating member 42 includes a second base wall portion 42A and a pair of second side wall portions 42B provided on the second base wall portion 42A. The second insulating member 42 includes a second holding portion 42C provided between the pair of second side wall portions 42B. The second holding portion 42C holds the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30.

[0037] The first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A are shaped like, for example, a plate extending along the XY plane. The first base wall portion 41A has a first support surface F1 that can come into contact with the plurality of first electric wires 21 extending in parallel. The second base wall portion 42A has a second support surface F2 that can come into contact with the plurality of second electric wires 31 extending in parallel.

[0038] The pair of first side wall portions 41B are disposed to face each other along the Y axis. Each of the pair of first side wall portions 41B has a plate shape extending along the XZ plane, for example. The pair of second side wall portions 42B are disposed to face each other along the Y axis. Each of the pair of second side wall portions 42B has a plate shape extending along the XZ plane, for example.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one of the pair of first side walls 41B and one of the pair of second side walls 42B are structured to be connectable so as to face each other. Specifically, the distal end of the first side wall 41B is structured to sandwich the distal end of the second side wall 42B. The first side wall 41B has a base end connected to the first base wall 41A and a distal end opposite the base end. The second side wall 42B has a base end connected to the second base wall 42A and a distal end opposite the base end. The distal end of the first side wall 41B includes a pair of clamping pieces P1 and a clamping piece connecting portion P2 connecting the pair of clamping pieces P1. The distal end of the second side wall 42B can be inserted between the pair of clamping pieces P1 from the base end side of the first side wall 41B.

[0040] 1, 3, 4, and 6, the first insulating member 41 has first through holes H1 penetrating the first base wall portion 41A. The first through holes H1 include a pair of first through holes H1 that are spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the X-axis in the first insulating member 41. The pair of first through holes H1 are spaced apart from each other along, for example, the Y-axis.

[0041] The pair of first through holes H1 constitute one fixing portion in the first insulating member 41. The first insulating member 41 has two fixing portions spaced apart along the X-axis of the first electric wire member 20. The second insulating member 42 has second through holes H2 penetrating the second base wall portion 42A. The second through holes H2 include a pair of second through holes H2 that are spaced apart from each other in the second insulating member 42 along a direction intersecting the X-axis. The pair of second through holes H2 are spaced apart from each other along, for example, the Y-axis. In the second insulating member 42, the pair of second through holes H2 form one fixing portion. The second insulating member 42 has two fixing portions that are spaced apart from each other along the X-axis of the second electric wire member 30.

[0042] The first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 can be made of, for example, a resin material, such as polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyester, or ABS resin.

[0043] (Configuration of connecting structure 43) The connecting structure 43 of the insulating structure 40 includes a first connecting structure 43A shown in Figures 1 to 3 and a second connecting structure 43B shown in Figures 4 to 6. That is, by selecting the first connecting structure 43A or the second connecting structure 43B, the insulating structure 40 can be used as both a first insulating structure 40A connected by the first connecting structure 43A and a second insulating structure 40B connected by the second connecting structure 43B.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first connecting structure 43A is a structure that allows the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 to be connected along a first direction. The first direction in the first connecting structure 43A of this embodiment is along the Y-axis. As described above, the first connecting structure 43A of this embodiment is a structure that allows the first side wall portion 41B and the second side wall portion 42B to be connected so as to face each other. The first connecting structure 43A includes a structure in which the tip end of the first side wall portion 41B sandwiches the tip end of the second side wall portion 42B.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the second connecting structure 43B is a structure that allows the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 to be connected along a second direction that intersects with the first direction. The second direction in the second connecting structure 43B of this embodiment is along the Z axis. The second connecting structure 43B of this embodiment is a structure that allows the first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A to be connected so that they face each other. The second connecting structure 43B includes a structure in which a connecting binding member 44 is inserted through the first through hole H1 and the second through hole H2 described above.

[0046] The connecting binding member 44 has a connecting base 45 and a connecting strip 46 connected to the connecting base 45. The connecting strip 46 is deformable into a curved shape. The connecting base 45 has a connection portion to which the base end of the connecting strip 46 is connected and a retaining hole that prevents the connecting strip 46 from slipping out. The connecting strip 46 is inserted into the retaining hole of the connecting base 45 from the tip side, thereby preventing the connecting strip 46 from slipping out. In the second connecting structure 43B, the connecting strip 46 is inserted, for example, through the first through hole H1, the second through hole H2, the second through hole H2, and the first through hole H1 in this order. The connecting binding member 44 can be made of, for example, a resin material. Examples of resin materials include polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyester, and ABS resin. The connecting binding member 44 may be made of a metal material, or may be made of a combination of a resin material and a metal material.

[0047] 6 , the second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the first electric wire member 20 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41. That is, the second connecting structure 43B is configured to have a first wire fixing portion 47 that fixes the first electric wire member 20 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41. The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the second electric wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42. That is, the second connecting structure 43B is configured to have a second wire fixing portion 48 that fixes the second electric wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42.

[0048] 4 and 5, the connecting binding member 44 includes a first connecting binding member 44A and a second connecting binding member 44B that are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 can be disposed, for example, between the first connecting binding member 44A and the second connecting binding member 44B.

[0049] (Method for manufacturing the wire harness 10 and function of the insulating structure 40) The following describes an example of a method for manufacturing the wire harness 10 and the main functions of the insulating structure 40. The method for manufacturing the wire harness 10 includes an assembly process for assembling the insulating structure 40 by connecting the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42.

[0050] 1 to 3, in the assembly process, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are connected using the first connecting structure 43A described above, thereby obtaining a first insulating structure 40A having the first connecting structure 43A. Also, in the assembly process, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are connected using the second connecting structure 43B described above, thereby obtaining a second insulating structure 40B.

[0051] The wire harness 10 is obtained by holding the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 in the first insulating member 41 and holding the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 in the second insulating member 42.

[0052] 1 to 3, in the first insulating structure 40A, for example, the first wire member 20 and the second wire member 30 can be fixed to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 using a fixing bundling member 51. The fixing bundling member 51 has a fixing base portion 52 and a fixing strip portion 53. As the fixing bundling member 51, one having a configuration similar to the above-mentioned connecting bundling member 44 can be used, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The fixing binding member 51 of this embodiment includes a first fixing binding member 51A and a second fixing binding member 51B. The first fixing binding member 51A fixes the first electric wire member 20 to the first insulating member 41. The first fixing binding member 51A is inserted, for example, into the first through hole H1 of the first electric wire member 20. It is preferable that a pair of first fixing binding members 51A are provided so as to sandwich the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 therebetween.

[0054] The second fixing binding member 51B fixes the second wire member 30 to the second insulating member 42. The second fixing binding member 51B is, for example, inserted into the second through hole H2 of the second wire member 30. It is preferable that a pair of second fixing members are provided so as to sandwich the second connection portion 32 of the second wire member 30.

[0055] In the second insulating structure 40B, the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 can be fixed to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, by utilizing the first electric wire fixing portion 47 and the second electric wire fixing portion 48.

[0056] As described above, the first insulating structure 40A can protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. Moreover, as described above, the second insulating structure 40B can also protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. That is, the insulating structure 40 exhibits a protective function corresponding to the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 that are arranged in different ways.

[0057] The insulating structure 40 of the wire harness 10 may be disposed without being fixed to the vehicle, or may be disposed fixed to the vehicle by a fixing portion such as a locking portion or a bundling member. The wire harness 10 may include a plurality of the insulating structures 40. The electric wires of the wire harness 10 may also be fixed to the vehicle using an electric wire holder such as a clip band.

[0058] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The insulating structure 40 protects the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. The first electric wire member 20 has a plurality of first core wires 21A and a first connection portion 22 connecting the plurality of first core wires 21A together. The second electric wire member 30 has a plurality of second core wires 31A and a second connection portion 32 connecting the plurality of second core wires 31A together. The insulating structure 40 includes a first insulating member 41 and a second insulating member 42. The first insulating member 41 holds the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20. The second insulating member 42 holds the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. The second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 is disposed adjacent to the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20. The insulating structure 40 includes a connecting structure 43 capable of connecting the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 together. The connecting structure 43 includes a first connecting structure 43A and a second connecting structure 43B. The first connecting structure 43A is a structure that allows the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 to be connected along a first direction. The second connecting structure 43B is a structure that allows the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 to be connected along a second direction that intersects with the first direction.

[0059] According to this configuration, the first insulating structure 40A connected using the first connecting structure 43A can protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. Furthermore, the second insulating structure 40B connected using the second connecting structure 43B can also protect the first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 and the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30. That is, the insulating structure 40 exhibits a protective function corresponding to the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 that are arranged in different ways. This can enhance the versatility of the insulating structure 40. This can reduce, for example, the cost of a molding die for forming the insulating structure 40 and the number of steps required for designing the insulating structure 40.

[0060] The insulating structure 40 prevents, for example, contact between the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32, or contact between the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 and other members due to vehicle vibration. It also makes it possible to simplify the insulating coating of the first connecting portion 22 and the insulating coating of the second connecting portion 32. The first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 also make it easy to arrange the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 within a predetermined space.

[0061] (2) The first insulating member 41 includes a first base wall portion 41A, a pair of first side walls 41B provided on the first base wall portion 41A, and a first holding portion 41C provided between the pair of first side walls 41B and holding the first connecting portion 22. The second insulating member 42 includes a second base wall portion 42A, a pair of second side walls 42B provided on the second base wall portion 42A, and a second holding portion 42C provided between the pair of second side walls 42B and holding the second connecting portion 32. The first connecting structure 43A is configured to connect the first side wall portion 41B and the second side wall portion 42B so that they face each other. The second connecting structure 43B is configured to connect the first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A so that they face each other.

[0062] In this case, the first connection portion 22 can be protected between the pair of first side wall portions 41B of the first insulating member 41, and the second connection portion 32 can be protected between the pair of second side wall portions 42B of the second insulating member 42. Therefore, the function of the insulating structure 40 to protect the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 32 can be improved.

[0063] (3) The first connecting structure 43A includes a structure in which the tip of the first side wall portion 41B sandwiches the tip of the second side wall portion 42B. In this case, the first connecting structure 43A can be configured relatively simply.

[0064] (4) The first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 has a first through hole H1. The second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 has a second through hole H2. The second connecting structure 43B includes a structure for inserting the connecting binding member 44 through the first through hole H1 of the first base wall portion 41A and the second through hole H2 of the second base wall portion 42A. In this case, the second connecting structure 43B can be configured relatively simply.

[0065] (5) The first through hole H1 of the first base wall portion 41A includes a pair of first through holes H1 spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20. The second through hole H2 of the second base wall portion 42A includes a pair of second through holes H2 spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member 30.

[0066] In this case, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 can be connected together with the connecting binding member 44 inserted through the pair of first through holes H1 and the pair of second through holes H2. This makes it possible to, for example, prevent the connecting binding member 44 from shifting in position relative to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 from shifting in position relative to each other, thereby further improving the shape stability of the insulating structure 40, for example.

[0067] (6) The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the first wire member 20 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41. The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the second wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42. In this case, the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 can be held by the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, using the connecting binding member 44. This makes it possible to omit or reduce the number of holding members that hold the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 by the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively. This makes it possible to simplify the holding structure that holds the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 in the second insulating structure 40B.

[0068] (7) The connecting binding member 44 in the second connecting structure 43B includes a first connecting binding member 44A and a second connecting binding member 44B that are arranged at a distance from each other along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. In this case, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the first connecting portion 22 with respect to the first insulating member 41, and it is also possible to suppress misalignment of the second connecting portion 32 with respect to the second insulating member 42. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the protection performance of the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32.

[0069] (8) The first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 has a first support surface F1 that can come into contact with the plurality of first electric wires 21 extending in parallel. The second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 has a second support surface F2 that can come into contact with the plurality of second electric wires 31 extending in parallel. In this case, the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 32 can be stably held by the base wall portion of the first insulating member 41 and the base wall portion of the second insulating member 42, respectively.

[0070] (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.

[0071] The first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 has a first support surface F1 that can come into contact with multiple first electric wires 21, but the first support surface F1 can also be configured to come into contact with a single first electric wire 21. That is, the first electric wire member 20 may include one first electric wire 21 that comes into contact with the first support surface F1, and one other first electric wire 21 that is adjacent to and extends parallel to this single first electric wire 21 in a direction perpendicular to the first support surface F1. The second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 can also be configured to come into contact with a single second electric wire 31, without coming into contact with multiple second electric wires 31, similar to the first base wall portion 41A.

[0072] In the first connecting structure 43A, the first fixing binding member 51A may be composed of three or more first fixing binding members 51A arranged at intervals along the length direction of the first electric wire member 20. Also, the first fixing binding member 51A may be composed of a single first fixing binding member 51A.

[0073] In the first connecting structure 43A, the second fixing binding member 51B may be composed of three or more second fixing binding members 51B arranged at intervals along the length direction of the second electric wire member 30. Also, the second fixing binding member 51B may be composed of a single second fixing binding member 51B.

[0074] In the first connecting structure 43A, the first fixing binding member 51A and the second fixing binding member 51B may be configured from a single fixing binding member 51. That is, the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 may be fixed together by a single fixing binding member 51.

[0075] In the first connecting structure 43A, the fixing binding member 51 is not limited to a configuration including the fixing base 52 and the fixing strip 53. The fixing binding member 51 may be, for example, a plastically deformable wire such as a wire, an adhesive tape, or the like.

[0076] The first connecting structure 43A is not limited to a structure in which the tip of the first side wall portion 41B sandwiches the tip of the second side wall portion 42B. The first connecting structure 43A may be a fitting structure using projections and recesses other than the above structure, or may be a structure in which the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are connected by a binding member, for example.

[0077] In the first connecting structure 43A, the clamping piece P1 of the first insulating member 41 may be divided into a plurality of pieces along the length direction of the first wire member 20. In the second connecting structure 43B, the connecting binding members 44 may be composed of three or more connecting binding members 44 spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30. In the second connecting structure 43B, either the first connecting binding member 44A or the second connecting binding member 44B may be omitted.

[0078] In the second connecting structure 43B, the connecting binding member 44 is not limited to the configuration including the connecting base portion 45 and the connecting strip portion 46. The connecting binding member 44 may be, for example, a plastically deformable wire such as a wire, an adhesive tape, or the like.

[0079] The second connecting structure 43B is configured to fix the first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 between the connecting binding member 44 and the first insulating member 41, and between the connecting binding member 44 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, but is not limited to this. The first electric wire member 20 and the second electric wire member 30 can also be fixed to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42, respectively, using, for example, separately prepared electric wire binding members.

[0080] The second connecting structure 43B may be configured without using the connecting binding member 44. The second connecting structure 43B may be a fitting portion that fits the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 with a recessed and raised structure.

[0081] The first through hole H1 of the first insulating member 41 and the second through hole H2 of the second insulating member 42 may be omitted. In this case, the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42 are bound together from the outer periphery using the binding member 44, thereby obtaining an insulating structure 40 having the second connecting structure 43B.

[0082] The first through holes H1 include a pair of first through holes H1 spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member 20, but one of the pair of first through holes H1 may be omitted. The second through holes H2 include a pair of second through holes H2 spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member 30, but one of the pair of second through holes H2 may be omitted.

[0083] In the second connecting structure 43B described above, the first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 and the second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, in the second connecting structure 43B, the first base wall portion 41A of the first insulating member 41 and the second base wall portion 42A of the second insulating member 42 may be arranged so as to be spaced apart. Even in this case, the second connecting structure 43B includes the first base wall portion 41A and the second base wall portion 42A connected so as to face each other.

[0084] The first direction of the first connecting structure 43A and the second direction of the second connecting structure 43B are not limited to being perpendicular to each other, but may be directions that intersect at a predetermined inclination angle. The insulating structure 40 may include a third insulating member in addition to the first insulating member 41 and the second insulating member 42. The third insulating member may be connected to the first insulating member 41 or the second insulating member 42. The connecting structure between the third insulating member and the first insulating member 41 and the connecting structure between the second insulating member 42 and the third insulating member may employ the connecting structure 43 described above, or a connecting structure other than the connecting structure 43 described above. Furthermore, the insulating structure 40 may be configured to connect four or more insulating members.

[0085] The overall shape of the first insulating member 41 and the overall shape of the second insulating member 42 may be the same or different. The first insulating member 41 has a pair of first side wall portions 41B, but at least one of the pair of first side wall portions 41B may be omitted.

[0086] The second insulating member 42 has a pair of second side wall portions 42B, but at least one of the pair of second side wall portions 42B may be omitted. At least one of the pair of first side wall portions 41B of the first insulating member 41 may be divided into a plurality of portions along the length direction of the first wire member 20.

[0087] At least one of the pair of second side wall portions 42B of the second insulating member 42 may be divided into a plurality of portions along the length direction of the second wire member 30. The first connection portion 22 of the first electric wire member 20 may further have an insulating coating that covers conductive portions such as splice terminals and welded portions. Even in the case of a first connection portion 22 that has such an insulating coating, the insulating coating can be protected by the insulating structure 40, so it is effective to hold the first connection portion 22 with the insulating structure 40. Similarly, the second connection portion 32 of the second electric wire member 30 may further have an insulating coating that covers conductive portions such as splice terminals and welded portions.

[0088] The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 Wire harness 20 First electric wire member 21 First Electric Wire 21A First Core Wire 22 First connection part 30 Second electric wire member 31 Second Electric Wire 31A Second core wire 32 Second connection part 40 Insulation structure 40A First Insulation Structure 40B Second insulating structure 41 First insulating member 41A 1st base wall part 41B 1st side wall part 41C 1st holding part 42 Second insulating member 42A 2nd base wall part 42B 2nd side wall part 42C 2nd holding part 43 Connection structure 43A 1st connection structure 43B 2nd connection structure 44 Connection binding member 44A 1st connection binding member 44B Binding member for second connection 45 Connection base 46 Connecting strip 47 1st wire fixing part 48 2nd wire fixing part 51 Fixing binding member 52 Fixation base 53 Fixing strip CL center line F1 1st support surface F2 2nd support surface H1 1st through hole H2 2nd through hole P1 clamping piece P2 Clamp piece connection part

Claims

1. An insulating structure for protecting a first electric wire member having a plurality of first core wires and a first connection portion connecting the plurality of first core wires together, and a second electric wire member having a plurality of second core wires and a second connection portion connecting the plurality of second core wires together, a first insulating member that holds the first connection portion; a second insulating member that holds the second connection portion that is disposed adjacent to the first connection portion; a connecting structure capable of connecting the first insulating member and the second insulating member, The connection structure includes a first connection structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a first direction, and a second connection structure that can connect the first insulating member and the second insulating member along a second direction that intersects with the first direction. Insulating structure.

2. The first insulating member is A first base wall portion; a pair of first side walls provided on the first base wall; a first holding portion provided between the pair of first side wall portions and configured to hold the first connection portion, The second insulating member is A second base wall portion; a pair of second side wall portions provided on the second base wall portion; a second holding portion provided between the pair of second side wall portions and configured to hold the second connection portion, the first connecting structure is a structure that allows the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion to be connected to each other so as to face each other, The second connecting structure is a structure that allows the first base wall portion and the second base wall portion to be connected to each other so as to face each other.

10. The insulating structure of claim 1.

3. the first connecting structure includes a structure in which a tip end portion of the first side wall portion sandwiches a tip end portion of the second side wall portion, 3. The insulating structure of claim 2.

4. the first base wall portion has a first through hole, the second base wall portion has a second through hole, the second connecting structure includes a structure for inserting a connecting binding member through the first through hole and the second through hole; 3. The insulating structure of claim 2.

5. the first through holes include a pair of first through holes spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first electric wire member, The second through holes include a pair of second through holes spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second electric wire member.

5. The insulating structure of claim 4.

6. The second connecting structure is configured to fix the first electric wire member between the connecting binding member and the first insulating member, and The second electric wire member is fixed between the connecting binding member and the second insulating member.

5. The insulating structure of claim 4.

7. The connecting binding members in the second connecting structure include a first connecting binding member and a second connecting binding member that are arranged apart from each other along the length direction of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member.

7. The insulating structure of claim 6.

8. Each of the first electric wire member and the second electric wire member has a plurality of electric wires extending in parallel, Each of the first base wall portion and the second base wall portion has a support surface that can come into contact with the plurality of electric wires.

3. The insulating structure of claim 2.

9. 9. A wiring board comprising: the insulating structure according to claim 1; the first electric wire member; and the second electric wire member. Wire harness.

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