Protector

Abstract

To provide a protector capable of preventing a cover from being assembled to a base reversely to a proper orientation.SOLUTION: A component covering a wire bundle, in which a plurality of wires is bundled, with a corrugated tube is passed inside of a protector 1, and the protector protects the wire bundle and the corrugated tube. The protector comprises a base 2, which is formed in a gutter shape, and a cover 3 which is assembled to the base 2 and closes an opening of the base 2. When the cover 3 overlaps the base 2 in a proper orientation, reverse assembly regulation ribs 35a, 35b, 36 and 37 provided in the cover 3 enter notches 25, 26 and 27 provided on sidewalls 22 and 23 of the base 2, such that the cover 3 can be assembled to the base 2. When the cover 3 overlaps the base 2 in a reverse orientation, the reverse assembly regulation ribs 35b and 36 interfere the sidewalls 22 and 23 of the base 2, such that the cover 3 cannot be assembled to the base 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protector through which an electric wire is passed. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of a wire harness installed in a vehicle includes electric wires and a protector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The protector protects the electric wires routed inside and is fixed to the vehicle body to regulate the routing path of the electric wires. It includes a trough-shaped base and a cover that closes an opening in the base. The cover is provided with a locking portion, and the base is provided with a locking receiving portion. The cover is placed on the base and pressed down, so that the locking portion locks into the locking receiving portion, and the cover is assembled to the base. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-58059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The protector described above needed improvement because there was a risk that the cover would be attached to the base in the wrong orientation. That is, if the shape of the cover is exactly the same when it is in the right orientation and when it is in the wrong orientation, there is no problem, but if there is a slight mismatch, the locking portion and the lock receiving portion may become partially locked, so improvement was needed.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protector that can prevent the cover from being attached to the base in the wrong orientation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a protector comprising: a base formed in a gutter shape having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls opposing each other, for positioning an electric wire between the pair of side walls; and a cover assembled to the base and for positioning the electric wire between the base and the bottom wall, wherein the cover is provided with a reverse-mounting control rib and the side wall of the base is provided with a notch, and when the cover is placed on the base in the correct orientation, the reverse-mounting control rib enters the notch and the cover can be assembled to the base; and when the cover is placed on the base in the opposite orientation to the correct orientation, at least one of the reverse-mounting control ribs interferes with the side wall of the base, making it impossible to assemble the cover to the base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the protector cover from being attached to the base in the opposite direction to the normal direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a protector according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a cover is attached to a base in a normal orientation. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the protector of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protector in a state where the cover is placed on the base in the opposite direction to that in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the protector in a state where the cover is placed on the base in the opposite direction to that in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A "protector" according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] 1, a protector 1 is configured such that a bundle of multiple electric wires is covered with a corrugated tube and passed inside, protecting the bundle of electric wires and the corrugated tube, and is fixed to the vehicle body to regulate the routing of the bundle of electric wires and the corrugated tube. The protector 1, together with the bundle of electric wires and the corrugated tube, constitutes an automotive wire harness.

[0011] The protector 1 includes a base 2 made of synthetic resin and formed in a gutter shape, and a cover 3 made of synthetic resin and attached to the base 2 to close the opening of the base 2.

[0012] The base 2 has a bottom wall 21, a pair of side walls 22, 23 that stand upright from both ends of the bottom wall 21 in the width direction and face each other, and a bracket 29 that is fixed to the vehicle body. The wire bundle and the corrugated tube are positioned between the pair of side walls 22, 23.

[0013] 2 and 5, three corrugated tube locking ribs 24a, 24b, and 24c that fit into grooves in the corrugated tube are provided at one longitudinal end of the base 2. Three corrugated tube locking ribs 24d, 24e, and 24f that fit into grooves in the corrugated tube are provided at the other longitudinal end of the base 2. Each of the corrugated tube locking ribs 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, and 24f extends across three surfaces: the inner surface of the side wall 22, the inner surface of the bottom wall 21, and the inner surface of the side wall 23. The corrugated tube locking ribs 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, and 24f are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base 2.

[0014] The corrugated tube locking rib 24a is provided at one longitudinal end of the base 2. The corrugated tube locking rib 24b is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 24a. The corrugated tube locking rib 24c is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 24b. The corrugated tube locking rib 24b is provided between the corrugated tube locking rib 24a and the corrugated tube locking rib 24c. The distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 24b and the corrugated tube locking rib 24c is larger than the distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 24a and the corrugated tube locking rib 24b.

[0015] The corrugated tube locking rib 24f is provided at the other longitudinal end of the base 2. The corrugated tube locking rib 24e is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 24f. The corrugated tube locking rib 24d is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 24e. The corrugated tube locking rib 24e is provided between the corrugated tube locking rib 24f and the corrugated tube locking rib 24d. The distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 24e and the corrugated tube locking rib 24d is larger than the distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 24f and the corrugated tube locking rib 24e.

[0016] A plurality of locking receiving portions 28 are provided on the outer surfaces of the side walls 22, 23 of the base 2. Each locking receiving portion 28 is locked with a corresponding locking portion 38 provided on the cover 3. In this way, the cover 3 is assembled to the base 2.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the cover 3 has a top wall 31 and side walls 32, 33 hanging down from both ends of the top wall 31 in the width direction. The top wall 31 positions the wire bundle and the corrugated tube between it and the bottom wall 21 of the base 2. The side wall 32 of the cover 3 is overlaid on the outer surface of the side wall 22 of the base 2. The side wall 33 of the cover 3 is overlaid on the outer surface of the side wall 23 of the base 2. When viewed from above, the cover 3 has a rectangular shape with a uniform width over the entire length, but when viewed from the side, it has a gentle slope.

[0018] Three corrugated tube locking ribs 34a, 34b, and 34c that fit into grooves in the corrugated tube are provided on one longitudinal end of the cover 3. Three corrugated tube locking ribs 34d, 34e, and 34f that fit into grooves in the corrugated tube are provided on the other longitudinal end of the cover 3. The corrugated tube locking ribs 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, and 34f are provided on the inner surface of the top wall 31. The corrugated tube locking ribs 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, and 34f are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the top wall 31.

[0019] The corrugated tube locking rib 34a is provided at one longitudinal end of the ceiling wall 31. The corrugated tube locking rib 34b is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 34a. The corrugated tube locking rib 34c is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 34b. The corrugated tube locking rib 34b is provided between the corrugated tube locking rib 34a and the corrugated tube locking rib 34c. The distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 34b and the corrugated tube locking rib 34c is larger than the distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 34a and the corrugated tube locking rib 34b.

[0020] The corrugated tube locking rib 34f is provided at the other longitudinal end of the ceiling wall 31. The corrugated tube locking rib 34e is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 34f. The corrugated tube locking rib 34d is provided adjacent to the corrugated tube locking rib 34e. The corrugated tube locking rib 34e is provided between the corrugated tube locking rib 34f and the corrugated tube locking rib 34d. The distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 34e and the corrugated tube locking rib 34d is larger than the distance between the corrugated tube locking rib 34f and the corrugated tube locking rib 34e.

[0021] The corrugated tube locking rib 24a and the corrugated tube locking rib 34a fit into the same groove (one of multiple grooves) in the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube locking rib 24b and the corrugated tube locking rib 34b fit into the same groove in the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube locking rib 24c and the corrugated tube locking rib 34c fit into the same groove in the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube locking rib 24d and the corrugated tube locking rib 34d fit into the same groove in the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube locking rib 24e and the corrugated tube locking rib 34e fit into the same groove in the corrugated tube. The corrugated tube locking rib 24f and the corrugated tube locking rib 34f fit into the same groove in the corrugated tube. As a result, the corrugated tube is fixed to the protector 1.

[0022] A plurality of locking portions 38 are provided on the side walls 32, 33 of the cover 3. Each locking portion 38 has a plate portion 38a hanging down from the lower end of the side walls 32, 33 and a protrusion 38b provided at the lower end of the plate portion 38a. When the cover 3 is placed on the base 2 and pressed toward the base 2, each locking portion 38 locks into each lock receiving portion 28, and the cover 3 is assembled to the base 2.

[0023] The terms indicating directions, such as "hanging down from the lower ends of the side walls 32, 33" and "superimposed on the base 2," are used based on the direction of the paper on which Fig. 1 is drawn. In addition, terms indicating directions, such as "upper," "lower," "ceiling," and "bottom," used in this specification, are used for the convenience of explaining the configuration of the protector 1, and do not necessarily have to match the directions in the location where it is actually used.

[0024] The protector 1 is designed so that the cover 3 can be attached to the base 2 only in the correct orientation shown in Fig. 1, and so that the cover 3 cannot be attached to the base 2 in the reverse orientation shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, reverse attachment prevention ribs 35a, 35b, 36, 37 are provided on the cover 3, and notches 25, 26, 27 are provided in the side walls 22, 23 of the base 2, thereby preventing the cover 3 from being attached backwards.

[0025] The reverse-attachment prevention rib 35a is provided on both sides of the corrugated tube locking rib 34a. The reverse-attachment prevention rib 35a on one side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34a is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib 34a and connected to the side wall 32. The reverse-attachment prevention rib 35a on the other side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34a is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib 34a and connected to the side wall 33.

[0026] The reverse attachment prevention rib 35b is provided on both sides of the corrugated tube locking rib 34b. The reverse attachment prevention rib 35b on one side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34b is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib 34b and connected to the side wall 32. The reverse attachment prevention rib 35b on the other side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34b is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib 34b and connected to the side wall 33.

[0027] The reverse attachment prevention rib 36 is provided on both sides of the corrugated tube locking rib 34d. The reverse attachment prevention rib 36 on one side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34d is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib 34d and connected to the side wall 32. The reverse attachment prevention rib 36 on the other side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34d is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib 34d and connected to the side wall 33.

[0028] The reverse attachment prevention rib 37 is provided on both sides of the corrugated tube locking rib 34f. The reverse attachment prevention rib 37 on one side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34f is provided contiguous with the corrugated tube locking rib 34f and connected to the side wall 32. The reverse attachment prevention rib 37 on the other side of the corrugated tube locking rib 34f is provided contiguous with the corrugated tube locking rib 34f and connected to the side wall 33.

[0029] A pair of notches 25 is provided at one longitudinal end of the side wall 22 and one longitudinal end of the side wall 23. Both ends of the corrugated tube locking ribs 24a, 24b are cut away to provide these pair of notches 25. As shown in Figure 5, when the cover 3 is placed on the base 2 in the correct orientation, the reverse-attachment prevention ribs 35a, 35b enter the notches 25.

[0030] The notches 26 are provided in pairs at the other longitudinal end of the side wall 22 and the other longitudinal end of the side wall 23. Both ends of the corrugated tube locking rib 24d are cut away by providing these pairs of notches 26. As shown in Figure 5, when the cover 3 is placed on the base 2 in the correct orientation, the reverse-attachment prevention rib 36 enters the notches 26.

[0031] The notches 27 are provided in pairs at the other longitudinal end of the side wall 22 and the other longitudinal end of the side wall 23. Both ends of the corrugated tube locking rib 24f are cut away by providing these pairs of notches 27. As shown in Figure 5, when the cover 3 is placed on the base 2 in the correct orientation, the reverse attachment prevention rib 37 enters the notches 27.

[0032] In this way, when the cover 3 is placed on the base 2 in the correct orientation, the reverse attachment prevention ribs 35a, 35b, 36, and 37 enter the notches 25, 26, and 27, making it possible to assemble the cover 3 to the base 2.

[0033] Furthermore, the distance from the longitudinal center of the top wall 31 to the reverse-mounting prevention rib 35b is different from the distance from the longitudinal center of the top wall 31 to the reverse-mounting prevention rib 36. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cover 3 is placed on the base 2 in the reverse orientation, the reverse-mounting prevention ribs 35b and 36 interfere with the side walls 22 and 23 of the base 2, making it impossible to assemble the cover 3 to the base 2. In other words, the cover 3 is raised above the base 2, and the locking portions 38 do not reach the lock receiving portions 28. In this way, the protector 1 can prevent the cover 3 from being assembled to the base 2 in the reverse orientation.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of pairs of reverse attachment restriction ribs and notches are provided, but in the present invention, it is sufficient to provide at least one pair of reverse attachment restriction ribs and notches.

[0035] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still include the configuration of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Protector 2. Bass 3 Cover 21 Bottom wall 22,23 side wall 25, 26, 27 Notches 35a, 35b, 36, 37 Reverse mounting rib

Claims

1. a base formed in a trough shape having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls opposed to each other, the base positioning the electric wires between the pair of side walls; a cover that is assembled to the base and positions the electric wires between the cover and the bottom wall; The cover is provided with a reverse attachment restriction rib, and the side wall of the base is provided with a notch, When the cover is placed on the base in the correct orientation, the reverse attachment restriction rib enters the notch, allowing the cover to be assembled to the base, When the cover is placed on the base in a direction opposite to the normal direction, at least one of the reverse attachment restriction ribs interferes with the side wall of the base, making it impossible to assemble the cover to the base. A protector characterized by the above.

2. The reverse attachment restriction rib is provided on one end side and the other end side of the cover, The distance from the center of the cover to the reverse attachment rib on one end side is different from the distance from the center of the cover to the reverse attachment rib on the other end side.

2. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the protector comprises: a first insulating layer;

3. The cover is provided with a corrugated tube locking rib that fits into a groove of the corrugated tube that is sheathed around the electric wire, The reverse attachment restriction rib is provided continuously with the corrugated tube locking rib.

3. The protector according to claim 1 or 2.

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