Corrugated tube and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a corrugated tube and a wire harness that are not limited to a split structure, to which a material for obtaining shielding characteristics can be attached regardless of whether an electric wire is inserted before or after, and that can facilitate attachment work of the material.SOLUTION: A corrugated tube 10 includes: a corrugated tube body 11 through which an electric wire 2 is inserted; and a plated non-woven fabric tape 12 spirally attached to an outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known shielding tube through which an electric wire is inserted includes a corrugated tube and a shielding layer provided on the inner surface of the corrugated tube (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This shielding layer is made of a stretchable, tubular conductive cloth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-104727 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The shielded pipe described in Patent Document 1 requires the corrugated pipe to have a split structure in order to attach the conductive cloth to the inner circumferential surface of the corrugated pipe. Furthermore, there is a work restriction in that the conductive cloth cannot be attached to the inner circumferential surface of the corrugated pipe after the electric wire has been inserted inside the corrugated pipe. Furthermore, attaching the conductive cloth to the inner circumferential surface of the corrugated pipe is a difficult task.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a corrugated tube and a wire harness that are not limited to a split structure, and that can be fitted with a material for obtaining shielding properties regardless of whether the material is inserted before or after the insertion of electric wires, and that can facilitate the work of fitting the material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The corrugated tube of the present invention comprises a corrugated tube body through which an electric wire is inserted, and a plated nonwoven fabric tape spirally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body.

[0007] The wire harness of the present invention includes an electric wire and a corrugated tube through which the electric wire is inserted. The corrugated tube includes a corrugated tube main body through which the electric wire is inserted, and a plated nonwoven fabric tape spirally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a corrugated tube and a wire harness that are not limited to a split structure, and that can attach a material for obtaining shielding properties regardless of whether the material is inserted before or after the insertion of electric wires, and that can facilitate the work of attaching the material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing process of the corrugated tube shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the corrugated tube shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to a reference example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the embodiments described below can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments described below, some components are omitted from illustration and description, but for the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradictions with the content described below.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wire harness 1 shown in this figure electrically connects various devices mounted on a vehicle. The wire harness 1 includes an electric wire 2 and a corrugated tube 10 through which the electric wire 2 is inserted.

[0012] The electric wire 2 includes a metal wire (core wire) and an insulating coating layer that coats the metal wire (both not shown). The number of electric wires 2 inserted into the corrugated tube 10 may be one as shown in the figure, or multiple wires.

[0013] Here, in electric vehicles and vehicles equipped with driving assistance functions, there is a growing demand for reliability of each electrical component, and there is a growing demand for electromagnetic shielding properties for wire harnesses used in such vehicles. Under such circumstances, there is also a demand for improved workability during the production of wire harnesses. Therefore, the wire harness 1 according to this embodiment includes a corrugated tube 10 having the following configuration, in order to meet the demands for electromagnetic shielding properties and improved workability during the production of wire harnesses.

[0014] The corrugated tube 10 is an exterior material that has flexibility and electromagnetic shielding properties and protects the electric wires 2 inserted therein. The corrugated tube 10 includes a corrugated tube body 11 and a plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body 11.

[0015] The corrugated tube body 11 is a bellows-shaped tube (corrugated tube) that is flexible, heat-resistant, and the like, and protects the electric wire 2 inserted therein from impact, heat, and the like. In the corrugated tube body 11, annular convex portions 11A and annular concave portions 11B are provided alternately in the axial direction of the corrugated tube body 11. Note that the corrugated tube body 11 does not have any slits (splits) formed therein for opening the corrugated tube body 11.

[0016] The plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is a conductive tape comprising a nonwoven fabric (not shown) such as a polyester nonwoven fabric plated with nickel or other plating, and a layer of conductive adhesive material formed on one side of the nonwoven fabric. The plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the corrugated tube body 11 and is adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the corrugated tube body 11 by the layer of conductive adhesive material on the back side.

[0017] The protrusions 11A of the corrugated tube body 11 are perpendicular to the axis of the corrugated tube body 11, and multiple protrusions 11A are provided at equal intervals on the corrugated tube body 11. In contrast, the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is inclined with respect to the axis of the corrugated tube body 11 and is provided so as to be connected in a spiral shape.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the manufacturing process of the corrugated tube 10 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in this figure, in the manufacturing process of the corrugated tube 10, the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is wound spirally around the outer circumferential surface of the corrugated tube body 11 and adhered by a layer of conductive adhesive material on the back surface.

[0019] When the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is wound spirally around the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body 11, the widthwise ends of the already bonded portion of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 and the portion of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 to be wound overlap. This allows the spiral plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 to be attached without any gaps to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body 11. Note that the operation of attaching the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body 11 may be performed after the electric wire 2 has been inserted into the corrugated tube body 11 as shown in the drawing, or may be performed before the electric wire 2 is inserted into the corrugated tube body 11.

[0020] Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the corrugated tube 10 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in this figure, the width W1 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the convex portions 11A of the corrugated tube body 11 (W1 ≥ W2). Furthermore, the width W1 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is equal to or greater than the sum (W2 + P) of the width W2 of the convex portions 11A and the pitch P of the convex portions 11A (W1 ≥ W2 + P).

[0021] As shown in the figure, the width W1 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is the width in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the corrugated tube 10. Therefore, the relationship between the width W1 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12, the width W0 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the helical angle θ of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is W1 = W0 / sin θ.

[0022] Furthermore, the width W2 of the protrusion 11A having a trapezoidal cross section corresponds to the length of the lower side of the cross section of the protrusion 11A (the lower base of the trapezoid). Furthermore, the recess 11B is a groove having an arc-shaped cross section.

[0023] Here, the overlap width W3 in the width direction of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the protrusions 11A (W3≧W2). Note that, although an example is shown in which the overlap width W3 is equal to half (W1 / 2) of the width W1 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12, the overlap width W3 may be set appropriately, and it is not essential that it be equal to or greater than the width W2 of the protrusions 11A.

[0024] One longitudinal end of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is attached to align with one widthwise end of the endmost protrusion 11A. Also, on a line that passes through one longitudinal end of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 and is parallel to the axial direction of the corrugated tube body 11, one widthwise end of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is attached to align with one widthwise end of one of the protrusions 11A.

[0025] As described above, in the wire harness 1 according to this embodiment, the corrugated tube 10 includes the corrugated tube main body 11 through which the electric wires 2 are inserted, and the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 spirally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube main body 11. This eliminates the need to make the corrugated tube main body 11 have a split structure in order to attach a conductive fabric such as the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 to the corrugated tube main body 11 to provide shielding properties. Furthermore, the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 can be attached to the corrugated tube main body 11 after the electric wires 2 are inserted inside the corrugated tube main body 11. Furthermore, the corrugated tube 10 having shielding properties can be manufactured by the relatively easy process of spirally winding and attaching the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 around the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube main body 11.

[0026] Furthermore, in the corrugated tube 10 according to this embodiment, the spiral plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is wrapped around and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube main body 11 so that the tape overlaps in the width direction. This allows the spiral plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 to be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube main body 11 without any gaps, thereby meeting the required electromagnetic shielding characteristics of the corrugated tube 10.

[0027] Furthermore, in the corrugated tube 10 according to this embodiment, the width W1 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the convex portions 11A of the corrugated tube main body 11, and is equal to or greater than the sum (W2+P) of the width W2 of the convex portions 11A and the pitch P of the convex portions 11A. Therefore, the spiral plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 can be attached flat to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube main body 11, which has an uneven shape.

[0028] Furthermore, in the corrugated tube 10 according to this embodiment, the widthwise overlap width W3 of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the protrusions 11A. Therefore, the widthwise overlapping portion of the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 can be attached to the protrusions 11A, and the plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 can be attached spirally to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body 11 without any gaps.

[0029] 4 is a perspective view showing a wire harness 100 according to a reference example. The wire harness 100 shown in this figure includes an electric wire 2 and a protector 110 through which the electric wire 2 is inserted. The protector 110 includes a protector body 111 through which the electric wire 2 is inserted, and a plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 attached in a spiral shape to the outer peripheral surface of the protector body 111.

[0030] The protector body 111 includes a movable part 111A that can be opened and closed by a hinge part 111H, and an engaging part (not shown) that secures the movable part 111A to a fixed part 111B in an engageable and detachable manner. The plated nonwoven fabric tape 12 is spirally wound and attached to the entire movable part 111A and the fixed part 111B.

[0031] The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and modifications may be made to the above embodiment within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, or publicly known or well-known technologies may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1: Wire harness 2: Electric wire 10: Corrugated tube 11: Corrugated tube body 11A: Convex part 12: Plated nonwoven tape P: Pitch W1:Width W2: Width W3: Overlap width

Claims

1. a corrugated tube body through which the electric wire is inserted; a plated nonwoven fabric tape spirally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body; A corrugated tube comprising:

2. 2. The corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein the plated nonwoven fabric tapes are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body so as to overlap in the width direction.

3. 3. The corrugated tube according to claim 1, wherein the width of the plated nonwoven fabric tape is equal to or greater than the width of the convex portions of the corrugated tube body and equal to or greater than the sum of the width of the convex portions and the pitch of the convex portions.

4. 4. The corrugated tube according to claim 3, wherein the overlap width of the plated nonwoven fabric tape is equal to or greater than the width of the convex portion.

5. Electric wires and a corrugated tube through which the electric wire is inserted; Equipped with The corrugated tube is a corrugated tube body through which the electric wire is inserted; a plated nonwoven fabric tape spirally attached to the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube body; A wire harness comprising:

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