Wire harness

Abstract

To provide a wire harness capable of properly performing route regulation of a wiring material.SOLUTION: The wire harness WH includes a wiring member 2, a bellows-like corrugated pipe 3 having a cylindrical shape and externally fitted to the wiring member 2, a resin hard pipe 4 having a cylindrical shape, externally fitted to the corrugated pipe 3, and having a cut portion 41 formed over an entire length along an extending direction X, and a resin protector 5 having a cylindrical portion, externally fitted to the corrugated pipe 3, and disposed at an end portion of the hard pipe 4 to be coupled to the hard pipe 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as a wire harness, for example, a wire harness in which a wiring material, which is an electric wire member, is sheathed in a metal tubular member is known, as described in Patent Document 1. This wire harness is routed in a vehicle and electrically connects a plurality of electrical devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-049301 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-described wire harness has room for improvement in that it is difficult to properly regulate the path of the wiring material. For example, in the above-described wire harness, the path regulation and path maintenance of the wiring material are performed by an exterior metal tubular member, which increases the weight of the entire wire harness. In contrast, if the path regulation is performed using a resin exterior part, a large mold is required to manufacture the exterior part, which increases the manufacturing cost of the exterior part. Therefore, there is a need for technology development that can properly regulate the path while reducing the weight of the wire harness.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness that can properly regulate the path of a wiring material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] That is, the wire harness according to the present invention is configured to include a wiring material, a tubular corrugated tube with a bellows shape that is wrapped around the wiring material, a tubular resin hard tube that is wrapped around the corrugated tube and has a notch formed along its entire length in the extension direction, and a resin protector that has a tubular portion that is wrapped around the corrugated tube and is disposed at an end of the hard tube and connected to the hard tube. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the wire harness of the present invention, the route of the wiring material can be properly regulated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rigid tube of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rigid pipe taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a protector for a wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a protector of a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a protector for a wire harness according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a wire harness. In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction is referred to as the "extension direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the extension direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The extension direction X corresponds to the extension direction of the wiring material and the extension direction of the rigid pipe. The width direction Y and the height direction Z correspond to intersecting directions that intersect with the extension direction X. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents a direction when each part is assembled to each other. Note that the term "orthogonal" here includes "almost perpendicular."

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment provides electrical connection via a wiring material 2, and is used by being wired in a vehicle, for example. The wire harness WH includes the wiring material 2, a corrugated tube 3, a hard tube 4, and a protector 5. The wiring material 2 is an electric wire having a linear conductive member, and for example, a coated electric wire in which the conductive member is covered with an insulating coating is used. The wiring material 2 may be a bundle of electric wires in which a plurality of electric wires are bundled together, or may be a bundle of electric wires wrapped with tape or the like.

[0012] The corrugated pipe 3 is a bellows-shaped pipe that is flexible and can be bent for installation. The corrugated pipe 3 is sheathed on the wiring material 2. The corrugated pipe 3 is a slitless pipe, and no slits are formed along the extension direction. Therefore, the corrugated pipe 3 can enhance its water-stopping or waterproofing function and can appropriately protect the wiring material 2 inserted therein from water, etc. In the three-dimensional shape restriction section S, the corrugated pipe 3 covers the outer periphery of the wiring material 2. The three-dimensional shape restriction section S is a section in which the wiring path of the wire harness WH is set as a three-dimensional path. That is, in the three-dimensional shape restriction section S, the wire harness WH is restricted or held along the set three-dimensional wiring path and routed.

[0013] The rigid pipe 4 is a pipe body that is fitted around the corrugated pipe 3. The rigid pipe 4 is a pipe body formed of a harder or stronger material than the corrugated pipe 3, and is provided to cover the outer periphery of the corrugated pipe 3. The rigid pipe 4 is formed of resin and is lighter than a metal pipe body. The resin material of the rigid pipe 4 can be selected depending on the functional requirements. For example, if heat resistance is required for the rigid pipe 4, one formed of PA material (polyamide resin material) is used. Furthermore, if calcium chloride resistance is required for the rigid pipe 4, one formed of PP material (polypropylene resin material) is used. The rigid pipe 4 is, for example, a pipe body that extends linearly in the extension direction X, and is arranged in the wiring path of the linear region of the wiring material 2 to keep the wiring material 2 linear.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the rigid tube 4 has a notch 41 formed along its entire length in the extension direction X. The notch 41 is a slit formed by cutting the cylindrical rigid tube 4 along the longitudinal direction. By forming the notch 41, the rigid tube 4 can be easily attached to the wiring material 2 and the corrugated tube 3 in a subsequent process. For example, the rigid tube 4 can be transported to the wiring location of the wire harness WH separately from the wiring material 2 and the corrugated tube 3, and then attached to the corrugated tube 3 at the wiring location. This allows the wire harness WH to be transported as multiple packages, reducing the size of the packages and improving transportation efficiency. Furthermore, the rigid tube 4 can be formed by extrusion molding because it is configured separately from the protector 5. This allows the mold for molding the rigid tube 4 to be smaller, resulting in low-cost production.

[0015] The rigid pipe 4 has a rolled-up portion 42. The rolled-up portion 42 is a portion where the circumferential end of the rigid pipe 4, where the cut portion 41 is formed, is rolled up and double-layered inside and outside. By having the rolled-up portion 42, the rigid pipe 4 has a structure in which the inside of the rigid pipe 4 is not exposed to the outside, even though the cut portion 41 is formed. Therefore, the rigid pipe 4 can prevent the corrugated pipe 3 from slipping out of the rigid pipe 4 through the cut portion 41.

[0016] Furthermore, by forming the rolled-up portion 42, the rigid pipe 4 can suppress relative movement of the corrugated pipe 3 inside. For example, by making the inner diameter of the rigid pipe 4 the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the corrugated pipe 3, the inner circumferential surface can be brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the corrugated pipe 3, and the inner circumferential surface can tighten the outer circumferential surface of the corrugated pipe 3. Therefore, the wire harness WH can suppress the generation of vibrations or abnormal noise caused by repeated contact between the rigid pipe 4 and the corrugated pipe 3.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the protector 5 is a cylindrical resin body that is fitted around the corrugated pipe 3, and is disposed at the end of the rigid pipe 4 and connected to the rigid pipe 4. The protector 5 is made of a resin that is harder or stronger than the corrugated pipe 3. The protector 5 has the function of covering the outer periphery of the corrugated pipe 3 to protect the corrugated pipe 3 and the function of restricting movement of the rigid pipe 4 in the extension direction X. The protector 5 also has the function of restricting and holding the wire harness WH along a predetermined path.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4 , the protector 5 has a main body 51. The main body 51 is cylindrical and provided at the end of the rigid pipe 4, and is arranged so as to cover the end of the rigid pipe 4 and the corrugated pipe 3. For example, the main body 51 has a connecting portion 512 with a semicircular arc cross section at the end in the extension direction X. The connecting portion 512 is arranged at a position that covers the rigid pipe 4, and is arranged so as to cover part of the outer periphery of the rigid pipe 4. A cable tie 53 is attached to the connecting portion 512 along the circumferential direction. The cable tie 53 is attached so as to wrap around and tighten the outer periphery of the connecting portion 512 and the rigid pipe 4. The protector 5 and the rigid pipe 4 are connected by this cable tie 53.

[0019] The protector 5 has an attachment portion 511. The attachment portion 511 is a portion to which the fixing member 52 is attached. The attachment portion 511 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided, for example, adjacent to the coupling portion 512. The fixing member 52 is a component that fixes the wire harness WH to a vehicle, which is a fixed object. The fixing member 52 is cylindrical and attached to the outer periphery of the attachment portion 511. The fixing member 52 has an insertion portion 521 for inserting a stud bolt or the like provided on the vehicle. The insertion portion 521 is an insertion hole formed along a direction intersecting the extension direction X. In the protector 5, a cylindrical portion such as the attachment portion 511 is formed by axially attaching two members with arc-shaped cross sections so that they can rotate about an axis in the extension direction X. In other words, the protector 5 can be easily attached to the outer periphery of the corrugated pipe 3 by opening one of the members with arc-shaped cross sections. The term "arc-shaped" as used herein includes a substantially arc-shaped shape. The two members of the cylindrical portion of the protector 5, each having an arc-shaped cross section, are locked by a locking mechanism in the closed state so as not to open.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5 , the protector 5 has a hooking portion 513. The hooking portion 513 is a portion that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the protector 5 and hooks the corrugated tube 3. The hooking portion 513 is formed in a portion of the protector 5 that covers the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 3. For example, the hooking portion 513 is formed in a portion of the protector 5 that is configured by axially attaching two members with an arc-shaped cross section so that they can rotate about an axis in the extension direction X. The hooking portion 513 is formed to a size that allows it to be inserted into the recessed portion 31 of the bellows portion of the corrugated tube 3. For example, a plurality of the hooking portions 513 are formed along the extension direction X at the same spacing as the recessed portions 31. When inserted into the recessed portion 31, the hooking portion 513 suppresses relative movement of the protector 5 in the extension direction X with respect to the corrugated tube 3. In FIG. 5, the hook portions 513 are formed on both sides of the corrugated tube 3 so as to sandwich the corrugated tube 3, but the hook portion 513 may be formed on only one side of the corrugated tube 3.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6 , the protector 5 has a holding portion 514. The holding portion 514 is joined to the main body 51 and extends in the extension direction X. The holding portion 514 is formed along a route including a curved portion of the wiring path of the wiring material 2, and holds the wiring material 2 and the corrugated tube 3 to regulate the route. That is, by having the holding portion 514, the protector 5 can regulate the route of the section including the curved portion of the wire harness WH. The holding portion 514 has an arc-shaped cross section and an opening 514A. The holding portion 514 can be assembled to cover the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 3 through the opening 514A, allowing for assembly in a subsequent process. In addition, by wrapping a cable tie 53 around the end of the holding portion 514, the protector 5 can be connected to the rigid tube 4. Note that the protector 5 can also be used as a member connecting two rigid tubes 4 without having the holding portion 514.

[0022] Next, a method of using the wire harness WH according to this embodiment will be described.

[0023] In FIG. 1, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment is delivered to a factory where a vehicle, which is the object to be routed, is assembled, and is routed in the vehicle body or the like for use. The wire harness WH can be easily transported to the factory. That is, the wire harness WH can be transported by packaging the hard pipe 4 that regulates the three-dimensional path shape and the protector separately and then transported to the factory. Therefore, the wire harness WH does not need to be packaged as a single package, and can be transported as multiple small packages. In this case, the routing material 2 and the corrugated pipe 3 can be folded and packed into a small size. Therefore, the wire harness WH can be easily transported to the factory, and transportation efficiency can be improved.

[0024] The wire harness WH can be easily assembled after being delivered to a factory as a post-process. That is, the rigid pipe 4 has a cutout 41 formed therein, and can be easily attached to the outer periphery of the corrugated pipe 3 through which the wiring material 2 is inserted. The protector 5 can also be easily attached to the outer periphery of the corrugated pipe 3 by opening one side of the cylindrical member with an arc-shaped cross section.

[0025] Then, in assembling the wire harness WH, the rigid pipe 4 is arranged in a position where it is routed in a straight line, and the protector 5 is arranged at the end of the rigid pipe 4. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5 , the protector 5 is formed with a hook portion 513, and therefore is prevented from moving in the extension direction X from a preset arrangement position. In addition, the protector 5 and the rigid pipe 4 are connected by a cable tie 53. Therefore, the rigid pipe 4 is prevented from moving relative to the corrugated pipe 3 in the extension direction X via the protector 5.

[0026] The wiring harness WH has a hard pipe 4 and a protector 5 attached to the outer periphery of a corrugated pipe 3 through which a wiring material 2 is inserted, thereby restricting and maintaining the wiring path in a preset three-dimensional shape restriction section S. Since the hard pipe 4 and the protector 5 of the wire harness WH are made of resin, it is possible to reduce the weight and cost compared to when the wiring path is restricted by exteriorly covering a metal pipe body.

[0027] In the wire harness WH, the rigid tube 4 has a cutout 41 formed therein, but the circumferential end of the rigid tube 4 having the cutout 41 formed therein has a rolled-up portion 42 that is rolled up and overlaps inside and outside. Therefore, even though the rigid tube 4 has the cutout 41 formed therein, the wire harness WH prevents the corrugated tube 3 inside from being exposed or slipping out of the rigid tube 4. Furthermore, in the wire harness WH, the rolled-up portion 42 causes the inner peripheral surface of the rigid tube 4 to abut against the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube 3, and the inner peripheral surface tightens the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated tube 3, thereby preventing the corrugated tube 3 from moving inside the rigid tube 4 and suppressing the generation of vibrations or abnormal noise.

[0028] Then, the wire harness WH is fixed to the vehicle body or the like using the fixing member 52. After the fixing process using the fixing member 52 is completed, the wiring work of the wire harness WH is completed.

[0029] As described above, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment includes the resin hard pipe 4 and the resin protector 5, and thus the three-dimensional wiring path can be restricted and maintained by the hard pipe 4 and the protector 5. Therefore, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment can be made lighter than when a metal pipe body is used, and the path of the wiring material 2 can be restricted appropriately.

[0030] Furthermore, in the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, the protector 5 is provided at the end of the rigid tube 4 and restricts the movement of the rigid tube 4 in the extension direction X, thereby enabling the wire harness WH to properly restrict and maintain a preset three-dimensional wiring path.

[0031] Furthermore, in the wire harness WH according to this embodiment, the protector 5 has the hook portion 513, which suppresses movement of the protector 5 in the extension direction X relative to the corrugated tube 3, and suppresses movement of the rigid tube 4 in the extension direction X relative to the corrugated tube 3 via the protector 5. Therefore, the wire harness WH according to this embodiment can appropriately restrict a preset three-dimensional wiring route.

[0032] Although the wire harness WH according to the present embodiment has been described, the wire harness according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The wire harness WH according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiment and modified examples.

[0033] For example, although the wire harness WH according to the above embodiment has been described as being mounted on a vehicle, it may also be used without being mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 2: Routing material 3: Corrugated pipe 4: Hard tube 5: Protector 31: Recess 41: Cutout 513:Latching part X: Extending direction WH: Wire harness

Claims

1. The wiring material, A bellows-shaped corrugated pipe having a cylindrical shape and fitted around the wiring material; a cylindrical, resin-made hard pipe that is fitted around the corrugated pipe and has a notch formed along its entire length in the extending direction; a resin protector having a cylindrical portion, fitted onto the corrugated pipe, and disposed at an end of the rigid pipe to be joined to the rigid pipe; Wire harness.

2. The rigid pipe is provided in a linear region where the wiring material is linearly arranged, The protector restricts movement of the rigid tube in the extension direction at the end of the rigid tube. The wire harness according to claim 1 .

3. The protector has a hook portion that protrudes from an inner peripheral surface and fits into a recess in the bellows portion of the corrugated pipe. The wire harness according to claim 2 .

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