Protector unit and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a protector unit and a wire harness which properly hold a wiring material.SOLUTION: In the wire harness WH, the protector unit 3 includes the sheet 2, the first protector 1, and the pair of second protectors 100, and the first protector 1 includes the first base 10 and the first cover 20 that support the main line portion W1 of the wiring material W, the first hinge 30 that rotatably couples the first cover 20 to the first base 10 between the first closed position P1 and the first open position P2, and the first protector 1 is configured such that, in a state where the sheet 2 and the main line portion W1 are sandwiched between the first base 10 and the first cover 20, and a first lock part 40 that locks the first cover 20 at the first closed position P1 with respect to the first base 10, in which the first cover 20 is provided in a pair at an interval from each other along the axial direction X with respect to the first base 10, and a branch line lead-out part 25 from which the branch line part W2 is led out along the widthwise direction Y is provided between the pair of first covers 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As an example of a technology relating to a protector unit for a conventional wire harness, Patent Document 1 discloses a protector unit including a sheet that covers a wiring material extending along the axial direction, and a pair of protectors that are spaced apart from each other along the axial direction and support both axial ends of the sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-114099 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the protector unit described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, for example, the wiring material is composed only of a main wire portion, but there are cases where the wiring material has a main wire portion and a branch wire portion, and in this case, there is room for further improvement in terms of properly holding the wiring material.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a protector unit and a wire harness that can properly hold a wiring material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the protector unit according to the present invention includes a sheet covering a main portion of a wiring material extending along an axial direction, a first protector supporting a portion of the sheet where a branch portion of the wiring material branching from the main portion along a width direction intersecting the axial direction is pulled outward, and a pair of second protectors spaced apart from each other along the axial direction and supporting both ends of the sheet in the axial direction, wherein the first protector includes a first base and a first cover supporting the main portion of the wiring material, and a pair of second protectors supporting the first cover relative to the first base along the axial direction between a first closed position and a first open position. and a first locking portion provided at an end of the first base and the first cover opposite to the first hinge, the first locking portion locking the first cover in the first closed position relative to the first base with the sheet and the main wire portion sandwiched between the first base and the first cover, wherein the first covers are provided in a pair spaced apart from each other along the axial direction relative to the first base, and a branch wire pull-out portion is provided between the pair of first covers, from which the branch wire portion is pulled out along the width direction when each of the pair of first covers is positioned at the first closed position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the protector unit and the wire harness according to the present invention, a branch wire lead-out portion is provided between the pair of first covers of the first protector, from which the branch wire portion is led out in the width direction when each of the first covers is positioned in the first closed position. With this configuration, the protector unit and the wire harness can lead the branch wire portion out in the width direction from the branch wire lead-out portion while the pair of first covers hold the trunk wire extending in the axial direction of the seat and the wiring material. As a result, the protector unit and the wire harness have the effect of being able to properly hold the wiring material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a wire harness to which a protector unit according to an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the first protector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the first cover is positioned at a first closed position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view of the first protector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the first cover is positioned at a first open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of the first protector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which one of the pair of first covers is positioned at the first closed position and the other is positioned at the first open position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary side view of the first protector according to the embodiment, showing the first cover as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary side view of the first protector according to the embodiment, showing the first cover as viewed from the width direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view of the second protector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the second cover is positioned at the second closed position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary perspective view of the second protector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the second cover is positioned at the second open position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary side view of the second protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary front view of the second protector according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following 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 identical. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish between parts, members, portions, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0010] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness WH to which a protector unit 3 according to an embodiment is applied. The protector unit 3 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated into the wire harness WH to be routed in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness WH is, for example, a composite component made up of wiring material W used for power supply and signal communication to connect various devices mounted on the vehicle, and the wiring material W is connected to the various devices using connectors or the like. The wire harness WH of this embodiment includes a conductive wiring material W and a protector unit 3 exteriorly mounted on the wiring material W. The protector unit 3 includes, for example, a sheet 2 covering the wiring material W, a first protector 1 supporting a portion 2b of the sheet 2 from which a branch wire portion W2 of the wiring material W is pulled outward, and a pair of second protectors 100 supporting both end portions 2a of the sheet 2. The pair of second protectors 100 are configured, for example, to have the same specifications. The wire harness WH may further include various other components such as a grommet, an electric junction box, and a fixture.

[0011] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are approximately perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically aligns with the extension direction of the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W, the insertion direction of the main wire portion W1 into the first protector 1 and the second protector 100, the longitudinal direction of the sheet 2, the front-to-rear direction of the first protector 1 and the second protector 100, etc. The width direction Y typically aligns with the extension direction of the branch wire portion W2 of the wiring material W, the width direction of the first protector 1 and the second protector 100, etc. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the radial direction of the wiring material W and the sheet 2, and the height direction (vertical direction) of the first protector 1 and the second protector 100. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description are the directions when the first protector 1 and the second protector 100 are assembled to the vehicle.

[0012] The wiring material W is, for example, configured by a wire bundle Wa in which a plurality of wires are bundled together. The wires of the wire bundle Wa each extend linearly along the axial direction X and are formed to extend with approximately the same diameter in the axial direction X (extension direction). The wire has a conductor portion (core wire) made of a plurality of conductive metal wires, the outside of which is covered with an insulating coating portion having insulation properties. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the core wire (cross-sectional shape intersecting the axial direction X) is approximately circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating is approximately annular, so that the wire as a whole has an approximately circular cross-sectional shape. Note that the wire bundle Wa may be configured to include, for example, a plurality of first wires having a first outer diameter and a plurality of second wires having a second outer diameter smaller or larger than the first outer diameter.

[0013] The wiring material W is configured to include, for example, a trunk portion W1 extending along the axial direction X and a branch portion W2 branching from the trunk portion W1 along the width direction Y. The trunk portion W1 is a main portion of the wiring material W and is configured by an electric wire bundle Wa in which multiple electric wires are bundled. The trunk portion W1 may, for example, include a portion in the wiring material W in which the largest number of electric wires are bundled, or may include a portion in the wiring material W having the largest outer diameter. The branch portion W2 is a sub-harness portion of the wiring material W and is configured by an electric wire bundle Wa in which multiple electric wires branching from the trunk portion W1 are bundled. The branch portion W2 is bent along the width direction Y with respect to the trunk portion W1 extending along the axial direction X, and is led out to the outside of the first protector 1 from a branch wire lead-out portion 25 of the first protector 1 described later and routed. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the illustration of the wire bundle Wa that constitutes the main wire portion W1 and the branch wire portion W2 is simplified.

[0014] The sheet 2, for example, simply covers and protects the area between the first protector 1 and the pair of second protectors 100 in the trunk portion W1 of the wiring material W. The sheet 2, for example, has a first sheet 2A that covers a portion of the trunk portion W1 located closer to one end in the axial direction X than the branch portion W2, and a second sheet 2B that covers a portion of the trunk portion W1 located closer to the other end in the axial direction X than the branch portion W2. The first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape that follows the outer shape of the trunk portion W1 and extend along the axial direction X. The first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B are formed, for example, from a synthetic resin material that is insulating and flexible (bendable, stretchable), and are configured to be elastically deformable along the outer shape of the trunk portion W1.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first protector 1 supports the ends of the first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B on the central side in the axial direction X (the side of the branch wire portion W2), and the pair of second protectors 100 support the ends of the first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B on both end sides in the axial direction X (the side opposite the branch wire portion W2). In this embodiment, the ends of the first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B on the central side in the axial direction X are an example of a portion 2b of the sheet 2 from which the branch wire portion W2 of the wiring material W is drawn outward. Furthermore, the ends of the first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B on both end sides in the axial direction X are an example of both end portions 2a of the sheet 2 in the axial direction X. Note that the sheet 2 is not limited to this example. For example, the sheet 2 may be formed by a single sheet extending along the axial direction X, and an opening or the like from which the branch wire portion W2 is drawn may be provided in the central part of the sheet in the axial direction X.

[0016] The first protector 1 includes, for example, a first base 10 (see FIG. 2), a first cover 20, a first hinge 30, a first locking portion 40, and a first clamp 50. The first base 10 and the first cover 20 are assembled together along the height direction Z to form a wiring space portion that holds the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W. The first base 10 and the first cover 20 are formed as separate bodies from, for example, synthetic resin, and are integrated together by a locking structure (snap fit) using the first locking portion 40. By assembling the first base 10 and the first cover 20 together, the first protector 1 is configured to have a flat shape that is thinned overall along the height direction Z.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first protector 1, illustrating a state in which the first cover 20 is positioned at a first closed position P1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first protector 1, illustrating a state in which the first cover 20 is positioned at a first open position P2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first hinge 30 rotatably connects the first cover 20 to the first base 10. The first hinge 30 has, for example, a first rotation center Ax1 extending along the axial direction X. The first cover 20 is configured to be rotatable between a first closed position P1 (see Fig. 2) that closes the wiring space of the first protector 1 and a first open position P2 (see Fig. 3) that opens the wiring space by rotation of the first hinge 30 about the first rotation center Ax1. For convenience, Figure 3 shows the state in which the rotation angle of the first cover 20 from the first closed position P1 to the first open position P2 is approximately 180 degrees, but this example is not limited to this and other angles may also be used.

[0018] The first locking unit 40 locks the first cover 20 relative to the first base 10 at the first closed position P1. The first locking unit 40 includes, for example, a male lock 41 in the form of a locking claw provided on the first base 10 side and a female lock 42 in the form of a locking hole provided on the first cover 20 side. The male lock 41 has a locking surface 41a that is locked with a locked surface 42a of the female lock 42 along the height direction Z. For example, when the first cover 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1 relative to the first base 10, the first locking unit 40 locks the first cover 20 relative to the first base 10 at the first closed position P1 by locking the locking surface 41a of the male lock 41 with the locked surface 42a of the female lock 42 along the height direction Z. In this embodiment, the first locking portion 40 is provided at one end 10a, 20a (end) of the first base 10 and the first cover 20 opposite to the first hinge 30.

[0019] The first base 10 is configured, for example, in a flat plate shape extending along a direction (XY plane) intersecting the height direction Z. The first base 10 is a structure for partitioning the above-mentioned wiring space of the first protector 1. The wiring space is a space into which the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W is inserted and routed along the axial direction X. The first base 10 has a surface 10c that supports the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W and a back surface 10d located on the opposite side of the surface 10c in the height direction Z. In this embodiment, the male lock 41 of the above-mentioned first locking portion 40 is provided at one end 10a of the first base 10 in the width direction Y, and the above-mentioned first hinge 30 is provided at the other end 10b of the first base 10 in the width direction Y. In addition, a plurality of beads 11 are provided on the first base 10 across the one end 10a and the other end 10b in the width direction Y.

[0020] The plurality of beads 11 are formed integrally with the first base 10, for example. The plurality of beads 11 protrude from the surface 10c of the first base 10 in the height direction Z and extend in a lattice (mesh) pattern along an inclined direction between the axial direction X and the width direction Y. The plurality of beads 11 are arranged in contact with the electric wire bundle Wa or the sheet 2 constituting the trunk portion W1, for example, to function as anti-slip portions that restrict movement of the electric wire bundle Wa or the sheet 2 along the axial direction X. In addition, the first base 10 is provided with mounting holes 12 that penetrate the first base 10 along the height direction Z on both sides of the plurality of beads 11 in the axial direction X, for example, and to which a first clamp 50, described later, is attached.

[0021] The first cover 20 is a structure for partitioning the above-mentioned wiring space of the first protector 1 together with the first base 10. The wiring space is a space through which the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W is inserted and routed along the axial direction X. The first cover 20 has a back surface that supports the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W and a front surface positioned opposite the back surface in the height direction Z. In this embodiment, the female lock 42 of the above-mentioned first locking portion 40 is provided at one end 20a of the first cover 20 in the width direction Y, and the above-mentioned first hinge 30 is provided at the other end 20b of the first cover 20 in the width direction Y. In addition, a plurality of beads 23 are provided on the back surface of the first cover 20 across the width direction Y between the one end 20a and the other end 20b.

[0022] The plurality of beads 23 are formed integrally with the first cover 20, for example. The plurality of beads 23 protrude from the rear surface of the first cover 20 in the height direction Z and extend in a lattice (mesh) pattern along an inclined direction between the axial direction X and the width direction Y. The plurality of beads 23 are arranged, for example, in a state of contact with the electric wire bundle Wa or the sheet 2 constituting the main wire portion W1, thereby functioning as anti-slip portions that restrict movement of the electric wire bundle Wa or the sheet 2 along the axial direction X. Furthermore, the plurality of beads 23 (first cover 20) are positioned, for example, offset in the axial direction X with respect to the plurality of beads 11 provided on the first base 10 side.

[0023] The first cover 20 includes, for example, a pair of straight portions 21 and a curved portion 22. The pair of straight portions 21 are portions of the first cover 20 that extend along the surface 10c of the first base 10 and are spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the pair of straight portions 21 extend linearly in the width direction Y along the surface 10c of the first base 10 when the first cover 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1 (see FIG. 2 ) and in a free state. The curved portion 22 is a portion of the first cover 20 that is provided between the pair of straight portions 21 and is curved in an arc shape such that a central portion in the width direction Y is relatively farther away from the surface 10c of the first base 10 than both end portions with respect to the surface 10c of the first base 10. In this embodiment, when the first cover 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1 and in a free state, the curved portion 22 is curved in a substantially U-shape that opens toward the surface 10c of the first base 10 when viewed from the axial direction X. Here, the free state of the first cover 20 refers to, for example, a state in which the first cover 20 is in the first closed position P1 as shown in Figure 2 and the main wire portion W1 of the wiring material W is not sandwiched between the first cover 20 and the first base 10, i.e., a state in which the first cover 20 is not elastically deformed along the outer shape of the main wire portion W1 (the state before elastic deformation).

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first protector 1, illustrating a state in which one of the pair of first covers 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1 and the other is positioned at the first open position P2. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the pair of first covers 20 are provided on the first base 10 at a distance from each other along the axial direction X. Each of the pair of first covers 20 includes the pair of straight portions 21 and curved portions 22 described above, and are formed of substantially identical components (specifications). In addition, in this embodiment, a pair of first hinges 30 and first locking portions 40 are provided corresponding to each of the pair of first covers 20. That is, in this embodiment, the pair of first covers 20 can be individually rotated (opened and closed) between the first closed position P1 and the first open position P2 by the pair of first hinges 30, and can be individually locked to the first base 10 by the pair of first locking portions 40.

[0025] In this embodiment, a branch wire lead-out portion 25 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is provided between the pair of first covers 20, through which the branch wire portion W2 of the wiring material W is led out along the width direction Y when each of the first covers 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1. The branch wire lead-out portion 25 is an opening for leading out the branch wire formed between the pair of first covers 20. In this embodiment, for example, in a section of the wiring material W that is not covered by the pair of first covers 20, i.e., in a section between the first sheet 2A and the second sheet 2B, a part of the main wire portion W1 and a part of the branch wire portion W2 are exposed. In addition, in the section of the wiring material W that is not covered by the pair of first covers 20, for example, the branch wire portion W2 is led out from the branch wire lead-out portion 25 along the width direction Y.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a side view of the first protector 1, showing the first cover 20 as viewed from the axial direction X, and Fig. 6 is a side view of the first protector 1, showing the first cover 20 as viewed from the width direction Y. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the first clamp 50 is used to secure the first protector 1 to a target portion (mounting panel) of the vehicle. The first clamp 50 is configured to include, for example, a shaft portion 51, a pair of arms 52, and a flange portion 53.

[0027] The shaft portion 51 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape extending from the first base 10 in the height direction Z. The shaft portion 51 is attached in a state in which it penetrates, along the height direction Z, an attachment hole formed in a portion to be fixed (an attachment panel) of the vehicle. The pair of arm portions 52 are formed, for example, in positions facing each other in the axial direction X with the shaft portion 51 therebetween. The pair of arm portions 52 protrude from the tip end (lower end) of the shaft portion 51 in the axial direction X and are formed in an arm shape (umbrella shape) that is inclined so as to gradually widen toward both sides in the axial direction X as it approaches the base end (upper end) of the shaft portion 51. Locking claw portions that lock with the periphery of the attachment hole are provided at the ends of the pair of arm portions 52.

[0028] The flange portion 53 protrudes in a flanged (disk-like) shape from the base end of the shaft portion 51 radially outward of the shaft portion 51. For example, at least a portion of the outer circumferential side of the flange portion 53 protrudes along the height direction Z. The outer circumferential portion of the flange portion 53 supports, for example, one end side (first base 10 side) of the target portion (mounting panel) in the height direction Z, i.e., the surface opposite to the pair of arm portions 52. In this embodiment, the target portion (mounting panel) is sandwiched between the flange portion 53 and the pair of arm portions 52, thereby restricting movement of the first protector 1 along the height direction Z relative to the target portion.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pair of first covers 20 are configured to sandwich the wire bundle Wa between themselves and the first base 10 in a state in which each of the curved portions 22 elastically deforms along the outer shape of the wire bundle Wa of the main wire portion W1. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the first cover 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1 and in a free state (see FIG. 5 ), the distance in the height direction Z between the top of the curved portion 22 and the first base 10 is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the wire bundle Wa of the main wire portion W1. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the wire bundle Wa is sandwiched between the curved portion 22 and the first base 10, the curved portion 22 elastically deforms along the outer shape of the wire bundle Wa, and an elastic restoring force is generated in the curved portion 22 and the pair of straight portions 21. This increases the surface pressure between the curved portion 22 and the wire bundle Wa, and also increases the surface pressure between the first base 10 and the wire bundle Wa, thereby increasing the holding force of the main wire portion W1.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the male lock 41 (see FIG. 6) of the first locking portion 40 described above is locked with the female lock 42 in a state in which an elastic restoring force is generated in the curved portion 22 and the pair of straight portions 21. In a state in which the locking surface 41 a of the male lock 41 and the locked surface 42 a of the female lock 42 are locked with each other, rotation of the first cover 20 relative to the first base 10 from the first closed position P1 toward the first open position P2 is restricted, and a state in which the surface pressure between the curved portion 22 and the electric wire bundle Wa and a state in which the surface pressure between the first base 10 and the electric wire bundle Wa is increased are maintained.

[0031] In this embodiment, for example, with the pair of first covers 20 positioned at a first open position P2 (see FIG. 3) relative to the first base 10, the trunk portion W1 of the wiring material W is routed along the axial direction X on the surface 10c of the first base 10. Next, each of the pair of first covers 20 is moved to a first closed position P1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) relative to the first base 10, and in this state, the male lock 41 and the female lock 42 of the first locking portion 40 are locked. As a result, the curved portions 22 of the pair of first covers 20 elastically deform along the outer shape of the electric wire bundle Wa of the trunk portion W1, and the elastic restoring force of the curved portions 22 holds the electric wire bundle Wa in the routing space between the pair of first covers 20 and the first base 10. At this time, in this embodiment, the branch wire portion W2 of the wiring material W is routed along the width direction Y from the branch wire lead-out portion 25 formed between the pair of first covers 20.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second protector 100 with the second cover 120 positioned in the second closed position P11, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second protector 100 with the second cover 120 positioned in the second open position P12. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second protector 100 includes, for example, a second base 110, a second cover 120, a second hinge 130, a second locking portion 140, and a second clamp 150. The second base 110 and the second cover 120 are assembled together along the height direction Z to form a wiring space that holds the wire bundle Wa of the main wire portion W1. The second base 110 and the second cover 120 are formed separately from each other using, for example, synthetic resin or the like, and are integrated together by a locking structure (snap fit) using the second locking portion 140.

[0033] The second hinge 130 rotatably connects the second cover 120 to the second base 110. The second hinge 130 has, for example, a second rotation center Ax2 extending along the axial direction X. The second cover 120 is configured to be rotatable between a second closed position P11 (see FIG. 7) that closes the wiring space of the second protector 100 and a second open position P12 (see FIG. 8) that opens the wiring space by rotation of the second hinge 130 about the second rotation center Ax2. Note that, for convenience, FIG. 8 shows a state in which the rotation angle of the second open position P12 of the second cover 120 relative to the second closed position P11 is approximately 180 degrees, but is not limited to this example and may be other angles.

[0034] The second locking portion 140 locks the second cover 120 relative to the second base 110 at the second closed position P11. The second locking portion 140 includes, for example, a male lock 141 in the form of a locking claw provided on the second base 110 side, and a female lock 142 in the form of a locking hole provided on the second cover 120 side. The male lock 141 has a locking surface 141a that is locked with a locked surface 142a of the female lock 142 along the height direction Z. For example, when the second cover 120 is positioned at the second closed position P11 relative to the second base 110, the locking surface 141a of the male lock 141 is locked with the locked surface 142a of the female lock 142 along the height direction Z, thereby locking the second cover 120 relative to the second base 110 at the second closed position P11. In this embodiment, the second locking portion 140 is provided at one end 110a, 120a (end) of the second base 110 and the second cover 120 on the side opposite to the second hinge 130.

[0035] The second base 110 includes, for example, a base-side bottom wall 111, a pair of base-side side walls 112, and a base-side support portion 113. The base-side bottom wall 111 is a portion that forms the lower end of the second base 110 (second protector 100) and is formed flat. The pair of base-side side walls 112 are portions that form the left and right end portions of the second base 110 and protrude from both ends of the base-side bottom wall 111 in the width direction Y toward the second cover 120 along the height direction Z. The pair of base-side side walls 112 include, for example, a base-side first side wall located at one end 110a of the second base 110 in the width direction Y, and a base-side second side wall located at the other end 110b of the second base 110 in the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the male lock 141 of the second locking portion 140 described above is provided at the upper end of the base side first side wall, and the second hinge 130 described above is provided at the upper end of the base side second side wall.

[0036] The base-side support portion 113 is a structure for defining a wiring space portion of the second base 110 that clamps (supports) the electric wire bundle Wa of the main wire portion W1. The wiring space portion is a space portion through which the electric wire bundle Wa is inserted and routed along the axial direction X. The base-side support portion 113 has, for example, a base-side middle wall 113a that is curved in an arc shape relative to the base-side bottom wall 111 along a cover-side middle wall 123a (see FIG. 8 ) of the second cover 120, which will be described later. Specifically, the base-side middle wall 113a is curved in an arc shape relative to the base-side bottom wall 111 so that a central portion in the width direction Y is relatively closer to the base-side bottom wall 111 than both end portions. Both end portions of the base-side middle wall 113a in the width direction Y are connected (coupled) to the upper end portions of the pair of base-side side walls 112, and a central portion in the width direction Y is connected (coupled) to the base-side bottom wall 111. The base-side inner wall 113a is provided with a plurality of uneven portions 114 extending along the wire bundle Wa.

[0037] The plurality of concave-convex portions 114 have a function of, for example, abutting (engaging) with the electric wire bundle Wa to break up (disassemble) the cylindrical bundle of the electric wire bundle Wa along the width direction Y. The concave-convex portion 114 includes, for example, a plurality of recesses 114a arranged at intervals from one another along the width direction Y on the inner surface of the base-side middle wall 113a, and a plurality of protrusions 114b arranged alternately with the recesses 114a along the width direction Y on the inner surface of the base-side middle wall 113a. The inner surfaces of the plurality of recesses 114a, in other words, the outer surfaces of the plurality of protrusions 114b, are configured, for example, in an arc shape that follows the outer peripheral surfaces of the electric wires that make up the electric wire bundle Wa. In this embodiment, when the second cover 120 is positioned in the second closed position P11 (see FIG. 7 ) with respect to the second base 110, a sheet 2 is interposed between the plurality of concave-convex portions 114 of the base-side support portion 113 and the electric wire bundle Wa. In this case, the sheet 2 enters the plurality of concave-convex portions 114 in a curved state along the inner surfaces of the concave portions 114a and the outer surfaces of the convex portions 114b, for example.

[0038] The second cover 120 includes, for example, a cover-side bottom wall 121, a pair of cover-side side walls 122, and a cover-side support portion 123. The cover-side bottom wall 121 is a portion that forms the upper end of the second cover 120 (second protector 100) and is formed flat. The pair of cover-side side walls 122 are portions that form the left and right end portions of the second cover 120 and protrude from both ends of the cover-side bottom wall 121 in the width direction Y toward the second base 110 along the height direction Z. The pair of cover-side side walls 122 include, for example, a cover-side first side wall located at one end 120a of the second cover 120 in the width direction Y, and a cover-side second side wall located at the other end 120b of the second cover 120 in the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the cover-side first side wall is provided with the female lock 142 in the form of an engagement hole of the second lock portion 140 described above, and the cover-side second side wall is provided with the second hinge 130 described above.

[0039] The cover-side support portion 123 is a structure of the second cover 120 that, together with the base-side support portion 113, defines a wiring space that clamps (supports) the wire bundle Wa of the wiring material W. The cover-side support portion 123 includes, for example, a cover-side middle wall 123a that is curved in an arc shape with respect to the cover-side bottom wall 121 so that a center portion in the width direction Y is relatively spaced apart from both end portions with respect to the cover-side bottom wall 121, and a hollow portion 123b formed between the cover-side bottom wall 121 and the cover-side middle wall 123a. Both end portions of the cover-side middle wall 123a in the width direction Y are connected (coupled) to the cover-side bottom wall 121, and the center portion in the width direction Y is spaced apart from the cover-side bottom wall 121 in the height direction Z. The hollow portion 123b is an opening defined by the cover-side bottom wall 121 and the cover-side middle wall 123a, and allows elastic deformation of the cover-side middle wall 123a in the height direction Z. As described above, in this embodiment, the cover side support portion 123 is formed hollow with the hollow portion 123b extending along the axial direction X between the cover side middle wall 123a and the cover side bottom wall 121.

[0040] The cover-side support portion 123 also has ribs 124 that divide the wire bundle Wa of the wiring material W along the width direction Y. The ribs 124 have the function of breaking up (separating) the cylindrical bundle of wire bundle Wa along the width direction Y by being inserted between adjacent wires of the wire bundle Wa when the second cover 120 is positioned at the second closed position P11 (see FIG. 7 ). The ribs 124 are provided at the center of the cover-side inner wall 123a in the width direction Y, protrude from the center toward the second base 110 along the height direction Z, and extend along the axial direction X. The ribs 124 are provided, for example, across the length between one end and the other end of the cover-side inner wall 123a in the axial direction X. The protruding width of the ribs 124 along the width direction Y is formed to be approximately the same as the opening width of the recess 114a along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, when the second cover 120 is positioned at the second closed position P11 (see FIG. 7) relative to the second base 110, the sheet 2 is interposed between the rib 124 of the cover-side support portion 123 and the electric wire bundle Wa. In this case, the sheet 2 is inserted between adjacent electric wires of the electric wire bundle Wa in a state where it is curved along the outer surface of the rib 124, for example.

[0041] 9 is a side view of the second protector 100, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the second protector 100. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second clamp 150 is used to fix the second protector 100 to a target portion of the vehicle. The second clamps 150 are provided in pairs spaced apart from each other along the axial direction X, for example, on the outer surface of the base-side bottom wall 111 opposite the base-side support portion 113. Each of the pair of second clamps 150 includes, for example, a shaft portion 151, a pair of arms 152, and a flange portion 153.

[0042] The shaft portion 151 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape extending from the base-side bottom wall 111 along the height direction Z. The shaft portion 151 is attached in a state in which it penetrates, along the height direction Z, an attachment hole formed in a portion of the vehicle to which it is to be fixed (an attachment panel). The pair of arm portions 152 are formed, for example, in positions facing each other in the width direction Y with the shaft portion 151 therebetween. The pair of arm portions 152 protrude from the tip end (lower end) of the shaft portion 151 along the width direction Y and are formed in an arm shape (umbrella shape) that is inclined so as to gradually widen toward both sides in the width direction Y as it approaches the base end (upper end) of the shaft portion 151. Locking claw portions that lock with the periphery of the attachment hole are provided at the ends of the pair of arm portions 152.

[0043] The flange portion 153 protrudes in a flanged (disk-like) shape from the base end of the shaft portion 151 radially outward of the shaft portion 151. For example, at least a portion of the outer circumferential side of the flange portion 153 protrudes along the height direction Z. The outer circumferential portion of the flange portion 153 supports, for example, one end side (second base 110 side) of the target portion (mounting panel) in the height direction Z, i.e., the surface opposite to the pair of arm portions 152. In this embodiment, the target portion (mounting panel) is sandwiched between the flange portion 153 and the pair of arm portions 152, thereby restricting movement of the second protector 100 along the height direction Z relative to the target portion.

[0044] In this embodiment, the wire bundle Wa of the wiring material W is sandwiched between the plurality of uneven portions 114 of the base-side support portion 113 and the cover-side support portion 123 in a state in which the cover-side middle wall 123a is elastically deformed along the height direction Z toward the hollow portion 123b. That is, in this embodiment, when the second cover 120 is positioned in the second closed position P11 (see FIG. 10 ), the cover-side middle wall 123a is spaced apart from the base-side support portion 113 in the height direction Z by the height of the wire bundle Wa and can bend along the outer shape of the wire bundle Wa. This generates an elastic restoring force in the cover-side middle wall 123a, increasing the surface pressure between the cover-side middle wall 123a and the wire bundle Wa and also increasing the surface pressure between the base-side middle wall 113a and the wire bundle Wa, thereby enhancing the holding force of the wire bundle Wa.

[0045] In this embodiment, the male lock 141 of the second locking portion 140 described above is locked with the female lock 142 (see FIG. 9) in a state in which an elastic restoring force is generated in the cover-side middle wall 123a. In a state in which the locking surface 141a of the male lock 141 and the locked surface 142a of the female lock 142 are locked with each other, rotation of the second cover 120 relative to the second base 110 from the second closed position P11 toward the second open position P12 is restricted, and a state in which the surface pressure between the cover-side middle wall 123a and the electric wire bundle Wa and a state in which the surface pressure between the base-side middle wall 113a and the electric wire bundle Wa is increased are maintained.

[0046] In the present embodiment, for example, with the second cover 120 positioned at the second open position P12 (see FIG. 8 ) relative to the second base 110, the electric wire bundle Wa of the main wire portion W1 and the sheet 2 are routed on the plurality of concave-convex portions 114 of the base-side support portion 113. At this time, in the present embodiment, the electric wire bundle Wa and the sheet 2 are pressed against the plurality of concave-convex portions 114, thereby breaking down the cylindrical bundle of the electric wire bundle Wa along the width direction Y. Next, the second cover 120 is moved to the second closed position P11 (see FIG. 10 ) relative to the second base 110. At this time, in the present embodiment, the ribs 124 provided on the cover-side support portion 123 are inserted between adjacent electric wires of the electric wire bundle Wa via the sheet 2, thereby breaking up the cylindrical bundle of the electric wire bundle Wa along the width direction Y.

[0047] Then, with the second cover 120 positioned in the second closed position P11 relative to the second base 110, the male lock 141 and the female lock 142 of the second locking portion 140 are locked together. As a result, the cover-side inner wall 123a elastically deforms in the height direction Z along the outer shapes of the electric wire bundle Wa and the sheet 2, and the elastic restoring force of the cover-side inner wall 123a holds the electric wire bundle Wa and the sheet 2 in the wiring space between the cover-side support portion 123 and the base-side support portion 113. At this time, in the present embodiment, for example, the electric wires constituting the electric wire bundle Wa engage with the plurality of concave-convex portions 114 via the sheet 2, thereby more firmly holding the electric wire bundle Wa.

[0048] As described above, in the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the branch wire lead-out portion 25 from which the branch wire portion W2 is led out along the width direction Y is provided between the pair of first covers 20 of the first protector 1 when each of the first covers 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1. With this configuration, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can lead the branch wire portion W2 out along the width direction Y from the branch wire lead-out portion 25 while, for example, the pair of first covers 20 hold the trunk wire portion W1 extending along the axial direction X of the seat 2 and the wiring material W. As a result, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can properly hold the wiring material W.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sheet 2 can simply cover and protect the area between the first protector 1 and the pair of second protectors 100 in the trunk portion W1 of the wiring material W, thereby preventing the protector from becoming longer in length along the axial direction X. This can, for example, prevent interference between the protector and components arranged around the target fixing portion of the vehicle, and prevent an increase in the effort and cost required to manufacture the protector. That is, according to this embodiment, by using the sheet 2, the first protector 1, and the pair of second protectors 100 in combination, the effort and cost required to manufacture the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH as a whole can be reduced, and the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can be made more compact.

[0050] Furthermore, in the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, when the first cover 20 is positioned at the first closed position P1 and in a free state, the first cover 20 includes a pair of straight portions 21 extending along the surface 10c of the first base 10 and spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y, and a curved portion 22 provided between the pair of straight portions 21 and curved in an arc shape such that a central portion in the width direction Y with respect to the surface 10c is relatively farther apart than both end portions, and the curved portion 22 sandwiches the trunk portion W1 between itself and the first base 10 in a state in which it is elastically deformed along the outer shape of the trunk portion W1. With this configuration, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can hold the wiring material W, for example, by sandwiching the trunk portion W1 between itself and the first base 10 in a state in which the curved portions 22 of the pair of first covers 20 are elastically deformed along the outer shape of the trunk portion W1. As a result, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can properly hold the wiring material W, and in turn, the wiring material W can be fixed without using tape, a cable tie, or the like.

[0051] Furthermore, in the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the second base 110 of the second protector 100 has a base-side support portion 113 provided with a plurality of uneven portions 114 extending along the electric wire bundle Wa of the trunk portion W1, and the second cover 120 has a hollow cover-side support portion 123 that, when positioned in the second closed position P11, sandwiches the sheet 2 and the electric wire bundle Wa between itself and the plurality of uneven portions 114 of the base-side support portion 113. With this configuration, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can, for example, sandwich and hold the electric wire bundle Wa of the trunk portion W1 between itself and the plurality of uneven portions 114 of the base-side support portion 113 when the hollow cover-side support portion 123 is elastically deformed by the cover-side support portion 123. As a result, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can properly hold the wire bundle Wa of the wiring material W, and in turn can fix the wire bundle Wa without using tape, a cable tie, or the like.

[0052] Furthermore, in the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the cover-side support portion 123 includes a cover-side middle wall 123a that is curved in an arc shape relative to the flat cover-side bottom wall 121 of the second cover 120 so that the center in the width direction Y is relatively farther away from both end portions, and a hollow portion 123b formed between the cover-side bottom wall 121 and the cover-side middle wall 123a. The base-side support portion 113 has a base-side middle wall 113a that is curved in an arc shape along the cover-side middle wall 123a relative to the flat base-side bottom wall 111 of the second base 110, and has a plurality of uneven portions 114 formed in a row along the width direction Y. With this configuration, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can, for example, elastically deform the arc-shaped cover-side middle wall 123a along the height direction Z relative to the flat cover-side bottom wall 121, and thus the elastic restoring force of the cover-side middle wall 123a can more appropriately hold the wire bundle Wa in the wiring space between the cover-side middle wall 123a and the base-side middle wall 113a.

[0053] Furthermore, in the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH of this embodiment, the cover-side support portion 123 is provided in the center in the width direction Y and has a rib 124 that divides the electric wire bundle Wa along the width direction Y when the second cover 120 is positioned at the second closed position P11. With this configuration, the protector unit 3 and the wire harness WH can, for example, break up (separate) the cylindrical bundle of the electric wire bundle Wa by the rib 124, thereby improving the workability of assembling the second protector 100 to the electric wire bundle Wa.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first protector 1 is exemplified as a pair of first covers 20 provided on the first base 10 at intervals along the axial direction X, but is not limited to this example, and for example, three or more first covers 20 may be provided on the first base 10 at intervals along the axial direction X.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second protector 100 is exemplified as having the convex cover-side support portion 123 provided on the second cover 120 and the concave base-side support portion 113 provided on the second base 110, but this is not limiting, and for example, the second cover 120 may be provided with the concave cover-side support portion 123 and the second base 110 may be provided with the convex base-side support portion 113. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the cover-side support portion 123 is exemplified as having one rib 124, but this is not limiting, and for example, the cover-side support portion 123 may be provided with a plurality of ribs 124 spaced apart from one another along the width direction Y. In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been given in which ribs 124 are provided on the cover side support portion 123 and multiple uneven portions 114 are provided on the base side support portion 113, but this example is not limited to this, and for example, multiple uneven portions 114 may be provided on the cover side support portion 123 and ribs 124 may be provided on the base side support portion 113.

[0056] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, format, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 First protector 2 seats 3 Protector unit 10 First Base 20 First Cover 21 Straight section 22 Curved section 25 Branch line pull-out section 30 First hinge 40 First Lock 100 Second Protector 110 Second Base 113 Base side support part 114 Uneven part 120 Second Cover 123 Cover side support part 130 Second hinge 140 Second Lock P1 1st closed position P2 1st open position P11 2nd closed position P12 2nd open position W Routing material W1 Main line W2 branch line part Wa wire bundle WH Wire Harness X-axis direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. A sheet covering a trunk portion of the wiring material extending along the axial direction; In the seat, a first protector supports a portion of the wiring material where a branch wire portion branching from the trunk wire portion along a width direction intersecting with the axial direction is pulled outward; a pair of second protectors that are spaced apart from each other along the axial direction and support both ends of the seat in the axial direction; The first protector includes: a first base and a first cover that support the trunk portion of the wiring material; a first hinge that rotatably connects the first cover to the first base about a first rotation center extending along the axial direction between a first closed position and a first open position; a first locking portion provided at an end of the first base and the first cover opposite to the first hinge, the first locking portion locking the first cover in the first closed position relative to the first base with the seat and the trunk portion sandwiched between the first base and the first cover; a pair of first covers are provided on the first base at intervals along the axial direction, a branch wire pull-out portion is provided between the pair of first covers, from which the branch wire portion is pulled out along the width direction when each of the first covers is positioned at the first closed position; Protector unit.

2. The first cover, in a state where it is positioned at the first closed position and in a free state, is configured to include a pair of straight portions that extend along the surface of the first base and are spaced apart from each other along the width direction, and a curved portion that is provided between the pair of straight portions and is curved in an arc shape so that a central portion in the width direction with respect to the surface is relatively farther away from the both end portions, and the curved portion sandwiches the trunk portion between itself and the first base in a state where it is elastically deformed along the outer shape of the trunk portion. The protector unit according to claim 1 .

3. The second protector includes: a second base and a second cover that support the trunk portion; a second hinge that rotatably connects the second cover to the second base about a second rotation center extending along the axial direction between a second closed position and a second open position; a second locking portion provided at an end of the second base and the second cover opposite to the second hinge, the second locking portion locking the second cover in the second closed position relative to the second base with the seat and the trunk portion sandwiched between the second base and the second cover; the second base has a base-side support portion provided with a plurality of concave and convex portions extending along the wire bundle of the trunk portion, the second cover has a hollow cover-side support portion that sandwiches the sheet and the wire bundle between itself and the plurality of concave and convex portions of the base-side support portion when the second cover is positioned at the second closed position. The protector unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A wiring material extending along the axial direction; a protector unit that is sheathed around the wiring material, The protector unit comprises: A sheet covering the trunk portion of the wiring material; In the seat, a first protector supports a portion of the wiring material where a branch wire portion branching from the trunk wire portion along a width direction intersecting with the axial direction is pulled outward; a pair of second protectors that are spaced apart from each other along the axial direction and support both ends of the seat in the axial direction; The first protector includes: a first base and a first cover that support the trunk portion of the wiring material; a first hinge that rotatably connects the first cover to the first base about a first rotation center extending along the axial direction between a first closed position and a first open position; a first locking portion provided at an end of the first base and the first cover opposite to the first hinge, the first locking portion locking the first cover in the first closed position relative to the first base with the seat and the trunk portion sandwiched between the first base and the first cover; a pair of first covers are provided on the first base at intervals along the axial direction, a branch wire pull-out portion is provided between the pair of first covers, from which the branch wire portion is pulled out along the width direction when each of the first covers is positioned at the first closed position; Wire harness.

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