Slide door power supply device

Abstract

To provide a slide door power supply device capable of suppressing downward displacement of a curved part of an electric cable due to its own weight.SOLUTION: The sliding door power supply device 1 includes an electric cable 2 bridged between the vehicle body 100 and the sliding door 200, a vehicle body-side holding portion 3 fixed to the vehicle body 100 and holding one end side of the electric cable 2, and a sliding door-side holding portion 4 fixed to the sliding door 200 and holding the other end side of the electric cable 2. The electric cable 2 has a curved portion 2B formed between the vehicle body-side holding portion 3 and the sliding door-side holding portion 4, and the sliding door-side holding portion 4 is provided with a cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 41) that holds the electric cable 2 so that a force Fu in the vertical direction acts on the curved portion 2B of the electric cable 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device for a sliding door that supplies power to electrical components incorporated in a sliding door. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrical components such as power window motors and audio speakers have been incorporated into the sliding doors of automobiles, and therefore there are sliding door power supply devices that supply power to these electrical components (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Such a sliding door power supply device has an electric cable that is stretched between the vehicle body and the sliding door, a vehicle body side holding portion that is fixed to the vehicle body and holds one end of the electric cable, and a sliding door side holding portion that is fixed to the sliding door and holds the other end of the electric cable.

[0004] However, when the distance between the vehicle body-side holding part and the sliding door-side holding part decreases as the sliding door moves, the tension in the electric cable is relaxed, causing the middle part of the electric cable to sag, which causes the middle part of the electric cable to be displaced downward by its own weight. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-158065 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-137396 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device for a sliding door that can prevent the middle part of an electric cable from being displaced downward due to its own weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a sliding door power supply device that supplies power from a vehicle body to electrical components incorporated in a sliding door, and includes an electric cable that is stretched between the vehicle body and the sliding door, a vehicle body side holding part that is fixed to the vehicle body and holds one end of the electric cable, and a sliding door side holding part that is fixed to the sliding door and holds the other end of the electric cable, wherein the electric cable has a curved portion formed between the vehicle body side holding part and the sliding door side holding part, and at least one of the vehicle body side holding part and the sliding door side holding part is provided with a cable holding structure that holds the electric cable so that a force in a vertical direction acts on the curved portion of the electric cable. a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electric cable is short in the horizontal direction and long in the up-down direction, the cable holding structure holds the electric cable in a tilted position in which a surface connected to an inner peripheral surface of the curved portion of the electric cable is tilted obliquely upward, the curved portion is formed by the electric cable being curved from the cable holding structure in the vehicle body side holding portion toward the outside of the vehicle body and then toward the front side of the vehicle body, and the cable holding structure holds the electric cable in a tilted position in which the surface of the electric cable on the front side of the vehicle body is tilted obliquely upward. It is something.

[0008] According to this invention, it is possible to prevent the intermediate portion of the electric cable from being displaced downward due to its own weight. In more detail, in the sliding door power supply device according to the present invention, the electric cable has a curved portion formed between the vehicle body-side holder and the sliding door-side holder, and at least one of the vehicle body-side holder and the sliding door-side holder is provided with a cable holding structure that holds the electric cable so that a vertical force acts on the curved portion of the electric cable. As a result, gravity acting on the intermediate portion of the electric cable can be counteracted by the vertical force, thereby preventing the intermediate portion of the electric cable from displacing downward due to its own weight.

[0009] Also, The vertical cross section of the electric cable relative to the longitudinal direction has a shape that is short in the horizontal direction and long in the vertical direction, and the cable holding structure holds the electric cable in an inclined position in which a surface connected to an inner peripheral surface of the curved portion of the electric cable is inclined obliquely upward. There are.

[0010] This means: It is possible to apply a torsional load in a predetermined direction to the electric cable extending from the cable holding structure. As a result, a vertical force from below to above acts on the curved portion of the electric cable, centered on an axis along the extension direction of the electric cable extending from the cable holding structure. As a result, the gravity acting on the middle portion of the electric cable can be counteracted by the vertical force. Therefore, downward displacement of the middle portion of the electric cable due to its own weight can be suppressed.

[0011] In addition, the curved portion is formed by the electric cable bending from the cable holding structure in the vehicle body side holding portion toward the outside of the vehicle body and then toward the front side of the vehicle body, and the cable holding structure holds the electric cable in a tilted position in which the front side of the vehicle body of the electric cable is tilted diagonally upward.

[0012] This allows a torsional load in the clockwise direction, as viewed from outside the vehicle body, to be applied to the electric cable extending from the cable holding structure in the vehicle body-side holding portion. As a result, a vertical force acting from below to above acts on the curved portion of the electric cable, centered on an axis along the extension direction of the electric cable extending from the cable holding structure. Therefore, the vertical force can counteract the gravity acting on the midpoint of the electric cable. Therefore, downward displacement of the midpoint of the electric cable due to its own weight can be suppressed.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the curved portion is formed by the electric cable curving from the cable holding structure at the sliding door side holding portion toward the front side of the vehicle body and then curving around the inside of the vehicle body toward the rear side of the vehicle body, and the cable holding structure may hold the electric cable in a tilted position in which the surface of the electric cable inside the vehicle body is tilted diagonally upward.

[0014] This invention makes it possible to apply a clockwise torsional load, as viewed from the front of the vehicle, to the electric cable extending from the cable holding structure in the sliding door-side holding portion. As a result, a vertical force acting from below to above acts on the curved portion of the electric cable, centered on an axis along the extension direction of the electric cable extending from the cable holding structure. Therefore, the vertical force can counteract gravity acting on the intermediate portion of the electric cable. This prevents the intermediate portion of the electric cable from being displaced downward due to its own weight.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the electric cable may extend from the cable holding structure at an inclination angle obliquely upward relative to the horizontal direction. This invention allows the electric cable to be stretched diagonally upward from the cable holding structure. Therefore, even if the middle part of the electric cable is displaced downward due to its own weight, this displacement can be offset. Therefore, downward displacement of the middle part of the electric cable due to its own weight can be prevented.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, a cable holder having the cable holding structure may be provided, and the cable holder may be attachable to the attachment portion in an inclined state. This invention allows the electric cable to be stretched diagonally upward while using a simple configuration. Therefore, even if the middle part of the electric cable displaces downward due to its own weight, this displacement can be offset. Therefore, downward displacement of the middle part of the electric cable due to its own weight can be suppressed.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the electric cable may be a flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable is used in a single piece or in a state where multiple pieces are stacked.

[0018] This invention reduces the allowable bending radius of the electric cable, thereby preventing excessive load from acting on the curved portion of the electric cable. Furthermore, the flexible flat cable has a highly elastic sheet-like insulator covering the conductor, so the repulsive force of this insulator allows it to exert sufficient vertical force. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the intermediate portion of the electric cable from being displaced downward due to its own weight. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle body-side holding portion as viewed from the front diagonally upward side. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slide door side holding portion as viewed from the front diagonally above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cable holder as viewed from the front diagonally above. [Figure 5] 5 is a plan view of the cable holder as viewed from the direction of arrow V1 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a front view of the cable holder as viewed from the direction of arrow V2 in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are plan and front views showing the routing of the electric cable. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle body-side holding portion as viewed from the front diagonally upward side. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are plan and front views showing the routing of the electric cable. [Figure 10] 2 is a front view of the vehicle body-side holding portion as viewed from the direction of arrow V3 in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 2 is a side view corresponding to the slide door side holding portion as viewed from the direction of arrow V4 in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] A sliding door power supply device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In this application, all drawings indicate directions of the vehicle body 100. Specifically, arrow F indicates the front side of the vehicle body, arrow B indicates the rear side of the vehicle body, arrow E indicates the outside of the vehicle body, and arrow I indicates the inside of the vehicle body. Arrow U indicates the upper side, and arrow D indicates the lower side. In addition, the front-rear direction will be referred to as X, the left-right direction as Y, and the up-down direction as Z in the following description.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the sliding door power supply device 1. In Fig. 1, a part of the cable exterior member 22 is cut away so as to show the flexible flat cable 21 that constitutes the electric cable 2. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle body side holding part 3 as seen from diagonally above the front side.

[0023] Moreover, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sliding door-side holding portion 4 as viewed from diagonally above the front. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cable holder 40 as viewed from diagonally above the front. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cable holder 40 as viewed from the direction of arrow V1 in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front view of the cable holder as viewed from the direction of arrow V2 in Fig. 4. And Fig. 7 is a plan view and a front view showing the route through which the electric cable 2 is laid.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the present invention supplies power from a vehicle body 100 to electrical components incorporated in a sliding door 200. The sliding door power supply device 1 has an electric cable 2, a vehicle body side holding part 3, and a sliding door side holding part 4.

[0025] The electric cable 2 is laid between the vehicle body 100 and the sliding door 200. The electric cable 2 is made up of a plurality of overlapping flexible flat cables (hereinafter referred to as FFCs) 21, each of which has a structure in which parallel-arranged strip-shaped conductors are sandwiched between sheet-shaped insulators. This bundle of FFCs 21 is covered with a flexible cable exterior member 22. The vertical cross section of the electric cable 2 is short in the horizontal direction (the direction defined by the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y) and long in the up-down direction Z.

[0026] The vehicle body side holding portion 3 is fixed to the vehicle body 100 and holds one end of the electric cable 2. The vehicle body side holding portion 3 has a cable holder 30 fixed to a floor panel 101 of the vehicle body 100. A connector unit 5 that connects the electric cable 2 to a power cable on the vehicle body 100 side is attached to the cable holder 30. In the sliding door power supply device 1 according to this embodiment, the power cable is connected to a relay cable 71 that extends from the connector unit 5. The cable holder 30 will be briefly described below.

[0027] 2, the cable holder 30 has a cable accommodating portion 31 and a connector unit accommodating portion 32 arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y of the vehicle body 100. The cable holder 30 also has a cable bend restricting portion 33 and floor panel mounting portions 34 and 35.

[0028] The cable accommodating portion 31 refers to a portion provided with a cable accommodating space 31S that accommodates the electric cable 2, and the connector unit accommodating portion 32 refers to a portion provided with a connector unit accommodating space 32S that accommodates the connector unit 5. The cable bend restricting portion 33 refers to a portion that restricts the shape of the curved portion 2Bb of the electric cable 2 that is pulled toward the front side F of the vehicle body by the sliding door 200 when the sliding door 200 is in a fully closed state. The floor panel mounting portions 34, 35 refer to portions for mounting the cable holder 40 to the floor panel 101.

[0029] The sliding door side holding portion 4 is fixed to the sliding door 200 and holds the other end of the electric cable 2. The sliding door side holding portion 4 has a cable holder 40 fixed to the inner panel 201 of the sliding door 200. A connector unit 6 is attached to the cable holder 40 to connect the electric cable 2 to an electrical cable on the sliding door 200 side. In the sliding door power supply device 1 according to this embodiment, the electrical cable is connected to a relay cable 72 extending from the connector unit 6. The cable holder 40 will be described in detail below.

[0030] 3 to 6, the cable holder 40 has a cable accommodating portion 41 and a connector unit accommodating portion 42 arranged side by side in the fore-and-aft direction X of the vehicle body 100. The cable holder 40 also has a cable bend restricting portion 43 and inner panel mounting portions 44 and 45.

[0031] The cable housing portion 41 refers to a portion that houses the electric cable 2. In other words, the cable housing portion 41 refers to a portion that is provided with a cable housing space 41S that houses the electric cable 2. The cable housing space 41S is open toward the upper side U, and during assembly work, the electric cable 2 is fitted in from this open end.

[0032] The cable housing 41 is provided in the cable holder 40 from the front end to the middle in the front-rear direction X. The cable housing 41 has a pair of side plate portions 411 and a bottom plate portion 412 that connects the ends of the side plate portions 411 on the lower side D. The cable housing 41 also has a cable insertion hole 41a that opens toward the front side F of the vehicle body, and a rear wall portion 414 that faces the cable insertion hole 41a.

[0033] In addition, the cable housing 41 is provided with locking portions 415 that protrude from each side plate portion 411 toward the opposing side plate portion 411. In other words, the cable housing 41 is provided with locking portions 415 that protrude toward the electric cable 2 housed in the cable housing space 41S. These locking portions 415 enter and fit into the recessed groove portions in the cable exterior member 22. Therefore, the cable housing 41 functions as a cable holding structure.

[0034] Additionally, the cable housing 41 has insertion holes 41h formed along each of the pair of side plate portions 411, through which a cable tie 91 (see FIG. 3) can be inserted. Therefore, the electric cable 2 is wound up by the cable tie 91 while housed in the cable housing space 41S. In this way, the cable housing 41 prevents the electric cable 2 from rattling, shifting position, or being pulled out of the cable housing space 41S.

[0035] The connector unit accommodating section 42 refers to a portion that accommodates the connector unit 6. In other words, the connector unit accommodating section 42 refers to a portion that is provided with a connector unit accommodating space 42S that accommodates the connector unit 6. The connector unit accommodating space 42S is open toward the upper side U, and during assembly work, the connector unit 6 is fitted in from this open end.

[0036] The connector unit accommodating portion 42 is provided in the cable holder 40 from a midpoint in the front-rear direction X to the rear end portion. The connector unit accommodating portion 42 has a pair of side plate portions 421 and a bottom plate portion 422 connecting the ends of the side plate portions 421 on the lower side D. The connector unit accommodating portion 42 also has a front wall portion 423 located on the vehicle body rear side B relative to the rear wall portion 414 of the cable accommodating portion 41, and a rear wall portion 424 facing the front wall portion 423.

[0037] Additionally, the connector unit accommodating section 42 is provided with a cutout section 42n that communicates with the rear wall section 424 in the up-down direction Z and that is formed by cutting the bottom plate section 422 up to a midpoint in the front-rear direction X. Furthermore, fixing claws 42f and fixing grooves 42g for fixing the connector unit 6 are provided at positions on an extension line extending from the cutout section 42n in the front wall section 423 toward the front side F of the vehicle body. Therefore, the connector unit accommodating section 42 functions as a connector unit holding structure.

[0038] Additionally, the connector unit accommodating section 42 has an insertion hole 42h formed along the front wall section 423, through which a cable tie 92 (see FIG. 3) can be inserted. Therefore, the connector unit 6 is wound and secured by the cable tie 92 while housed in the connector unit accommodating space 42S. In this way, the connector unit accommodating section 42 prevents the connector unit 6 from rattling, shifting position, or being pulled out of the connector unit accommodating space 42S.

[0039] The cable bend restricting portion 43 refers to a portion that restricts the shape of the curved portion 2Ba of the electric cable 2. More specifically, the cable bend restricting portion 43 refers to a portion that restricts the shape of the curved portion 2Ba (see FIGS. 1 and 7) of the electric cable 2 that is pulled toward the front side F of the vehicle body by the sliding door 200 when the sliding door 200 is in a fully closed state. The arc surface 43s of the cable bend restricting portion 43 is seamlessly connected to the side plate portion 411 that constitutes the cable accommodation space 41S described above.

[0040] The cable bend restricting portion 43 is provided at the front end portion of the cable housing portion 41 on the vehicle body inner side I. The cable bend restricting portion 43 is a semi-cylindrical portion formed with a radius larger than the allowable bending radius of the electric cable 2, and the curved portion 2Ba of the electric cable 2 is wound around along the arc surface 43s. In this way, the cable holder 40 prevents the electric cable 2 from being locally bent when the sliding door 200 is in the fully closed state, and thus prevents a large load from being applied to the electric cable 2.

[0041] The inner panel mounting portion 44 is a portion for mounting the front end portion of the cable holder 40 to the inner panel 201. The inner panel mounting portion 44 extends upward U from the side plate portion 411 on the vehicle body outer side E that constitutes the cable housing portion 41, and has a bolt seat portion 441 formed in its central portion. A through hole that penetrates in the left-right direction Y is formed in the bolt seat portion 441, and a mounting bolt can be inserted through this through hole.

[0042] The inner panel mounting portion 45 refers to a portion for mounting the rear end portion of the cable holder 40 to the inner panel 201. The inner panel mounting portion 45 extends from the side plate portion 421 on the vehicle body outer side E that constitutes the connector unit housing portion 42 toward the vehicle body rear side B, and has a fastener seat portion 451 formed in its central portion. A through hole that penetrates in the left-right direction Y is formed in the fastener seat portion 451, and a fastener 452 is fitted through a guide groove that is connected to this through hole.

[0043] These inner panel mounting portions 44, 45 are inclined at a predetermined angle that is not parallel to the central axis C (see FIGS. 6 and 7) extending from the open end of the cable accommodating space 41S toward the bottom plate portion 412. Furthermore, these inner panel mounting portions 44, 45 are also inclined at a similar angle to the central axis (not shown) extending from the open end of the connector unit accommodating space 42S toward the bottom plate portion 422. However, only the cable accommodating space 41S may be configured to be inclined. In the sliding door power supply device 1 according to this embodiment, the inclination is at an angle of 15 degrees, which was found through various experiments.

[0044] 7, when the cable holder 40 is attached to the inner panel 201, the cable housing 41 is inclined at an angle of 15 degrees with respect to the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the cable housing 41, which functions as a cable holding structure, can hold the electric cable 2 in an inclined position with the surface 2s connected to the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion 2Ba tilted obliquely upward. In other words, the cable housing 41 can hold the electric cable 2 in an inclined position with the surface 2s on the vehicle body inner side I tilted obliquely upward.

[0045] Therefore, it is possible to apply a torsional load Ft in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front side F of the vehicle body to the electric cable 2 extending from the cable insertion hole 41a of the cable housing portion 41. As a result, a vertical force Fu acting from the lower side D to the upper side U acts on the curved portion 2Ba of the electric cable 2, centered on the axis A along the extension direction of the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure. In this way, the gravity G acting on the midpoint of the electric cable 2 can be counteracted by the vertical force Fu.

[0046] As described above, the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the first embodiment supplies power from the vehicle body 100 to electrical components incorporated in the sliding door 200. The sliding door power supply device 1 includes an electric cable 2 that is laid between the vehicle body 100 and the sliding door 200, a vehicle body-side holding portion 3 that is fixed to the vehicle body 100 and holds one end of the electric cable 2, and a sliding door-side holding portion 4 that is fixed to the sliding door 200 and holds the other end of the electric cable 2. The electric cable 2 has curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb formed between the vehicle body-side holding portion 3 and the sliding door-side holding portion 4, and the sliding door-side holding portion 4 is provided with a cable holding structure (cable housing 41) that holds the electric cable 2 so that a force Fu acts in the vertical direction on the curved portion 2Ba of the electric cable 2.

[0047] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, it is possible to prevent the midpoint of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight. More specifically, in the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the present invention, the electric cable 2 has curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb formed between the vehicle body-side holder 3 and the sliding door-side holder 4, and the sliding door-side holder 4 is provided with a cable holding structure (cable housing 41) that holds the electric cable 2 so that a vertical force Fu acts on the curved portion 2Ba of the electric cable 2. Therefore, the vertical force Fu can cancel out the gravity G acting on the midpoint of the electric cable 2. This makes it possible to prevent the midpoint of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0048] Furthermore, in the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the first embodiment, the vertical cross section of the electric cable 2 relative to the longitudinal direction is short in the horizontal direction (the direction defined by the front-to-back direction X and the left-to-right direction Y) and long in the up-down direction Z, and the cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 41) holds the electric cable 2 in a tilted position in which the surface 2s connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb of the electric cable 2 is tilted diagonally upward.

[0049] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, it is possible to apply a torsional load Ft in a predetermined direction to the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 41). As a result, a vertical force Fu acting from the lower side D to the upper side U acts on the curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb of the electric cable 2 about an axis A along the extension direction of the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 41). As a result, the vertical force Fu can cancel out the gravity G acting on the middle portion of the electric cable 2. This makes it possible to prevent the middle portion of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0050] Furthermore, in the sliding door power supply device 1 of the first embodiment, the electric cable 2 is curved from the cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 41) in the sliding door side holding portion 4 toward the front side F of the vehicle body, and then around the inside side I of the vehicle body toward the rear side B of the vehicle body, forming a curved portion 2Ba, and the cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 41) holds the electric cable 2 in a tilted position in which the surface 2s of the electric cable 2 on the inside side I of the vehicle body is tilted diagonally upward.

[0051] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, it is possible to apply a torsional load Ft in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front side F of the vehicle body to the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 41) in the sliding door side holding portion 4. As a result, a vertical force Fu acting from the lower side D to the upper side U acts on the curved portion 2B of the electric cable 2 about an axis A along the extension direction of the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 41). Therefore, the vertical force Fu can cancel out the gravity G acting on the middle portion of the electric cable 2. This makes it possible to prevent the middle portion of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0052] In the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the first embodiment, the electric cable 2 is made up of an FFC 21. Such a sliding door power supply device 1 reduces the allowable bending radius of the electric cable 2. This prevents excessive load from acting on the curved portions 2Ba and 2Bb of the electric cable 2. Furthermore, since the sheet-like insulator covering the conductor of the FFC 21 has high elasticity, the repulsive force thereof can generate a sufficient vertical force Fu.

[0053] Next, a sliding door power supply device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the vehicle body side holding part 3 as seen from the front diagonally upward side. Fig. 9 is a plan view and a front view showing the installation path of the electric cable 2. Here, the cable holder 30 will be described in detail below.

[0054] 8, the cable holder 30 has a cable accommodating portion 31 and a connector unit accommodating portion 32 arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y of the vehicle body 100. The cable holder 30 also has a cable bend restricting portion 33 and floor panel mounting portions 34 and 35.

[0055] The cable housing 31 refers to a portion where a cable housing space 31S that houses the electric cable 2 is provided. Therefore, the cable housing 31 functions as a cable holding structure. Note that the cable housing 31 is fitted with a cover (not shown) to prevent the electric cable 2 from rattling, shifting position, or being pulled out of the cable housing space 31S.

[0056] The connector unit accommodating section 32 refers to a section where a connector unit accommodating space 32S that accommodates the connector unit 5 is provided. Therefore, the connector unit accommodating section 32 functions as a connector unit holding structure. Note that the connector unit accommodating section 32 is fastened by the cable tie 93, thereby preventing the connector unit 5 from rattling, shifting position, or being pulled out of the connector unit accommodating space 32S.

[0057] The cable bend restricting portion 33 is a portion that restricts the shape of the curved portion 2Bb of the electric cable 2 that is pulled toward the front side F of the vehicle body by the sliding door 200 when the sliding door 200 is in the fully closed state. Therefore, the cable holder 30 prevents the electric cable 2 from being locally bent when the sliding door 200 is in the fully closed state, and thus prevents a large load from being applied to the electric cable 2.

[0058] The floor panel mounting portions 34, 35 refer to the locations for mounting the cable holder 30 to the floor panel 101. A through-hole that penetrates in the vertical direction Z is formed in the bolt seat portion 341 of the floor panel mounting portion 34, and a mounting bolt can be inserted through this through-hole. A pair of locking claws that protrude downward are provided in the fastener seat portion 351 of the floor panel mounting portion 35, and a fastener 352 is fitted along these locking claws.

[0059] These floor panel mounting portions 34, 35 are inclined at a predetermined angle that is not perpendicular to the central axis C (see FIG. 9) extending from the open end of the cable accommodating space 31S toward the bottom plate portion 312. Furthermore, these floor panel mounting portions 35, 36 are also inclined at a similar angle to the central axis (not shown) extending from the open end of the connector unit accommodating space 32S toward the bottom plate portion. However, only the cable accommodating space 31S may be configured to be inclined. In the sliding door power supply device 1 according to this embodiment, the inclination is at an angle of 15 degrees, which was found through various experiments.

[0060] 9, when the cable holder 30 is attached to the floor panel 101, the cable housing 31 is tilted at an angle of 15 degrees with respect to the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the cable housing 31, which functions as a cable holding structure, can hold the electric cable 2 in a tilted position with the surface 2s connected to the inner peripheral surface of the curved portion 2Bb of the electric cable 2 tilted obliquely upward. In other words, the cable housing 31 can hold the electric cable 2 in a tilted position with the surface 2s of the vehicle front side F tilted obliquely upward.

[0061] Therefore, it is possible to apply a torsional load Ft in the clockwise direction as viewed from the outside E of the vehicle body to the electric cable 2 extending from the cable insertion hole 31a of the cable housing portion 31. As a result, a vertical force Fu acting from the lower side D to the upper side U acts on the curved portion 2Bb of the electric cable 2, centered on the axis A along the extension direction of the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure. In this way, the gravity G acting on the midpoint of the electric cable 2 can be counteracted by the vertical force Fu.

[0062] As described above, the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the second embodiment supplies power from the vehicle body 100 to electrical components incorporated in the sliding door 200. The sliding door power supply device 1 includes an electric cable 2 that is laid between the vehicle body 100 and the sliding door 200, a vehicle body-side holding portion 3 that is fixed to the vehicle body 100 and holds one end of the electric cable 2, and a sliding door-side holding portion 4 that is fixed to the sliding door 200 and holds the other end of the electric cable 2. The electric cable 2 has curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb formed between the vehicle body-side holding portion 3 and the sliding door-side holding portion 4, and the vehicle body-side holding portion 3 is provided with a cable holding structure (cable housing 31) that holds the electric cable 2 so that a vertical force Fu acts on the curved portion 2Bb of the electric cable 2.

[0063] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, it is possible to prevent the midpoint of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight. More specifically, in the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the present invention, the electric cable 2 has curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb formed between the vehicle body-side holder 3 and the sliding door-side holder 4, and the vehicle body-side holder 3 is provided with a cable holding structure (cable housing 31) that holds the electric cable 2 so that a vertical force Fu acts on the curved portion 2Bb of the electric cable 2. Therefore, the vertical force Fu can cancel out the gravity G acting on the midpoint of the electric cable 2. This makes it possible to prevent the midpoint of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0064] In addition, in the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the second embodiment, the vertical cross section of the electric cable 2 relative to the longitudinal direction is short in the horizontal direction (the direction defined by the front-to-back direction X and the left-to-right direction Y) and long in the up-down direction Z, and the cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 31) holds the electric cable 2 in a tilted position in which the surface 2s connected to the inner peripheral surfaces of the curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb of the electric cable 2 is tilted diagonally upward.

[0065] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, it is possible to apply a torsional load Ft in a predetermined direction to the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31). As a result, a vertical force Fu acting from the lower side D to the upper side U acts on the curved portions 2Ba, 2Bb of the electric cable 2 about an axis A along the extension direction of the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31). As a result, the vertical force Fu can cancel out the gravity G acting on the middle portion of the electric cable 2. This makes it possible to prevent the middle portion of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0066] In addition, in the sliding door power supply device 1 of the second embodiment, the electric cable 2 is curved from the cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 31) in the vehicle body side holding portion 3 toward the outside E of the vehicle body and then toward the front side F of the vehicle body, forming a curved portion 2Bb, and the cable holding structure (cable accommodating portion 31) holds the electric cable 2 in a tilted position in which the surface 2s of the electric cable 2 on the front side F of the vehicle body is tilted diagonally upward.

[0067] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, it is possible to apply a torsional load Ft in the clockwise direction as viewed from the outside E of the vehicle body to the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31) in the vehicle body-side holding unit 3. As a result, a vertical force Fu acting from the lower side D toward the upper side U acts on the curved portion 2B of the electric cable 2, centered on an axis A along the extension direction of the electric cable 2 extending from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31). Therefore, the vertical force Fu can cancel out the gravity G acting on the middle portion of the electric cable 2. This makes it possible to prevent the middle portion of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0068] In the sliding door power supply device 1 according to the second embodiment, the electric cable 2 is also configured by the FFC 21. Such a sliding door power supply device 1 reduces the allowable bending radius of the electric cable 2. This prevents excessive load from acting on the curved portions 2Ba and 2Bb of the electric cable 2. Furthermore, since the sheet-like insulator covering the conductor of the FFC 21 has high elasticity, the repulsive force thereof can generate a sufficient vertical force Fu.

[0069] In correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, The sliding door power supply device corresponds to the sliding door power supply device 1, The electrical cable corresponds to electrical cable 2, The vehicle body side holding portion corresponds to the vehicle body side holding portion 3, The sliding door side holding portion corresponds to the sliding door side holding portion 4, The cable holder is compatible with the Cable Holder 30. The cable holder is compatible with the Cable Holder 40. The cable holding structure corresponds to the cable housing portion 31, The cable holding structure corresponds to the cable housing portion 41, The car body corresponds to the car body 100, The mounting part corresponds to the floor panel 101. The sliding door is compatible with the sliding door 200. The mounting part corresponds to the inner panel 201. The curved part corresponds to the curved part 2Ba, The curved part corresponds to the curved part 2Bb, The surface connected to the inner periphery of the curved part corresponds to surface 2s, The surface of the electric cable inside the vehicle body corresponds to surface 2s, The surface of the electric cable on the front side of the vehicle body corresponds to surface 2s, The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0070] 10 , in the vehicle body side holding portion 3, instead of applying a torsional load Ft to the electric cable 2, the electric cable 2 may be extended from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31) at an inclination angle α that is obliquely upward with respect to the left-right direction Y. In other words, by attaching the cable holder 30 so that it gradually inclines upward U from the vehicle body inside I toward the vehicle body outside E, the electric cable 2 may be extended from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31) at an inclination angle α that is obliquely upward with respect to the left-right direction Y.

[0071] 11 , in the sliding door side holding portion 4, instead of applying a torsional load Ft to the electric cable 2, the electric cable 2 may be extended from the cable holding structure (cable housing 41) at an inclination angle β obliquely upward with respect to the front-to-rear direction X. In other words, by attaching the cable holder 40 so that it gradually inclines upward U from the rear side B of the vehicle body toward the front side F of the vehicle body, the electric cable 2 may be extended from the cable holding structure (cable housing 41) at an inclination angle β obliquely upward with respect to the front-to-rear direction X.

[0072] According to the sliding door power supply device 1, the electric cable 2 can be extended obliquely upward from the cable holding structure (cable housing 31 and cable housing 41) and laid across. Therefore, even if the middle part of the electric cable 2 is displaced downward D due to its own weight, the amount of such displacement can be offset. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the middle part of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0073] In addition, with this sliding door power supply device 1, the electric cable 2 can be extended diagonally upward and spanned despite its simple configuration. Therefore, even if the middle portion of the electric cable 2 is displaced downward D due to its own weight, the amount of such displacement can be offset. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the middle portion of the electric cable 2 from being displaced downward D due to its own weight.

[0074] Finally, in the sliding door power supply device 1 according to each of the above-described embodiments, the electric cable 2 is formed by overlapping a plurality of FFCs 21. However, the electric cable 2 may be formed by bundling so-called coated electric wires having a round cross section. Alternatively, the electric cable 2 may be formed by overlapping so-called ribbon electric wires having a flat cross section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...Sliding door power supply device 2...Electrical cable 3...Vehicle body side holding part 4...Sliding door side holding part 30...Cable holder 40...Cable holder 31...Cable storage section 41...Cable storage section 100...Body 101...Floor panel 200...sliding door 201...Inner panel 2Ba...curved part 2Bb...curved part 2s: Surface connected to the inner surface of the curved part 2s: The surface of the electrical cable inside the vehicle body 2s...Front surface of the electric cable

Claims

1. A sliding door power supply device that supplies power from a vehicle body to electrical components built into a sliding door, an electric cable stretched between the vehicle body and the sliding door; a vehicle body side holding portion fixed to the vehicle body to hold one end side of the electric cable; a sliding door side holding portion fixed to the sliding door to hold the other end of the electric cable, The electric cable has a curved portion formed between the vehicle body side holding portion and the sliding door side holding portion, a cable holding structure that holds the electric cable so that a force in a vertical direction acts on the curved portion of the electric cable is provided on at least one of the vehicle body side holding portion and the sliding door side holding portion; A cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electric cable is short in the horizontal direction and long in the vertical direction, the cable holding structure holds the electric cable in a tilted position in which a surface connected to an inner peripheral surface of the curved portion of the electric cable is tilted obliquely upward, the electric cable is curved so as to extend from the cable holding structure in the vehicle body-side holding portion toward the outside of the vehicle body and then toward the front side of the vehicle body, thereby forming the curved portion, The cable holding structure holds the electric cable in a tilted position with the surface of the electric cable facing the front side of the vehicle body tilted obliquely upward. Sliding door power supply device.

2. The electric cable is extended from the cable holding structure at an inclination angle obliquely upward with respect to the horizontal direction. The power supply device for a sliding door according to claim 1.

3. a cable holder having the cable holding structure; The cable holder can be attached to the attachment part in an inclined state. The power supply device for a sliding door according to claim 2.

4. The electric cable is a flexible flat cable. The power supply device for a sliding door according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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