Wire harness

Abstract

To provide a wire harness that can protect electrical wires while avoiding an increase in the number of components. [Solution] The wire harness 10 comprises a wire group 20 including a plurality of electric wires 20a, a protector body 41 that holds the wire group 20, and a connector 50 provided above Z1 of the protector body 41 into which a mating connector 70 is fitted from a first direction X1. The protector body 41 has a main body portion 45 that houses the wire group 20 and has an opening 44 that opens in a first opposite direction X2, and a cover portion 46 that closes the opening 44. The main body portion 45 has a communication portion 45b that opens upward Z1, and the plurality of electric wires 20a are connected to the end 50a of the connector 50 in the first opposite direction X2 via the communication portion 45b. The cover portion 46 has a rear cover portion 46b that covers the first opposite direction X2 of the plurality of electric wires 20a above Z1 of the communication portion 45b, and an upper cover portion 46c that covers the upper Z1 of the plurality of electric wires 20a.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wire harness.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a wire harness including a group of wires including a plurality of electric wires and a connector. And, as such a wire harness, there is one provided with a wire cover covering a plurality of electric wires connected to the rear end of the connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a wire harness, a plurality of electric wires led out behind the connector are protected by the wire cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the wire harness as described above, since a dedicated wire cover is required, the number of parts increases. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness capable of protecting electric wires while avoiding an increase in the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises a group of wires including a plurality of electric wires, a protector body holding the group of wires, and a connector provided above the protector body into which a mating connector is fitted from a first direction intersecting the upper direction, wherein the protector body has a main body portion having an opening that opens in a first opposite direction which is opposite to the first direction and which houses the group of wires inside, and a cover portion that closes the opening, the main body portion has a communication portion that opens upward, the plurality of electric wires are connected from inside the protector body through the communication portion to the ends of the connector in the first opposite direction, and the cover portion has a rear cover portion that covers the first opposite direction of the plurality of electric wires above the communication portion, and an upper cover portion that covers the upper part of the plurality of electric wires. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The wire harness of this disclosure can protect wires while avoiding an increase in the number of components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness and mounting member in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wire harness in one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the protector and wire group in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the protector and wire group in one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wire harness and mounting member in one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wire harness and mounting member in one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a wire harness and mounting member in one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a partial plan view of a wire harness in one embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cover portion in one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The wire harness in this disclosure is [1] A wire harness comprising a group of wires including a plurality of wires, a protector body holding the group of wires, and a connector provided above the protector body into which a mating connector is fitted from a first direction intersecting the upper direction, wherein the protector body has a main body portion having an opening that opens in a first opposite direction which is opposite to the first direction and which houses the group of wires inside, and a cover portion that closes the opening, the main body portion has a communication portion that opens upward, the plurality of wires are connected from inside the protector body through the communication portion to the ends of the connector in the first opposite direction, and the cover portion has a rear cover portion that covers the first opposite direction of the plurality of wires above the communication portion, and an upper cover portion that covers the upper part of the plurality of wires.

[0009] According to this configuration, the cover portion that closes the opening has a rear cover portion that covers the first opposite direction of the multiple wires and an upper cover portion that covers the top of the multiple wires, thus protecting multiple wires while avoiding an increase in the number of parts. In other words, since the cover portion closes the opening that opens in the first opposite direction in the main body of the protector body, the number of parts does not increase compared to a configuration that provides a separate dedicated cover member to protect multiple wires. Furthermore, the rear cover portion prevents foreign objects from colliding with the multiple wires from the first opposite direction. In addition, the upper cover portion prevents foreign objects from colliding with the multiple wires from above.

[0010] [2] In [1] above, the cover portion may have an inclined portion inclined obliquely upward in the first direction at an end portion in the first opposite direction at the upper end of the cover portion.

[0011] According to the same configuration, since the cover portion has an inclined portion inclined obliquely upward in the first direction at an end portion in the first opposite direction at the upper end of the cover portion, for example, foreign matter that has collided from above at an end portion in the first opposite direction at the upper end of the cover portion can be guided in the first opposite direction.

[0012] [3] In [1] or [2] above, the upper covering portion may extend to the first direction beyond the end portion in the first opposite direction of the connector. According to the same configuration, since the upper covering portion extends to the first direction beyond the end portion in the first opposite direction of the connector, for example, even when the protector body is tilted, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from colliding from above with the plurality of electric wires. That is, for example, in a configuration where the upper covering portion does not extend to the first direction beyond the end portion in the first opposite direction of the connector, when the protector body is tilted, there is a risk that foreign matter from above may pass through between the connector and the upper covering portion, but this can be prevented.

[0013] [4] In any one of [1] to [3] above, the upper covering portion may cover all of the plurality of electric wires when viewed from above. According to the same configuration, since the upper covering portion covers all of the plurality of electric wires when viewed from above, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from colliding from above with all of the plurality of electric wires. ​​​​​​​​[6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], the cover portion may be connected to the lower end of the main body portion by a thin hinge portion so as to be rotatable from an open state to a closed state, and may close the opening portion in the closed state.

[0016] According to this configuration, since the cover portion is connected to the lower end of the main body portion by a thin hinge portion so as to be rotatable from an open state to a closed state, for example, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where it is a separate body from the main body portion.

[0017] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown exaggerated or simplified. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may be different in each drawing.

[0018] Terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. used in the description of this specification are merely used to distinguish objects and do not rank the objects. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and is indicated by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0019] (Configuration of Wire Harness 10) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wire harness 10 includes two wire groups 20, 21, one dissimilar wire group 22, and a protector 30. Further, the protector 30 includes a protector constituent member 40 and two connectors 50. The wire harness 10 of the present embodiment is fixed to an attachment member 60 (see FIG. 1) that constitutes a part of a housing of a battery pack provided in a vehicle (not shown) such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0020] Each figure illustrates a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to both the first axis X and the second axis Y. The figures also illustrate a first direction X1 along the first axis X and a first opposite direction X2 opposite to the first direction X1. Furthermore, the figures illustrate an upward direction Z1 along the third axis Z and a downward direction Z2 opposite to the upward direction Z1.

[0021] (Configuration of mounting member 60) As shown in Figure 1, the mounting member 60 has a plate-shaped bottom wall 61 perpendicular to the third axis Z, and a plate-shaped side wall 62 extending upward Z1 from the bottom wall 61 and perpendicular to the first axis X. The side wall 62 is formed in an elongated shape along the second axis Y and has two fixing holes 63 at separate positions along the second axis Y.

[0022] (Configuration of protector component 40) As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the protector component 40 has a protector body 41 and a downward extension 42. The protector body 41 and the downward extension 42 are integrally molded. The protector body 41 is formed in an elongated shape along the second axis Y in order to hold the elongated wire groups 20, 21 inside.

[0023] (Configuration of connector 50) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the connector 50 is located above the protector body 41 in Z1. The two connectors 50 are fixed at separate positions along the second axis Y above the protector body 41 in Z1. The connector 50 is formed so that the mating connector 70 (see Figures 5 to 7) can be mated into it from the first direction X1.

[0024] (Configuration of the protector unit 41) As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the protector body 41 has a main body portion 45 which has an opening 44 opening in the first opposite direction X2 and houses the wire groups 20 and 21 inside, and a cover portion 46 which closes the opening 44. In this embodiment, the cover portion 46 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 45 by thin hinge portions 47 (see Figure 4) at two positions corresponding to the connector 50 so as to be rotatable from an open state to a closed state, and closes the opening 44 in the closed state. As shown in Figure 6, the cover portion 46 has an engaging claw 46a which engages with an engaging hole 45a provided in the main body portion 45 in the closed state. Note that Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 show the cover portion 46 in the closed state, and Figures 3 and 4 show the cover portion 46 in the open state.

[0025] Furthermore, the main body 45 has communication sections 45b (see Figures 3 and 4) that open upward Z1 at two locations corresponding to the connector 50. The multiple wires 20a and 21a constituting the wire groups 20 and 21 are connected from inside the protector body 41 through the communication sections 45b to the first opposite direction X2 end 50a of the connector 50. The wire groups 20 and 21 are bundled together, for example by tape wrapping, and the multiple wires 20a and 21a are separated in the section passing through the communication sections 45b. The multiple wires 20a and 21a are connected to the first opposite direction X2 end 50a of the connector 50 in a state aligned along the second axis Y. In Figures 3 and 4, the multiple wires 20a and 21a are schematically shown by dashed lines. For more details, Figures 3 and 4 show only the outermost parts of the multiple wires 20a and 21a, and the area through which the multiple wires 20a and 21a pass is shown by a dashed line.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the protector body 41 has a fixing portion 41a that is fixed to the side wall 62 of the mounting member 60 (see Figure 1) along a first direction X1 that intersects the side wall 62. The fixing portion 41a is provided below Z2 below the connector 50. The fixing portion 41a is provided at two locations corresponding to the connector 50 and at two locations corresponding to the fixing holes 63 of the side wall 62. As shown in Figure 6, the fixing portion 41a has a pair of fixing pieces 41b that protrude in the first direction X1 and spread outward toward each other in the first opposite direction X2. When the fixing portion 41a is inserted into the fixing hole 63 along the first direction X1, the fixing pieces 41b engage with the edge of the fixing hole 63, making it possible to fit the fixing portion 41a into the fixing hole 63.

[0027] (Structure of the lower extension 42) As shown in Figure 4, the downward extension 42 is provided below Z2 of the protector body 41 between the two connectors 50. The downward extension 42 extends below Z2 of the protector body 41. The downward extension 42 has a different type of wire holding portion 42a capable of holding different types of wires 22 (see Figures 1 and 5).

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the dissimilar wire holder 42a has a pair of retaining claws 42b capable of holding the dissimilar wire group 22. The dissimilar wire group 22 is held by the dissimilar wire holder 42a when the outer covering material 22a covering the outer circumference is gripped by the pair of retaining claws 42b.

[0029] (Detailed configuration of cover section 46) As shown in Figure 7, the cover portion 46 has a rear cover portion 46b that covers the first opposite direction X2 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a above Z1 above the communication portion 45b, and an upper cover portion 46c that covers the upper part Z1 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a.

[0030] Furthermore, the cover portion 46 has an inclined portion 46d at the end of the upper end of the cover portion 46 in the first opposite direction X2, which is inclined toward the diagonally upward Z1 in the first direction X1. In this embodiment, a part of the upper cover portion 46c that covers the upper Z1 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a constitutes a part of the inclined portion 46d.

[0031] Furthermore, the upper covering portion 46c extends from the end 50a in the first opposite direction X2 of the connector 50 to the first direction X1. Specifically, the upper covering portion 46c has an extension portion 46e that extends in the first direction X1 from the upper end of the inclined portion 46d, and the extension portion 46e extends in the first direction X1 to a position beyond the end 50a in the first opposite direction X2 of the connector 50.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the upper cover portion 46c covers all of the multiple wires 20a when viewed from above Z1. Specifically, the multiple wires 20a are connected to the end portion 50a of the connector 50 in the first opposite direction X2, aligned along the second axis Y, and the upper cover portion 46c covers all of the multiple wires 20a aligned along the second axis Y. In Figure 8, the multiple wires 20a aligned along the second axis Y are schematically shown together with a dashed line. Also, Figure 8 illustrates the upper cover portion 46c covering the multiple wires 20a of the first wire group 20 of the two wire groups 20, 21, but the upper cover portion 46c covering the multiple wires 21a of the second wire group 21 has a similar configuration.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the cover portion 46 has reinforcing ribs 46f extending from the rear cover portion 46b to the upper cover portion 46c. The reinforcing ribs 46f are provided at both ends of the cover portion 46 along the second axis Y.

[0034] (Function of wire harness 10) The operation of the wire harness 10 configured as described above will now be explained. As shown in Figure 7, the first opposite direction X2 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a is covered by the rear cover portion 46b, and the upper direction Z1 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a is covered by the upper cover portion 46c, thus protecting the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the protector 30 may be biased in the first opposite direction X2 above the fixing part 41a Z1, for example, when the connector 50 is biased in the first opposite direction X2 by the mating connector 70. In this case, the protector 30 may tilt with the fixing part 41a as the pivot point due to looseness between the fixing part 41a and the fixing hole 63. Figure 6 schematically illustrates the cover part 46z when the protector 30 is tilted with the fixing part 41a as the pivot point using a dashed line. Also, the upper part Z1 of the protector 30 is covered by a lid 80 which constitutes part of the housing of the battery pack, for example. Even when such a lid 80 is placed over the protector from the top Z1 downwards Z2 (see arrow A), it is prevented, for example, from the frame 80a extending downwards Z2 from the edge of the lid 80 colliding with multiple electric wires 20a, 21a.

[0036] (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects of the above embodiment are described below. (1) The cover portion 46 that closes the opening 44 has a rear cover portion 46b that covers the first opposite direction X2 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a and an upper cover portion 46c that covers the upper part Z1 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a. Thus, the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a are protected while avoiding an increase in the number of parts. That is, since the cover portion 46 closes the opening 44 that opens in the first opposite direction X2 in the main body portion 45 of the protector body 41, the number of parts does not increase compared to a configuration in which a separate dedicated cover member is provided to protect the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a. Furthermore, the rear cover portion 46b prevents foreign objects from colliding with the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a from the first opposite direction X2. Also, the upper cover portion 46c prevents foreign objects from colliding with the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a from above Z1. Furthermore, the rear cover portion 46b prevents the multiple wires 20a and 21a from protruding significantly in the first opposite direction X2. Also, the upper cover portion 46c prevents the multiple wires 20a and 21a from protruding significantly upward Z1.

[0037] (2) The cover portion 46 has an inclined portion 46d at the end of the upper end of the cover portion 46 in the first opposite direction X2, which is inclined toward the diagonally upward Z1 in the first direction X1. Therefore, for example, foreign objects that collide with the end of the upper end of the cover portion 46 in the first opposite direction X2 from above Z1 can be guided toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0038] (3) The upper cover portion 46c extends from the end portion 50a of the connector 50 in the first opposite direction X2 to the first direction X1, so that even if the protector body 41 is tilted, for example, foreign objects can be prevented from colliding with the multiple wires 20a, 21a from above Z1. In other words, for example, in a configuration where the upper cover portion 46c does not extend from the end portion 50a of the connector 50 to the first direction X1, if the protector body 41 is tilted, there is a risk that foreign objects from above Z1 will pass between the connector 50 and the upper cover portion 46c, but this can be prevented.

[0039] (4) The upper covering portion 46c covers all of the multiple electric wires 20a and 21a when viewed from above Z1, so that no foreign objects collide with any of the multiple electric wires 20a and 21a from above Z1.

[0040] (5) The cover portion 46 has reinforcing ribs 46f extending from the rear covering portion 46b to the upper covering portion 46c, so that it is less likely to deform even if a foreign object collides with it from above Z1. Thus, multiple electric wires 20a and 21a are stably protected.

[0041] (6) The cover portion 46 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 45 by a thin hinge portion 47 so that it can rotate from an open state to a closed state, and for example, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the cover portion 46 is a separate part from the main body portion 45.

[0042] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the cover portion 46 has an inclined portion 46d at the upper end of the cover portion 46 in the first opposite direction X2, which is inclined toward the diagonally upward Z1 in the first direction X1. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and a configuration without an inclined portion 46d is also possible.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a portion of the upper covering portion 46c that covers the upper Z1 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a constitutes a portion of the inclined portion 46d, but this is not limited to this. For example, a portion of the rear covering portion 46b that covers the first opposite direction X2 of the multiple electric wires 20a, 21a may constitute a portion of the inclined portion 46d. Also, for example, the inclined portion 46d may be provided between the upper covering portion 46c and the rear covering portion 46b.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the upper covering portion 46c extends from the end 50a in the first opposite direction X2 of the connector 50 to the first direction X1, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the upper covering portion 46c may not extend from the end 50a of the connector 50 to the first direction X1.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the upper covering portion 46c is assumed to cover all of the multiple electric wires 20a and 21a when viewed from above Z1, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to cover only a portion of the multiple electric wires 20a and 21a.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the cover portion 46 is provided with reinforcing ribs 46f extending from the rear covering portion 46b to the upper covering portion 46c, but the invention is not limited to this, and a configuration without reinforcing ribs 46f is also possible.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the cover portion 46 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 45 by a thin hinge portion 47 so as to be rotatable from an open state to a closed state. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the cover portion 46 may be a separate part from the main body portion 45.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the protector 30 is provided with two connectors 50, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have only one connector 50, or to have three or more connectors 50. Also, the number of wire groups 20, 21 held by the protector 30 may be changed according to the number of connectors 50.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the protector 30 has a downward extension 42, and the downward extension 42 has a different wire holding portion 42a capable of holding the different wire group 22, but it is not limited to this. For example, the protector 30 may be configured without the different wire holding portion 42a, or without the downward extension 42. Also, the wire harness 10 may be configured without the different wire group 22.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the fixing portion 41a is provided at two locations corresponding to the connector 50, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the protector 30 may be configured to have only one fixing portion 41a or to have three or more fixing portions 41a.

[0052] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 10 Wire Harnesses 20 wire group 20a Multiple wires 21 wire group 21a Multiple power lines 22 Different types of wires 22a Exterior materials 30 Protectors 40 Protector components 41 Protector body 41a Fixed part 41b Fixed piece 42 Lower part 42a Different type of wire holding part 42b retaining claw 44 openings 45 Main body 45a Engagement hole 45b Communication part 46 Cover section 46a Engaging claw 46b Rear cover 46c Upper covering 46d Slope 46e Extension part 46f Reinforcement Rib 46z Cover 47 Hinge section 50 connectors 50a End 60 Mounting components 61 Bottom wall 62 Side wall 63 Fixing hole 70. Mating connector 80 Lid 80a frame X 1st axis X1 1st direction X2 First opposite direction Y 2nd axis Z 3rd axis Z1 upper Z2 downward

Claims

1. A group of power lines including multiple power lines, A protector body that holds the aforementioned group of wires, A wire harness comprising a connector provided above the protector body, into which a mating connector is fitted from a first direction intersecting the upper direction, The protector body has a main body portion having an opening that opens in a first opposite direction, which is the opposite direction to the first direction, and which houses the group of electric wires inside, and a cover portion that closes the opening. The main body has a communication section that opens upward, The aforementioned plurality of electric wires are connected from inside the protector body through the communication portion to the first opposite end of the connector, The cover portion has, above the communication portion, a rear cover portion that covers the first opposite direction of the plurality of electric wires, and an upper cover portion that covers the upper part of the plurality of electric wires. Wire harness.

2. The cover portion has an inclined portion at the upper end of the cover portion opposite to the first direction, which is inclined diagonally upward in the first direction. The wire harness according to claim 1.

3. The upper covering portion extends further in the first direction than the first opposite end of the connector. The wire harness according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned upper covering portion, when viewed from above, covers all of the aforementioned multiple electric wires. The wire harness according to claim 1.

5. The cover portion has reinforcing ribs extending from the rear cover portion to the upper cover portion. The wire harness according to claim 1.

6. The cover portion is connected to the lower end of the main body portion by a thin-walled hinge portion so as to be rotatable from an open state to a closed state, and in the closed state closes the opening. The wire harness according to claim 1.

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