Wire harness

Abstract

We provide wire harnesses that can be made low-profile. [Solution] The wire harness 10 comprises a wire member 20, a corrugated tube 31 covering the outer circumference of the wire member 20, and a waterproof member 40 covering the outer circumference of the wire member 20 and connected to the corrugated tube 31. The waterproof member 40 has a connecting cylindrical portion 41 covering the outer circumference of the corrugated tube 31 and a flat cylindrical portion 50 formed integrally with the connecting cylindrical portion 41. The cross-sectional shape of the corrugated tube 31 is formed to be circular. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 is formed to be circular. The cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical portion 50 is formed to be flat, where the dimension along the second direction Y1, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction of the waterproof member 40 and the first direction X1, is larger than the dimension along the first direction X1, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the waterproof member 40. The dimension of the flat cylindrical portion 50 along the first direction X1 is smaller than the dimension of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 along the first direction X1.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a wire harness used in vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, there is one that is routed through the outside of the vehicle body such as under the floor of the vehicle. As this type of wire harness, there is one that includes an electric wire, an exterior member such as a corrugated tube that covers the electric wire, and a rubber grommet attached to the outside of the exterior member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The grommet functions as a waterproof member that suppresses water from entering the inside of the exterior member and the grommet by being attached so as to adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the exterior member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above wire harness, a reduction in height is desired. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a wire harness that can be reduced in height.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The wire harness of this disclosure comprises a wire member, an outer covering member covering the outer circumference of the wire member, and a waterproof member covering the outer circumference of the wire member and connected to the outer covering member, wherein the waterproof member has a connecting cylindrical portion covering the outer circumference of the outer covering member and a flat cylindrical portion formed integrally with the connecting cylindrical portion, the cross-sectional shape of the outer covering member is formed to be circular, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylindrical portion is formed to be circular, the cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical portion is formed to be flat in such a way that the dimension along a second direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the first direction is larger than the dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the waterproof member, and the dimension of the flat cylindrical portion along the first direction is smaller than the dimension of the connecting cylindrical portion along the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The wire harness described herein offers the advantage of being able to be made lower in profile. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a wire harness of one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line 5-5 in Figure 2) showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an end view (line 6-6 end view in Figure 2) showing a wire harness of one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is an end view showing a method for manufacturing a wire harness according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an end view showing a portion of the modified wire harness. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an end view showing a portion of the modified wire harness. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an end view showing a modified example of the wire harness manufacturing method. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a modified waterproofing component. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises a wire member, an outer covering member covering the outer circumference of the wire member, and a waterproof member covering the outer circumference of the wire member and connected to the outer covering member, wherein the waterproof member has a connecting cylindrical portion covering the outer circumference of the outer covering member and a flat cylindrical portion formed integrally with the connecting cylindrical portion, the cross-sectional shape of the outer covering member is formed to be circular, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylindrical portion is formed to be circular, the cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical portion is formed to be flat in such a way that the dimension along a second direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the first direction is larger than the dimension along a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the waterproof member, and the dimension of the flat cylindrical portion along the first direction is smaller than the dimension of the connecting cylindrical portion along the first direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, the waterproofing member is formed with a structure having a connecting cylindrical portion and a flat cylindrical portion. That is, a part of the waterproofing member is formed in the flat cylindrical portion. Here, the flat cylindrical portion is formed in a flat shape that is longer in the second direction than in the first direction. Furthermore, the dimensions of the flat cylindrical portion along the first direction are formed to be smaller than the dimensions of the connecting cylindrical portion along the first direction. As a result, the flat cylindrical portion can be made lower in the first direction compared to the connecting cylindrical portion. This makes it possible to make a part of the waterproofing member lower in the first direction, and consequently, a part of the wire harness lower in the first direction.

[0010] By the way, when the cross-sectional shape of either the exterior member or the connecting cylinder portion is formed into a flat shape, it is impossible to evenly apply a tightening force from the connecting cylinder portion to the exterior member, resulting in a portion where the tightening force becomes low and the water-stopping performance deteriorates. In contrast, in the above-described configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the exterior member is formed into a perfect circular shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylinder portion that covers the outer periphery of the exterior member is formed into a perfect circular shape. Therefore, compared with the case where the cross-sectional shape of either the exterior member or the connecting cylinder portion is formed into a flat shape, a tightening force can be uniformly applied to the exterior member from the connecting cylinder portion over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. As a result, the liquid tightness between the connecting cylinder portion and the exterior member can be preferably maintained, and thus the space between the connecting cylinder portion and the exterior member can be preferably water-stopped. Therefore, while making a part of the wire harness lower-profile, it is possible to preferably suppress a decrease in the water-stopping performance between the exterior member and the waterproof member.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], it may further include a path regulating member that is attached to the outer periphery of the flat cylinder portion and regulates the path of the wire member. According to this configuration, a path regulating member capable of regulating the path of the wire member is attached to the outer periphery of the flat cylinder portion. Thereby, for example, even when the waterproof member alone has low rigidity, the path of the wire member can be preferably regulated by the path regulating member.

[0012] [3] In the above [2], the wire member has k wires (k is a natural number of 3 or more), the k wires are arranged in n stages (n is a natural number of 2 or more and n is less than or equal to k - 1) in the first direction inside the connecting cylinder portion, the k wires are arranged in m stages (m is a natural number less than or equal to n - 1) in the first direction inside the flat cylinder portion, and the path regulating member may compress the flat cylinder portion in the first direction so that the k wires are arranged in the m stages inside the flat cylinder portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, the number of stages in the first direction of the k electric wires is set to n stages inside the connection cylinder portion, and is set to m stages that are n - 1 or less inside the flat cylinder portion. Therefore, inside the flat cylinder portion, the number of stages in the first direction of the k electric wires is set to a number that is at least one stage smaller than the number of stages in the first direction of the k electric wires inside the connection cylinder portion. Thus, the flat cylinder portion that houses the k electric wires arranged in m stages can be suitably made lower in height in the first direction.

[0014] [4] In [3] above, the m stages are one stage, and the path restricting member may compress the flat cylinder portion in the first direction so that the k electric wires are arranged side by side along the second direction inside the flat cylinder portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, when the flat cylinder portion is compressed in the first direction by the path restricting member, the k electric wires can be arranged side by side along the second direction inside the flat cylinder portion. As a result, the k electric wires can be arranged in one stage in the first direction inside the flat cylinder portion, so that the flat cylinder portion can be suitably made lower in height in the first direction.

[0016] [5] In [3] or [4] above, the path restricting member has a first divided body and a second divided body formed so as to be able to be joined to the first divided body. The path restricting member is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outer periphery of the flat cylinder portion when the first divided body and the second divided body are joined. The first divided body has a first bottom wall, and the second divided body has a second bottom wall that faces the first bottom wall in the first direction. The first distance along the first direction between the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall may be smaller than the first dimension along the first direction of the k electric wires arranged in n stages.

[0017] In this configuration, the path regulating member is formed in a cylindrical shape, with a first divided body and a second divided body surrounding the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical section. This allows the path regulating member to be retrofitted to the wire member and the flat cylindrical section, even though the path regulating member is cylindrical, because it is divided into a first divided body and a second divided body. This improves the ease of assembly of the path regulating member, and consequently, the ease of assembly of the wire harness.

[0018] [6] In any of the above [1] to [5], the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion has two long sides extending along the second direction, two intermediate portions provided between the two long sides in the first direction and provided outward from the two long sides in the second direction, and four inclined portions connecting each of the ends of the two long sides to each of the two intermediate portions, wherein the two long sides face each other in the first direction, the two intermediate portions face each other in the second direction, and each of the four inclined portions extends along an oblique direction intersecting both the first and second directions and may be formed to be shorter than each of the two long sides.

[0019] According to this configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion is formed to have a long side portion extending along the second direction, an inclined portion extending from the long side portion, and an intermediate portion connected to the inclined portion. Each inclined portion is formed to be shorter than each long side portion. As a result, when the flattened cylindrical portion is pressed so that the two intermediate portions move closer together, for example, the long side portion can be deformed more easily than the inclined portion, allowing the flattened cylindrical portion to be deformed to expand in the first direction. Therefore, when the flattened cylindrical portion is pressed so that the two intermediate portions move closer together, the flattened cylindrical portion deforms to become smaller in the second direction and larger in the first direction. As a result, the difference between the dimensions of the flattened cylindrical portion in the first direction and the dimensions in the second direction can be reduced, and the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion can be made closer to a perfect circle from a flat shape. For this reason, when inserting an electrical wire into the waterproof member, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion can be deformed to be closer to a perfect circle. This improves the workability of the electrical wire insertion work. As a result, the ease of assembly of wire harnesses can be improved.

[0020] [7] In the above [6], the thickness of each of the four inclined portions is formed to be greater than the thickness of each of the two long sides, each of the two intermediate portions is formed to extend along the first direction, and the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion may be octagonal.

[0021] This configuration allows the rigidity of the inclined section to be higher than that of the longer side section. This makes it easier to deform the longer side section than the inclined section when the flattened cylindrical section is pressed so that, for example, the two intermediate sections move closer together. Therefore, the flattened cylindrical section can be suitably deformed to expand in the first direction.

[0022] [8] In any of the above [1] to [5], the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion has two long sides extending along the second direction and two bellows sections provided between the two long sides in the first direction, wherein the two long sides face each other in the first direction and the two bellows sections face each other in the second direction.

[0023] In this configuration, a bellows section is provided on the shorter side of the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical section. This allows the shorter side to be made longer by the amount of excess length due to the bellows section. For this reason, if the flattened cylindrical section is pressed so that two bellows sections move closer together, the bellows sections extend in the first direction, allowing the flattened cylindrical section to be suitably deformed to expand significantly in the first direction.

[0024] [9] In any of the above [1] to [8], the flattened cylindrical portion may have a bellows structure in which annular protrusions and annular recesses are alternately and continuously provided along the axial direction of the flattened cylindrical portion.

[0025] With this configuration, by providing a bellows structure in the flattened cylindrical section, a bent shape can be easily formed in the axial direction of the flattened cylindrical section. [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the wire harnesses of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for the sake of explanation. Also, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "circular" include not only cases where they are strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perfectly circular, but also cases where they are approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perfectly circular within the range that achieves the effects of this embodiment. As used in this description, "cylindrical" includes not only those in which a circumferential wall is formed continuously around the entire circumference, but also those formed by combining multiple parts to form a cylinder, or those having a cutout or the like in the circumferential direction, such as a C-shape. The shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, and polygons with pointed or rounded corners. In this specification, "facing" means that faces or members are in a position facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. Furthermore, the term "opposing" as used herein includes both cases where a component other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts. Also, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" as used herein are used merely to distinguish objects and do not rank them. The present invention is not limited to these examples and is shown in the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended.

[0026] (Overall configuration of wire harness 10) The wire harness 10 shown in Figure 1 is installed in a vehicle V, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more in-vehicle devices. In-vehicle devices are electrical devices installed in the vehicle V. For example, the wire harness 10 electrically connects an inverter 11 installed at the front of the vehicle V to a high-voltage battery 12 installed behind the inverter 11 in the vehicle V.

[0027] The inverter 11 is connected to a motor (not shown) for wheel drive, which is the power source for the vehicle's movement. The inverter 11 generates alternating current (AC) power from the DC power of the high-voltage battery 12 and supplies this AC power to the motor. The high-voltage battery 12 is, for example, a battery capable of supplying a voltage of several hundred volts.

[0028] The wire harness 10 is routed to pass outside the vehicle, for example, under the floor of the vehicle V. For example, the wire harness 10 extends from the inverter 11 to below the underbody panel of the vehicle V, then passes under the underbody panel and extends to the rear of the vehicle V, and then extends upward to the high-voltage battery 12.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wire harness 10 comprises a wire member 20 and a cylindrical member 30 that surrounds the outer circumference of the wire member 20. The wire member 20 has k wires 21 (where k is a natural number of 3 or more) and a cylindrical braided member 25 that covers the outer circumference of the k wires 21. The wire member 20 in this embodiment has three wires 21: 21a, 21b, and 21c. One end of each wire 21 is connected to the inverter 11 shown in Figure 1, and the other end of each wire 21 is connected to the high-voltage battery 12 shown in Figure 1. Each wire 21 is, for example, a high-voltage wire capable of handling high voltage and high current.

[0030] (Configuration of the electric wire 21) As shown in Figures 4 to 6, each electric wire 21 is a covered electric wire having a core wire 22 made of a conductor and an insulating coating 23 that covers the outer circumference of the core wire 22.

[0031] As the core wire 22, for example, a stranded wire made by twisting together multiple metal strands or a single-core wire consisting of a single conductor can be used. As a single-core wire, for example, a columnar conductor consisting of a single columnar metal rod with a solid internal structure or a cylindrical conductor with a hollow internal structure can be used. A combination of stranded wire, columnar conductor, and cylindrical conductor may be used as the core wire 22. As the material of the core wire 22, for example, a metal material such as copper or aluminum can be used.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the insulating coating 23 covers, for example, the outer surface of the core wire 22 around its entire circumference. The insulating coating 23 is made of, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0033] The cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting each wire 21 with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each wire 21, that is, the cross-sectional shape of each wire 21, can be formed into any shape. The cross-sectional shape of each wire 21 can be formed into, for example, a circular shape, a semicircular shape, a polygonal shape, a square shape, or a flattened shape. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each wire 21 is formed into a circular shape. In this specification, "flattened shape" means a shape that is flat overall, and is a shape in which one direction is large, such as a rectangle, an oval or an ellipse. In this specification, "rectangle" is a shape that has a long side and a short side, excluding squares.

[0034] The braided member 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape that encloses the outer circumference of multiple electric wires 21 collectively. The braided member 25 encloses the outer circumference of multiple electric wires 21 over its entire circumference. A portion of the inner surface of the braided member 25 is in contact with the outer surfaces of the multiple electric wires 21. The braided member 25 is flexible. As the braided member 25, for example, a braided wire made of multiple metal strands or a braided wire made by combining metal strands and resin strands can be used. As the material for the metal strands, for example, metal materials such as copper-based or aluminum-based materials can be used. Each end of the braided member 25 in the longitudinal direction is connected to an earth member (not shown), such as a vehicle body or a metal case. Such a braided member 25 functions as an electromagnetic shielding member.

[0035] (Structure of the cylindrical member 30) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cylindrical member 30 is formed as a long, cylindrical shape overall. The electric wire member 20 is housed in the internal space of the cylindrical member 30. The cylindrical member 30 has the function of protecting the electric wire member 20 housed inside from flying objects and water droplets, for example.

[0036] The cylindrical member 30 includes, for example, a corrugated tube 31, a corrugated tube 32, a waterproof member 40, and a path regulating member 70. The corrugated tubes 31 and 32 are made of, for example, synthetic resin. As the material for the corrugated tubes 31 and 32, for example, conductive resin materials or non-conductive resin materials can be used. As the resin material, for example, synthetic resins such as polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, and ABS resin can be used. As the material for the waterproof member 40, for example, an elastic material can be used. As the elastic material, for example, rubber such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) or elastomer can be used.

[0037] (Composition of corrugated tubes 31 and 32) Corrugated tube 31 is connected to waterproof member 40. Corrugated tube 32 is connected to waterproof member 40. Corrugated tubes 31 and 32 have similar structures. Therefore, the structure of corrugated tube 31 will be described here, and a detailed description of corrugated tube 32 will be omitted. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, corrugated tubes 31 and 32 and braided member 25 are shown in a broken state.

[0038] The corrugated tube 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the electric wire member 20 over its entire circumference. As shown in Figure 4, the corrugated tube 31 has a bellows structure in which annular protrusions 33 and annular recesses 34 are alternately and continuously provided along the axial direction of the corrugated tube 31. Here, the axial direction of the corrugated tube 31 is the direction extending along the central axis of the corrugated tube 31. As shown in Figure 5, the planar shape of the corrugated tube 31, as viewed in the axial direction of the corrugated tube 31, is formed in a circular shape. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the corrugated tube 31 is formed in a circular shape.

[0039] (Configuration of waterproofing component 40) As shown in Figure 3, the waterproof member 40 is provided between the corrugated tube 31 and the corrugated tube 32. The waterproof member 40 is provided so as to span between the end of the corrugated tube 31 and the end of the corrugated tube 32. The first axial end of the waterproof member 40 (here, the left end in the figure) covers the outer circumference of the end of the corrugated tube 31, and the second axial end of the waterproof member 40 (here, the right end in the figure) covers the outer circumference of the end of the corrugated tube 32. Here, the axial direction of the waterproof member 40 is the direction extending along the central axis of the waterproof member 40. The waterproof member 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the electric wire member 20 over its entire circumference.

[0040] The waterproof member 40 has, for example, connecting cylindrical portions 41 and 42, and a flat cylindrical portion 50 provided between the connecting cylindrical portion 41 and the connecting cylindrical portion 42. The waterproof member 40 is, for example, a single component in which the connecting cylindrical portion 41, the flat cylindrical portion 50, and the connecting cylindrical portion 42 are continuously and integrally formed. The waterproof member 40 is, for example, a resin molded product formed using a mold.

[0041] (Configuration of connecting cylinder sections 41 and 42) The connecting cylinder portion 41 is provided at the first axial end of the waterproof member 40. The connecting cylinder portion 41 is connected to the end of the corrugated tube 31. The connecting cylinder portion 42 is provided at the second axial end of the waterproof member 40. The connecting cylinder portion 42 is connected to the end of the corrugated tube 32. The connecting cylinder portions 41 and 42 have similar structures. Therefore, the structure of the connecting cylinder portion 41 will be described here, and a detailed description of the connecting cylinder portion 42 will be omitted.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the connecting cylinder portion 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is sized to fit around the outer circumference of the corrugated tube 31. The planar shape of the connecting cylinder portion 41, as viewed in the axial direction of the waterproofing member 40, is formed to be perfectly circular. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylinder portion 41 is formed to be perfectly circular. The connecting cylinder portion 41 is formed to be able to closely adhere to the outer circumferential surface of the annular protrusion 33 of the corrugated tube 31. The connecting cylinder portion 41 tightens the corrugated tube 31 from the outer circumference with tension to maintain liquid tightness. At this time, since both the connecting cylinder portion 41 and the corrugated tube 31 are formed to be perfectly circular, the connecting cylinder portion 41 can apply uniform tension to the corrugated tube 31 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. This allows for optimal liquid tightness between the connecting cylinder portion 41 and the corrugated tube 31. As a result, it is possible to suppress water from entering the inside of the waterproofing member 40 and the corrugated tube 31 from between the connecting cylinder portion 41 and the corrugated tube 31.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the inner circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder portion 41 has one or more (three in this embodiment) lips 43 that engage with the corrugated tube 31. Each lip 43 is formed continuously over the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder portion 41, and is formed in an endless structure where the start and end points coincide. Each lip 43 is formed so that, for example, when the connecting cylinder portion 41 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the corrugated tube 31, it fits into the annular recess 34 of the corrugated tube 31.

[0044] A groove-shaped fixing portion 44 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder portion 41. The fixing portion 44 is formed continuously, for example, around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting cylinder portion 41. A connecting member 45 is provided on the fixing portion 44. As the connecting member 45, for example, a cable tie or crimping ring made of resin or metal can be used. The connecting cylinder portion 41 is firmly fixed to the corrugated tube 31 by being tightened from the outer circumferential side by the connecting member 45, for example. This effectively prevents the corrugated tube 31 from detaching from the connecting cylinder portion 41.

[0045] Furthermore, the corrugated tube 31 is inserted only into the connecting cylindrical portion 41 of the waterproofing member 40. In other words, the corrugated tube 31 is not inserted all the way to the flattened cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproofing member 40.

[0046] Here, as shown in Figure 5, inside the connecting cylinder 41 and the corrugated tube 31, the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged in n rows (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to k-1 and greater than or equal to 2) in a first direction X1 perpendicular to the axial direction of the waterproof member 40, in this case in two rows. In this embodiment, inside the connecting cylinder 41, the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged in a stacked (pyramid-like) manner. For example, inside the connecting cylinder 41, the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged such that when the centers of each core wire 22 are connected, they form an approximately equilateral triangle. Specifically, inside the connecting cylinder 41, two of the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged side by side along a second direction Y1 perpendicular to both the axial direction of the waterproof member 40 and the first direction X1. These two electric wires 21a and 21c are arranged, for example, so that their outer surfaces are partially in contact with each other. Inside the connecting cylinder portion 41, the remaining electric wire 21b of the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c is stacked on top of the two electric wires 21a and 21c aligned in the second direction Y1. That is, the remaining electric wire 21b is stacked on top of the two electric wires 21a and 21c aligned in the second direction Y1 in the first direction X1 which is perpendicular to both the axial direction of the waterproofing member 40 and the second direction Y1. The remaining electric wire 21b is arranged so that it is partially in contact with the outer surfaces of both electric wires 21a and 21c aligned in the second direction Y1.

[0047] Inside the connecting cylinder portion 41 and the corrugated tube 31, the braided member 25 is formed to surround the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c, which are arranged in a stacked manner. At this time, the inner circumferential surface of the braided member 25 is in partial contact with, for example, the outer circumferential surface of each of the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the braided member 25 is in partial contact with, for example, the inner circumferential surface of the annular recess 34 of the corrugated tube 31.

[0048] (Structure of the flattened cylindrical section 50) As shown in Figure 3, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is formed to extend from the connecting cylindrical portion 41 to the connecting cylindrical portion 42.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 has a flattened planar shape when viewed in the axial direction of the waterproofing member 40. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is flattened. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is flattened such that the dimension along the second direction Y1 is larger than the dimension along the first direction X1.

[0050] The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 has two long sides 51 and 52 extending along the second direction Y1, which is the longitudinal direction, two intermediate sides 53 and 54 provided between the two long sides 51 and 52 in the first direction X1, and four inclined sides 55, 56, 57, and 58. The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 as a whole is formed in a hexagonal shape.

[0051] Each of the two long sides 51 and 52 extends horizontally along the second direction Y1. The two long sides 51 and 52 are formed to extend parallel to each other. The two long sides 51 and 52 are arranged to face each other in the first direction X1.

[0052] The two intermediate sections 53 and 54 are positioned to face each other in the second direction Y1. Each intermediate section 53 and 54 is positioned outward from the long sides 51 and 52 in the second direction Y1. Each intermediate section 53 and 54 is formed, for example, as a point. The outer surface of each intermediate section 53 and 54 is formed as a curved surface with an arc shape.

[0053] The four inclined sections 55, 56, 57, and 58 connect each of the ends of the two long sides 51 and 52 to each of the two intermediate sections 53 and 54. Inclined section 55 connects the long side 51 to the intermediate section 53. Inclined section 56 connects the long side 51 to the intermediate section 54. Inclined section 57 connects the long side 52 to the intermediate section 53. Inclined section 58 connects the long side 52 to the intermediate section 54. Each inclined section 55, 56, 57, and 58 extends along a diagonal direction that intersects both the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1 in the cross-section. More specifically, each inclined section 55 and 58 extends along a first diagonal direction that intersects both the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1 in the cross-section. Each inclined portion 56, 57 extends along a second oblique direction that intersects both the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1 in the cross-section, and also intersects the first oblique direction. The lengths of each inclined portion 55, 56, 57, 58 are shorter than the lengths of each long side portion 51, 52.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is formed to be smaller in size than the connecting cylindrical portion 41, for example, in the first direction X1. That is, the dimensions of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 along the first direction X1 are smaller than the dimensions of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 along the first direction X1. The connecting cylindrical portion 41 is formed to protrude in the first direction X1 from the outer circumferential surface of the flattened cylindrical portion 50.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is formed to be larger in size than the connecting cylindrical portion 41, for example, in the second direction Y1. The dimensions of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 along the second direction Y1 are larger than the dimensions of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 along the second direction Y1.

[0056] The waterproof member 40 has a connecting cylindrical portion 46 that connects the connecting cylindrical portion 41 and the flat cylindrical portion 50. The connecting cylindrical portion 46 is formed such that in the second direction Y1, the inner diameter and outer diameter decrease as it moves from the flat cylindrical portion 50 toward the connecting cylindrical portion 41. As shown in Figure 4, the connecting cylindrical portion 46 is formed such that in the first direction X1, the inner diameter and outer diameter increase as it moves from the flat cylindrical portion 50 toward the connecting cylindrical portion 41.

[0057] Here, as shown in Figure 6, inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50, the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged in m rows (where m is a natural number less than or equal to n-1) in the first direction X1, in this case in one row. In this embodiment, inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50, the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged side by side along the second direction Y1. That is, inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50, the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged side by side along the second direction Y1. The three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c are arranged such that, for example, the outer surfaces of two adjacent electric wires 21 are in partial contact with each other.

[0058] Inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50, the braided member 25 is formed to surround the three electric wires 21a, 21b, and 21c arranged side by side. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the braided member 25 is formed to be flattened. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the braided member 25 inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is formed to be oval. Inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50, the inner circumferential surface of the braided member 25 is in partial contact with, for example, the outer circumferential surface of each of the three electric wires 21. Also, the outer circumferential surface of the braided member 25 is in contact with, for example, the inner circumferential surface of the flattened cylindrical portion 50, specifically the inner circumferential surfaces of the long sides 51 and 52. The outer circumferential surface of the braided member 25 is in contact with, for example, the inner circumferential surfaces of the long sides 51 and 52 along the second direction Y1.

[0059] As explained above, the arrangement of the three electric wires 21 differs between the interior of the connecting cylinder portion 41 (see Figure 5), which has a circular cross-section, and the interior of the flattened cylinder portion 50, which has a flattened cross-section. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the arrangement of the three electric wires 21, which are stacked in a bale-like fashion inside the connecting cylinder portion 41, is changed so that they are arranged side by side along the second direction Y1 inside the flattened cylinder portion 50.

[0060] (Configuration of the route regulating member 70) As shown in Figure 2, the path restricting member 70 is attached to the outer circumference of the waterproof member 40. The path restricting member 70 is provided so as to cover the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproof member 40. The path restricting member 70 is provided so as to expose the connecting cylindrical portions 41 and 42 of the waterproof member 40. The path restricting member 70 restricts the path of the electric wire member 20. The path restricting member 70 is formed, for example, in a shape that follows the desired path of the electric wire member 20. The path restricting member 70 acts to make the electric wire member 20 and the waterproof member 40 less likely to bend than when the path restricting member 70 is not attached, thereby preventing the electric wire member 20 from deviating from the desired path. The path restricting member 70 is, for example, more rigid than the waterproof member 40. The path restricting member 70 has a rigidity that makes it less likely to bend in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wire harness 10 compared to the waterproof member 40.

[0061] The path restricting member 70 has a bent shape, for example, in a plan view taken in the first direction X1. Furthermore, the path restricting member 70 has a shape that is bent upwards toward the first direction X1.

[0062] The path regulating member 70 is formed, for example, in an overall flattened cylindrical shape. As shown in Figure 6, the cross-sectional shape of the path regulating member 70 is formed in a rectangular shape, which is longer in the second direction Y1 than in the first direction X1.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the path regulating member 70 is composed of, for example, multiple (two in this embodiment) divided parts, namely a first divided part 71 and a second divided part 72. The first divided part 71 and the second divided part 72 are, for example, separate parts. The first divided part 71 and the second divided part 72 are formed to be detachably attached to each other. The path regulating member 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproof member 40 by the combination of the first divided part 71 and the second divided part 72. The first divided part 71 is assembled to the second divided part 72 along the first direction X1. Each of the first divided part 71 and the second divided part 72 extends along the axial direction of the waterproof member 40. In other words, the axial direction of the path regulating member 70 coincides with the axial direction of the waterproof member 40. Here, the axial direction of the path regulating member 70 is the direction in which the central axis of the path regulating member 70 extends.

[0064] The first segment 71 and the second segment 72 are made of, for example, synthetic resin. As materials for the first segment 71 and the second segment 72, synthetic resins such as polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, and ABS resin can be used. The materials for the first segment 71 and the second segment 72 may be the same or different.

[0065] (Composition of the first divided body 71) As shown in Figure 6, the first divided body 71 is formed, for example, in the shape of a half-cylindrical section as a whole. The first divided body 71 is formed in the shape of a half-cylindrical section that covers the outer circumference of the waterproofing member 40 in a part of the circumferential direction of the waterproofing member 40. The cross-sectional shape of the first divided body 71 is formed in the shape of a U as a whole.

[0066] The first divided body 71 has, for example, a first bottom wall 73A facing the second divided body 72, and two first side walls 74A projecting toward the second divided body 72 from both side edges of the first bottom wall 73A. The first bottom wall 73A is formed in a plate shape. The first bottom wall 73A has thickness in the first direction X1 and width in the second direction Y1.

[0067] Each first side wall 74A is formed integrally with the first bottom wall 73A in a continuous manner. Each first side wall 74A protrudes, for example, from each of the two edges in the width direction (here, the second direction Y1) of the first bottom wall 73A toward the first direction X1. Each first side wall 74A faces each other, for example, in the second direction Y1. Each first side wall 74A is formed in a plate shape. Each first side wall 74A has thickness in the second direction Y1 and height in the first direction X1. Each first side wall 74A extends along the entire length of the first bottom wall 73A.

[0068] The first divided body 71 has a first accommodating recess 75A. The first accommodating recess 75A constitutes the internal space of the path regulating member 70 when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together. The first accommodating recess 75A is formed, for example, so as to recess from the end face of the first divided body 71 in a first direction X1 toward the first bottom wall 73A. The first accommodating recess 75A is composed of the inner surface of the first bottom wall 73A and the inner surfaces of the two first side walls 74A. As shown in Figure 3, the first accommodating recess 75A opens in the first direction X1 and also opens in the axial direction of the path regulating member 70. The first accommodating recess 75A extends along the axial direction of the path regulating member 70 along its entire axial length.

[0069] The first segmented body 71 has, for example, a plurality of first engaging portions 76. The plurality of first engaging portions 76 are provided at intervals along the axial direction of the path regulating member 70. Each first engaging portion 76 is formed to protrude outward from the outer surface of each first side wall 74A. As shown in Figure 7, each first engaging portion 76 is, for example, an engaging frame. Each first engaging portion 76 is formed, for example, a rectangular frame and has an engaging hole 77 in the center of the frame.

[0070] The first segmented body 71 has, for example, one or more (two in this embodiment) fixing parts 78. The fixing parts 78 are, for example, members for fixing the path regulating member 70 to the vehicle body. The fixing parts 78 have, for example, insertion holes 78X that penetrate the fixing part 78 in a first direction X1. For example, a fastener (not shown) provided on the vehicle body is inserted into the insertion hole 78X. This fixes the path regulating member 70 to the vehicle body. For example, a bracket can be used as the fastener.

[0071] (Composition of the second division 72) As shown in Figure 6, the second divided body 72 is formed, for example, as a half-cylindrical shape overall. The second divided body 72 has a structure similar to that of the first divided body 71. For this reason, the parts of the second divided body 72 that have a structure common to the first divided body 71 are denoted by changing the last letter "A" of the corresponding component of the first divided body 71 to "B", and a detailed explanation of these parts is omitted.

[0072] The second divided body 72 has a second bottom wall 73B facing the first bottom wall 73A, and two second side walls 74B protruding toward the first divided body 71 from both side edges of the second bottom wall 73B. The second divided body 72 has a second accommodating recess 75B formed by the inner surface of the second bottom wall 73B and the inner surfaces of the two second side walls 74B. The second accommodating recess 75B constitutes the internal space of the path regulating member 70 when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together. That is, when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together, the first accommodating recess 75A and the second accommodating recess 75B are superimposed to form the internal space of the path regulating member 70 in which the flat cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproofing member 40 is accommodated. When the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together, the tip surface of the first side wall 74A and the tip surface of the second side wall 74B are in contact with each other.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3, the second segment 72 has a plurality of second engagement portions 79. The plurality of second engagement portions 79 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the path regulating member 70. Each second engagement portion 79 is positioned opposite the first engagement portion 76 of the first segment 71. Each second engagement portion 79 is provided on each second side wall 74B. Each second engagement portion 79 is an elastically deformable elastic piece that protrudes toward the first segment 71 from the tip surface of each second side wall 74B. As shown in Figure 6, the second engagement portion 79 engages with the engagement hole 77 of the first engagement portion 76. The first engagement portion 76 and the second engagement portion 79 are engaged with each other, for example, by a snap-fit ​​method utilizing the elastic deformation of the second engagement portion 79.

[0074] The first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are assembled together along the first direction X1. The first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together, for example, by overlapping the first receiving recess 75A and the second receiving recess 75B. The first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together with the flat cylindrical portion 50 sandwiched between them. The first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together such that the first engaging portion 76 and the second engaging portion 79 engage with each other. The engagement of these first engaging portion 76 and second engaging portion 79 maintains the joined state of the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72. In the joined state of the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72, the path regulating member 70 is formed as a cylindrical body that covers the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50. Furthermore, when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are combined, for example, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is housed in the internal space of the path restricting member 70 in a compressed state in the first direction X1. Specifically, the path restricting member 70 compresses the flattened cylindrical portion 50 in the first direction X1 so that k electric wires 21 are arranged in m rows inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50. In this embodiment, the path restricting member 70 compresses the flattened cylindrical portion 50 in the first direction X1 so that three electric wires 21 are arranged side by side along the second direction Y1 inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50. In other words, the size of the internal space of the path restricting member 70 is set so that the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is compressed in the first direction X1. For example, the dimension of the internal space of the path restricting member 70 along the first direction X1 is set to be smaller than the dimension of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 along the first direction X1 before the path restricting member 70 is attached.

[0075] The first distance L1 along the first direction X1 between the first bottom wall 73A and the second bottom wall 73B is smaller than the first dimension D1 along the first direction X1 in the k (here, 3) wires 21 arranged in n rows (here, 2 rows) as shown in Figure 5. Here, the first dimension D1 is the maximum dimension along the first direction X1 among the outer dimensions of the wire bundle consisting of the three wires 21. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the first distance L1 is the shortest distance along the first direction X1 between the inner surface of the first bottom wall 73A and the inner surface of the second bottom wall 73B. By setting the first distance L1 in this way, when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together, the three wires 21 can no longer maintain an n-row arrangement inside the path regulating member 70, and therefore the three wires 21 are changed to an m-row arrangement.

[0076] (Method for manufacturing wire harness 10) Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the wire harness 10 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 8, a first structure is formed by connecting a corrugated tube 31, a waterproof member 40, and a corrugated tube 32. Specifically, the connecting cylindrical portion 41 of the waterproof member 40 is connected to the outer circumference of the end of the corrugated tube 31, and the connecting cylindrical portion 42 of the waterproof member 40 is connected to the outer circumference of the end of the corrugated tube 32, forming the first structure. At this time, the flat cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproof member 40 is formed to extend in a straight line, without having yet formed a bent shape, for example.

[0077] Next, the wire member 20 is inserted into the first structure. When threading the wire member 20 in this manner, it is easier to thread the wires if the three wires 21 are arranged in a stacked manner compared to when the three wires 21 are arranged side by side. However, if the waterproof member 40 is provided with a flat cylindrical section 50, it is difficult to thread the three wires 21, which are arranged in a stacked manner, through the flat cylindrical section 50.

[0078] Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed to be closer to a perfect circle shape, and three electric wires 21 are passed through the inside of the flattened cylindrical portion 50. By passing the electric wires 21 through while deforming the flattened cylindrical portion 50 in this way, the electric wires 21 can be passed through with the three electric wires 21 arranged in a stacked manner. Here, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed so that the dimension along the second direction Y1 becomes smaller and the dimension along the first direction X1 becomes larger when the two intermediate portions 53 and 54 are pressed together by the fingers of the worker performing the wire passing work. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is different from an oval shape, etc., and the end in the second direction Y1 is formed as a point-shaped intermediate portion 53, 54, so that the point-shaped intermediate portions 53, 54 can be suitably pressed by the fingers of the worker. Furthermore, by forming the ends in the second direction Y1 as point-like intermediate portions 53 and 54, when pressed with a finger or the like, these can serve as starting points for the flattened cylindrical portion 50 to expand in the first direction X1. In addition, in the flattened cylindrical portion 50, the inclined portions 55, 56, 57, and 58 that extend inclined to expand outward from the intermediate portions 53 and 54 in the first direction X1 are formed to be shorter than the long sides 51 and 52. As a result, when the intermediate portions 53 and 54 are pressed with a finger or the like, the long sides 51 and 52 are easier to deform than the inclined portions 55, 56, 57, and 58, thus allowing the flattened cylindrical portion 50 to be suitably deformed to expand in the first direction X1. Specifically, in this process, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed so that the angles formed by the inclined portions 55 and 57 and the angles formed by the inclined portions 56 and 58 widen, and each long side 51 and 52 is deformed so that it bends midway. In this way, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 in this example is deformed into an octagonal shape overall, and is deformed into a shape that is closer to a perfect circle compared to the flattened shape before deformation. The wire member 20 is threaded with the braided member 25 attached to the outer circumference of the three wires 21.

[0079] Through the above process, a structure can be obtained in which the electric wire member 20 is inserted inside the first structure. Subsequently, when the pressure from a finger or the like is released, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 will attempt to return to its flattened shape, which is longer in the second direction Y1 than in the first direction X1. However, the arrangement of the three electric wires 21 may be maintained in a stacked arrangement.

[0080] Next, as shown in Figure 3, a path regulating member 70 is attached to the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproof member 40. Specifically, the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together with the flat cylindrical portion 50 sandwiched between them. Then, the joined state of the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 is maintained by engaging the first engaging portion 76 of the first divided body 71 and the second engaging portion 79 of the second divided body 72 with each other. At this time, as shown in Figure 6, the first distance L1 along the first direction X1 between the first bottom wall 73A and the second bottom wall 73B is set to be smaller than the first dimension D1 along the first direction X1 in the three electric wires 21 arranged in two rows as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together, the three electric wires 21, which are arranged in a stacked-up manner, are pressed in the first direction X1 by the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72. As a result, the three electric wires 21, which are arranged in a stacked-up manner inside the flat cylindrical portion 50, can be changed to a side-by-side arrangement. Thus, the flat cylindrical portion 50 can be suitably made lower in the first direction X1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, by attaching the path regulating member 70 to the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50, a shape similar to the bent shape of the path regulating member 70 is formed on the flat cylindrical portion 50 and the electric wire member 20.

[0081] The wire harness 10 of this embodiment can be manufactured through the above manufacturing process. (Effects of this embodiment) Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be explained.

[0082] (1) The wire harness 10 comprises a wire member 20, a corrugated tube 31 covering the outer circumference of the wire member 20, and a waterproof member 40 covering the outer circumference of the wire member 20 and connected to the corrugated tube 31. The waterproof member 40 has a connecting cylindrical portion 41 covering the outer circumference of the corrugated tube 31 and a flat cylindrical portion 50 formed integrally with the connecting cylindrical portion 41. The cross-sectional shape of the corrugated tube 31 is formed to be circular. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 is formed to be circular. The cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical portion 50 is formed to be flat, with the dimension along the second direction Y1 perpendicular to the axial direction of the waterproof member 40 being larger than the dimension along the first direction X1 perpendicular to both the axial direction and the second direction Y1 of the waterproof member 40. The dimension of the flat cylindrical portion 50 along the first direction X1 is smaller than the dimension of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 along the first direction X1.

[0083] According to this configuration, the waterproof member 40 is formed with a structure having a connecting cylindrical portion 41 and a flat cylindrical portion 50. That is, a part of the waterproof member 40 is formed as the flat cylindrical portion 50. Here, the flat cylindrical portion 50 is formed in a flat shape that is longer in the second direction Y1 than in the first direction X1. Furthermore, the dimensions of the flat cylindrical portion 50 along the first direction X1 are smaller than the dimensions of the connecting cylindrical portion 41 along the first direction X1. As a result, the flat cylindrical portion 50 can be made lower in the first direction X1 compared to the connecting cylindrical portion 41. This allows a part of the waterproof member 40 to be made lower in the first direction X1, and consequently, a part of the wire harness 10 to be made lower in the first direction X1.

[0084] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the corrugated tube 31 is formed to be perfectly circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylinder portion 41 that covers the outer circumference of the corrugated tube 31 is also formed to be perfectly circular. Therefore, compared to the case where the cross-sectional shape of either the corrugated tube 31 or the connecting cylinder portion 41 is formed to be flat, a uniform tightening force can be applied from the connecting cylinder portion 41 to the corrugated tube 31 over the entire circumference. As a result, liquid tightness between the corrugated tube 31 and the connecting cylinder portion 41 can be suitably maintained, and water can be suitably sealed between the corrugated tube 31 and the connecting cylinder portion 41. Thus, even while reducing the height of a part of the wire harness 10, a decrease in watertightness between the corrugated tube 31 and the waterproof member 40 can be suitably suppressed.

[0085] (2) A path restricting member 70 capable of restricting the path of the electric wire member 20 is attached to the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50. This allows the path of the electric wire member 20 to be effectively restricted by the path restricting member 70, even if the waterproof member 40 alone has low rigidity.

[0086] (3) The wire member 20 has k (in this case, 3) wires 21. The 3 wires 21 are arranged in n rows (in this case, 2 rows) in the first direction X1 inside the connecting cylinder portion 41. The 3 wires 21 are arranged in m rows (in this case, 1 row) in the first direction X1 inside the flattened cylinder portion 50. The path regulating member 70 compresses the flattened cylinder portion 50 in the first direction X1 such that the 3 wires 21 are arranged side by side along the second direction Y1 inside the flattened cylinder portion 50.

[0087] With this configuration, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is compressed in the first direction X1 by the path restricting member 70, allowing the three electric wires 21 to be arranged side by side along the second direction Y1 inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50. As a result, the three electric wires 21 can be arranged in a single row in the first direction X1 inside the flattened cylindrical portion 50, and the flattened cylindrical portion 50 can be suitably made lower in the first direction X1.

[0088] (4) The path regulating member 70 has a first divided body 71 and a second divided body 72 formed to be joinable with the first divided body 71. The path regulating member 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 when the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are joined together.

[0089] In this configuration, the path regulating member 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the flat cylindrical portion 50 with a first divided body 71 and a second divided body 72. As a result, although the path regulating member 70 is cylindrical, the fact that it is divided into a first divided body 71 and a second divided body 72 makes it possible to retrofit the path regulating member 70 to the electric wire member 20 and the flat cylindrical portion 50. This improves the ease of assembly of the path regulating member 70.

[0090] (5) The first divided body 71 has a first bottom wall 73A. The second divided body 72 has a second bottom wall 73B that faces the first bottom wall 73A in a first direction X1. The first distance L1 along the first direction X1 between the first bottom wall 73A and the second bottom wall 73B is smaller than the first dimension D1 along the first direction X1 in the three electric wires 21 arranged in two layers. With this configuration, even if the three electric wires 21 are inserted into the flat cylindrical section 50 in a stacked arrangement, the arrangement of the three electric wires 21 inside the flat cylindrical section 50 can be suitably changed to a side-by-side arrangement by attaching the path regulating member 70 to the flat cylindrical section 50 afterward. This makes it possible to suitably lower the height of the flat cylindrical section 50 in the first direction X1.

[0091] (6) The first divided body 71 has a first engaging portion 76. The second divided body 72 has a second engaging portion 79 that engages with the first engaging portion 76. The path regulating member 70 maintains the combined state of the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 by the engagement of the first engaging portion 76 and the second engaging portion 79 with each other.

[0092] With this configuration, the combined state of the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 can be maintained by engaging the first engaging portion 76 of the first divided body 71 and the second engaging portion 79 of the second divided body 72 with each other. Therefore, compared to the case where the combined state of the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 is maintained using a separate part from the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72, the assembly workability of the path regulating member 70 can be improved.

[0093] (7) The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 has two long sides 51 and 52 extending along the second direction Y1. The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 has two intermediate portions 53 and 54 provided between the two long sides 51 and 52 in the first direction X1 and provided outward from the long sides 51 and 52 in the second direction Y1. The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 has four inclined portions 55, 56, 57, and 58 connecting each of the ends of the two long sides 51 and 52 to each of the two intermediate portions 53 and 54. The two long sides 51 and 52 face each other in the first direction X1. The two intermediate portions 53 and 54 face each other in the second direction Y1. Each of the four inclined portions 55, 56, 57, and 58 extends along an oblique direction that intersects both the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1, and is formed to be shorter than each of the two long sides 51 and 52.

[0094] With this configuration, for example, when the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is pressed so that the two intermediate portions 53 and 54 move closer together, the longer sides 51 and 52 can be deformed more easily than the inclined portions 55, 56, 57, and 58, allowing the flattened cylindrical portion 50 to be deformed to expand in the first direction X1. Therefore, when the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is pressed so that the two intermediate portions 53 and 54 move closer together, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed to become smaller in the second direction Y1 and larger in the first direction X1. As a result, the difference between the dimensions of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 in the second direction Y1 and the dimensions in the first direction X1 can be reduced, and the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 can be made closer to a perfect circle from a flat shape. For this reason, when inserting the electric wire member 20 into the waterproof member 40, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 can be deformed to be closer to a perfect circle. This makes it possible to insert, for example, three electric wires 21 into the flat cylindrical section 50 in a stacked arrangement when threading the electric wire component 20, thereby improving the ease of threading the electric wire component 20. As a result, the ease of assembly of the wire harness 10 can be improved.

[0095] (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.

[0096] The structure of the flat cylindrical portion 50 of the waterproofing member 40 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in Figure 10, each intermediate portion 53, 54 may be formed to extend along the first direction X1. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is formed to be octagonal overall. With this configuration, compared to the case where the intermediate portions 53, 54 are formed as points, the formation of burrs on the intermediate portions 53, 54 during resin molding using a mold can be suppressed.

[0097] For example, as shown in Figure 10, the thickness of each inclined portion 55, 56, 57, 58 may be made thicker than the thickness of each long side portion 51, 52. With this configuration, the rigidity of each inclined portion 55, 56, 57, 58 can be increased compared to the rigidity of each long side portion 51, 52. As a result, when the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed during the passage of the electric wire member 20, bending of each inclined portion 55, 56, 57, 58 can be suppressed, and each long side portion 51, 52 can be bent more easily than each inclined portion 55, 56, 57, 58. As a result, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 can be suitably deformed to expand in the first direction X1.

[0098] For example, as shown in Figure 11, the cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical portion 50 may be changed to a structure having two bellows sections 60 provided between the two long sides 51 and 52. That is, the bellows sections 60 may be provided on the short side of the cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical portion 50. The two bellows sections 60 are provided so as to face each other in the second direction Y1. Each bellows section 60 has intermediate sections 61, 62, and 63, an inclined section 64 connecting the end of the long side portion 51 to the intermediate section 61, and an inclined section 65 connecting the intermediate section 61 and the intermediate section 62. Each bellows section 60 has an inclined section 66 connecting the intermediate section 62 and the intermediate section 63, and an inclined section 67 connecting the intermediate section 63 to the end of the long side portion 52. The intermediate sections 61 and 63 are provided between the two long sides 51 and 52 in the first direction X1 and are provided outward from the two long sides 51 and 52 in the second direction Y1. The intermediate sections 61 are positioned to face each other in the second direction Y1. The intermediate sections 63 are positioned to face each other in the second direction Y1. The intermediate section 62 is positioned between the intermediate sections 61 and 63 in the first direction X1 and is positioned inward from the intermediate sections 61 and 63 in the second direction Y1. The intermediate sections 62 are positioned to face each other in the second direction Y1. The inclined sections 64, 65, 66, and 67 extend along oblique directions that intersect both the first direction X1 and the second direction Y1 in the cross-section.

[0099] In this configuration, a bellows section 60 is formed between the two long sides 51 and 52 by an inclined section 64, an intermediate section 61, an inclined section 65, an intermediate section 62, an inclined section 66, an intermediate section 63, and an inclined section 67. That is, the bellows section 60 is provided on the short side of the cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical section 50. This shortens the shortest distance along the first direction X1 between the two long sides 51 and 52, while making the distance from one long side 51 to the other long side 52 longer than the shortest distance by the amount that the short side is formed as a bellows section. Specifically, the distance along the inclined section 64, the intermediate section 61, the inclined section 65, the intermediate section 62, the inclined section 66, the intermediate section 63, and the inclined section 67 can be made sufficiently longer than the shortest distance. In other words, the excess length on the short side of the cross-sectional shape of the flat cylindrical section 50 can be made longer. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, when the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is pressed so that the two bellows sections 60 move closer to each other, the bellows sections 60 extend in the first direction X1, thereby suitably deforming the flattened cylindrical portion 50 so that it spreads out significantly in the first direction X1. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed so that the angles formed by the inclined sections 64, 65 and the angles formed by the inclined sections 66, 67 widen, and the long sides 51, 52 are deformed so that they curve. In this way, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 is deformed so that the dimension along the second direction Y1 becomes smaller and the dimension along the first direction X1 becomes larger. As a result, the flattened cylindrical portion 50 can be suitably deformed to approach a perfect circular shape.

[0100] The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion 50 may be changed to a flattened shape such as an oval or rectangular shape. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the flat cylindrical portion 50 may have a bellows structure in which annular protrusions 50A and annular recesses 50B are alternately and continuously provided along the axial direction of the flat cylindrical portion 50. With this configuration, by providing a bellows structure to the flat cylindrical portion 50, a bent shape can be easily formed in a part of the flat cylindrical portion 50 in the axial direction.

[0101] • In the modified example shown in Figure 13, the bellows structure is provided along the entire axial length of the flat cylindrical portion 50, but this is not limited to this. For example, the bellows structure may be provided only in a portion of the axial length of the flat cylindrical portion 50. For example, the bellows structure may be provided only in the portion of the flat cylindrical portion 50 that is formed into a bent shape.

[0102] The structure of the connecting pipe portion 41 of the waterproof member 40 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, the number of lips 43 is not particularly limited. For example, the fixing portion 44 may be omitted. Similarly, the structure of the connecting pipe portion 42 can also be modified as appropriate.

[0103] The structure of the waterproof member 40 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, the connecting pipe portion 42 may be omitted. In this case, the corrugated tube 32 may also be omitted.

[0104] The connecting member 45 may be omitted. • In the above embodiment, the exterior members are embodied in corrugated tubes 31 and 32, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the exterior members may be embodied in a resin pipe that does not have a bellows structure.

[0105] The structure of the path restricting member 70 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, the number of bends and the positions where the bends are formed in the path restricting member 70 can be appropriately changed according to the desired path of the electric wire member 20.

[0106] In the above embodiment of the path regulating member 70, the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 are made of separate parts, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the first divided body 71 and the second divided body 72 may be formed integrally via a hinge or the like.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the path regulating member 70 is composed of two divided parts, namely a first divided part 71 and a second divided part 72, but it is not limited to this. For example, the path regulating member 70 may be composed of three or more divided parts.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the path restricting member 70 is formed to cover the entire circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50, but it is not limited to this. For example, the path restricting member 70 may be formed to cover only a portion of the circumference of the flat cylindrical portion 50.

[0109] The structure of the wire member 20 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. For example, the number of wires 21 is not particularly limited. For example, the wire member 20 may have four or more wires 21. Although the electromagnetic shielding member is embodied in a braided member 25, it is not limited to this, and for example, the electromagnetic shielding member may be embodied in metal foil. For example, the braided member 25 may be omitted.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications are intended to be in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 10 Wire Harnesses 11 Inverters 12 High-voltage batteries 20 Wire components 21,21a,21b,21c electric wire 22 core wires 23 Insulating coating 25 Braided components 30 Cylindrical member 31,32 Corrugated tubing (exterior material) 33 Annular protrusion 34 Annular recess 40 Waterproofing materials 41,42 Connecting cylinder section 43 Lip 44 Fixed part 45 Connecting member 46 Connecting cylinder part 50 Flat tube part 50A Annular protrusion 50B Annular recess 51, 52 Long side 53, 54 Middle section 55,56,57,58 Slope 60 bellows 61, 62, 63 Middle section 64,65,66,67 Inclined part 70 Route regulating member 71 1st division body 72 Second division body 73A 1st bottom wall 73B 2nd bottom wall 74A 1st side wall 74B 2nd side wall 75A First housing recess 75B Second housing recess 76 First engagement portion 77 Engagement holes 78 Fixed part 78X Insertion hole 79 Second engagement part V Vehicle D1 First dimension L1 1st distance X1 1st direction Y1 2nd direction

Claims

1. Electrical wire components, An outer covering member that covers the outer circumference of the aforementioned electric wire member, The system includes a waterproof member that covers the outer circumference of the wire member and is connected to the outer casing member, The waterproof member has a connecting cylindrical portion that covers the outer circumference of the exterior member and a flat cylindrical portion that is formed integrally with the connecting cylindrical portion. The cross-sectional shape of the exterior member is formed to be a perfect circle. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting cylinder portion is formed to be a perfect circle. The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion is formed such that the dimension along the second direction, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction and the first direction, is larger than the dimension along the first direction, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the waterproofing member. A wire harness in which the dimensions of the flattened cylindrical portion along the first direction are smaller than the dimensions of the connecting cylindrical portion along the first direction.

2. The wire harness according to claim 1, further comprising a path restricting member attached to the outer circumference of the flat cylindrical portion and restricting the path of the electric wire member.

3. The aforementioned wire member has k wires (where k is a natural number of 3 or more), The k electric wires are arranged in the first direction in n rows (where n is k-1 or less and a natural number of 2 or more) inside the connecting cylinder. The k electric wires are arranged in m rows (where m is a natural number less than or equal to n-1) in the first direction inside the flat cylindrical portion. The wire harness according to claim 2, wherein the path restricting member compresses the flat cylindrical portion in a first direction such that the k electric wires are arranged in the m rows inside the flat cylindrical portion.

4. The aforementioned m stage is one stage. The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein the path restricting member compresses the flat cylindrical portion in the first direction such that the k electric wires are arranged side by side along the second direction inside the flat cylindrical portion.

5. The path regulating member comprises a first divided body and a second divided body formed to be joinable with the first divided body. The path regulating member is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the flattened cylindrical portion by the fusion of the first divided body and the second divided body. The first divided body has a first bottom wall, The second divided body has a second bottom wall facing the first bottom wall in the first direction, The wire harness according to claim 3, wherein the first distance along the first direction between the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall is smaller than the first dimension along the first direction in the k wires arranged in the n rows.

6. The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion has two long sides extending along the second direction, two intermediate portions provided between the two long sides in the first direction and located outward from the two long sides in the second direction, and four inclined portions connecting each of the ends of the two long sides to each of the two intermediate portions. The two long sides are opposite each other in the first direction, The two intermediate portions face each other in the second direction, The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein each of the four inclined portions extends along an oblique direction intersecting both the first and second directions and is formed to be shorter than each of the two long sides.

7. The thickness of each of the four inclined portions is formed to be greater than the thickness of each of the two long sides. Each of the two intermediate portions is formed to extend along the first direction, The wire harness according to claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion is formed in an octagonal shape.

8. The cross-sectional shape of the flattened cylindrical portion has two long sides extending along the second direction and two bellows sections provided between the two long sides in the first direction. The two long sides are opposite each other in the first direction, The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the two bellows sections face each other in the second direction.

9. The wire harness according to claim 1, wherein the flattened cylindrical portion has a bellows structure in which annular protrusions and annular recesses are alternately and continuously provided along the axial direction of the flattened cylindrical portion.

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