Wire distribution unit and wire harness

Abstract

The present invention provides a wire routing unit and wire harness that enable the proper routing of electric wires along a routing path. [Solution] The wire routing unit 1 comprises a first fixing part 2 that is fixed to the object to be fixed, a second fixing part 3 that is spaced apart from the first fixing part 2 and fixed to the object to be fixed, and a flexible connecting part 4 that connects the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3. The connecting part 4 is formed by spirally winding a wire 41 and is configured to hold the electric wire W inserted through its interior.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as for a wire harness unit and a wire harness, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a wire harness unit (wiring regulating member) having a first holding portion and a second holding portion for holding wire members, connecting the first holding portion and the second holding portion with a first regulating member and a second regulating member, and connecting the first regulating member and the second regulating member with a connecting member. This wire harness unit can be deformed according to the wiring path of the wire member by making the connecting member capable of changing the angle formed by the first regulating member and the second regulating member, and the versatility of the wiring path regulating member can be improved.

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-described wire harness unit and wire harness, there is room for improvement in that it may be difficult to appropriately route and fix the wires according to the wiring path. For example, in the above-described wire harness unit, when it is desired to route the wire in a curved manner, it is difficult to appropriately route the wire along the curved wiring path.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness unit and a wire harness capable of appropriately routing wires along a wiring path.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the wire routing unit according to the present invention comprises a first fixing part fixed to an object to be fixed, a second fixing part fixed to the object to be fixed, and a flexible connecting part that connects the first fixing part and the second fixing part, wherein the connecting part is formed by spirally winding a wire and is configured to hold an electric wire inserted through it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the wire routing unit and wire harness of the present invention, wires can be properly routed along the routing path, and the number of parts can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire routing unit and wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wire routing unit and wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example of a wire routing unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments may be easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a wire routing unit and a wire harness. In the following description, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction is referred to as the "extension direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "height direction Z." Here, the extension direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are mutually orthogonal. Note that "orthogonal" here includes approximately orthogonal. The extension direction X corresponds, for example, to the direction in which the electric wire extends. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description refer to the directions when the parts are assembled together.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wire routing unit 1 according to this embodiment is a unit for routing electric wires W and fixing them to an object, and is used, for example, mounted on a vehicle. More specifically, the wire routing unit 1 is used for routing the movable wires of a transmission. The electric wires W are wiring members and conductive members that make electrical connections, and for example, insulated electric wires with an insulator covering the outer circumference of the conductor are used. For example, two electric wires W are provided in parallel. However, the number of electric wires W to be installed is not limited to this. The wire routing unit 1 also functions as a wire harness WH, including the electric wires W. Figure 1 shows the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH with the electric wires W routed in a straight line, and Figure 2 shows the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH with the electric wires W routed along a curved path.

[0012] The wire routing unit 1 comprises a first fixing part 2, a second fixing part 3, and a connecting part 4. The first fixing part 2 is the part that is fixed to the object to be fixed, and fixes the wire routing unit 1 to the object to be fixed. The object to be fixed is, for example, the body of a vehicle, the components of a vehicle, or electrical equipment mounted on a vehicle. The first fixing part 2 is formed by pulling out the wire 41 that forms the connecting part 4 from the connecting part 4, and has a ring part 21. The ring part 21 is the part formed by making the wire 41 ring-shaped, and is fixed to the object to be fixed by inserting a fastening member through it. The ring part 21 is formed so that a fastening member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the extending direction X of the electric wire W, for example, so that a fastening member extending in the width direction Y can be inserted.

[0013] The ring portion 21 is provided, for example, in pairs. Specifically, the ring portion 21 is provided in pairs aligned in the extending direction X. By having two ring portions 21, the first fixing portion 2 can prevent rotation of the first fixing portion 2 by inserting fastening members through each ring portion 21. Therefore, the first fixing portion 2 can properly fix the wire routing unit 1 and the wire harness WH in the desired position and properly route the wires W.

[0014] The second fixing portion 3 is the part that is fixed to the object to be fixed, and fixes the wire routing unit 1 to the object to be fixed. The second fixing portion 3 is provided spaced apart from the first fixing portion 2 and fixes the wire routing unit 1 at a different position than the first fixing portion 2. The second fixing portion 3 is formed by pulling out the wire 41 that forms the connecting portion 4 from the connecting portion 4, and has a ring portion 31. The ring portion 31 is the part of the wire 41 that is formed in an annular shape, and is fixed to the object to be fixed by inserting a fastening member through it. The ring portion 31 is formed so that a fastening member can be inserted in a direction intersecting the extending direction X of the electric wire W, for example, so that a fastening member extending in the width direction Y can be inserted.

[0015] The ring portion 31 is provided, for example, in pairs. Specifically, the ring portions 31 are provided side by side in the extending direction X. By having two ring portions 31, the second fixing portion 3 can prevent rotation of the second fixing portion 3 by inserting fastening members through each ring portion 31. Therefore, the second fixing portion 3 can properly fix the wire routing unit 1 and the wire harness WH in the desired position and properly route the wires W.

[0016] The connecting portion 4 is the part that connects the first fixing portion 2 and the second fixing portion 3, and is flexible. The connecting portion 4 is formed by spirally winding a wire 41, and holds the electric wire W by inserting the electric wire W through it, thereby regulating the routing path of the electric wire W. Because the connecting portion 4 is formed by spirally winding a wire 41, it can be deformed by bending in the direction of extension. Therefore, by inserting the electric wire W through the inside of the connecting portion 4 and deforming the connecting portion 4, the electric wire W can be routed along a curved routing path.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness unit 1 can route the electric wire W in a straight line by making the connecting portion 4 straight. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the wire harness unit 1 can route the electric wire W along a curved routing path by curving the connecting portion 4. The wire member 41 is made of a material that undergoes elastic deformation or plastic deformation, and is made of, for example, resin or metal.

[0018] The connecting portion 4 is constituted by a single wire member 41. Also, the connecting portion 4, together with the first fixing portion 2 and the second fixing portion 3, is constituted using a single wire member 41. That is, by processing or deforming a single wire member 41, the connecting portion 4, the first fixing portion 2, and the second fixing portion 3 are formed. For this reason, the wire harness unit 1 can reduce the number of parts compared to the case where the connecting portion 4, the first fixing portion 2, and the second fixing portion 3 are constituted by separate members, and can be constituted with a small number of parts.

[0019] Next, the usage method of the wire harness unit 1 and the wire harness WH according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness unit 1 is externally mounted on the electric wire W, holds the electric wire W so that the electric wire W is routed along the routing path, and is fixed to the object to be fixed.

[0021] First, the wire harness unit 1 is attached to the electric wire W. That is, the electric wire W is inserted inside the connecting portion 4, and the connecting portion 4 is externally mounted on the electric wire W so that the wire harness unit 1 is attached to the electric wire W. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the electric wire W is routed in a straight line, the wire harness unit 1 is installed so that the connecting portion 4 is straight.

[0022] Then, the wire harness unit 1 is fixed to the object to be fixed by fixing the first fixing portion 2 and the second fixing portion 3 to the object to be fixed. That is, the first fixing portion 2 is fixed to the object to be fixed by inserting a fastening member through the ring portion 21. For example, the first fixing portion 2 inserts a boss protruding from the object to be fixed through one of the two ring portions 21, and inserts a fastening member such as a bolt through the other of the two ring portions 21 and fastens them. Thereby, the first fixing portion 2 is suppressed from rotating about the ring portion 21 and is appropriately fixed. Further, the second fixing portion 3 is fixed to the object to be fixed by inserting a fastening member through the ring portion 31. For example, the second fixing portion 3, similar to the first fixing portion 2, inserts a boss protruding from the object to be fixed through one of the two ring portions 31, and inserts a fastening member such as a bolt through the other of the two ring portions 31 and fastens them. Thereby, the second fixing portion 3 is suppressed from rotating about the ring portion 31 and is appropriately fixed.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, when the wire W is routed so as to be curved, the connecting portion 4 is deformed so as to be curved, and the wire harness unit 1 is installed. Also in this case, the wire harness unit 1 is fixed to the object to be fixed by fixing the first fixing portion 2 and the second fixing portion 3 to the object to be fixed.

[0024] The electric wire W is held by the connecting part 4 between the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 and is properly routed along the connecting part 4. For example, as shown in Figure 3, in the case of an electric wire routing unit 100 in which there is no connecting part 6 between the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3, it is difficult to properly route the electric wire W. That is, the electric wire W is routed hanging down due to its own weight between the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3. In particular, if the electric wire W is routed in a curved manner, it is likely to hang down considerably. In this case, there is a concern that the electric wire W may sway considerably due to vibration. Also, the portion of the electric wire W extending from the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 will be bent, causing stress concentration. In contrast, the electric wire routing unit 1 according to this embodiment can support the electric wire W by curving the connecting part 4 between the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3. Therefore, in the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to this embodiment, it is possible to avoid the wire W hanging down between the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3, thereby suppressing stress concentration on the wire W and enabling the wire W to be routed properly.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the wire routing unit 1 may also be used in a manner in which one of the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 is moved. That is, the wire routing unit 1 may be used in a manner in which the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 are moved apart or closer together, with the connecting part 4 installed so as to be curved and the wire W routed in a curved manner along the connecting part 4. In this case, the curvature of the connecting part 4 and the wire W will change due to the movement of the first fixing part 2 or the second fixing part 3. At this time, since the connecting part 4 is flexible, it will deform and change its curvature in response to the movement of the first fixing part 2 or the second fixing part 3, and bend, thereby properly supporting the wire W. Therefore, even when the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to this embodiment are used in a manner in which the first fixing part 2 or the second fixing part 3 is moved, stress concentration on the wire W can be suppressed and the wire W can be routed in a curved manner.

[0026] The wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH can be smoothly fixed to the object to be fixed by connecting the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 with a connecting part 4. For example, in the wire routing unit 1, when the first fixing part 2 is fixed to the object to be fixed, the direction and position of the fixing position of the second fixing part 3 are limited by the connecting part 4, preventing the wire W from being routed in a twisted manner, and making the fixing work of the second fixing part 3 easier. For this reason, the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH can be fixed to the object to be fixed more smoothly than when the connecting part 4 is not provided.

[0027] As described above, the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to this embodiment connect the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 with a spirally formed connecting part 4, thereby restricting the routing path of the electric wire W between the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 at the connecting part 4, and allowing the routing path to be appropriately restricted even if the routing path is curved. Therefore, the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to this embodiment can properly route the electric wire W along the routing path.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wire routing unit 1 can be constructed with wire 41 for the ring portion 21 of the first fixing portion 2, the ring portion 31 of the second fixing portion 3, and the connecting portion 4. This reduces the number of parts compared to the case where the ring portions 21 and 31 are constructed with separate parts from the connecting portion 4.

[0029] Furthermore, the wire routing unit 1 according to this embodiment can be properly fixed to the object to be fixed by suppressing the rotation of the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3, by providing two ring parts 21 and 31 in a row.

[0030] It should be noted that the wire routing unit and wire harness according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments described above.

[0031] For example, in the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to the above embodiment, the first fixing part 2, the second fixing part 3 and the connecting part 4 were made of the same wire material 41, but the first fixing part 2, the second fixing part 3 and the connecting part 4 may be made of different materials. Even with such a wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH, the wire W can be properly routed by connecting the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 with a spirally formed connecting part 4.

[0032] Furthermore, although the wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH according to the above embodiment had a first fixing part 2 having two ring parts 21 and a second fixing part 3 having two ring parts 31, the first fixing part 2 may have one ring part 21 and the second fixing part 3 may have one ring part 31. Even with such a wire routing unit 1 and wire harness WH, the wire W can be properly routed by connecting the first fixing part 2 and the second fixing part 3 with a spirally formed connecting part 4. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1: Wire distribution unit 2: First fixed part 3:Second fixed part 4:Connection part 21: Ring section 31: Ring section W: Electric wire WH: Wire harness

Claims

1. A first fixing part that is fixed to the object to be fixed, A second fixing part that is fixed to the object to be fixed, The first fixing part and the second fixing part are connected by a flexible connecting part, The aforementioned connecting portion is formed by winding a wire in a spiral shape, and holds an electric wire by inserting it inside. Electrical cable routing unit.

2. The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion each have a ring portion formed by extending the wire that forms the connecting portion from the connecting portion and shaping it into an annular shape. The wire routing unit according to claim 1.

3. The ring portion is provided in two consecutive units at the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, The wire routing unit according to claim 2.

4. Power lines and, The system comprises a wire routing unit that is attached to the aforementioned wire, The aforementioned wire routing unit is A first fixing part that is fixed to the object to be fixed, A second fixing part that is fixed to the object to be fixed, The first fixing part and the second fixing part are connected by a flexible connecting part, The aforementioned connecting portion is formed by winding the wire in a spiral shape, and holds the electric wire by inserting it inside. Wire harness.

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