Wire harness

Abstract

This product provides a wire harness that improves assembly workability while minimizing excess wire length. [Solution] The wire harness W comprises a connecting component 10 connected to an electrical device Da, a first wire member 11 drawn out from the connecting component 10 along a first path, and a second wire member 12 drawn out from the connecting component 10 along a second path different from the first path. At least one of the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12 has a configuration divided into a first divided wire 31 connected to the connecting component 10 and a second divided wire 32 configured to be able to move toward and away from one end of the first divided wire 31.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a wire harness for a vehicle, there is a wire harness including a connection component connected to an electrical device and a plurality of wire members drawn out from the connection component (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the wire harness as described above, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of wire members connected to the connection component 100 may include a first wire member 101 drawn out along a first path and a second wire member 102 drawn out along a second path different from the first path. When the connection component 100 is connected to the electrical device 103, the first wire member 101 and the second wire member 102 are electrically connected to the electrical device 103. The first wire member 101 drawn out from the connection component 100 is connected to a first in-vehicle device 101A different from the electrical device 103. The second wire member 102 drawn out from the connection component 100 is connected to a second in-vehicle device 102A different from the electrical device 103 and the first in-vehicle device 101A.

[0005] When assembling the wire harness Wa, which includes the connecting component 100, the first wire member 101, and the second wire member 102, first, the wire harness Wa is placed in the vehicle. Then, the first wire member 101 is connected to the first on-board equipment 101A fixed to the vehicle, and the second wire member 102 is connected to the second on-board equipment 102A fixed to the vehicle. Next, the electrical equipment 103 is installed in the vehicle.

[0006] Next, the connecting component 100 is connected to the electrical equipment 103. Here, in order to improve the workability when connecting the connecting component 100 to the electrical equipment 103, it is desirable to configure the connecting component 100 to be movable to some extent (see Figure 4). For this purpose, it is necessary to leave a certain amount of excess length in at least one of the first wire member 101 and the second wire member 102. However, if the excess length is too long, the wire harness will be more prone to vibration, which may lead to problems such as the generation of abnormal noise and interference with surrounding components.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a wire harness that improves assembly workability while minimizing excess wire length. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The wire harness of this disclosure comprises a connecting component connected to an electrical device, a first wire member drawn out from the connecting component along a first path, and a second wire member drawn out from the connecting component along a second path different from the first path, wherein at least one of the first wire member and the second wire member is divided into a first divided wire connected to the connecting component and a second divided wire configured to be connectable to and detachable from one end of the first divided wire. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The wire harness of this disclosure makes it possible to improve assembly workability while keeping excess wire length short. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the wire harness in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the wire harness in the same configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the assembly configuration of the wire harness in the same configuration. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic side view showing a conventional wire harness. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The wire harness in this disclosure is [1] A wire harness comprising a connecting component connected to an electrical device, a first wire member drawn out from the connecting component along a first path, and a second wire member drawn out from the connecting component along a second path different from the first path, wherein at least one of the first wire member and the second wire member is divided into a first divided wire connected to the connecting component and a second divided wire configured to be connectable to and detachable from one end of the first divided wire.

[0012] This configuration allows for a wider range of motion of the connecting component when connecting it to electrical equipment, by separating the first and second divided wires. This improves the ease of assembly of the connecting component to electrical equipment while keeping the excess length of the first and second wire members short.

[0013] [2] In the above [1], the first divided wire may have a first connector provided at one end of the first divided wire, and the second divided wire may have a second connector provided at one end of the second divided wire and configured to be detachably attached to the first connector.

[0014] According to this configuration, by attaching and detaching the first connector and the second connector, it becomes possible to easily connect and separate the first divided electric wire and the second divided electric wire. Thereby, it is possible to contribute to an improvement in the workability of assembling the wire harness.

[0015] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the wire harness further includes a third wire member that is directly or indirectly connected to each of the first wire member and the second wire member, and an annular portion may be formed by the first wire member, the second wire member, and the third wire member.

[0016] According to this configuration, since an annular portion is formed by the first wire member, the second wire member, and the third wire member, the movable range of the connection parts to which each of the first wire member and the second wire member is connected tends to become narrow. In that regard, by configuring the first divided electric wire and the second divided electric wire to be separable as described above, it becomes possible to more effectively widen the movable range of the connection parts.

[0017] [4] In any of the above [1] to [3], one or more first wire members are provided, a plurality of second wire members are provided in a number larger than that of the first wire members, and only the first wire member among the first wire member and the second wire member may have a configuration divided into the first divided electric wire and the second divided electric wire.

[0018] According to this configuration, since the number of portions divided by the first divided electric wire and the second divided electric wire can be made smaller, it is possible to contribute to simplification of the configuration. [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration may be shown in an exaggerated or simplified manner.

[0019] The wire harness W of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used, for example, in a vehicle such as an automobile. At least a part of the wire harness W is arranged, for example, in the engine room of the vehicle. The wire harness W includes a connection component 10 connected to the electrical device Da, a first wire member 11 drawn out from the connection component 10, and a second wire member 12 drawn out from the connection component 10.

[0020] (The first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12) The wire harness W of the present embodiment has, for example, one first wire member 11 and two second wire members 12. The first wire member 11 is drawn out from the connection component 10 along a first path. Each second wire member 12 is drawn out from the connection component 10 along a second path different from the first path.

[0021] (The connection component 10) The connection component 10 is, for example, a terminal block. The connection component 10 holds, for example, a first terminal (not shown) provided at one end in the length direction of the first wire member 11 and a second terminal (not shown) provided at one end in the length direction of each second wire member 12. The first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12 are each electrically connected to the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0022] The electrical device Da is, for example, an in-vehicle battery. By assembling the connection component 10 to the electrical device Da, each of the first terminal and the second terminal is electrically connected to the electrical device Da. That is, by assembling the connection component 10 to the electrical device Da, the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12 are each electrically connected to the electrical device Da. Each of the first terminal and the second terminal is fixed, for example, by bolt fastening or the like to a pair of connection terminals of the electrical device Da. The connection component 10 is assembled to the electrical device Da, for example, along the assembling direction X. The assembling direction X coincides with the fastening direction of the first terminal and the second terminal to the connection terminals of the electrical device Da.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, in a front view of the wire harness W, for example, two regions demarcated by the center line CL of the connecting component 10 parallel to the assembly direction X are designated as the first region A1 and the second region. The first wire member 11 drawn out from the connecting component 10 along the first path is drawn out toward the first region A1. Each second wire member 12 drawn out from the connecting component 10 along the second path is drawn out toward the second region A2. In other words, the first wire member 11 and each second wire member 12 are drawn out toward regions opposite each other.

[0024] The first electric wire member 11 is drawn out from the connecting component 10 and connected to the first device D1 mounted on the vehicle. The first device D1 is located, for example, in the first area A1. The first device D1 is, for example, an electric power steering device.

[0025] At least one of the multiple second wire members 12 is connected to a second device D2 mounted on the vehicle after being drawn out from the connecting component 10. The second device D2 is located, for example, in the second area A2. The second device D2 is, for example, an electrical connection box such as a junction box, relay box, or fuse box. In this embodiment, each second wire member 12 is connected to the second device D2, but the embodiment is not particularly limited to this, and for example, one or more of the multiple second wire members 12 may be connected to an in-vehicle device other than the second device D2.

[0026] (Third wire component 21) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wire harness W of this embodiment further comprises a third wire member 21. The third wire member 21 is arranged to span the first region A1 and the second region A2. The third wire member 21 is directly or indirectly connected to the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12, respectively.

[0027] More specifically, the third wire member 21 includes a main line 22 that spans the first region A1 and the second region A2, and a first branch line 23 and a second branch line 24 that branch off from the main line 22, respectively.

[0028] At least a portion of the first branch wire 23 is located in the first region A1. The first branch wire 23 is bundled together with, for example, the first wire member 11 after being drawn out from the main wire 22. As a result, the first branch wire 23, which constitutes a part of the third wire member 21, is directly connected to the first wire member 11.

[0029] At least a portion of the second branch line 24 is located in the second region A2. The second branch line 24 is connected to, for example, the second equipment D2 after being drawn out from the main line 22. As a result, the second branch line 24, which constitutes part of the third wire member 21, is indirectly connected to the second wire member 12 via the second equipment D2.

[0030] The wire harness W is constructed as a single integrated component by combining the connecting component 10, the first wire member 11, each of the second wire members 12, and the third wire member 21. In other words, when assembling it to the vehicle, the wire harness W is assembled as this integrated component.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, in the wire harness W with the above configuration, an annular portion 25 is formed by the first wire member 11, the second wire member 12, and the third wire member 21. The annular portion 25 forms an annular shape in the plan view shown in Figure 1. The electrical equipment Da is arranged such that, for example, in a plan view, at least a part of the electrical equipment Da is located within the loop of the annular portion 25.

[0032] (Divided configuration of the first wire member 11) The first wire member 11 has a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire 31 connected to the connecting component 10 and a second divided wire 32 configured to be able to connect to and disconnect from one end of the first divided wire 31. In this embodiment, of the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12, only the first wire member 11 has a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire 31 and a second divided wire 32. That is, each second wire member 12 is made up of a single continuous wire.

[0033] The first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 are arranged side by side along the length of the first wire member 11. Then, the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 are connected to each other to form a single first wire member 11.

[0034] The first divided wire 31 has a first connector 33 provided at one end of the first divided wire 31. The end of the first divided wire 31 opposite to the end on which the first connector 33 is provided is connected to the first terminal held by the connecting component 10.

[0035] The second divided wire 32 has a second connector 34 provided at one end of the second divided wire 32. The first connector 33 and the second connector 34 are configured to be detachable from each other. By connecting the first connector 33 and the second connector 34 to each other, the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 are electrically connected. The second divided wire 32 is bundled together with the first branch wire 23 of the third wire member 21. The end of the second divided wire 32 opposite to the end on which the second connector 34 is provided is connected to the first device D1. The first wire member 11, which includes the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32, electrically connects the electrical device Da and the first device D1.

[0036] The operation of this embodiment will now be described. When assembling to a vehicle, first, the wire harness W, including the connecting component 10, the first wire member 11, each of the second wire members 12, and the third wire member 21, is placed on the vehicle. At this time, the first connector 33 of the first divided wire 31 and the second connector 34 of the second divided wire 32 are connected to each other on the first wire member 11.

[0037] Subsequently, the second divided wire 32 of the first wire member 11 is connected to the first device D1 fixed to the vehicle. This fixes the second divided wire 32 to the vehicle via the first device D1. Furthermore, each second wire member 12 is connected to the second device D2 fixed to the vehicle. This fixes each second wire member 12 to the vehicle via the second device D2. Alternatively, the second divided wire 32 and each second wire member 12 may be fixed to the vehicle using fixing members such as clamps.

[0038] Next, the first split wire 31 and the second split wire 32 are separated by removing the first connector 33 from the second connector 34. Next, the electrical equipment Da is installed in the vehicle. Note that the order of the steps for installing the electrical equipment Da in the vehicle and for removing the first connector 33 from the second connector 34 may be reversed.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 3, the connecting component 10 is connected to the electrical equipment Da, for example, along the assembly direction X. At this time, the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 are separated from each other. That is, the tip of the first divided wire 31 extending from the connecting component 10 is an open end. Therefore, the range of motion of the connecting component 10 is not restricted by the first wire member 11. Consequently, by detaching the first connector 33 from the second connector 34, it is possible to widen the range of motion of the connecting component 10 when connecting it to the electrical equipment Da.

[0040] After assembling the connecting component 10 to the electrical equipment Da, the first connector 33 is connected to the second connector 34. This electrically connects the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 to each other.

[0041] With the above configuration, it is not necessary to set an excess length in at least one of the first wire member 11 and each of the second wire members 12 in order to increase the range of motion of the connecting component 10 when connecting the connecting component 10 to the electrical equipment Da. As a result, the lengths of the first wire member 11 and each of the second wire members 12 can be made shorter, making it possible to suppress vibrations of the first wire member 11 and each of the second wire members 12. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration and interference of the wire harness W with peripheral equipment D3 (see Figure 1), such as the engine assembly.

[0042] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1) The first wire member 11 is divided into a first divided wire 31 connected to the connecting component 10 and a second divided wire 32 configured to be able to connect to and detach from one end of the first divided wire 31. With this configuration, when connecting the connecting component 10 to the electrical equipment Da, the range of motion of the connecting component 10 can be widened by separating the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32. This makes it possible to improve the ease of assembly of the connecting component 10 to the electrical equipment Da while keeping the excess length of the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12 short.

[0043] (2) The first divided wire 31 has a first connector 33 provided at one end of the first divided wire 31. The second divided wire 32 has a second connector 34 provided at one end of the second divided wire 32 and configured to be detachably attached to the first connector 33. With this configuration, the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 can be easily connected and disconnected by attaching and detaching the first connector 33 and the second connector 34. This contributes to improving the assembly workability of the wire harness W.

[0044] (3) The wire harness W includes a third wire member 21 that is directly or indirectly connected to each of the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12. An annular portion 25 is formed by the first wire member 11, the second wire member 12 and the third wire member 21. With this configuration, since an annular portion 25 is formed by the first wire member 11, the second wire member 12 and the third wire member 21, the range of motion of the connecting component 10 to which each of the first wire member 11 and the second wire member 12 is connected tends to be narrow. In this respect, by configuring the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 to be separable as described above, it is possible to more effectively widen the range of motion of the connecting component 10.

[0045] (4) One or more first wire members 11 are provided. More than more second wire members 12 are provided. Of the first wire members 11 and the second wire members 12, only the first wire member 11 has a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire 31 and a second divided wire 32. With this configuration, the number of points where the wire is divided by the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 can be reduced, thus contributing to the simplification of the configuration.

[0046] (Example of change) This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first branch wire 23 of the third wire member 21 is bundled together with the second divided wire 32 of the first wire member 11, that is, it is directly connected to the first wire member 11, but the embodiment is not particularly limited to this. For example, the first branch wire 23 may be connected to the first device D1, that is, it may be indirectly connected to the first wire member 11 via the first device D1.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the second branch wire 24 of the third wire member 21 is connected to the second device D2. That is, the second branch wire 24 is indirectly connected to the second wire member 12 via the second device D2, but the configuration is not particularly limited to this. For example, the second branch wire 24 may be bundled together with the second wire member 12, that is, it may be directly connected to the second wire member 12.

[0049] In the wire harness W of the above embodiment, the third wire member 21 may be omitted. Multiple first wire members 11 may be provided that are drawn out from the connecting component 10 along a first path. In this case, it is desirable that each of the multiple first wire members 11 has a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire 31 and a second divided wire 32.

[0050] The number of second wire members 12 drawn out from the connecting component 10 along the second path is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be one or three or more. In the above embodiment, the second wire member 12 may have a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire 31 and a second divided wire 32.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the entire first wire member 11 does not need to be included in the first region A1. For example, if the first wire member 11 has a fixing point with respect to the vehicle, it is sufficient that at least the range from the connecting component 10 to the nearest fixing point of the first wire member 11 is included in the first region A1.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the entirety of the second wire member 12 does not need to be included in the second region A2. For example, if the second wire member 12 has a fixing point with respect to the vehicle, it is sufficient that at least the range of the second wire member 12 from the connecting component 10 to the nearest fixing point is included in the second region A2.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the wire harness W may include a wire member (hereinafter referred to as the fourth wire member) that is drawn out from the connecting component 10 along a path different from both the first and second paths. In this case, it is desirable that at least two of the first wire member 11, the second wire member 12, and the fourth wire member have a configuration in which they are divided into a first divided wire 31 and a second divided wire 32.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 are connected to each other by mating the first connector 33 and the second connector 34. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the first divided wire 31 and the second divided wire 32 may be connected to each other by a configuration other than connector mating.

[0055] The specific examples of electrical equipment Da, first equipment D1, and second equipment D2 are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate. That is, electrical equipment Da, first equipment D1, and second equipment D2 can each be replaced with, for example, an electrical connection box such as a junction box, relay box, or fuse box, an inverter, a motor, an on-board battery, or other on-board equipment.

[0056] The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] W Wire Harness 10 connecting parts 11. First wire component 12 Second wire component 21 Third wire component 22 Main line 23. Branch Line 1 24 Second branch line 25 Ring section 31 1st split wire 32 Second split wire 33. First connector 34. Second connector A1 1st area A2 2nd area CL connecting component centerline D1 1st device D2 2nd device D3 Peripherals Da Electrical Equipment X Assembly direction

Claims

1. A connecting component that connects to the connection terminal of an electrical device, A first wire member is connected to the connection terminal of the electrical equipment via the connecting component and is drawn out from the connecting component along a first path, A wire harness comprising: a second wire member connected to the connection terminal of the electrical equipment via the connecting component and drawn out from the connecting component along a second path different from the first path, One of the first wire member and the second wire member has a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire connected to the connecting component and a second divided wire configured to be able to move toward and away from one end of the first divided wire. Wire harness.

2. The first divided wire has a first connector provided at one end of the first divided wire, The second divided wire has a second connector provided at one end of the second divided wire and configured to be detachably attached to the first connector. The wire harness according to claim 1.

3. The system further comprises a third wire member that is directly or indirectly connected to each of the first and second wire members, An annular portion is formed by the first wire member, the second wire member, and the third wire member. The wire harness according to claim 1.

4. The first wire member is provided in one or more forms. The second wire member is provided in a larger number than the first wire member. Of the first and second wire members, only the first wire member has a configuration in which it is divided into a first divided wire and a second divided wire. The wire harness according to claim 1.

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