Wire harness connection structure

Abstract

Even if the water flow rate through the wiring is higher than before, it will be possible to drain the water from the wiring. [Solution] The wiring 22A-22C has a bent section 26A-26C near the connection end with the receptacle 16A-16C (male connector). In the bent section 26A-26C, the extension direction of the wiring 22A-22C is bent from the vertical to the horizontal. The corrugated tube 30A-30C houses the bent section 26A-26C. The upper end of the corrugated tube 30A-30C is sealed with the wiring 22A-22C. The diameter R2 of the lower end opening 37A-37C of the corrugated tube 30A-30C exceeds the diameter R1 of the wiring 22A-22C. Furthermore, the lower edge 38A-38C of the lower end opening 37A-37C is separated from the wiring 22A-22C.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0006] , , , , , ,

[0005] , , , , , , ،

[0003] , ,

[0001] This specification discloses a connection structure for a wire harness.

Background Art

[0002] A wire harness is an assembly that bundles multiple wires. Each wire is connected to a connector of an electrical device. If water conducts along the wire, there is a risk that the connector will be flooded. For example, in Patent Document 1, a water drainage structure for draining water conducting along the wire is disclosed.

[0003] That is, in Patent Document 1, an exterior member is fitted onto the wire. The exterior member includes a mounting portion, a diameter-expanding portion, and a flow path portion. The mounting portion is a cylindrical portion, and its inner wall is in close contact with the outer circumference of the wire. A funnel-shaped diameter-expanding portion is provided upstream of the mounting portion. Further, a through-flow path communicating with the diameter-expanding portion is provided inside the mounting portion. A tubular flow path portion is connected to the downstream end of the through-flow path. The water collected in the diameter-expanding portion is discharged outside the wire through the through-flow path and the tubular flow path portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when providing a tubular water drainage flow path, if the flow rate of the water conducting along the wire increases, the water may not be able to enter the tubular flow path completely, and furthermore, there is a risk that water will overflow from the funnel-shaped diameter-expanding portion. Therefore, this specification discloses a connection structure for a wire harness that enables water drainage from the wire even when the flow rate of the water conducting along the wire is larger than before.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a wire harness connection structure comprising a wire and a corrugated tube. The wire is connected to a connector of an electronic device. The corrugated tube covers the wire. The wire has a bent section near the connection end to the connector. In the bent section, the extension direction of the wire is bent from vertical to horizontal. The corrugated tube accommodates the bent section. The upper end of the corrugated tube is sealed to the wire. The diameter of the lower end opening of the corrugated tube exceeds the diameter of the wire. Furthermore, the lower edge of the lower end opening is separated from the wire.

[0007] With the above configuration, water flowing along the wiring flows onto the outer surface of the corrugated tube. Furthermore, the lower edge of the lower end opening of the corrugated tube is separated from the wiring. As a result, water flowing along the corrugated tube drips exclusively from the lower edge of the lower end opening, and water returning from the corrugated tube to the wiring is suppressed.

[0008] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the wiring may be arranged in multiple layers in the vertical direction. In this case, corrugated tubing is placed over the bent sections of each wire. Moreover, the lower the corrugated tubing, the closer its lower end is to the connector.

[0009] With the above configuration, water from the upper corrugated tube is prevented from dripping onto the lower wiring.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the lengths of the corrugated tubes in the upper and lower sections may be equal.

[0011] With the above configuration, cost reductions can be achieved by using corrugated tubing of the same length in all stages. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The wire harness connection structure disclosed herein allows for draining of water from the wiring even when the water flow rate through the wiring is higher than in conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the placement of the ECU in the front part of the vehicle's interior. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the connection point between the wire harness and the ECU. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating corrugated tubing. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the path of water flowing through a corrugated tube. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the lower end opening of a corrugated tube. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] 1. Overall Structure The wire harness connection structure according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The wire harness connection structure according to this embodiment comprises an ECU 15 (electronic device, see Figure 1), a wire harness 20 (see Figure 2), corrugated tubes 30A-30C, and waterproof tape 40A-40C.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates the interior of the vehicle around the passenger seat. Referring to this figure, an instrument panel 10, which contains instruments, storage compartments, air conditioning components, etc., is provided at the front of the vehicle. For example, the instrument panel 10 includes a register 12 and a glove box 14.

[0016] Referring to Figure 1, register 12 is connected to a duct of an air conditioning unit (not shown). In other words, register 12 is an air outlet for the air conditioning. For example, when the internal space of the instrument panel 10 is humid, condensation may occur around the duct.

[0017] The ECU 15 is located behind the glove box 14, that is, in the internal space of the instrument panel 10. For example, the ECU 15 is located below the register 12. The ECU 15 is an electronic device and consists of, for example, a computer.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the ECU 15 is fixed to the bracket 18. The bracket 18 is fixed to a reinforcing member called the in-panel force 11 within the instrument panel 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] For example, the ECU 15 is a housing-type device and has a plurality of connectors on its side surface. For example, the ECU 15 includes receptacles 16A - 16C, which are male connectors. The receptacles 16A - 16C are arranged along the vertical direction (up and down direction) on one side surface of the ECU 15.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the wire harness 20 is routed in the internal space of the instrument panel 10. The wire harness 20 is an assembly in which a plurality of wirings are bundled together. For example, the wire harness 20 crosses over the in-panel force 11 and is routed downward from below the register 12.

[0021] Then, referring to FIG. 2, plugs 24A - 24C (female connectors) are provided at the connection ends of the wirings 22A - 22C of the wire harness 20. The plugs 24A - 24C are connected to the receptacles 16A - 16C (male connectors) of the ECU 15 (electronic device). In FIG. 2, the wire harness 20 is provided with plugs 24A - 24C which are female connectors, and the ECU 15 is provided with receptacles 16A - 16C which are male connectors. However, the connection structure of the wire harness according to this embodiment is not limited to this form. For example, the wire harness 20 may be provided with receptacles 16A - 16C, and the ECU 15 may be provided with plugs 24A - 24C.

[0022] For example, the wirings 22A - 22C are routed in a bundled state as a set, but the end portions are separated and connected to the receptacles 16A - 16C respectively. Since the receptacles 16A - 16C are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (up and down direction), the end portions of the wirings 22A - 22C are also arranged in the vertical direction (up and down direction).

[0023] As described above, since the wire harness 20 passes near the register 12, there is a risk that water condensed on the surface of the air conditioning equipment duct may drip onto the wire harness 20. To prevent this water from traveling along the wiring 22A-22C and causing water to spill onto the connectors (receptacles 16A-16C and plugs 24A-24C), corrugated tubes 30A-30C are attached to the wiring 22A-22C.

[0024] In the example shown in Figures 1-5, three receptacles 16A-16C and three wires 22A-22C are shown, but the connection structure of the wire harness according to this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the connection structure of the wire harness according to this embodiment can be applied when multiple receptacles 16 are arranged vertically (up and down) and the same number of wires 22 are connected to the receptacles 16.

[0025] 2. Peripheral structure of the connector connection part Referring to Figure 2, the wiring 22A-22C includes a bent section 26A-26C. The bent section 26A-26C is located near the connection end of the wiring 22A-22C to the receptacle 16A-16C. In the bent section 26A-26C, the extension direction (routing direction) of the wiring 22A-22C is bent from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. The wiring 22A-22C, now oriented horizontally, continues to extend horizontally, and the plug 24A-24C is inserted into the receptacle 16A-16C.

[0026] The bent section 26A-26C of wiring 22A-22C is covered (covered) by corrugated tubes 30A-30C. Figure 3 shows an example of a single perspective view of corrugated tube 30A. Note that corrugated tubes 30B and 30C have a similar structure to that shown in Figure 3. For example, the structure of corrugated tube 30A is described below, but by replacing the suffix "A" with "B" or "C", this description will describe corrugated tubes 30B and 30C.

[0027] The corrugated tube 30A is a cylindrical member. For example, the corrugated tube 30A is made of a water-repellent resin, such as a thermoplastic resin like polypropylene or an elastic material like rubber. The inner circumferential surface 32A of the corrugated tube 30A faces the wiring 22A. Multiple annular grooves are formed along the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface 34A of the corrugated tube 30A. These grooves function as guide grooves for water flowing along the outer circumferential surface 34A.

[0028] A straight slit 36A is cut into the corrugated tube 30A from the upper end opening 35A to the lower end opening 37A. In other words, as illustrated in Figure 3, the corrugated tube 30A can be unfolded against its elasticity. By placing the unfolded corrugated tube 30A over the bent section 26A of the wiring 22A, the bent section 26A is housed within the corrugated tube 30A.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2, the corrugated tubes 30A-30C house the bent sections 26A-26C of the wiring 22A-22C. Furthermore, the upper end openings 35A-35C of the corrugated tubes 30A-30C are sealed to the wiring 22A-22C.

[0030] Specifically, waterproof tape 40A-40C is spirally wrapped and attached from wiring 22A-22C to corrugated tube 30A-30C. For example, waterproof tape 40A-40C is spirally wrapped around the outer surface 34A-34C of corrugated tube 30A-30C in a half-wrap pattern along the entire length of slit 36A-36C.

[0031] As a result, the upper end openings 35A-35C of the corrugated tubes 30A-30C are covered with waterproof tape 40A-40C (sealing material). On the other hand, the lower end openings 37A-37C of the corrugated tubes 30A-30C are left open (exposed).

[0032] Figure 5 illustrates the diameter of the lower end openings 37A-37C and the wire diameter of the wiring 22A-22C. Note that the annular grooves on the outer surfaces 34A-34C are omitted in Figure 5 where appropriate.

[0033] The diameter R2 of the lower end opening 37A-37C exceeds the diameter R1 (outer diameter) of the wiring 22A-22C. Also, the corrugated tube 30A-30C, which is an elastic member, bends in accordance with the shape of the bent section 26A-26C of the wiring 22A-22C. At this time, based on the above-mentioned difference in diameter, the upper edge of the lower end opening 37A-37C catches on the wiring 22A-22C. On the other hand, the lower edge 38A-38C of the lower end opening 37A-37C is separated from the wiring 22A-22C.

[0034] Therefore, water flowing along the outer surface 34A-34C of the corrugated tube 30A-30C (more specifically, on the waterproof tape 40A-40C wrapped around the outer surface 34A-34C) drips downward from the lower edge 38A-38C of the lower end opening 37A-37C. In other words, water flowing from the lower end opening 37A-37C into the wiring 22A-22C is suppressed.

[0035] As mentioned above, the wiring 22A-22C is routed in multiple stages in the vertical direction. Corrugated tubes 30A-30C are placed over the bent sections 26A-26C of the wiring 22A-22C in each stage. Therefore, the corrugated tubes 30A-30C are also arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

[0036] Here, the lower end openings 37B and 37C may be as close to the receptacles 16A and 16C (male connectors) as the lower corrugated tubes 30B and 30C. In other words, if we let L1 be the distance between receptacle 16A and lower end opening 37A, L2 be the distance between receptacle 16B and lower end opening 37B, and L3 be the distance between receptacle 16C and lower end opening 37C, then the relationship between these distances is L1 > L2 > L3.

[0037] Furthermore, at least the lower end opening 37A of the corrugated tube 30A may abut against the outer circumferential surface 34B of the lower corrugated tube 30B. Also, at least the lower end opening 37B of the corrugated tube 30B may abut against the outer circumferential surface 34C of the lower corrugated tube 30C.

[0038] With this arrangement, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 4, water 50 flowing along the outer surface 34 of the upper corrugated tube 30 moves to the outer surface 34 of the lower corrugated tube 30. In other words, the movement of water 50 to the lower wiring 22 is suppressed.

[0039] Thus, in the wire harness connection structure according to this embodiment, the corrugated tubes 30A-30C define the direction of water flow like a chain downspout. Therefore, water exposure to the plugs 24A-24C and receptacles 16A-16C is suppressed.

[0040] Here, the lengths (longitudinal dimensions) of the upper and lower corrugated tubes 30A-30C can be equal. Using corrugated tubes 30A-30C of the same length can reduce costs.

[0041] Furthermore, when using corrugated tubes 30A-30C of the same length, the chain trough structure shown in Figure 5 can be obtained by shifting the positions of the upper end openings 35A-35C along the extension direction of the bent section 26A-26C. In other words, the upper end openings 35A, 35B, and 35C are positioned upstream of the wiring 22A-22C, in that order. As a result, the lower end opening 37 is closer to the receptacle 16 (male connector) as the lower corrugated tube 30 is. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 15 ECU (Electronic Control Unit), 16A-16C Receptacle (Male Connector), 20 Wire Harness, 22A-22C Wiring, 24A-24C Plug (Female Connector), 26A-26C Bent Section, 30A-30C Corrugated Tube, 34A-34C Outer Surface of Corrugated Tube, 35A-35C Upper End Opening of Corrugated Tube, 36A-36C Slit, 37A-37C Lower End Opening of Corrugated Tube, 38A-38C Lower Edge of Lower End Opening, 40A-40C Waterproof Tape (Sealing Material), 50 Water.

Claims

1. Wiring connected to the connector of an electronic device, A corrugated tube covering the aforementioned wiring, Equipped with, The wiring has a bent section near the connection end with the connector, in which the extension direction is bent from the vertical to the horizontal. The corrugated tube accommodates the bent section, The upper end of the corrugated tube is sealed to the wiring, The diameter of the lower end opening of the corrugated tube exceeds the diameter of the wiring. The lower edge of the lower end opening is separated from the wiring. Wire harness connection structure.

2. A wire harness connection structure according to claim 1, The aforementioned wiring is arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction. The corrugated tube is placed over the bent section of each of the aforementioned wires. The lower the corrugated tube, the closer its lower end is to the connector. Wire harness connection structure.

3. A wire harness connection structure according to claim 2, The lengths of the corrugated tubes in the upper and lower sections are equal. Wire harness connection structure.

Images