Excess wire length absorption member for vehicle wire harnesses and wire harness routing structure using this member
The vehicle wire harness absorbing member addresses deformation and contact issues by adjusting to varying harness lengths using flexible absorbent members, ensuring secure routing and preventing contact with electrical components.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA MOTOR EAST JAPAN
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing wire harness routing methods face issues such as deformation and breakage due to excess length, and difficulty in avoiding contact with electrical components, particularly when using elongated plate-shaped elastic protectors and cylindrical shape-retaining members.
A vehicle wire harness excess length absorbing member composed of first and second absorbent members with flexible portions and ribs, allowing adjustment of overlapping areas to accommodate varying harness lengths and prevent contact with electrical components.
The absorbing member effectively absorbs excess wire length, preventing deformation and breakage, and ensures fixed arrangement within molded panels while avoiding contact with electrical components.
Smart Images
Figure 2026122530000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] Conventionally, electrical devices such as instruments mounted on a molded panel such as an instrument panel of an automobile are electrically connected via a wire harness to a control unit or the like disposed on the vehicle body side. In the wiring work of this wire harness, first, one end of the wire harness is connected to a control unit or the like disposed on the vehicle body side, and the other end of this wire harness is connected to an electrical device such as an instrument. Then, after the connection is completed, the electrical device such as the instrument to which the wire harness is connected is incorporated into the molded panel such as the instrument panel.
[0002] In order to perform the wiring work of this wire harness, the length of the wire harness is set to a length with a margin. That is, a redundant length portion necessary for work is provided in the wire harness. Since the redundant length portion is provided, when incorporating an electrical device such as an instrument to which the wire harness is connected into the molded panel, there is a risk that the wire harness will be bitten into between the molded panel and the electrical device, and the wire harness may be deformed and broken due to the biting. Also, since the redundant length portion is provided, the accommodation state of the wire harness in the molded panel such as the instrument panel is not fixed, and there is a risk that the wire harness will contact other electrical components that cannot be touched, causing electrical inconvenience.
[0003] An invention for preventing the biting of this redundant length portion has been proposed in Patent Document 1. This proposed invention will be described based on FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, a flat circuit body 52 having one end side of the circuit connected to a switch unit is supported by an elongated plate-like elastic protector 50 over substantially the entire length. While bending this elastic protector 50, the flat circuit body 52 is pulled to connect an electrical connector 53 to another circuit on the inner panel 54 side, such as a door control unit 51.
[0004] Then, during the assembly of the molded panel, as the elastic protective body 50 returns to its original shape from its bent state, the flat circuit body 52 is also forcibly returned to its original position. As a result, the flat circuit body 52 is also forced back to its original position, preventing the excess length of the flat circuit body 52 from getting caught between the panels after the molded panel assembly. Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the excess length of the flat circuit body 52 is absorbed by the elastic protective body 50, so the housing state of the flat circuit body 52 within a molded panel such as an instrument panel is fixed, and it is possible to avoid the flat circuit body 52 coming into contact with other electrical components that should not be touched.
[0005] Furthermore, as a method to prevent contact with other electrical components when housed within molded panels such as instrument panels, the method shown in Figure 11(b) has conventionally been adopted. For example, a cylindrical shape-retaining member 60 made of polypropylene is attached to the outer surface of the wire harness W along its axis. This shape-retaining member 60 is not provided along the entire length of the wire harness W, but at least in the vicinity of electrical components 62 that the wire harness W must not touch. Then, the wire harness W is attached to the base 61b of the clamp material 61, and the fitting portion 61a of the clamp material 61 is attached to the instrument panel or the like. As described above, since the shape-retaining member 60 is attached to the outer surface of the wire harness W, when it is housed in a molded panel such as an instrument panel, contact between the wire harness W and electrical components 62 that it should not touch can be avoided. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-39237 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0007] By the way, in the mounting structure for flat circuit bodies shown in Patent Document 1, the flat circuit body is supported by an elongated plate-shaped elastic protector that extends almost its entire length. Therefore, it was necessary to prepare an elastic protector with a length appropriate for each flat circuit body to which it was applied. Furthermore, when the flat circuit body was pulled while the elastic protective body was bent, there was a risk that if a large tensile force was applied to the elastic protective body, it would bend and break at one end on the fixed side.
[0008] Furthermore, in the method shown in Figure 11(b), the cross-section of the shape-retaining member 60 attached to the outer peripheral side of the wire harness W is circular, and this wire harness W with a circular cross-section is attached to the base 61b of the clamp member 61. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(a), when attaching the wire harness W to an instrument panel or the like via the base 61b of the clamp member 61, it was difficult to attach the shape-retaining member 60 to the clamp member 61 at the correct mounting angle (allowable angle range θ). As a result, when the wire harness W was housed in a molded panel such as an instrument panel, there was a problem in that the wire harness W was routed in contact with electrical components that should not be touched.
[0009] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a wire harness excess length absorption member for vehicles and a wire harness routing structure using this member, which can absorb the excess length of wire harnesses of different lengths and avoid contact with electrical components that should not be touched. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] The vehicle wire harness excess length absorbing member (hereinafter also referred to as the work excess length absorbing member) according to the present invention, which solves the aforementioned problems, is a vehicle wire harness excess length absorbing member that absorbs the work excess length of a wire harness routed in a vehicle, and comprises a first absorbing member having a flat plate-shaped first mounting portion on which the wire harness is placed and an elastically deformable flexible portion formed from the first mounting portion to the tip, and a second flat plate-shaped second mounting portion on which the wire harness is placed and an elastically deformable flexible portion formed from the second mounting portion to the tip. The device comprises a first absorbent and a second absorbent, wherein the flexible portion of the first absorbent has a recess or protrusion extending in the axial direction, or a recess and a protrusion, and the flexible portion of the second absorbent has a protrusion or recess extending in the axial direction that fits with the recess or protrusion or a recess and a protrusion of the first absorbent, and the flexible portion of the first absorbent and the flexible portion of the second absorbent are combined to adjust the region in which the flexible portion of the first absorbent and the flexible portion of the second absorbent overlap.
[0011] In this way, the first absorbent member and the second absorbent member are combined, the overlapping area can be adjusted, and the distance between the second mounting portion and the first mounting portion can be adjusted (variable). Therefore, it can be applied to wire harnesses with different lengths of excess working length. Furthermore, the excess length of the wire harness is absorbed by the flexible portions of the first and second absorbing members, thus ensuring a fixed arrangement of the wire harness within molded panels such as instrument panels, and preventing contact with electrical components that should not be touched.
[0012] Here, it is desirable that the first absorbent member comprises a first rib formed on one surface of the flexible portion of the first absorbent member, extending in the axial direction and having a protruding length that decreases towards the tip of the first absorbent member, and a second rib formed on one surface of the flexible portion of the second absorbent member, extending in the axial direction and having a protruding length that decreases towards the tip of the second absorbent member, and facing the first rib.
[0013] Thus, since the first and second ribs are configured such that their protruding length decreases towards the tip, the tip ends of both the first and second ribs are more prone to bending. Therefore, when the wire harness is pulled and a tensile force acts on the excess length absorbing member, the entire flexible portion of the excess length absorbing member flexes, thus suppressing bending and other damage that may occur in a part of the flexible portion.
[0014] Furthermore, the first rib may be formed to protrude in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped first mounting portion, and the second rib may be formed to protrude in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped second mounting portion. Thus, when the first and second ribs protrude in directions parallel to the upper surfaces of the flat first and second mounting portions, the excess length absorbing member is more likely to bend perpendicular to the upper surfaces of the flat first and second mounting portions.
[0015] Furthermore, the first rib may be formed to protrude perpendicularly to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped first mounting portion, and the second rib may be formed to protrude perpendicularly to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped second mounting portion. Thus, when the first and second ribs protrude perpendicularly to the upper surfaces of the flat first and second mounting portions, the excess length absorbing member tends to bend in a direction parallel to the upper surfaces of the flat first and second mounting portions.
[0016] In this work excess length absorbing member, a wire harness is placed and fixed on the upper surface of the flat first mounting portion, and a clamp member is fixed to the lower surface, and it is desirable that the clamp member is fixed to the vehicle.
[0017] Also, the wiring structure of the wire harness using the working extra-length absorbing member for a vehicle according to the present invention that solves the above-described problems is a wiring structure of the wire harness using the working extra-length absorbing member for a vehicle, wherein when the clamp member is fixed to the vehicle, one end side of the working extra-length absorbing member for the vehicle wire harness is fixed to the vehicle, and the other end side of the working extra-length absorbing member for the vehicle wire harness is a free end. Thus, since one end side of this working extra-length absorbing member is fixed to the vehicle and the other end side is a free end, when the wire harness is pulled and a tensile force acts on the working extra-length absorbing member, the working extra-length absorbing member (flexure part) flexes as a whole around one end part (fixed end), and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending or the like in a part of the working extra-length absorbing member (flexure part). Also, when the tensile force no longer acts on the working extra-length absorbing member, the working extra-length absorbing member restores, thereby absorbing the extra length of the wire harness.
Effect of the Invention
[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a working extra-length absorbing member for a vehicle wire harness and a wiring structure of a wire harness using this member that can absorb the extra lengths of wire harnesses having different lengths and avoid contact with electrical components that cannot be touched.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a working extra-length absorbing member for a vehicle wire harness according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the working extra-length absorbing member for the vehicle wire harness shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a view showing an I-I cross-section, (b) is a view showing an II-II cross-section, and (c) is a view showing an III-III cross-section. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the working extra-length absorbing member shown in FIG. 1 is fixed at a predetermined length. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a wire harness and a clamp material are attached to the working extra-length absorbing member shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a process diagram showing the assembly process of a work excess length absorbing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the excess length absorption member for a vehicle wire harness according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the excess length absorption member for a vehicle wire harness according to the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the excess length absorption member of the vehicle wire harness shown in Figure 7, where (a) shows the II cross-section, (b) shows the II-II cross-section, and (c) shows the III-III cross-section. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the excess length absorption member shown in Figure 7 fixed to a predetermined length. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting structure of a flat circuit body as described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional method of attaching a shape-retaining member to a wire harness and attaching the shape-retaining member to a clamp material, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of (b) AA and (b) is a diagram showing the mounting state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments relating to the work excess length absorbing member for vehicle wire harnesses and the wiring structure of a wire harness using this member of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The wire harness excess length absorbing member for vehicles according to the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as the wire harness excess length absorbing member) is a wire harness excess length absorbing member that absorbs the excess length of a wire harness routed in a vehicle. This wire harness excess length absorbing member can be used, for example, as a member that absorbs the excess length of a wire harness that electrically connects electrical equipment such as instruments and control units as described in the background art, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be widely used as a member that absorbs the excess length of a wire harness used in a vehicle.
[0021] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5(a), the excess length absorbing member 1 of the vehicle wire harness is composed of two members: a plate-shaped first absorbing member 2 and a plate-shaped second absorbing member 3. These first absorbing member 2 and plate-shaped second absorbing member 3 are made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene or nylon, and are formed by molding.
[0022] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5(a), a flat plate-shaped first mounting portion 2a on which the wire harness is placed is formed at one end of the first absorbing member 2. The first absorbent member 2 has a first flexible portion 2b extending in the X direction from the first mounting portion 2a. The first flexible portion 2b comprises a flexible main body portion 2c and flat plate-shaped ribs 2d and 2e provided on the left and right (Y direction) of the flexible main body portion 2c.
[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2(a), (b), and (c), the widths L1, L2, and L3 of the first flexible portion 2b are formed to gradually decrease towards the tip of the first absorbent member 2 as the length (protruding length) of the ribs 2d and 2e provided in the lateral direction (Y direction) of the flexible body portion 2c decreases. That is, the section modulus of the ribs 2d and 2e decreases towards the tip, and the first absorbent member 2 is configured to bend more easily towards the tip. Furthermore, the length (width) of the flexible main body portion 2c itself in the lateral direction (Y direction) is formed to be a constant length (width) in the direction of the tip of the first absorbing member 2.
[0024] Furthermore, the flexible body portion 2c of the first absorbing member has a recess 2c1 and a protrusion 2c2 that extend in the axial direction (X direction). The recessed portion 2c1 and the convex portion 2c2 are formed as a recessed portion and a convex portion with a circular arc cross-section, and extend in the axial direction (X direction) without changing their shape. Furthermore, the recessed portion 2c1 and the protruding portion 2c2 are fitted together with the protruding portion 3c1 and the recessed portion 3c2 formed on the flexible body portion 3c of the second absorbent member 3, which will be described later.
[0025] Next, the second absorbent member 3, which constitutes the excess length absorbent member 1 of the vehicle wire harness, will be described, and it basically has the same configuration as the first absorbent member 2. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5(a), a flat plate-shaped second mounting portion 3a on which the wire harness is placed is formed at one end of the second absorbing member 3. The length of the second mounting portion 3a in the X direction (length in the axial direction) is shorter than the length of the first mounting portion 2a in the X direction. This is because the second mounting section 3a secures the wire harness W, while the first mounting section 2a secures the wire harness W as well as the clamp member 5.
[0026] The second absorbent member 3 has a second flexible portion 3b extending in the X direction from the second mounting portion 3a. The second flexible portion 3b comprises a flexible main body portion 3c and flat plate-shaped ribs 3d and 3e provided on the left and right (Y direction) of the flexible main body portion 3c. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2(a), (b), and (c), the widths M1, M2, and M3 of the second flexible portion 3b are formed to gradually decrease as the flexible body portion 3c approaches its tip, due to the decreasing length (protruding length) of the ribs 3d and 3e provided in the lateral direction (Y direction) of the flexible body portion 3c. The length (width) of the flexible body portion 3c itself in the lateral direction (Y direction) is formed to be constant in the direction of the tip of the second flexible body portion 3c. In other words, the section modulus of ribs 3d and 3e decreases towards the tip, and the second absorbing member 3 is configured to be more flexible towards the tip.
[0027] Furthermore, the flexible body portion 3c of the second absorbing member has a convex portion 3c1 and a concave portion 3c2 that extend in the axial direction (X direction). These convex portion 3c1 and concave portion 3c2 are formed as a convex portion and a concave portion with a circular arc cross-section, and extend in the axial direction (X direction) without changing their shape.
[0028] As described above, the convex portion 3c1 and concave portion 3c2 of the second absorbent portion fit into the concave portion 2c1 and convex portion 2c2 of the first absorbent member, and the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 are assembled so that they overlap. As shown in Figure 3, when the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 are combined in an overlapping manner, the area where the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 overlap is defined as the overlapping area S2, and the area between the first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3a is defined as the flexible portion S1. This overlapping region S2 can be varied by adjusting the degree of overlap between the first absorbing member 2 and the second absorbing member 3 (by adjusting the distance between the first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3a).
[0029] As described above, the ribs 2d, 2e and ribs 3d, 3e are configured such that their protruding length (length in the Y direction) decreases and their section modulus decreases as they approach their respective tips. Therefore, the tip ends of the flexible sections having ribs 2d, 2e and ribs 3d, 3e are more prone to bending.
[0030] Furthermore, since the first ribs 2d and 2e protrude in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat first mounting portion 2a (Y direction), and the second ribs 3d and 3e protrude in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat second mounting portion 3a, the excess length absorbing member 1 (flexible portion) is more likely to flex perpendicular to the upper surfaces of the flat first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3a (see arrow in Figure 3).
[0031] Furthermore, the overlapping region S2 is inherently resistant to bending because the first absorbing member 2 and the second absorbing member 3 overlap. However, as described above, the work excess length absorbing member 1 according to the present invention is formed such that the ribs 2d, 2e and 3d, 3e are formed and the tip of each is easily flexible, so that the entire work excess length absorbing member 1 exhibits substantially uniform flexibility. In other words, if the ribs 2d, 2e and 3d, 3e are not formed, the overlapping region S2 where the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 overlap will be difficult to bend, and there is a risk of abrupt breakage near the first mounting portion 2a of the first absorbent member 2 or near the second mounting portion 3b of the second absorbent member 3.
[0032] On the other hand, as described above, the excess length absorbing member 1 according to the present invention is formed so that the entire excess length absorbing member 1 exhibits substantially uniform flexibility. Therefore, even if a tensile force is applied to the excess length absorbing member when the wire harness is pulled, the entire excess length absorbing member will bend, suppressing damage such as bending.
[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by changing the overlapping portion S2 of the first absorbing member 2 and the second absorbing member 3, the distance of the second mounting portion 3a relative to the first mounting portion 2a can be varied. In other words, the length of the flexible portion S1 can be varied, and the length of the flexible portion S1 can be adjusted to match the excess working length of the wire harness. Then, as shown in Figure 3, the overlapping portion S2 of the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 is adjusted to a predetermined length, and the distance between the first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3a is set to a predetermined length, and the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 are fixed in place by winding adhesive tapes 4a and 4b around them.
[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 are fixed together by adhesive tapes 4a and 4b, and the wire harness W is fixed to the first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3a by adhesive tapes 4c, 4d, and 4e. During this fixing process, the base 5a of the clamp member 5 is secured to the side of the first mounting portion 2a opposite to the wire harness fixing side by adhesive tapes 4c and 4d.
[0035] In the aforementioned fixing, a wire harness W with a circular cross-section is placed on a flat first mounting portion 2a and a flat second mounting portion 3a. That is, the center line N of the circular cross-section of the wire harness W is placed perpendicular to the first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3a.
[0036] Furthermore, the base 5a of the clamp member 5 is attached to the opposite side of the wire harness fixing side. This clamp member 5 has the base 5a and a clamp portion 5b that is attached to the instrument panel or the like. For example, by attaching the clamp portion 5b to the instrument panel or the like, the excess length absorbing member 1 is attached to the vehicle.
[0037] As described above, the first mounting portion 2a is formed larger than the second mounting portion 3a because the clamp member 5 is attached to it. Furthermore, since the center line N of the circular cross-section of the wire harness W is placed perpendicular to the first mounting portion 2a, the wire harness W is positioned perpendicular to the axis of the clamp member 5 (clamp portion 5b).
[0038] In this way, the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 are combined, and the distance between the second mounting portion 3b and the first mounting portion 2a can be varied, so it can be applied to wire harnesses W having different lengths of excess working length. Furthermore, since the excess length of the wire harness W is absorbed, the arrangement of the wire harness W within molded panels such as instrument panels becomes fixed, and contact with electrical components that should not be touched can be avoided.
[0039] Next, based on Figure 5, the method of using the excess length absorption member 1 for vehicle wire harnesses will be explained. explain. First, as shown in Figure 5(a), prepare the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3, and as shown in Figure 5(b), overlap the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3, and adjust the distance between the first mounting portion 2a and the second mounting portion 3b.
[0040] Then, as shown in Figure 5(c), adhesive tapes 4a and 4b are wrapped around the first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3 to prevent them from shifting, and the two are secured together. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(d), a clamp member 5 is placed on the side of the first mounting section 2a opposite to the wire harness fixing side, and adhesive tapes 4c and 4d are wrapped around it to secure it.
[0041] Finally, as shown in Figure 4, the wire harness W is placed on the first mounting portion 2a of the integrated first absorbent member 2 and the second absorbent member 3, and then secured by wrapping adhesive tapes 4c and 4d around it. Similarly, the wire harness W is placed on the second mounting portion 3a, and then secured by wrapping adhesive tape 4e around it. As the clamp member 5 is fixed to the vehicle, one end of the excess length absorbing member 1 of the vehicle wire harness W is fixed to the vehicle, and the other end of the excess length absorbing member 1 of the vehicle wire harness W becomes a free end. As a result, the wire harness W can be pulled while the free end of the excess length absorbing member 1 is bent, and connected to electrical equipment such as instruments.
[0042] On the other hand, after the other end of the wire harness is connected to an electrical device such as an instrument, the electrical device with the wire harness connected is assembled into a molded panel such as an instrument panel. During this assembly, as the excess length absorbing member returns to its original shape from its bent state, the wire harness W also returns to its original state. As a result, the wire harness W is forced back to its original position, preventing any excess wire harness W from getting caught between the panels. Furthermore, because the excess length is absorbed, the arrangement of the wire harness W within molded panels such as instrument panels becomes fixed, and contact with electrical components that should not be touched can be avoided.
[0043] Next, a second embodiment of the work excess length absorbing member for the vehicle wire harness will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the flexible portion and the direction of the rib protrusion, but the other components are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, this work excess length absorbing member 10 is composed of two members: a plate-shaped first absorbing member 11 and a plate-shaped second absorbing member 12.
[0044] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a flat plate-shaped first mounting portion 11a on which a wire harness is placed is formed at one end of the first absorbent member 11, and a flat plate-shaped second mounting portion 12a on which a wire harness is placed is formed at one end of the second absorbent member 12. The first absorbent member 11 has a first flexible portion 11b extending in the X direction from the first mounting portion 11a. As shown in Figure 8, the first flexible portion 11b comprises a flexible body portion 11c and a rib 11d with a flat cross-section provided on the flexible body portion 11c.
[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(a),(b), and(c), the heights L1, L2, and L3 of the first flexible portion 11b are formed to gradually decrease as the first absorbent member 11 approaches its tip, due to the decreasing height (length) of the ribs 11d provided in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the flexible main body portion 11c.
[0046] Furthermore, the flexible body portion 2c of the first absorbing member 11 has a protrusion 11e that extends in the axial direction (X direction). This protrusion 11e extends in the axial direction (X direction) without changing its shape. Furthermore, the protrusion 11e is fitted into the recess 12e formed in the flexible body portion 12c of the second absorbing member 12, which will be described later.
[0047] Furthermore, the second absorbent member 12 has a second flexible portion 12b extending in the X direction from the second mounting portion 12a. The second flexible portion 12b comprises a flexible main body portion 12c and a rib 12d with a flat cross-section provided on the flexible main body portion 12c.
[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8(a),(b), and(c), the heights M1, M2, and M3 of the second flexible portion 12b are formed to gradually decrease as the second absorbent member 12 approaches its tip, due to the decreasing height (length) of the ribs 12d provided in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the flexible main body portion 12c.
[0049] Furthermore, a recess 12e extending in the axial direction (X direction) is formed in the flexible body portion 12c of the second absorbing member 12. This recess 12e extends in the axial direction (X direction) without changing its shape. Then, as described above, the recess 12e of the second absorbent member 12 fits into the protrusion 11e of the first absorbent member, and the first absorbent member 11 and the second absorbent member 12 are assembled so that they overlap. As shown in Figure 9, when the first absorbent member 11 and the second absorbent member 12 are combined in an overlapping manner, the region where the first absorbent member 11 and the second absorbent member 12 overlap is defined as the overlapping region S2, and the region between the first mounting portion 11a and the second mounting portion 12a is defined as the flexible portion S1.
[0050] Since the ribs 11d and 12d are configured such that their height (length in the Z direction) decreases towards their tips and their section modulus decreases, the tips of the ribs 11d and 12d are more prone to bending.
[0051] Furthermore, since the first ribs 11d and 12d protrude perpendicularly (in the Z direction) to the upper surface of the flat first mounting portion 11a and the upper surface of the flat second mounting portion 12a, the excess length absorbing member 1 (flexible portion) is more likely to flex in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat first mounting portion 11a and the upper surface of the second mounting portion 12a (see arrow in Figure 9).
[0052] Furthermore, the overlapping region S2 is inherently resistant to bending because the first absorbing member 11 and the second absorbing member 12 overlap. However, as described above, the work excess length absorbing member 1 according to the present invention is formed such that the ribs 11d and ribs 12d are formed and the tip side of each is easily bent, so that the entire work excess length absorbing member 1 exhibits substantially uniform flexibility. In other words, if the ribs 11d and 12d are not formed, the overlapping region S2 where the first absorbent member 11 and the second absorbent member 12 overlap will be difficult to bend, and there is a risk of abrupt breakage near the first mounting portion 11a of the first absorbent member 11 or near the second mounting portion 12b of the second absorbent member 12.
[0053] On the other hand, as described above, the excess length absorbing member 1 according to the present invention is formed so that the entire excess length absorbing member 1 exhibits uniform bending. Therefore, even if a tensile force is applied to the excess length absorbing member when the wire harness is pulled, the entire excess length absorbing member bends, suppressing damage such as bending. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0054] 1. Excess length absorption section 2. First absorbent member 2a First mounting section 2b First bending section 2c Flexible main body 2c1 recess 2c2 convex part 2D Rib 2e Rib 3. Second absorbent member 3a Second mounting section 3b Second bending section 3c Flexible main body 3c1 convex part 3c2 recess 3D Rib 3e Rib S1 Flexible section S2 Overlapping part 10. Excess length absorption section 11 First absorbent member 11a First mounting section 11b First flex section 11c Flexible main body 11d rib 11e protrusion 12 Second absorbent member 12a Second mounting section 12b Second bending section 12c Flexible main body 12d rib 12e recess
Claims
1. A wire harness work length absorbing member for vehicles, which absorbs the excess length of wire harnesses routed in a vehicle, A first absorbing member having a flat plate-shaped first mounting portion on which a wire harness is placed, and an elastically deformable flexible portion formed from the first mounting portion to the tip, A second absorbent member having a flat plate-shaped second mounting portion on which the wire harness is placed, and an elastically deformable flexible portion formed from the second mounting portion to the tip, Equipped with, The flexible portion of the first absorbing member has a recess or protrusion extending in the axial direction, or a recess and a protrusion. The flexible portion of the second absorbing member has a convex or concave portion, or a convex and concave portion, extending in the axial direction, which fits with the concave or convex portion, or the concave and convex portion of the first absorbing member. A wire harness work length absorbing member for a vehicle, characterized in that the flexible portion of the first absorbing member and the flexible portion of the second absorbing member are combined, and the region in which the flexible portion of the first absorbing member and the flexible portion of the second absorbing member overlap is adjusted.
2. A first rib is formed on one surface of the flexible portion of the first absorbent member, extending in the axial direction and having a protruding length that decreases towards the tip of the first absorbent member, A second rib, formed on one surface of the flexible portion of the second absorbent member, extends in the axial direction and its protruding length decreases towards the tip of the second absorbent member, and is opposite to the first rib, A work excess length absorbing member for a vehicle wire harness according to claim 1, characterized by comprising the above.
3. The excess length absorbing member for a vehicle wire harness according to claim 2, characterized in that the first rib protrudes in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped first mounting portion, and the second rib protrudes in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped second mounting portion.
4. The excess length absorbing member for a vehicle wire harness according to claim 2, characterized in that the first rib protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped first mounting portion, and the second rib protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the flat plate-shaped second mounting portion.
5. The wire harness work length absorbing member for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that a wire harness is placed and fixed on the upper surface of a flat first mounting portion, a clamp member is fixed to the lower surface, and the clamp member is fixed to the vehicle.
6. A wire harness routing structure using a wire harness work excess length absorbing member for a vehicle wire harness as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, A wire harness routing structure using a wire harness work length absorbing member for a vehicle, characterized in that the clamp member is fixed to the vehicle, so that one end of the work length absorbing member for the vehicle wire harness is fixed to the vehicle, and the other end of the work length absorbing member for the vehicle wire harness is a free end.