Wire harness

Abstract

To reduce costs. [Solution] The harness comprises a harness body 10 and a reinforcement 20 made of synthetic resin, one end of which is fixed to the vehicle body and the other end of which is fixed, and the harness body 10 is routed along a reinforcement body 21 that extends from the one end to the other. The harness body 10 is equipped with terminal fittings 17 for physical and electrical connection to mating terminal fittings, and the reinforcement 20 has a terminal housing chamber 24a which houses and holds the terminal fittings 17 inside, and for physically and electrically connecting the mating terminal fittings inserted into the chamber to the terminal fittings 17.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a vehicle such as an automobile, a wire harness may be routed along a reinforcement assembled to a vehicle body. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a wire harness in which a harness main body is routed in a harness routing space inside a reinforcement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in this type of wire harness, the harness body is electrically connected to the harness routed, for example, along the floor panel of the vehicle body, via terminal fittings at each end. In conventional wire harnesses, for example, terminal housing members such as connector blocks and junction blocks are assembled into the reinforcement, and the terminal fittings on the harness body side are housed in the terminal housing chambers of these terminal housing members, waiting for the terminal fittings to be connected. Therefore, in conventional wire harnesses, the terminal housing members must be manufactured individually and then assembled into the reinforcement, which is one of the causes of increased costs. Also, in conventional wire harnesses, for example, a connector is provided at the end of the harness body, and the connector on the floor panel side is mated and connected to this connector, thereby mating and connecting the terminal fittings of each connector. In this conventional wire harness, for example, each connector, the harness body, and the harness on the floor panel side are covered with an outer covering material such as tape along with surrounding parts for the purpose of positioning and protection, which is one of the causes of increased costs.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness that can reduce costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention comprises a harness body and a reinforcement made of synthetic resin, one end of which is fixed to the vehicle body and the other end of which is fixed, and the harness body is routed along the reinforcement body which extends from the one end to the other, wherein the harness body is provided with terminal fittings for physical and electrical connection to mating terminal fittings, and the reinforcement is provided with a terminal housing chamber which houses and holds the terminal fittings inside, and the mating terminal fittings inserted inside the chamber are physically and electrically connected to the terminal fittings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The wire harness reinforcement according to the present invention is integrally molded as a single component, with the reinforcement body and terminal housing chamber integrated into one unit. In other words, the wire harness according to the present invention incorporates the function of a connector housing for terminal fittings into the reinforcement. Therefore, the wire harness according to the present invention does not require a terminal housing member molded as a separate component from the reinforcement, as in conventional wire harnesses, and does not require the reinforcement to be assembled with the terminal housing member. Furthermore, the wire harness according to the present invention does not require an outer covering such as tape for positioning purposes, as in conventional wire harnesses. Consequently, the wire harness according to the present invention can achieve cost reductions compared to conventional wire harnesses. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment of the wire harness according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the wire harness according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0011] Reference numeral 1 in Figures 1 to 3 indicates the wire harness of this embodiment. This wire harness 1 comprises a harness body 10 and a reinforcement 20, one end of which is fixed to the body of a vehicle such as an automobile. The harness body 10 is routed along the reinforcement 20 and is assembled to the reinforcement 20 via, for example, a retaining member (not shown). Therefore, this wire harness 1 can also be referred to as a wire harness 1 with reinforcement 20, a wire harness assembly, or a wire harness module.

[0012] The reinforcement 20 refers to vehicle body components such as instrument panel reinforcements and bumper reinforcements. Instrument panel reinforcements are support components that support the instrument panel, monitors and gauges installed in the center cluster, the dashboard, displays installed in front of the dashboard, and the steering column. The harness body 10 is responsible for supplying power to these components and for communication between these components and control devices. The instrument panel reinforcement is positioned between the instrument panel and the front bulkhead, extending in the vehicle width direction. For example, in the case of instrument panel reinforcements, one end and the other end in the direction of extension are fixed to the left and right A-pillars, respectively, and the fixing parts such as brackets are extended toward the dash panel or cowl inner panel and fixed to the dash panel or cowl inner panel. Bumper reinforcements are reinforcing components intended to protect the vehicle body. This bumper reinforcement is positioned inside the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle, extending in the width direction of the vehicle. The bumper reinforcement is fixed at one end and the other end in its extending direction to, for example, the side members. The harness body 10 is responsible for communication between, for example, sensors installed on the bumper and control devices.

[0013] This reinforcement 20 is made of synthetic resin, molded from synthetic resin material. Here, an instrument panel reinforcement is shown as an example of reinforcement 20.

[0014] The reinforcement 20 comprises a reinforcement body 21 extending from one end to the other (Figures 1 and 2). The harness body 10 is routed along the inner or outer wall surface of the reinforcement body 21. The reinforcement body 21 shown here has a harness routing space 20a formed inside it for installing the harness body 10 (Figures 1 and 2). The harness body 10 is routed along the inner wall surface of the harness routing space 20a between one end and the other end of the reinforcement body 21.

[0015] The reinforcement body 21 has a harness routing space 20a and a harness insertion opening 20b for inserting the harness body 10 into the harness routing space 20a, which are formed between one end and the other end (Figures 1 and 2).

[0016] Furthermore, the reinforcement 20 has a harness pull-out section 22 for pulling the harness body 10 out of the harness routing space 20a (Figures 1 and 2). This harness pull-out section 22 protrudes from the reinforcement body 21. For example, this harness pull-out section 22 has a harness pull-out space 22a that connects the harness routing space 20a with the outside of the harness routing space 20a, and a harness insertion opening 22b for inserting the harness body 10 into the harness pull-out space 22a (Figure 2). The harness pull-out space 22a and the harness insertion opening 22b are formed between one end and the other end of the harness pull-out section 22 in the direction of pulling out the harness body 10.

[0017] The reinforcement body 21 has a bottom portion 21a extending between one end and the other, and a pair of cantilever-shaped vertical wall portions 21b that are erected from the bottom portion 21a and are spaced apart and facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the bottom portion 21a (Figures 1 and 2). The harness routing space 20a is the space enclosed by the bottom portion 21a and the pair of vertical wall portions 21b. The harness insertion opening 20b is an opening formed between the free ends of the pair of vertical wall portions 21b. For example, this reinforcement body 21 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle width direction being a semi-circular arc shape, or in a half-square tubular shape extending between one end and the other. The reinforcement body 21 shown here is formed in a half-square tubular shape.

[0018] Furthermore, for example, the harness pull-out section 22 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with a cross-section perpendicular to the pull-out direction of the harness body 10 being a semi-circular arc shape, or in a half-square tubular shape extending along the pull-out direction of the harness body 10. The harness pull-out section 22 shown here is formed in a half-square tubular shape. In this reinforcement 20, the harness insertion opening 22b of the harness pull-out section 22 is located on the same plane as the harness insertion opening 20b of the reinforcement body 21. In this reinforcement 20, four harness pull-out sections 22 (first harness pull-out section 22A, second harness pull-out section 22B, third harness pull-out section 22C, and fourth harness pull-out section 22D) are projected from the reinforcement body 21 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0019] For example, the reinforcement body 21 has two fixing pieces 23 formed at one end and two at the other end for fixing to the left and right A-pillars (Figures 1 and 2). The reinforcement body 21 is connected by inserting the male threaded portion (not shown) of a male threaded member through the through hole 23a of the pair of fixing pieces 23 at one end and screwing that male threaded portion into the female threaded portion of the A-pillar on the left side of the vehicle, and by inserting the male threaded portion of a male threaded member through the through hole 23a of the pair of fixing pieces 23 at the other end and screwing that male threaded portion into the female threaded portion of the A-pillar on the right side of the vehicle.

[0020] The harness body 10 includes a plurality of harness members 11 (Figs. 1 and 2). The harness member 11 refers to the harness itself or a sub-harness in which a plurality of harnesses are bundled together. The harness refers to an electric wire (including shielded wire, twisted wire, enameled wire, etc.) or a communication line, regardless of its type and size. In this harness body 10, a plurality of harness members 11 are bundled together by an exterior member 12 (Figs. 1 and 2). The exterior member 12 refers to, for example, a protector through which a plurality of harness members 11 are inserted, a protective member such as a corrugated tube, or a tape wound around a plurality of harness members 11.

[0021] The harness body 10 has a main line 13 arranged along the reinforcement body 21 and a branch line 14 branched from this main line 13 (Figs. 1 and 2). This harness body 10 may have another branch line 15 (hereinafter also referred to as "sub-branch line") further branched from the branch line (hereinafter also referred to as "main branch line") 14 (Figs. 1 and 2).

[0022] The branch line (main branch line) 14 and the sub-branch line 15, for example, use various components such as monitors and displays as electrical connection objects, or use a harness routed along the floor panel of the vehicle body as an electrical connection object (not shown). In this harness body 10, the branch line (main branch line) 14 or the sub-branch line 15 is routed to the installation location of the connection object (hereinafter referred to as "first electrical connection object") and electrically connected to the first electrical connection object, or the connection object (hereinafter referred to as "second electrical connection object") is brought to the installation location of the branch line (main branch line) 14 or the sub-branch line 15 and electrically connected to the branch line (main branch line) 14 or the sub-branch line 15.

[0023] The harness body 10 is equipped with connectors 16 at the ends of the branch lines (main branch lines) 14 and sub-branch lines 15 that are electrically connected to the first electrical connection target (Figures 1 and 2). In this example, the connectors 16 are provided on the branch lines (main branch lines) 14 drawn out from the second harness lead-out section 22B, the third harness lead-out section 22C, and the fourth harness lead-out section 22D, respectively, and on the sub-branch lines 15 that are branched from the main branch lines 14.

[0024] The connector 16 comprises terminal fittings (not shown) that are physically and electrically connected to the ends of the branch lines (main branch lines) 14 and sub-branch lines 15 by crimping or the like, and a connector housing 16a that houses and holds these terminal fittings (Figures 1 and 2). For example, the terminal fittings have either male or female terminal parts and are mated and connected to the mating terminal fittings of the mating connector in the first electrical connection target. In the harness body 10, the branch lines (main branch lines) 14 and sub-branch lines 15 are routed to the installation location of the first electrical connection target, and the connectors 16 at their ends are mated and connected to the mating connector of the first electrical connection target.

[0025] Furthermore, the harness body 10 is equipped with terminal fittings 17, separate from the terminal fittings of the connector 16, at the ends of the branch line (main branch line) 14 and the sub-branch line 15 that are electrically connected to the second electrical connection target (Figures 1 and 2). In this example, the terminal fittings 17 are provided on the branch line (main branch line) 14 drawn out from the first harness outlet 22A and on the sub-branch line 15 branched from this main branch line 14.

[0026] The terminal fitting 17 is physically and electrically connected to the ends of its branch lines (main branch lines) 14 and sub-branch lines 15 by crimping or the like, and is physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fitting (not shown) of the second electrical connection target. This terminal fitting 17 has, for example, either a male or female terminal portion and is mated and connected to the mating terminal fitting of the second electrical connection target. The terminal fitting 17 in this example has a male tab-shaped terminal portion.

[0027] For example, the second electrical connection target is a harness routed along a floor panel, to which a mating terminal fitting is physically and electrically connected by crimping or the like. The mating terminal fitting may be exposed and provided at the end of the harness, or it may be a component of a mating connector housed and held within a mating connector housing.

[0028] Terminal fitting 17 awaits the mating terminal fitting at its installation location and connects to the mating terminal fitting of the harness end that has been routed toward it. Therefore, the reinforcement 20 has a room (hereinafter referred to as the "terminal housing room") 24a that houses and holds this terminal fitting 17 inside the room (Figures 1 to 3). This terminal housing room 24a is a room that physically and electrically connects the mating terminal fitting of the second electrical connection target inserted into the room to the terminal fitting 17 inside the room.

[0029] For example, the reinforcement 20 has terminal housing chambers 24a in a protruding portion 24 that extends from the reinforcement body 21 (Figures 1 to 3). For example, the protruding portion 24 is provided adjacent to the first harness lead-out portion 22A. Multiple terminal housing chambers 24a are formed in this protruding portion 24, which serve as cavities for terminal fittings 17. Each terminal housing chamber 24a is provided with a terminal holding portion (not shown) that holds the terminal fittings 17 inside the chamber, and the terminal fittings 17 at the ends of the branch lines (main branch lines) 14 and sub-branch lines 15 that are led out from the first harness lead-out portion 22A are housed and held in these chambers.

[0030] The terminal housing chamber 24a is a room with openings at both ends. In this terminal housing chamber 24a, the terminal fitting 17 is inserted from one opening, and the mating terminal fitting of the second electrical connection target is inserted from the other opening. The mating terminal fitting is routed together with the harness, which is the second electrical connection target, to the other opening of the terminal housing chamber 24a, and is inserted into the terminal housing chamber 24a from the other opening and mated with the terminal fitting 17 inside the chamber.

[0031] As described above, the reinforcement 20 of this wire harness 1 is integrally molded as a single component, with the reinforcement body 21 and the terminal housing chamber 24a integrated into one part. In other words, in this embodiment, the wire harness 1 has the function of a connector housing for the terminal fittings 17 integrated into the reinforcement 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wire harness 1 does not require a terminal housing member molded as a separate part from the reinforcement, as in conventional designs, and the reinforcement and terminal housing member are not required to be assembled. Furthermore, the wire harness 1 of this embodiment does not require an outer covering such as tape for positioning purposes, as in conventional designs. Consequently, the wire harness 1 of this embodiment can achieve cost reductions compared to conventional wire harnesses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Wire harness 10 Harness body 13 Main line 14. Main branch line (branch line) 15. Sub-branch line (branch line) 17 Terminal fittings 20 Reinforcement 21 Reinforcement Body 24 Protrusion 24a Terminal housing room

Claims

1. The harness body and A reinforcement made of synthetic resin, in which one end and the other end are fixed to the vehicle body, and the harness body is routed along the reinforcement body which extends from one end to the other, Equipped with, The harness body is equipped with terminal fittings that are physically and electrically connected to the mating terminal fittings. The wire harness is characterized in that the reinforcement has a room for housing and holding the terminal fittings inside, and a terminal housing room is formed for physically and electrically connecting the mating terminal fittings inserted into the room to the terminal fittings.

2. The harness body has a main line running along the reinforcement body and branch lines branching off from the main line. The reinforcement has a terminal housing chamber in a protruding portion that extends from the reinforcement body, The wire harness according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal housing chamber houses and holds the terminal fittings provided at the end of the branch line.

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