Wire harness module

Abstract

We provide a wire harness module that can reduce the number of parts. [Solution] The wire harness module 1 comprises a wire harness WH formed by bundling multiple wiring materials W, and a reinforcement 3 to which the wire harness WH is assembled and fixed to the vehicle body 90 to reinforce the rigidity of the vehicle body 90. The reinforcement 3 has multiple brush portions 34 that protrude from the surface and are elastically deformable, and the wire harness WH is configured to be pushed between the brush portions 34 and held by the brush portions 34 so as not to separate from the reinforcement 3.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a wire harness module, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a wire harness module in which a wire harness is attached to a reinforcement via a clamp is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a wire harness module, when fixing the wire harness to the reinforcement, there is room for improvement in that it is difficult to reduce the number of parts. That is, when fixing the wire harness to the reinforcement, fixing members such as clamps are required.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness module capable of reducing the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the wire harness module according to the present invention comprises a wire harness formed by bundling a plurality of cable members, and a reinforcement to which the wire harness is assembled and fixed to the vehicle body to reinforce the rigidity of the vehicle body, wherein the reinforcement has a plurality of brush portions that protrude from the surface and are elastically deformable, and the wire harness is configured to be pushed between the brush portions and held by the brush portions so as not to separate from the reinforcement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The wire harness module according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire harness module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of a wire harness module according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of a wire harness module according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the wire harness module according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the wiring of the wire harness in a wire harness module according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the wire harness module according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a wire harness module. In the following description, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction is referred to as the "extension direction X," the second direction as the "forward / backward direction Y," and the third direction as the "up / down direction Z." Here, the extension direction X, the forward / backward direction Y, and the up / down direction Z are mutually orthogonal. Note that "orthogonal" here includes approximately orthogonal. The extension direction X corresponds to the direction in which the reinforcement extends, the direction in which the wire harness is routed, and the vehicle width direction. The forward / backward direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the reinforcement and the forward / backward direction of the vehicle. The up / down direction Z corresponds to the up / down direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description represent the directions when each part is assembled to each other.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the wire harness module 1 according to this embodiment is used when assembled in a vehicle and is configured to include a wire harness WH and a reinforcement 3.

[0012] A wire harness WH is formed by bundling multiple wiring materials W used for power supply and signal communication to connect various devices mounted on a vehicle, for example, and connecting the wiring materials W to each device with a connector 2 or the like. The wire harness WH may have tape wrapped around its outer circumference to bundle the multiple wiring materials W. The wire harness WH has, for example, a main line section 21 and branch line sections 22. The main line section 21 and branch line sections 22 are composed of one wiring material W or a bundle of multiple wiring materials W. The main line section 21 is composed of more wiring materials W than the branch line section 22 and is formed to be thicker than the branch line section 22. The branch line section 22 is formed by branching off from the main line section 21. Furthermore, branch line sections 22 or wiring materials W may branch off from the branch line section 22. For example, the main line section 21 and branch line sections 22 are routed along the reinforcement 3. Furthermore, a portion of the branch line section 22 branches off from the main line section 21, moves away from the reinforcement 3, and is connected to equipment or the like.

[0013] The wiring material W electrically connects each device. The wiring material W is an insulated wire composed of, for example, a conductive conductor (core wire) and an insulating coating, with the conductor covered by the insulating coating. The conductor here is a stranded wire made by twisting together multiple conductive strands. The insulating coating is formed by extruding an insulating resin material (such as PP, PVC, or cross-linked PE, which is appropriately selected considering abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.). The conductor may also be made by bundling together multiple strands. Furthermore, the wiring material W has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, with the conductor section having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape (the cross-sectional shape in the direction intersecting the extension direction of the wiring material W) and the insulating coating section having a substantially annular cross-sectional shape.

[0014] Reinforcement 3 is a reinforcing member of the vehicle, configured as a rod-shaped member and fixed to the vehicle body 90. In other words, reinforcement 3 is a member that is fixed to the vehicle body 90 and increases the strength or rigidity of the vehicle body 90, and in this respect it differs from a protector that is externally mounted on a wire harness. Reinforcement 3 is, for example, an instrument panel reinforcement, installed inside the vehicle's dashboard and provided to extend in the vehicle width direction. Reinforcement 3 is formed of, for example, resin. By forming reinforcement 3 from resin, reinforcement 3 can be manufactured by resin molding, making it possible to easily manufacture reinforcement 3 with complex shapes.

[0015] The reinforcement 3 has a main body 31 and a fixing part 32. The main body 31 is the part that constitutes the main body of the reinforcement 3, and is configured, for example, as a long body or rod-shaped body with a rectangular cross-section. Here, rectangle includes substantially rectangular shapes. However, the shape of the main body 31 is not limited to this. In Figure 1, the main body 31 is formed to extend in a straight line along the extending direction X, but it may be formed to be curved or bent as needed, or it may include curved or bent parts. Furthermore, the main body 31 of the reinforcement 3 may be a long body or rod-shaped body with a cross-section such as U-shaped, L-shaped, H-shaped, or I-shaped.

[0016] The fixing portion 32 is the part that fixes the reinforcement 3 to the vehicle body 90, and is provided, for example, at both ends of the main body portion 31. The fixing portion 32 is, for example, a plate provided on the end face of the main body portion 31 and extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction X, and has fastening holes through which fastening members such as bolts are inserted. However, the fixing portion 32 is not limited to this shape and structure as long as it can fix the reinforcement 3 to the vehicle body 90.

[0017] The reinforcement 3 has, for example, a branch portion 33 that branches off from the main body portion 31. The branch portion 33 is a portion that branches off and extends from an intermediate portion between the ends of the main body portion 31. For example, the branch portion 33 branches off and extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction X with respect to the main body portion 31 which extends in the extending direction X.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the reinforcement 3 has a plurality of bristle portions 34. The bristle portions 34 are provided so as to project from the surface of the reinforcement 3. The bristle portions 34 are formed, for example, as cylindrical bodies standing on the surface of the reinforcement 3. The bristle portions 34 may be configured as prismatic bodies, but when manufactured by resin molding, configuring them as cylindrical bodies facilitates the manufacture of the mold and enables accurate manufacturing. The bristle portions 34 are, for example, elastic deformable hair materials, and a large number of them are provided so as to be able to hold the wire harness WH. That is, the bristle portions 34 have flexibility, extend linearly in a state where the wire harness WH is not held, and bend along the outer periphery of the wire harness WH and surround and hold the wire harness WH in a state where the wire harness WH is pressed. In other words, the wire harness WH is pushed between the bristle portions 34 and held by the bristle portions 34 so as not to be separated from the reinforcement 3.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the bristle portions 34 are provided in a region of the reinforcement 3 where the wire harness WH is routed, and are provided, for example, on the main body portion 31 and the branch portion 33 of the reinforcement 3. Further, the bristle portions 34 are provided, for example, so as to project upward from the upper surface of the reinforcement 3. The bristle portions 34 of the main body portion 31 hold the trunk portion 21 of the wire harness WH, and the bristle portions 34 of the branch portion 33 hold the branch portion 22 of the wire harness WH.

[0020] The bristle portions 34 are formed, for example, of resin. The bristle portions 34 are formed, for example, by resin molding together with portions of the reinforcement 3 other than the bristle portions 34. For this reason, the bristle portions 34 are provided integrally with the main body portion 31 and the branch portion 33. By forming the reinforcement 3 by resin molding, the wire harness module 1 can easily form a complicated shape such as the bristle portions 34.

[0021] The brush portion 34 may be formed from a different resin than the other parts of the reinforcement 3. For example, the other parts of the reinforcement 3 and the brush portion 34 may be formed from different resins by two-color molding. In this case, the brush portion 34 is formed from a resin that is softer or less rigid than the main body portion 31.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the brush portion 34 is formed with a length L that is sufficient to hold the wire harness WH. For example, the length L of the brush portion 34 is longer than the thickness D of the wire harness WH. By providing the brush portion 34 with such a length L, it becomes possible to surround the wire harness WH and hold it firmly.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the brush portions 34 are arranged at intervals that allow them to hold the wire harness WH. For example, the brush portions 34 are arranged at equal intervals. Here, equal intervals include approximately equal intervals. The distance P between adjacent brush portions 34 is narrower than the thickness D of the wire harness WH. Specifically, the distance P between adjacent brush portions 34 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the wire harness WH is routed is narrower than the thickness D of the wire harness WH. By providing the brush portions 34 at such an arrangement interval P, the wire harness WH is prevented from slipping out from between the brush portions 34, and the holding force of the wire harness WH can be increased.

[0024] In Figure 3, the brush portions 34 are arranged along the extension direction X and the front-rear direction Y, and are provided in a grid pattern in the extension direction X and the front-rear direction Y. However, as shown in Figure 4, they may be arranged in a staggered pattern. That is, the brush portions 34 may be arranged with alternating staggers in the extension direction X and the front-rear direction Y.

[0025] Next, the wiring of the wire harness in the wire harness module according to this embodiment will be described.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, with the reinforcement 3 fixed to the vehicle body 90, the wire harness WH is routed to the reinforcement 3. That is, the wire harness WH is routed by pushing the wire harness WH into the numerous brush portions 34 formed on the reinforcement 3.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, when the wire harness WH is pressed against the tip of the brush portion 34, the wire harness WH enters between the brush portions 34, causing the brush portions 34 to bend and the wire harness WH to be routed near the surface of the reinforcement 3. The brush portions 34 press against the wire harness WH due to the restoring force caused by elastic deformation. As a result, the wire harness WH is held by the brush portions 34. By pushing the wire harness WH into the brush portions 34, it is routed to the desired position on the reinforcement 3. For example, the main wire portion 21 of the wire harness WH is routed to the main body portion 31 of the reinforcement 3, and the branch wire portion 22 of the wire harness WH is routed to the branch portion 33 of the reinforcement 3.

[0028] Thus, the wire harness module 1 can route the wire harness WH without using separate fixing members such as clamps for the wire harness WH and reinforcement 3. Therefore, the number of parts in the wire harness module 1 can be reduced, thus lowering the cost of the wire harness module 1. In addition, since the wire harness module 1 does not require fixing members such as clamps to be attached to the wire harness WH, the assembly of the wire harness WH can be easily performed. Furthermore, the wire harness module 1 allows for easy and smooth routing of the wire harness WH, and the routing work can be completed in a short time.

[0029] Since the wire harness module 1 allows the wire harness WH to be routed without the need for fixing members, the installation space for fixing members is not required. Therefore, the wire harness module 1 can reduce the area required for routing the wire harness WH, and the installation area of ​​components around the reinforcement 3 can be made lower. In addition, by reducing the installation area of ​​components around the reinforcement 3, the wire harness module 1 can increase the design freedom of the vehicle and enhance its aesthetic appeal.

[0030] The wire harness module 1 holds the wire harness WH by enclosing it with multiple brush-like parts 34, thereby suppressing the movement of the wire harness WH. This ensures that the movement of the wire harness WH is reliably suppressed even in operating environments with vibrations, such as vehicles.

[0031] The wire harness module 1 does not require the formation of fixing holes on the surface of the reinforcement 3. In other words, the wire harness module 1 does not need to form holes for inserting and fixing a separate fixing member, and the reduction in rigidity of the reinforcement 3 due to the formation of fixing holes can be suppressed.

[0032] As described above, the wire harness module 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the number of parts by providing a brush portion 34 on the reinforcement 3.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wire harness module 1 is arranged such that the brush portions 34 are spaced at intervals P narrower than the thickness D of the wire harness WH, thereby enabling the brush portions 34 to firmly hold the wire harness WH.

[0034] It should be noted that the wire harness module according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The wire harness module 1 according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of each embodiment and modified example described above.

[0035] For example, in the wire harness module 1 according to the embodiment described above, the brush portion 34 was formed with the same thickness D in the direction in which it protrudes. However, as shown in Figure 6, an enlarged portion 341 may be formed on the brush portion 34. The enlarged portion 341 is a part of the brush portion 34 that is partially thickened, and is provided, for example, at the tip of the brush portion 34. That is, in the brush portion 34, if the thickness of the enlarged portion 341 is D2 and the thickness of the part other than the enlarged portion 341 is D1, then D2 > D1. By providing an enlarged portion 341 on the brush portion 34, it is possible to suppress the wire harness WH held by the brush portion 34 from coming loose. In Figure 6, the enlarged portion 341 is formed in a spherical shape, but it may be formed in a shape other than a sphere, such as a disc shape. Also, the enlarged portion 341 may be formed at a position other than the tip of the brush portion 34, for example, at an intermediate position between the tip and the base of the brush portion 34.

[0036] Furthermore, in the wire harness module 1 according to the embodiment described above, the brush portion 34 is formed integrally with the other portion of the reinforcement 3, but the brush portion 34 may be provided separately from the other portion of the reinforcement 3. For example, the brush portion 34 may be attached separately by inserting it into mounting holes formed in the main body portion 31 and the branch portion 33. Even in this case, similar to the wire harness module 1 according to the embodiment described above, the number of parts can be reduced by eliminating the need for fixing members. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1: Wire harness module 3: Reinforcement 34: Brush section D: Thickness P: Interval 90: Vehicle body W: Routing material WH: Wire harness

Claims

1. A wire harness made by bundling multiple cable materials, The aforementioned wire harness is assembled to a reinforcement that is fixed to the vehicle body and reinforces the rigidity of the vehicle body, The reinforcement has a plurality of brush portions that protrude from the surface and are elastically deformable, The wire harness is pressed between the brush portions and held in place by the brush portions so as not to separate from the reinforcement. Wire harness module.

2. The brush portions are arranged at intervals narrower than the thickness of the wire harness. The wire harness module according to claim 1.

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