Branch section protection structure and branch section protection method

Abstract

To provide a branch portion protection structure and a branch portion protection method capable of protecting a branch portion with a simple structure.SOLUTION: In a wire harness 10 in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted into a main tubular protective member 20 and a branch tubular protective member 50 which have flexibility, a branch portion protection structure 1 for protecting a branch portion 13 at which a branch line 12 is branched from a main trunk line 11 in a branching direction W includes a pipe-shaped main tubular protection member 20 into which the main trunk line 11 is inserted, and a pipe-shaped branch tubular protection member 50 into which a branch line 12 is inserted. The main tubular protection member 20 includes a first side main tubular protection member 30 arranged on a base end side Lb in an axial direction L with respect to the branch portion 13, and a second side main tubular protection member 40 arranged on a distal end side Lf in the axial direction with respect to the branch portion 13. At least a part of a tubular cross-section extends to a side of the branch tubular protection member 50 which faces the branch portion 13, and a branch extension portion 52 is provided so as to extend along outer surfaces of the first side main tubular protection member 30 and the second side main tubular protection member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a branch portion protection structure and a branch portion protection method for protecting, for example, a branch portion where a branch line is branched off from a main trunk line. [Background technology]

[0002] The long wire harnesses that electrically connect the electrical devices installed in automobiles are routed in two-dimensional or three-dimensional complex routing paths that combine straight and curved sections to fit the uneven shape of the vehicle.

[0003] This wire harness is flexible and may be protected by being inserted into an exterior body such as a hollow corrugated tube (hereinafter, referred to as a corrugated tube) having a long shape. However, at a branching portion where a branch wire branches off from a main wire of the wire harness, the branch wire interferes with the corrugated tube, and therefore the branching portion cannot be inserted into the corrugated tube.

[0004] For this reason, a cylindrical hard protector that branches out along the direction in which the main trunk line and the branch line extend has been attached to the branch point between the main trunk line and the branch line, and the branch point has been protected by surrounding it with the protector (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] However, the branching direction of the branch line and the outer diameter of the corrugated exterior of the main line vary depending on the installation location, and the shapes of the branching parts are diverse. Therefore, it was necessary to prepare a hard protector that was suitable for each branching part. Therefore, a branching part protection structure that could protect the branching part with a simpler structure was required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-084611 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a branch portion protecting structure and a branch portion protecting method that can protect a branch portion with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a branch section protection structure for protecting a branch section at which a branch wire branches off from a main wire in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are bundled toward a branch direction intersecting an axial direction of the main wire in a wire harness in which a plurality of the bundled electric wires are inserted inside a flexible tubular protection member, the branch section protection structure including a tubular main tubular protection member through which the main wire is inserted, and a tubular branch tubular protection member through which the branch wire is inserted, the main tubular protection member including a first side main tubular protection member disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch section, and a second side main tubular protection member disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branch section, at least a part of the tubular cross section of the branch tubular protection member extends on a side facing the branch section of the branch tubular protection member, and a branch extension portion is provided along an outer surface of the main tubular protection member or an outer surface of the main wire. The first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member are provided at their opposing ends with main extensions extending toward each other, the main extensions provided on the first side main tubular protective member being referred to as a first main extension, and the main extensions provided on the second side main tubular protective member being referred to as a second main extension, and the first main extension and the second main extension are provided in a predetermined range excluding the range of the branch lines branching off from the main trunk line in an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, and are disposed at different positions in the orthogonal cross section. It is characterized by:

[0009] The present invention also provides a branch portion protection method for protecting a branch portion at which a branch wire is branched off from a main trunk wire in a branching direction intersecting an axial direction of the main trunk wire in a wire harness in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted inside a corrugated wire having concaves and convexes arranged alternately in a longitudinal direction, the branch portion protection method including a tubular main tubular protective member through which the main trunk wire is inserted and a tubular branch tubular protective member through which the branch wire is inserted, the main tubular protective member including a first side main tubular protective member disposed on a first side of the branch portion in the axial direction, and a second side main tubular protective member disposed on a second side of the branch portion in the axial direction, The first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member have opposing ends each having a main extension portion extending toward the other end, the main extension portion provided on the first side main tubular protective member being referred to as a first main extension portion, and the main extension portion provided on the second side main tubular protective member being referred to as a second main extension portion,A main trunk line insertion step of inserting the main trunk line into the main tubular protective member, and a branch line insertion step of inserting the branch line into the branch tubular protective member and aligning a branch extension portion, which is formed by at least a part of a tubular cross section, along an outer surface of the main tubular protective member on a side of the branch tubular protective member facing the branch portion. and inserting the main trunk line through the main tubular protection member so that the first main extension portion and the second main extension portion are disposed in a predetermined range, excluding a range in which the branch lines branching off from the main trunk line are disposed, in an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, and are disposed at different positions in the orthogonal cross section. It is characterized by:

[0010] The tubular protective member includes, for example, a corrugated member having a repeated uneven shape along the axial direction, a flexible cylindrical tube, etc. The tubular protective member also includes a member having a circular or polygonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. The axial direction refers to a direction along one side of the main trunk line relative to the branching portion, in other words, a direction along one side of the main trunk line disposed on the first side or the second side relative to the branching portion.

[0011] The above-mentioned "along the outer surface of the main tubular protective member or the outer surface of the main trunk line" includes along the longitudinal direction of the main tubular protective member or the main trunk line, and along the outer circumferential direction of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main tubular protective member or the main trunk line.

[0012] According to this invention, by arranging the branch extension portion extending from the branch pipe-shaped protective member along the outer surface of the main pipe-shaped protective member or the outer surface of the main trunk, it is possible to reduce the gap between the branch pipe-shaped protective member and the main pipe-shaped protective member. As a result, it is not necessary to prepare a hard protector corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the main pipe-shaped protective member, for example, and it is possible to protect the branch portion of the wire harness with a simple structure.

[0013] Furthermore, when the branch extending portion is aligned with the outer surface of the main tubular protective member, the branch pipe protective member can be attached to the main tubular protective member at the branch portion of the wire harness after the branch extending portion is aligned with the outer surface of the main tubular protective member, thereby making it possible to efficiently attach the branch pipe protective member.

[0014] On the other hand, when the branch extension portion is aligned along the outer surface of the main trunk, the branch pipe protective member is aligned along the main trunk, and then the main pipe protective member is arranged at the branching portion, so that the branch pipe protective member can be easily arranged inside the main pipe protective member. Also, since the main pipe protective member can restrict the movement of the branch pipe protective member, it is possible to prevent the branch pipe protective member from becoming misaligned.

[0015] Also, A main extension portion is provided extending from at least one of the opposing ends of the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member toward the other, and the main extension portion is provided in a predetermined range excluding the range of the branch line branching off from the main trunk line in an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. There are.

[0016] This means: The main extension portion extending from at least one of the first main tubular protective member and the second main tubular protective member can protect the axial portion of the branch portion of the wire harness, thereby more reliably protecting the branch portion of the wire harness with a simple structure.

[0017] Furthermore, The main extension portion has a first main extension portion provided on the first side main tubular protective member and a second main extension portion provided on the second side main tubular protective member, and the first main extension portion and the second main extension portion are disposed at different positions in the orthogonal cross section and are provided in the predetermined range. There are.

[0018] According to this, The first and second main extensions can be arranged in the cross-sectional circumferential direction of the branch section in accordance with the direction in which the branch lines extend from the main trunk line, thereby allowing the first and second main extensions to cover a wide range of the cross-sectional circumferential direction of the branch section, thereby more reliably protecting the branch section.

[0019] As a further aspect of the present invention, the main extension portion may be fixed to the main trunk line, and the branch extension portion may be fixed to the main tubular protection member. The above-mentioned branch extension portion being fixed to the main tubular protective member means that the branch extension portion is fixed to at least one of the main body and the main extension portion of the main tubular protective member.

[0020] According to the present invention, the branch pipe protective member can be prevented from falling off the main pipe protective member, so that the branch portion can be protected more reliably. Also, the branch pipe protective member can be fixed to the wire harness via the main pipe protective member, so that the branch pipe protective member can be prevented from being displaced from the branch portion.

[0021] As another aspect of the present invention, the branch extension portion may extend along an outer surface of the main trunk, the branch extension portion may be fixed to the main trunk, and the main extension portion may be fixed to the branch extension portion. According to this invention, the branch pipe-shaped protective member can be prevented from falling off the main trunk line, so that the branch portion can be protected more reliably and the branch pipe-shaped protective member can be prevented from shifting in position relative to the branch portion.

[0022] As a further aspect of the present invention, the branch extension portions may be provided at two opposing locations in the tubular cross section and positioned outside the main extension portion. According to this invention, the opposing branch extensions overlap with the main extension, so that the gaps formed between the main tubular protective member and the branch portion and between the branch tubular protective member and the branch portion can be further reduced, and therefore the branch portion can be protected more reliably.

[0023] As a further aspect of the present invention, the branch extension portion may be bent along the outer side of the main extension portion along the orthogonal cross section. According to this invention, the branch extensions are disposed outside the main extension and the branch along the circumferential direction of the branch, so that the gaps formed between the main tubular protective member and the branch and between the branch and the main and branch tubular protective members and the gaps corresponding to the circumferential direction can be reliably reduced, thereby reliably protecting the branch.

[0024] As another aspect of the present invention, the branch extension portions may be provided at two opposing locations in the tubular cross section, and each may be bent along the outer side of the main extension portion along the orthogonal cross section from a different direction. According to this invention, the main extension portion and the branch extension portion overlap in the cross-sectional direction, and the cross-sectional circumferential direction of the branch portion can be widely covered by the two opposing branch extension portions, thereby more reliably protecting the branch portion.

[0025] As another aspect of the present invention, the branch extension portions may be provided at two opposing locations in the tubular cross section, and each may be bent in a direction away from the other and extend along the axial direction of the main tubular protective member. According to this invention, for example, the opposing branch extension parts can be arranged along the outer surfaces of the first and second main tubular protective members or the first and second sides of the main trunk, so that the branch pipe protective members can be stably arranged with respect to the branching portion, and therefore the branching portion can be protected more reliably.

[0026] In addition, since the branch extension portions arranged along the outer surfaces of the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member or the first and second sides of the main trunk line can be fixed to the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member, the first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member can be fixed via the branch tubular protective member.

[0027] In another aspect of the invention, the branch portion is a cross branch in which the two branch lines extend in different branching directions, and the branch tubular protective member includes a first branch tubular protective member through which the first branch line is inserted and a second branch tubular protective member through which the second branch line is inserted, and the branch extension portion may be provided on both the first branch tubular protective member and the second branch tubular protective member. According to the present invention, it is possible to protect the cross-branched branch portion with a simple structure.

[0028] As a further aspect of the present invention, the tubular protective member may be formed of a corrugated structure having projections and recesses arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. According to this invention, since the corrugated sheet, which is a ready-made product, can be protected by processing it, it is possible to ensure a stable supply and reduce costs. Effect of the Invention

[0029] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention can provide a branch portion protecting structure and a branch portion protecting method that can protect a branch portion with a simple structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 4A and 4B are plan and side views of the main tubular protective member. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are plan and side views of a branch tubular protective member. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart of a method for attaching a main tubular protective member and a branch tubular protective member to a bifurcation portion. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are plan and side views of the main tubular protective member attached to the branch portion. [Figure 7] 13 is a plan view showing the process of attaching a branch pipe-shaped protective member to a branched portion. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a tubular protective member according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a tubular protective member according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a side view for explaining a method of attaching a branch tubular protective member to a branching portion in a tubular protective member according to another embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 shows a schematic oblique view of the branching section protection structure 1, Figure 2 shows a schematic exploded oblique view of the branching section protection structure 1, Figure 3 shows a plan view and a side view of the first side main tubular protection member 30, and Figure 4 shows a plan view and a side view of the branch tubular protection member 50.

[0032] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of the installation method for attaching the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 to the branching section 13, and Figures 6 and 7 show plan and side views for explaining the installation method for attaching the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective members 50, 50 to the branching section 13.

[0033] 3, 4, 6 and 7 will be described in detail. Figure 3(a) shows a plan view of the first side main tubular protective member 30, Figure 3(b) shows a side view of the first side main tubular protective member 30, Figure 4(a) shows a plan view of the branch tubular protective member 50, and Figure 4(b) shows a side view of the branch tubular protective member 50.

[0034] Fig. 6(a) shows a plan view of the main tubular protective member 20 attached to the branching portion 13, and Fig. 6(b) shows a side view of the main tubular protective member 20 attached to the branching portion 13. Fig. 7(a) shows a plan view of the branching portion 13 to which the main tubular protective member 20 is attached before the branch tubular protective members 50, 50 are attached, and Fig. 7(b) shows a plan view of the branching portion 13 to which the main tubular protective member 20 is attached after the branch tubular protective members 50, 50 are attached.

[0035] In order to make the overall structure easier to understand, the corrugated raised portions (convex shapes) and grooved portions (concave shapes) that have a repeated uneven shape with raised portions and grooved portions are not shown except in Figures 3 and 4.

[0036] For convenience, the longitudinal direction of the main trunk 11 in Fig. 1 is defined as the axial direction L, and the direction in which the branch wires 12 extend relative to the main trunk 11 is defined as the branch direction W. The axial direction L and the branch direction W are perpendicular to each other, and the upper and lower sides in Fig. 1 are defined as the upper and lower sides. The side of the first-side main tubular protective member 30 of the branch portion 13 along the axial direction L is defined as the base side Lb, and the side of the second-side main tubular protective member 40 of the branch portion 13 along the axial direction L is defined as the tip side Lf. These directions are the same in FIGS.

[0037] 1, the branch portion protective structure 1 is a structure for protecting a branch portion 13 in a wire harness 10 where branch wires 12, 12 cross-branch from a main trunk wire 11 formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires in a branching direction W intersecting with an axial direction L of the main trunk wire 11. The branch portion protective structure 1 includes a tubular main tubular protective member 20 through which the main trunk wire 11 passes, and tubular branch tubular protective members 50, 50 through which the branch wires 12 pass.

[0038] The wire harness 10 is configured by bundling a plurality of electric wires that electrically connect electrical devices mounted on a vehicle. A main trunk 11 constituting this wire harness 10 is a bundle of insulated electric wires in which conductors are covered with an insulating coating, and is electrically connected to a generally installed electric device such as a battery.

[0039] 2, the branch wires 12 are covered electric wires pulled out from the main trunk 11 on both sides in the branching direction W, and are connected to, for example, electronic devices that are installed as options in the vehicle. The branched portion where the branch wires 12 are pulled out from the main trunk 11 is referred to as a branch section 13.

[0040] The main tubular protective member 20, through which the main trunk line 11 is inserted, is made up of a first main tubular protective member 30 and a second main tubular protective member 40, which have the same configuration. The first-side main tubular protective member 30 is a cylindrical resin corrugated member into which the main trunk line 11 is inserted at the base end side Lb of the branching portion 13. As shown in Fig. 3, the first-side main tubular protective member 30 has a flexible bellows structure in which main ridges 30a and main grooves 30b are alternately arranged along the axial direction L and projections and recesses are alternately arranged along the axial direction L.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the first side main tubular protective member 30 is composed of a cylindrical first tubular body 31 and a first main extension portion 32 extending from the first tubular body 31 toward the tip side Lf. The first cylindrical body 31 is provided with a linear slit (not shown) on the lower side, which extends along the axial direction L from the end on the tip side Lf to the end on the base side Lb.

[0042] The first main extension portion 32 is a protruding piece having an arc-shaped cross section that extends from the upper part of the first cylindrical body 31 along the axial direction L. The length of the first main extension portion 32 along the axial direction L is configured to be slightly longer than the width of the branch wire 12 extending from the branch portion 13. In addition, the arc length of the first main extension portion 32 is one-fourth of the length (circumferential length) of the first cylindrical body 31 in the circumferential cross section.

[0043] The second-side main tubular protective member 40 is a cylindrical resin corrugated member having the main trunk 11 inserted therein at the tip side Lf of the branching portion 13. The second-side main tubular protective member 40, like the first-side main tubular protective member 30, is configured with a flexible bellows structure (not shown).

[0044] In addition, the second side main tubular protective member 40, like the first side main tubular protective member 30, is composed of a second cylindrical body 41 and a second main extension portion 42 extending from the second cylindrical body 41 toward the base end side Lb. The second cylindrical body 41 is provided with a linear slit (not shown) on the upper side, which extends along the axial direction L from the tip end Lf to the base end Lb.

[0045] The second main extension portion 42 is a protruding piece having an arc-shaped cross section that extends from the lower part of the second cylindrical body 41 along the axial direction L. The length of the second main extension portion 42 along the axial direction L is equal to the length of the first main extension portion 32, and is configured to be slightly longer than the width of the branch wire 12 extending from the branch portion 13. In addition, the arc length of the second main extension portion 42 is one-fourth of the length (circumferential length) of the second cylindrical body 41 in the circumferential cross section. The first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 constructed in this manner are rotationally symmetrical with the central axis of the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41 along the axial direction L serving as the rotation axis.

[0046] The branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 is a cylindrical resin corrugated member into which the branch wire 12 is inserted, and as shown in Figure 4, is configured with a flexible bellows structure in which main ridge portions 50a and main groove portions 50b are arranged alternately along the axial direction L.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the branch tubular protective member 50 is composed of a cylindrical first tubular main body 51 and a pair of branch extension portions 52, 52 extending from one end of the first tubular main body 51 toward the branching direction W. A linear slit (not shown) extending from one end to the other end in the branching direction W is provided on the lower side of the first cylindrical body 51.

[0048] The branch extensions 52, 52 are protruding pieces having an arc-shaped cross section that extend from a side (the axial direction L side in FIG. 2) at one end of the first cylindrical main body 51 along the branching direction W, and are provided at two opposing positions in the tubular cross section of the first cylindrical main body 51. That is, the pair of branch extensions 52, 52 are disposed to face each other.

[0049] The length of this branch extension portion 52 along the branching direction W is configured to be longer than the outer diameters of the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41. In addition, the arc length of the branch extension portion 52 is ¼ of the length (circumferential length) of the first cylindrical body 51 in the cross-sectional circumferential direction.

[0050] Next, a method for attaching the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 thus constructed to the branching portion 13 will be briefly described with reference to Figs. First, the main trunk 11 extending from the slit in the first side main tubular protective member 30 to the base end side Lb of the branching portion 13 is inserted so that the first main extension portion 32 extends toward the branching portion 13. Also, the main trunk 11 extending from the slit in the second side main tubular protective member 40 to the tip end side Lf of the branching portion 13 is inserted so that the second main extension portion 42 extends toward the branching portion 13 (main trunk insertion step S1).

[0051] As a result, the first main extension portion 32 is provided to extend from the end of the tip side Lf of the first side main tubular protective member 30 toward the end of the base side Lb of the second side main tubular protective member 40. In addition, the second main extension portion 42 is provided to extend from the end of the base side Lb of the second side main tubular protective member 40 toward the end of the tip side Lf of the first side main tubular protective member 30.

[0052] Then, the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 are brought closer together toward the branching portion 13 so that the end portion of the base end side Lb of the second tubular body 41 and the tip of the first main extension portion 32, and the end portion of the tip side Lf of the first tubular body 31 and the tip of the second main extension portion 42 are close together (see Figure 6(a)).

[0053] As a result, the base end side Lb end of the first cylindrical body 31 and the tip side Lf end of the second main extension portion 42 are arranged in close proximity to each other, and the tip side Lf end of the second cylindrical body 41 and the base end side Lb end of the first main extension portion 32 are arranged in close proximity to each other. In addition, the first main extension portion 32 extending from the top of the first cylindrical body 31 and the second main extension portion 42 extending from the bottom of the second cylindrical body 41 are arranged opposite each other with the branch portion 13 in between.

[0054] In other words, the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 excluding the portion from which the branch wire 12 extends are positioned above and below the branching portion 13, and the branch wire 12 extends from between the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 toward the branching direction W (see Figure 6 (b)).

[0055] In this way, the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42, which are arranged above and below the branching portion 13, can protect the branching portion 13 except in the extension direction of the branch line 12, and the first tubular body 31 and the second tubular body 41 can protect the main trunk line 11. In this state, the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 are fixed to the main trunk line 11 with tape B1 (main tubular protective member fixing step S2).

[0056] Next, the branch pipe-shaped protective members 50, 50 are inserted into the branch wires 12, 12 through the slits of the first cylindrical body 51 so that the branch extension portions 52, 52 face the branch wires 12, 12 extending in the branch direction W across the branch portion 13. As a result, the branch extension portions 52, 52 are disposed facing the branch portion 13 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0057] Then, the branch pipe-shaped protective members 50, 50 are brought closer towards the branch portion 13, and the branch extending portions 52, 52 are curved along the axial direction L and arranged along the outer surfaces of the first cylindrical main body 31 and the second cylindrical main body 41 as shown in Fig. 7(b) (branch wire insertion step S3). In addition, the branch extending portions 52, 52 are fixed to the first cylindrical main body 31 and the second cylindrical main body 41 with tape B2 (branch pipe-shaped protective member fixing step S4).

[0058] By aligning the branch extension portions 52, 52 along the outer surfaces of the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41 in this manner, the branch tubular protective member 50, 50 can be easily attached to the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40. In addition, both end portions of the branch portion 13 in the branching direction W can be covered with the branch extension portions 52, 52.

[0059] Furthermore, since the branch extension portions 52, 52 are arranged on both sides in the axial direction L, the branch extension portions 52, 52 curved outward in the axial direction L can be fixed along the outer surfaces of the first tubular main body 31 and the second tubular main body 41, so that the branch pipe-shaped protective members 50, 50 can be stably fitted around the branching portion 13.

[0060] The branch section protection structure 1 configured as above can protect a branch section 13 in which a branch wire 12 branches off from a main trunk line 11 in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted into a flexible main tubular protection member 20 and a branch tubular protection member 50, the main trunk line 11 being a bundle of a plurality of electric wires, toward a branching direction W intersecting with an axial direction L of the main trunk line 11. More specifically, the branch section protection structure 1 includes a tubular main tubular protection member 20 through which the main trunk line 11 is inserted, and a tubular branch tubular protection member 50 through which the branch wire 12 is inserted. The main tubular protection member 20 includes a first side main tubular protection member 30 disposed on a base end side Lb in the axial direction L from the branch section 13, and a second side main tubular protection member 40 disposed on a tip end side Lf in the axial direction L from the branch section 13. At least a portion of the tubular cross section extends on the side facing the branching portion 13 of the branch tubular protective member 50, and a branch extension portion 52 is provided that follows the outer surface of the main tubular protective member 20 (first side main tubular protective member 30 and second side main tubular protective member 40).

[0061] This allows the branch extension portion 52 extending from the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 to be aligned along the outer surfaces of the first-side main tubular protective member 30 and the second-side main tubular protective member 40, thereby reducing gaps between the first-side main tubular protective member 30 and the second-side main tubular protective member 40 and the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50. Therefore, for example, there is no need to prepare a hard protector or the like corresponding to the cross-sectional shapes of the first-side main tubular protective member 30 and the second-side main tubular protective member 40, and the branch portion 13 in the wire harness 10 can be protected with a simple structure.

[0062] In addition, since the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 can be retrofitted to the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 at the branching portion 13 in the wire harness 10, the installation work of the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 at the branching portion 13 can be made more efficient.

[0063] In addition, a first main extension portion 32 and a second main extension portion 42 are provided extending from one of the opposing ends of the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 toward the other, and the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 are provided in a predetermined range in an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction L, excluding the range of the branch line 12 branching off from the main trunk line 11.

[0064] This allows the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 extending from at least one of the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 to protect the portion of the branch portion 13 in the wire harness 10 along the axial direction L. Therefore, with a simple structure, the branch portion 13 in the wire harness 10 can be more reliably protected.

[0065] Furthermore, the first main extension portion 32 provided on the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second main extension portion 42 provided on the second side main tubular protective member 40 are positioned at different positions in the orthogonal cross section and are provided within a predetermined range.

[0066] This allows the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 to be arranged in the cross-sectional circumferential direction at the branch portion 13 in accordance with the direction in which the branch line 12 extends from the main trunk line 11. Therefore, the cross-sectional circumferential direction at the branch portion 13 can be covered over a wide range by the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42, and the branch portion 13 can be protected more reliably.

[0067] In addition, the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42 are fixed to the main trunk line 11, and the branch extension portion 52 is fixed to the main tubular protective member 20 (the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40). This makes it possible to prevent the branch tubular protective member 50 from falling off the main tubular protective member 20 (the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40). This makes it possible to more reliably protect the branch portion 13.

[0068] Furthermore, the branch tubular protective member 50 can also be fixed to the wire harness 10 via the main tubular protective member 20 (the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40), thereby preventing the branch tubular protective member 50 from shifting out of position relative to the branch portion 13.

[0069] In addition, the branch extension portions 52, 52 are provided at two opposing locations in the tubular cross section of the first cylindrical body 51, and are bent away from each other and aligned along the axial direction L of the main tubular protective member 20 (first side main tubular protective member 30 and second side main tubular protective member 40).

[0070] This allows the opposing branch extension portions 52, 52 to be arranged along the outer surfaces of the first-side main tubular protective member 30 and the second-side main tubular protective member 40, and allows the branch tubular protective members 50, 50 to be stably arranged with respect to the branching portion 13. Therefore, the branching portion 13 can be protected more reliably.

[0071] In addition, the branch extensions 52, 52 arranged along the outer surfaces of the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 can be fixed to the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40. This allows the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 to be fixed together via the branch tubular protective members 50, 50.

[0072] The branch portion 13 is a cross branch in which two branch wires 12 extend in different branch directions W, and includes branch pipe-shaped protective members 50, 50 through which the branch wire 12 extending in one direction of the branch direction W and the branch wire 12 extending in the other direction of the branch direction W are inserted, and each branch pipe-shaped protective member 50, 50 is provided with a branch extension portion 52, 52. This makes it possible to protect the cross-branched branch portion 13 with a simple structure.

[0073] Furthermore, since the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50 are made of corrugated material with concave and convex portions arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction, protection can be achieved by processing pre-made corrugated material, thereby enabling a stable supply and reducing costs.

[0074] In the configuration of this invention and the correspondence with the above-mentioned embodiment, the tubular protective member and the corrugated sheet correspond to the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50, and similarly, The wire harness is compatible with Wire Harness 10. The main line corresponds to main line 11, The branch line, the first branch line, and the second branch line correspond to the branch lines 12, 12, The branch corresponds to branch 13, The branch protection structure corresponds to the branch protection structure 1, The main tubular protective member corresponds to the main tubular protective member 20, The branch tubular protective member, the first branch tubular protective member, and the second branch tubular protective member correspond to the branch tubular protective members 50, 50; The first side corresponds to the base end side Lb, The first main tubular protective member corresponds to the first main tubular protective member 30, The axial direction corresponds to the axial direction L, The branching direction corresponds to the branching direction W, The second side corresponds to the tip side Lf, The second main tubular protective member corresponds to the second main tubular protective member 40, The branch extension corresponds to the branch extension 52, The main extension portion corresponds to the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42, The first main extension portion corresponds to the first main extension portion 32, The second main extension portion corresponds to the second main extension portion 42, The main line insertion process corresponds to the main line insertion process S1, The branch wire insertion process corresponds to the branch wire insertion process S3. The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0075] Other exemplary embodiments will be briefly described below. In the other embodiments described below, the same components as those in the branch portion protection structure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. Furthermore, the contents described in each embodiment are not limited to each embodiment, and the combinations can be changed as appropriate as long as the effects are achieved.

[0076] For example, in this embodiment, the branch section protective structure 1 electrically connects commonly installed electric devices to each other and protects a branch section 13 of a branch line 12 connected to a main line 11 and electronic devices installed as options on a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be used without particular limitation at any location where an electric wire branches, such as a branch section where a branch line connected to an optional device branches off from another branch line, or a branch section where a main line branches off from a main line connecting commonly installed electric devices. In other words, the branch section protective structure 1 can be used to protect various branch sections.

[0077] In this embodiment, the main trunk 11 is linearly shaped along the axial direction L, but one side of the branched portion 13 may extend in a direction different from the other side. In this case, the axial direction L refers to the direction along the main trunk 11 on one side (base end side Lb or tip end side Lf) of the main trunk 11 relative to the branched portion 13.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the branch extension portions 52, 52 are fixed along the outer surfaces of the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41, but the branch extension portions 52, 52 may also be fixed, for example, to the main trunk line 11 inserted through the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41.

[0079] Specifically, unlike the branch portion protection structure 1, the branch pipe-shaped protection members 50, 50 are inserted into the branch wires 12, 12 through the slits in the first cylindrical body 51 so that the branch extension portions 52, 52 face the branch wires 12, 12 that extend in the branch direction W across the branch portion 13. Then, the branch extension portions 52, 52 are curved outward in the axial direction L, and the branch extension portions 52, 52 are fixed to the main trunk wire 11 with tape.

[0080] Next, the main trunk line 11 extending from the slit in the first side main tubular protective member 30 to the base end side Lb of the branching portion 13 is inserted so that the first main extension portion 32 extends toward the branching portion 13. In addition, the main trunk line 11 extending from the slit in the second side main tubular protective member 40 to the tip side Lf of the branching portion 13 is inserted so that the second main extension portion 42 extends toward the branching portion 13, and the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 are brought closer toward the branching portion 13.

[0081] As a result, the upper and lower parts of the branch portion 13 are covered by the first main extension portion 32 and the second main extension portion 42, and the branch extension portions 52, 52 can be inserted into the first cylindrical body 31 and the second main extension portion 42.

[0082] In this state, the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41 are fixed to the base end portions of the branch extensions 52, 52 with tape, thereby fixing the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 to the main trunk 11. Therefore, the branch portion 13 can be protected by the main tubular protective member 20 and the branch tubular protective member 50.

[0083] In this way, since the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40 are disposed at the branching portion 13 after the branch tubular protective member 50 is aligned along the main trunk line 11, the branch tubular protective member 50 can be easily disposed inside the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40. Furthermore, since the main tubular protective member 20 (the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40) can restrict the movement of the branch tubular protective member 50, it is possible to prevent the branch tubular protective member 50 from becoming misaligned.

[0084] Additionally, the branch extensions 52, 52 are fixed to the main trunk 11 along the outer surface of the main trunk 11, and the first main extension 32 and the second main extension 42 are fixed to the branch extensions 52, 52. This makes it possible to prevent the main tubular protective member 20 (the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40) and the branch tubular protective members 50, 50 from falling off the main trunk 11. This makes it possible to more reliably protect the branch portion 13, and also makes it possible to prevent the branch tubular protective member 50 from shifting in position relative to the branch portion 13.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the branch extension portions 52, 52 are arranged along the first tubular body 31 and the second tubular body 41 along the axial direction L, but they may also be arranged along the cross-sectional circumferential direction of the first side main tubular protective member 30 and the second side main tubular protective member 40, for example, as shown in Figures 8 to 10.

[0086] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 will be briefly described below. Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a branch portion protective structure 1y which is another embodiment of the branch portion protective structure 1. Fig. 8(a) shows a schematic perspective view of a main tubular protective member 20y corresponding to the main tubular protective member 20 and a branch tubular protective member 50 before being attached to the branch portion 13, and Fig. 8(b) shows a schematic perspective view of the main tubular protective member 20y and the branch tubular protective member 50 after being attached to the branch portion 13.

[0087] Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a branch portion protective structure 1z which is another embodiment of the branch portion protective structure 1. Fig. 9(a) shows a schematic perspective view before the main tubular protective member 20y and the branch tubular protective member 50z corresponding to the branch tubular protective member 50 are attached to the branch portion 13, and Fig. 9(b) shows a schematic perspective view after the main tubular protective member 20y and the branch tubular protective member 50z are attached to the branch portion 13.

[0088] Figure 10 shows a front view of the branching portion protection structure 1z, Figure 10(a) shows a front view of the state in which a branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z is in the process of being placed at the branching portion 13, and Figure 10(a) shows a front view of the state in which the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z has been placed at the branching portion 13.

[0089] In the branch portion protective structure 1y, as shown in FIG. 8, a branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 rotated 90 degrees around the branching direction W as a rotation axis is disposed at a position corresponding to the branch portion 13 in the main pipe-shaped protective member 20y. The branch portion protective structure 1y will be briefly described below.

[0090] The branch portion protective structure 1y protects a branch portion 13 in a wire harness 10, where a branch wire 12 branches off in one direction from a main trunk wire 11, with a main pipe-shaped protective member 20y and a branch pipe-shaped protective member 50y.

[0091] The main tubular protective member 20y is composed of a first main tubular protective member 30y corresponding to the first main tubular protective member 30 and a second main tubular protective member 40y corresponding to the second main tubular protective member 40.

[0092] 8(a), the first-side main tubular protective member 30y is a cylindrical corrugated member through which the main trunk line 11 is inserted at the base end side Lb of the branching portion 13 along the axial direction L. Unlike the first-side main tubular protective member 30, the first-side main tubular protective member 30y has two first main extension portions 32y, 32y extending from the upper and lower sides of the first cylindrical body 31 toward the tip end side Lf. That is, the first main extension portions 32y, 32y are provided at two opposing positions in the tubular cross section of the first cylindrical body 31. The first main extension portion 32y is slightly longer in the axial direction L than the first main extension portion 32, but has the same configuration.

[0093] 8(a), the second-side main tubular protective member 40y is a cylindrical corrugated member through which the main trunk line 11 is inserted at the tip side Lf of the branching portion 13 along the axial direction L. Unlike the second-side main tubular protective member 40, the second-side main tubular protective member 40y is composed of only a second cylindrical body 41.

[0094] The first side main tubular protective member 30y configured in this manner is inserted into the main trunk line 11 from the base end side Lb of the branching portion 13 so that the first main extension portions 32y, 32y extend toward the branching portion 13, and the second side main tubular protective member 40y is inserted into the main trunk line 11 from the tip side Lf of the branching portion 13.

[0095] Then, the first side main tubular protective member 30y and the second side main tubular protective member 40y are brought close to each other, and the first main extension portions 32y, 32y are arranged so as to overlap the outer surface of the second cylindrical body 41. This allows the first main extension portions 32y, 32y to cover the upper and lower parts of the branch portion 13, and allows the branch wire 12 to extend from the gap between the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41.

[0096] Next, the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 is inserted into the branch wire 12 so that the branch extension portions 52, 52 of the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50 extend from above and below the first cylindrical body 51 toward the branch portion 13, and the branch wire 12 is brought close to the branch portion 13. Then, the branch extension portions 52, 52 are arranged so as to overlap the radially outer side of the first main extension portions 32y, 32y.

[0097] As a result, in addition to the first main extensions 32y, 32y, the first cylindrical body 51 and the branch extensions 52 can cover the branch portion 13, thereby reliably protecting the branch portion 13. Also, by overlapping the branch extensions 52, 52 with the first main extensions 32y, 32y, the upper and lower parts of the branch portion 13 can be reliably protected.

[0098] In addition, the branch extensions 52, 52 are provided at two opposing locations in the tubular cross section and are disposed outside the first main extensions 32y, 32y. As a result, the opposing branch extensions 52, 52 overlap the first main extensions 32y, 32y, so that the gaps formed between the main tubular protective member 20y (the first side main tubular protective member 30y and the second side main tubular protective member 40y) and the branch tubular protective member 50 and the branch portion 13 can be further reduced. Therefore, the branch portion 13 can be protected more reliably.

[0099] Also, as in a branch portion protective structure 1z shown in Figs. 9 and 10, branch extensions 52z, 52z of a branch tubular protective member 50z can be wound around the outer periphery of a first side main tubular protective member 30y. The branch portion protective structure 1z will be briefly described below.

[0100] The branch portion protective structure 1z protects a branch portion 13 in a wire harness 10, where a branch wire 12 branches off in one direction from a main trunk wire 11, with a main tubular protective member 20y and a branch tubular protective member 50z.

[0101] 9(a), the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z is a cylindrical corrugated pipe through which the branch wire 12 is inserted. The branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z has substantially the same configuration as the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50, but differs in that two branch extension parts 52z, 52z extending from above and below the first cylindrical main body 51 along the branching direction W are configured to be longer than the branch extension parts 52, 52.

[0102] A method for fitting the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z thus configured to the branch portion 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the first side main tubular protective member 30y is inserted into the main trunk line 11 from the base end side Lb of the branching portion 13 so that the first main extension portions 32y, 32y extend toward the branching portion 13, and the second side main tubular protective member 40y is inserted into the main trunk line 11 from the tip side Lf of the branching portion 13.

[0103] Then, the first side main tubular protective member 30y and the second side main tubular protective member 40y are brought close to each other, and the first main extension portions 32y, 32y are arranged so as to overlap the outer surface of the second cylindrical body 41. This allows the first main extension portions 32y, 32y to cover the upper and lower parts of the branch portion 13, and allows the branch wire 12 to extend from the gap between the first cylindrical body 31 and the second cylindrical body 41.

[0104] Next, the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z is inserted into the branch wire 12 so that the branch extension portions 52z, 52z of the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z extend from above and below the first cylindrical body 51 toward the branch portion 13, and the branch wire 12 is brought close to the branch portion 13. Then, the branch extension portions 52z, 52z are arranged so as to overlap the radially outer side of the first main extension portions 32y, 32y (see FIGS. 9(b) and 10(a)).

[0105] 10(a) and 10(b), the branch extensions 52z, 52z are wound around the outer circumferential surface of the first side main tubular protective member 30y (first main extensions 32y, 32y) along the cross-sectional circumferential direction, and the branch extensions 52z, 52z are fixed with tape. This allows the outer circumferential surface of the branch portion 13 in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the branch wire 12 to be surrounded by the branch extensions 52z, 52z, and the branch portion 13 can be reliably protected.

[0106] In the branch portion protection structure 1z, the branch pipe-shaped protection member 50z has the branch extension portions 52z, 52z extending from the first cylindrical main body 51. However, the number of branch extension portions 52z extending from the first cylindrical main body 51 may be one.

[0107] In this manner, the branch extensions 52z, 52z are bent along the outside of the first main extensions 32y, 32y along the orthogonal cross section of the first cylindrical body 31. As a result, the branch extensions 52z, 52z are disposed outside the first main extensions 32y, 32y and the branch portion 13 along the circumferential direction of the branch portion 13.

[0108] This makes it possible to reliably reduce the gaps corresponding to the circumferential direction among the gaps formed between the main tubular protective member 20y (the first side main tubular protective member 30y and the second side main tubular protective member 40y) and the branch tubular protective member 50z and the branch portion 13. This makes it possible to reliably protect the branch portion 13.

[0109] Furthermore, the branch extensions 52z, 52z are provided at two opposing locations in the tubular cross section of the first cylindrical body 31, and are bent from different directions along the outer sides of the first main extensions 32y, 32y along the orthogonal cross section.

[0110] This allows the first main extension portions 32y, 32y and the branch extension portions 52z, 52z to overlap in the cross-sectional direction, while allowing the two opposing branch extension portions 52z, 52z to cover a wide area in the cross-sectional circumferential direction of the branch portion 13. This makes it possible to more reliably protect the branch portion 13. Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the branch pipe-shaped protective member 50z from being unintentionally detached from the branch portion 13.

[0111] In this embodiment, the first-side main tubular protective member 30, the second-side main tubular protective member 40, the branch tubular protective member 50, etc. are corrugated with repeated concave and convex shapes along the axial direction L, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be a flexible cylindrical tube, etc. Furthermore, the first-side main tubular protective member 30, the second-side main tubular protective member 40, the branch tubular protective member 50, etc. may have an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction L that is not only circular but also polygonal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Branch protection structure 10. Wire Harness 11 Main Line 12 Branch Line 13 Branch 20 Main tubular protective member 30 First side main tubular protective member 32 1st main extension 40 Second side main tubular protective member 42 2nd main extension part 50 Branch tubular protective member 52 Branch extension L axis direction Lb proximal side Lf Tip side

Claims

1. A branch portion protection structure for protecting a branch portion at which a branch wire is branched from a main trunk line in which the plurality of electric wires are bundled, toward a branching direction intersecting an axial direction of the main trunk line, in a wire harness in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are inserted into a tubular protective member having flexibility, A tubular main tubular protective member through which the main trunk line is inserted; a tubular branch protection member through which the branch wire is inserted; The main tubular protective member is a first main tubular protective member disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch portion; a second main tubular protective member disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branching portion, a branch extension portion is provided on a side of the branch tubular protective member facing the branch portion, the branch extension portion being extended along at least a portion of a tubular cross section and extending along an outer surface of the main tubular protective member or an outer surface of the main trunk; The first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member are provided at opposing ends with main extension portions extending toward each other, The main extension portion provided on the first side main tubular protective member is referred to as a first main extension portion, and the main extension portion provided on the second side main tubular protective member is referred to as a second main extension portion, The first main extension portion and the second main extension portion are provided in a predetermined range, excluding the range of the branch line branching off from the main trunk line, in an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, and are disposed at different positions in the orthogonal cross section. Branch section protective structure.

2. The branch extension portion is disposed along an outer surface of the main tubular protective member, The main extension is fixed to the main trunk line, The branch extension is fixed to the main tubular protective member. The branch portion protection structure according to claim 1 .

3. The branch extension portion is disposed along an outer surface of the main trunk line, The branch extension portion is fixed to the main trunk line, The main extension portion is fixed to the branch extension portion. The branch portion protection structure according to claim 1 .

4. The branch extension portion is The tubular cross section is provided at two opposing locations, Located on the outside of the main extension The branch portion protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The branch extension portion is Bend along the outer side of the main extension along the orthogonal cross section The branch portion protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The branch extension portion is The tubular cross section is provided at two opposing locations, Each of the orthogonal cross sections is bent along the outer side of the main extension from a different direction. The branch portion protection structure according to claim 5 .

7. The branch extension portion is The tubular cross section is provided at two opposing locations, Each of the protective tubes is bent in a direction away from each other and aligned along the axial direction of the main tubular protective member. The branch portion protection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the branch portion is a cross branch in which the two branch lines extend in different directions, the branch pipe-shaped protective member includes a first branch pipe-shaped protective member through which the first branch wire is inserted, and a second branch pipe-shaped protective member through which the second branch wire is inserted, The branch extension portion is provided on both the first branch tubular protective member and the second branch tubular protective member. The branch portion protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The tubular protective member is formed of a corrugated material having concaves and convexes arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. The branch portion protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A branch portion protection method for protecting a branch portion at which a branch wire is branched from a main trunk wire in which a plurality of bundled electric wires are bundled toward a branching direction intersecting an axial direction of the main trunk wire, in a wire harness in which bundled electric wires are inserted inside a corrugated wire having concaves and convexes alternately arranged in a longitudinal direction, comprising: A tubular main tubular protective member through which the main trunk line is inserted; a tubular branch protection member through which the branch wire is inserted, The main tubular protective member is a first main tubular protective member disposed on a first side in the axial direction from the branch portion; a second main tubular protective member disposed on a second side in the axial direction from the branch portion, The first side main tubular protective member and the second side main tubular protective member are provided at opposing ends with main extension portions extending toward each other, The main extension portion provided on the first side main tubular protective member is referred to as a first main extension portion, and the main extension portion provided on the second side main tubular protective member is referred to as a second main extension portion, a main trunk line insertion step of inserting the main trunk line into the main tubular protective member; a branch wire insertion step of inserting the branch wire into the branch pipe-shaped protective member and aligning a branch extension portion, which is configured by at least a part of a tubular cross section, on a side of the branch pipe-shaped protective member facing the branch portion along an outer surface of the main tubular protective member; In the main trunk line insertion step, the main trunk line is inserted into the main tubular protection member so that the first main extension portion and the second main extension portion are arranged in a predetermined range excluding a range in which the branch lines branching off from the main trunk line are arranged in an orthogonal cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, and are arranged at different positions in the orthogonal cross section. Branch protection method.

11. The main extension portion is fixed to the main trunk line, and then the branch line insertion step is performed. The branch extension is fixed to the main tubular protective member. A method for protecting a branch portion according to claim 10.

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