Wiring materials

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of easily waterproofing a joint connector while keeping the size of a waterproof member as small as possible.SOLUTION: A wiring member 10 includes a plurality of electric wires 20, a connector 30, and a waterproof member. The waterproof member is bent such that a sheet material 41 covers an area of a connector housing 32 including a front surface 32A, an upper surface 32C, and a side surface 32E that are continuous with each other. The connection of the sheet material 41 before being bent is performed at a portion corresponding to any two of an edge portion 32X between the front surface 32A and the top surface 32C, an edge portion 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E, and an edge portion 32z between the top surface 32C and the side surface 32E, and the disconnection of the sheet material is performed at a portion corresponding to the remaining one edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wiring member. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for easily waterproofing two connectors that are to be fitted together by using a cover member. The cover member is provided in a contracted state on one of the connectors before the two connectors are fitted together. After the two connectors are fitted together, the cover member is expanded to the other connector, thereby easily waterproofing the two connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-62675 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to be able to easily waterproof a joint connector while keeping the size of the waterproofing member as small as possible.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can easily waterproof a joint connector while keeping the size of the waterproofing member as small as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wiring member of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of electric wires, a connector to which ends of the plurality of electric wires are connected, and a waterproof member formed by bending a sheet material along the outer shape of the connector so as to cover the connector, the connector being a joint connector including a connector housing in which a plurality of cavities are formed, and a joint terminal connecting the plurality of electric wires to each other, the waterproof member including a first sheet portion that is a part of the sheet material and covers the connector housing, and a second sheet portion that is another part of the sheet material and covers portions of the plurality of electric wires extending from the back surface of the connector housing, the first sheet portion being bent so as to cover an area including a front surface, a top surface, and a side surface of the sheet material that are connected to each other in the connector housing, and the sheet material before being bent is connected at portions corresponding to any two of the edges between the front surface and the top surface, the edge between the front surface and the side surface, and the edge between the top surface and the side surface, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily waterproof a joint connector while keeping the size of the waterproofing member as small as possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the wiring member according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the wiring member according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the wiring member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the wiring member according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing how the sheet material before being bent is attached to the connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a wiring member according to a modified example. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a side view showing a wiring member according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing a state in which a wiring member according to a modified example is manufactured. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The wiring member of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1) A wiring member comprising: a plurality of electric wires, a connector to which ends of the plurality of electric wires are connected; and a waterproofing member formed by bending a sheet material along the outer shape of the connector so as to cover the periphery of the connector, the connector being a joint connector including a connector housing in which a plurality of cavities are formed, and a joint terminal for connecting the plurality of electric wires together, the waterproofing member including a first sheet portion which is a part of the sheet material and covers the connector housing, and a second sheet portion which is another part of the sheet material and covers the portions of the plurality of electric wires extending from the rear surface of the connector housing, the first sheet portion being bent so as to cover an area including the front surface, top surface, and side surface of the sheet material which are connected to one another in the connector housing, the sheet material before being bent being connected at portions corresponding to any two of the edges between the front surface and the top surface, the edge between the front surface and the side surface, and the edge between the top surface and the side surface, and being separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge. The waterproofing member is formed by bending the sheet material along the outer shape of the connector. This sheet material is connected at portions corresponding to any two of the edges between the front and top faces, the edge between the front and side faces, and the edge between the top and side faces, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge. This makes it possible to easily waterproof the joint connector while keeping the size of the waterproofing member as small as possible.

[0012] (2) In the wiring member of (1), the connector housing and the first sheet portion may have a portion where the connector housing and the first sheet portion are directly fixed to each other at a contact portion, whereby the connector housing and the first sheet portion can be fixed to each other without using another member.

[0013] (3) The wiring member according to (1) or (2) may have a portion where the connector housing and the first sheet portion are fixed together by wrapping tape. This allows the connector housing and the first sheet portion to be easily fixed together at the portion where the connector housing and the first sheet portion are fixed together by wrapping tape.

[0014] (4) In any one of the wiring members (1) to (3), the waterproof member may have an opening formed on a lower surface side of the connector housing opposite to the upper surface, so that even if water or the like enters the waterproof member through a gap or the like generated in the waterproof member, the water or the like can be discharged to the outside of the waterproof member through the opening of the waterproof member.

[0015] (5) In the wiring member according to any one of (1) to (4), at least one of the plurality of electric wires and the second sheet portion may be fixed at a contact portion, whereby the sheet material can be positioned in the extending direction of the electric wires.

[0016] (6) In any one of the wiring members (1) to (5), the sheet material before being bent may be connected at portions corresponding to two edges, an edge between the front surface and the top surface, and an edge between the top surface and the side surface, and separated at portions corresponding to the edges between the front surface and the side surfaces. This makes it difficult for gaps to form at the edges of the top surface in the waterproof member, and makes it easier to waterproof the inside of the connector when water is splashed from the top surface.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the wiring member of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] [Embodiment 1] The wiring member according to the first embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the wiring member 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing the wiring member 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the wiring member 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the wiring member 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0019] The wiring member 10 connects electrical devices and the like mounted on a vehicle. An end of the wiring member 10 is disposed in a location in the vehicle where there is a possibility of some water splashing, such as inside the vehicle cabin. The end of the wiring member 10 has a simple waterproof structure against water splashing (particularly water splashing from above). The wiring member 10 includes a plurality of electric wires 20, a connector 30, and a waterproof member 40.

[0020] Ends of the electric wires 20 are connected to a connector 30. Each electric wire 20 is a coated electric wire having a core wire and a coating layer. The core wire includes, for example, one or more strands formed of a metal or the like. The coating layer is formed by extruding an insulating resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE) around the core wire. For example, a terminal 22 is provided at the end of each electric wire 20. The electric wire 20 is connected to the connector 30 via the terminal 22. The terminal 22 is electrically connected to the core wire of the electric wire 20 by crimping, pressure welding, welding, or the like.

[0021] The portions of the electric wires 20 extending from the connector 30 are bundled into a circular shape by a bundling member 24 such as an adhesive tape, a cable tie, or a tubular member. The bundling member 24 is provided at a position separated from the connector 30 along the extension direction of the electric wires 20.

[0022] The multiple electric wires 20 are dispersed at positions according to their respective connection destinations in a section connected to the connector 30 (hereinafter referred to as a connection section). The multiple electric wires 20 are gathered so as to be in close contact with each other in a section bundled by the bundling member 24 (hereinafter referred to as a bundling section). In a section between the connection section and the bundling section (hereinafter referred to as a shift section), the assembly state of the multiple electric wires 20 shifts between a dispersed arrangement in the connection section and an assembled arrangement in the bundling section. Specifically, in the shift section, the multiple electric wires 20 are gathered so that the intervals between them gradually narrow from the connection section to the bundling section. In the shift section, the multiple electric wires 20 are dispersed so that the intervals between them gradually widen from the bundling section to the connection section.

[0023] The connector 30 is a joint connector. The connector 30 includes a connector housing 32 and a joint terminal 36. A plurality of cavities 33 are formed in the connector housing 32. An end of the electric wire 20 (here, the terminal 22 and a portion of the electric wire 20 connected to the terminal 22) is inserted into each cavity 33. The joint terminal 36 connects the plurality of electric wires 20 together. Here, the joint terminal 36 connects the plurality of electric wires 20 together by being connected to the plurality of terminals 22.

[0024] The connector housing 32 is formed of insulating resin or the like. The connector housing 32 is described here as being formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and having six faces. If two of the six faces facing opposite to each other are considered as one set of faces, the six faces are divided into three sets of faces: a set of a front face 32A and a rear face 32B, a set of an upper face 32C and a lower face 32D, and a set of a first side face 32E and a second side face 32F. The front face 32A is a face into which the joint terminal 36 is inserted. The rear face 32B is a face into which the end of the electric wire 20 is inserted. The upper face 32C, the lower face 32D, the first side face 32E, and the second side face 32F are four faces between the front face 32A and the rear face 32B. The upper face 32C is a face that faces vertically upward when the wiring member 10 is arranged in the vehicle, and the lower face 32D is a face that faces vertically downward when the wiring member 10 is arranged in the vehicle. Here, since the front surface 32A is rectangular, the four surfaces between the front surface 32A and the back surface 32B include two wide surfaces connected to the long sides of the front surface 32A and two narrow surfaces connected to the short sides of the front surface 32A. Here, the two wide surfaces connected to the long sides of the front surface 32A are set as the upper surface 32C and the lower surface 32D. The two narrow surfaces connected to the short sides of the front surface 32A may be set as the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0025] The joint terminal 36 is formed into a plate shape from metal or the like. The joint terminal 36 has a plurality of connection parts 37 and one linking part 38. Each connection part 37 is connected to an end of the electric wire 20 (here, terminal 22). The linking part 38 links the plurality of connection parts 37 together. The plurality of connection parts 37 protrude in one direction from the linking part 38 at intervals corresponding to the plurality of cavities 33.

[0026] The multiple cavities 33 are open on both the front surface 32A side and the rear surface 32B side. In each cavity 33, a connection portion 37 of a joint terminal 36 is inserted into the cavity 33 from the opening on the front surface 32A side. In each cavity 33, an end portion of an electric wire 20 is inserted into the cavity 33 from the opening on the rear surface 32B side.

[0027] Here, one connector housing 32 holds both the electric wires 20 and the joint terminals 36. Therefore, an accommodation space 34 for accommodating a connecting portion 38 of the joint terminal 36 is formed on the front surface 32A side of the multiple cavities 33. The multiple cavities 33 communicate with the accommodation space 34 through an opening on the front surface 32A side. An opening of the accommodation space 34 is formed on the front surface 32A.

[0028] However, one connector housing 32 does not necessarily have to hold both the electric wires 20 and the joint terminals 36. The connector housing 32 may have a first housing that holds the electric wires 20 and a second housing that holds the joint terminals 36. The first and second housings may be molded separately from each other and then detachably attached to each other.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 4, eight cavities 33 are formed in the connector housing 32 in an arrangement of two rows and four columns. Of course, the number and arrangement of the cavities 33 in the connector housing 32 are not limited to this and can be set as appropriate. For example, the arrangement of the cavities 33 in the connector housing 32 may be one row, or three or more rows. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the electric wires 20 accommodated in the cavities 33 in each row are connected by one joint terminal 36. Of course, the connection destination of the joint terminal 36 in the connector 30 is not limited to this and can be set as appropriate. For example, the electric wires 20 accommodated in the cavities 33 in multiple rows and multiple columns may be connected by one joint terminal 36.

[0030] The waterproof member 40 is formed by bending the sheet material 41 along the outer shape of the connector 30 so as to cover the periphery of the connector 30. The waterproof member 40 includes a first sheet portion 42 and a second sheet portion 44. The first sheet portion 42 is a part of the sheet material 41 and is a part that covers the connector housing 32. The second sheet portion 44 is another part of the sheet material 41 and is a part that covers the parts of the multiple electric wires 20 that extend from the rear surface 32B of the connector housing 32.

[0031] The first sheet portion 42 is bent so that the sheet material 41 covers an area including the front surface 32A, the top surface 32C, and the side surface 32E (here, both the first side surface 32E and the second side surface 32F) that are connected to each other in the connector housing 32. The first sheet portion 42 has a front surface covering portion 42A, a top surface covering portion 42C, and side surface covering portions 42E, 42F. A protruding piece 43 is provided on the side of the front surface covering portion 42A. The protruding piece 43 is bent so as to overlap the side surface covering portions 42E, 42F.

[0032] The wiring member 10 has a portion where the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are fixed by being wound with tape. The adhesive tape 50 wound around the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 is wound around the upper surface 32C and the side surfaces 32E, 32F as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The adhesive tape 50 is wound around the portion where the protruding piece 43 and the side surface covering portions 42E, 42F overlap. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the side surface covering portions 42E, 42F of the protruding piece 43 and the side surface covering portions 42E, 42F are located on the connector housing 32 side, but the protruding piece 43 may be located on the connector housing 32 side.

[0033] The second sheet portion 44 covers at least the shift section of the multiple electric wires 20. Here, the second sheet portion 44 also covers the bundled section of the multiple electric wires 20. The base end 44A of the second sheet portion 44 located in the shift section is connected to the first sheet portion 42. The base end 44A of the second sheet portion 44 extends in the same shape as the first sheet portion 42. The tip end 44B of the second sheet portion 44 located in the bundled section is bundled together with the multiple electric wires 20 by the bundling member 24. In the shift section, the second sheet portion 44 and the multiple electric wires 20 are not bundled by the bundling member 24. The tip end 44B of the second sheet portion 44 covers the multiple electric wires 20 tighter than the base end 44A. The base end 44A of the second sheet portion 44 covers the multiple electric wires 20 looser than the tip end 44B.

[0034] The tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 surrounds the entire circumference of the plurality of electric wires 20, and the base end portion 44A of the second sheet portion 44 does not surround the entire circumference of the plurality of electric wires 20. However, the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 does not have to surround the entire circumference of the plurality of electric wires 20. The base end portion 44A of the second sheet portion 44 may surround the entire circumference of the plurality of electric wires 20. The range in which the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 is provided along the extension direction of the electric wires 20 is arbitrary. For example, the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 may be provided over the entire bundling section, or may be provided only in a part of the bundling section. For example, the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 may be provided to a length that slightly protrudes from the cable tie as the bundling member 24. Also, for example, the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 may be provided with a length that is slightly larger than the width dimension of the adhesive tape serving as the binding member 24.

[0035] The waterproof member 40 has openings 45 and 46 formed on the lower surface 32D side opposite to the upper surface 32C of the connector housing 32. The openings 45 and 46 are used as drainage holes when water or the like penetrates into the waterproof member 40. Here, the waterproof member 40 has two openings 45 and 46. The opening 45 is located closer to the front surface 32A than the adhesive tape 50. The opening 46 is located closer to the back surface 32B than the adhesive tape 50. The adhesive tape 50 is not wound around the front surface 32A. The adhesive tape 50 is wound around the edge between the front surface 32A and the lower surface 32D. For this reason, the gap between the front surface 32A and the tip portion 44B of the front cover portion 42A is not completely blocked, and the opening 45 is formed. In addition, neither the adhesive tape 50 nor the binding member 24 is wound around the base end portion 44A of the second sheet portion 44. A base end portion 44A of the second seat portion 44 extends in the same shape as the first seat portion 42. As a result, an opening 46 is formed in the second seat portion 44 on the lower surface 32D side.

[0036] <About sheet material 41 before bending> The sheet material 41 before bending will be described with reference to Fig. 5 in addition to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing how the sheet material 41 before bending is attached to the connector 30. In the following description, the sheet material 41 before bending will be denoted with the reference character B, such as sheet material 41B.

[0037] The sheet material 41B is connected at portions corresponding to any two of the edge portion 32X between the front surface 32A and the upper surface 32C, the edge portion 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E, and the edge portion 32Z between the upper surface 32C and the side surface 32E, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge portion. In this example, the sheet material 41B is connected at portions corresponding to the two edges 32X, 32Z of the edge portion 32X between the front surface 32A and the upper surface 32C, and the edge portion 32Z between the upper surface 32C and the side surface 32E, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the edge portion 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E.

[0038] The sheet material 41B has a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region, the second region, and the third region are connected in this order along the first direction. The first region has a portion that covers the front surface 32A of the connector housing 32 when the waterproof member 40 is formed. The second region has a portion that covers the upper surface 32C and the side surfaces 32E and 32F of the connector housing 32 when the waterproof member 40 is formed. Here, the second region also has a portion that covers the electric wire 20 when the waterproof member 40 is formed. The third region has a portion that covers the electric wire 20 when the waterproof member 40 is formed. Each of the first region, the second region, and the third region is rectangular having an edge along the first direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 5) and an edge along the second direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5). Hereinafter, the first region, the second region, and the third region will be described as a first square-shaped portion 47A, a second square-shaped portion 47B, and a third square-shaped portion 47C, respectively.

[0039] In the first direction, the dimension of the first square portion 47A is smaller than the dimension of the second square portion 47B. In the first direction, the dimension of the first square portion 47A is the same as the height dimension (the distance between the upper surface 32C and the lower surface 32D) of the connector housing 32. In the first direction, the dimension of the second square portion 47B is the same as or larger than the depth dimension (the distance between the front surface 32A and the rear surface 32B) of the connector housing 32. Here, in the first direction, the dimension of the second square portion 47B is larger than the depth dimension of the connector housing 32 by the dimension L in FIG. 5. In the first direction, the portion of the second square portion 47B that is larger than the connector housing 32 (the portion marked with the dimension L in FIG. 5) covers the electric wire 20 extending from the connector housing 32 when it becomes the waterproof member 40.

[0040] The dimension L can be set appropriately, and may be, for example, two-thirds or more of the width dimension W of the connector housing 32. When the multiple electric wires 20 extending from the connector housing 32 are bundled in a circular shape, as the multiple electric wires 20 are gathered from the connection section toward the bundling section, a force in the width direction of the connector housing 32 is applied to some of the electric wires 20, which may increase the force with which the electric wires 20 contact the peripheral portion of the opening of the cavity 33 or cause the attitude of the terminals 22 in the cavity 33 to tilt. In this case, if the portion where the multiple electric wires 20 are bundled is farther from the connector housing 32, the force with which the electric wires 20 contact the peripheral portion of the opening of the cavity 33 is suppressed and the attitude of the terminals 22 in the cavity 33 is less likely to tilt. In this case, when the dimension L is two-thirds or more of the width dimension W of the connector housing 32, the force in the width direction of the connector housing 32 acting on the electric wire 20 is prevented from becoming too large, and the force with which the electric wire 20 contacts the peripheral portion of the opening of the cavity 33 and the posture of the terminal 22 within the cavity 33 tend to fall within an appropriate range.

[0041] The dimension of the second square portion 47B in the second direction is equal to the sum of twice the height dimension of the connector housing 32 and the width dimension W of the connector housing 32 (the distance between the first side surface 32E and the second side surface 32F). In the second direction, the dimension of the first square portion 47A and the dimension of the second square portion 47B are equal. In the second direction, the dimension of the first square portion 47A may be smaller than the dimension of the second square portion 47B. In the second direction, the dimension of the first square portion 47A may be equal to or larger than the width dimension W of the connector housing 32.

[0042] The first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B are connected at a part along the second direction and are not connected at another part. The first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B are connected at a middle part along the second direction. The part where the first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B are connected is a part corresponding to the edge portion 32X between the front surface 32A and the upper surface 32C. The first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B are not connected at one end and the other end along the second direction. The part where the first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B are not connected is a part corresponding to the edge portion 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surfaces 32E and 32F. The sheet material 41B has a slit 48 extending from an edge along the first direction to the second direction. The portion where this slit 48 is formed corresponds to the edge 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surfaces 32E and 32F.

[0043] The portion of the second square portion 47B that is connected to the first square portion 47A becomes the upper surface cover portion 42C of the waterproofing member 40. Hereinafter, using this portion as a reference, the portion of the first square portion 47A that is connected to the second square portion 47B is bent to become the front surface cover portion 42A of the waterproofing member 40. The portions of the first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B that are not connected to each other (portions separated by the slit 48) are bent to cover the side surfaces 32E and 32F of the waterproofing member 40. The portion of the second square portion 47B that is not connected to the first square portion 47A covers the entire side surfaces 32E and 32F, and becomes the side surface cover portions 42E and 42F of the waterproofing member 40. The portion of the first square portion 47A that is not connected to the second square portion 47B covers a portion of the side surfaces 32E and 32F on the front surface 32A side, and becomes the protruding piece 43 of the waterproofing member 40.

[0044] A portion of the second square portion 47B on the third square portion 47C side protrudes from the connector housing 32. The portion of the second square portion 47B protruding from the connector housing 32 becomes the base end 44A of the second sheet portion 44 of the waterproofing member 40. The third square portion 47C becomes the tip end 44B of the second sheet portion 44 of the waterproofing member 40. A portion of the second square portion 47B connected to the third square portion 47C is bound together with the multiple electric wires 20 by the binding member 24.

[0045] The dimensions of the third square portion 47C are arbitrary. The dimensions of the third square portion 47C in the first direction are appropriately set according to the dimensions of the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 along the extension direction of the electric wires 20. Here, the dimensions of the third square portion 47C in the second direction are smaller than the dimensions of the first square portion 47A and the dimensions of the second square portion 47B. When the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 surrounds the entire circumference of the bundle of electric wires 20, the dimensions of the third square portion 47C in the second direction may be sufficient to surround the entire circumference of the bundle of electric wires 20. When the tip portion 44B of the second sheet portion 44 does not surround the entire circumference of the bundle of electric wires 20, the dimensions of the third square portion 47C in the second direction may not be sufficient to surround the entire circumference of the bundle of electric wires 20.

[0046] Such sheet material 41B may be bendable. The sheet material 41B may have a waterproof layer between one main surface and the other main surface through which water or the like cannot pass. Such a waterproof layer may be, for example, a sheet having a uniform solid cross section (also called a non-foamed sheet or solid sheet, etc.). Also, for example, the waterproof layer may be a closed-cell sheet or the like. The sheet material 41B may have a single-layer structure consisting of only a waterproof layer. The sheet material 41B may have a multi-layer structure in which a waterproof layer and an additional layer are laminated. The additional layer may not have waterproof properties. The additional layer may be a continuous foam sheet in addition to the sheets listed for the waterproof layer above. The additional layer may be a fiber material sheet such as a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric. The material constituting the sheet is not particularly limited, and resin, metal, etc. may be used.

[0047] <Effects, etc.> According to the wiring member 10 configured as above, the sheet material 41B is bent along the outer shape of the connector 30 to form the waterproof member 40. The sheet material 41B is connected at a portion corresponding to any two of the edge portion 32X between the front surface 32A and the upper surface 32C, the edge portion 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E, and the edge portion 32Z between the upper surface 32C and the side surface 32E, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge. As a result, the joint connector 30 can be easily waterproofed while keeping the size of the waterproof member 40 as small as possible. In addition, by changing the shape of the sheet material 41B, it is easily compatible with different types of connectors 30.

[0048] Also, there is a portion where the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are fixed together by wrapping them with adhesive tape 50. This allows the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 to be easily fixed together at the portion where the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are fixed together by wrapping them with tape.

[0049] Furthermore, the waterproof member 40 has openings 45, 46 formed on the lower surface 32D side opposite to the upper surface 32C of the connector housing 32. As a result, even if water or the like enters the inside of the waterproof member 40 through gaps or the like generated in the waterproof member 40, the water or the like can be discharged to the outside of the waterproof member 40 through the openings 45, 46 of the waterproof member 40.

[0050] Moreover, sheet material 41B before being bent is connected at portions corresponding to two edges 32X, 32Z, namely edge 32X between front surface 32A and top surface 32C and edge 32Z between top surface 32C and side surface 32E, and is separated at a portion corresponding to edge 32Y between front surface 32A and side surface 32E. This makes it less likely that gaps will be generated at edges 32X, 32Z of top surface 32C in waterproof member 40, making it easier to waterproof the inside of connector 30 when water is splashed on top surface 32C.

[0051] [Variations] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a wiring member 110 according to a modified example. Fig. 7 is a side view showing a wiring member 110 according to a modified example. Fig. 8 is a bottom view showing a process of manufacturing the wiring member 110 according to the modified example.

[0052] The wiring member 110 has a fixing portion 52 where the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are directly fixed to each other at a contact area. This allows the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 to be fixed to each other at the fixing portion 52 where the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are directly fixed to each other at a contact area without using another member.

[0053] Direct fixing of the contact parts refers to the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 being directly bonded to each other and fixed without the use of a separate adhesive or the like. In direct fixing of the contact parts, for example, it is considered that the connector housing 32 and the sheet material 41B are bonded and fixed by melting a resin contained in at least one of them.

[0054] When such a state of direct fixation of the contact regions is formed, the resin may be melted by, for example, heat or a solvent. That is, the state of direct fixation of the contact regions may be a state of direct fixation of the contact regions by heat or a state of direct fixation of the contact regions by a solvent. Preferably, the state of direct fixation of the contact regions is a state of direct fixation of the contact regions by heat.

[0055] At this time, the means for forming the state of direct fixation of the contact parts is not particularly limited, and known means such as welding, fusion, and welding can be used. Here, the connector housing 32 and the first sheet part 42 are fused. In this case, at least one of the connector housing 32 and the first sheet part 42 may contain a thermoplastic resin. When the first sheet part 42 contains a thermoplastic resin, the waterproof layer may contain a thermoplastic resin, or the additional layer may contain a thermoplastic resin. Here, the waterproof layer contains a thermoplastic resin. Such a thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, PVC, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyolefin. When both the connector housing 32 and the first sheet part 42 contain a thermoplastic resin, the thermoplastic resin contained in the connector housing 32 and the thermoplastic resin contained in the first sheet part 42 may be compatible.

[0056] The position of the fixing portion 52 can be set appropriately. In this example, the upper surface 32C and the upper surface cover portion 42C are directly fixed to each other at the contact portion. Also, the side surfaces 32E, 32F and the side surface cover portions 42E, 42F are directly fixed to each other at the contact portion. In the fixing portion 52 where the side surfaces 32E, 32F and the side surface cover portions 42E, 42F are directly fixed to each other at the contact portion, the protruding piece 43 may also be directly fixed to the contact portion. In this example, the fixing of the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 by winding a tape is omitted. In this example, the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are fixed to each other only by the fixing portion 52.

[0057] However, the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 may be fixed to each other by both direct fixing at the contact portion and by winding tape. In this case, the fixing portion 52 where the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are directly fixed to each other at the contact portion may be used to position and fix the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 until the tape is wound. For example, a part of the surface of the connector housing 32 may be directly fixed to a corresponding part of the sheet material 41B at the contact portion. The sheet material 41B may be bent so as to cover the other surface of the connector housing 32 based on the part fixed to the connector housing 32.

[0058] 8, at least one of the multiple electric wires 20 and the third square-shaped portion 47C are fixed at a contact portion to form a fixing portion 54. The third square-shaped portion 47C is a portion that becomes the second sheet portion 44 in the waterproofing member 40. Therefore, in the wiring member 10, at least one of the multiple electric wires 20 and the second sheet portion 44 are fixed at a contact portion. This allows the sheet material 41 to be positioned in the extension direction of the electric wires 20.

[0059] As a mode of fixing the contact parts, in addition to the above-mentioned direct fixing of the contact parts, the contact parts may be indirectly fixed. Here, the indirect fixing of the contact parts means that the electric wire 20 and the second sheet part 44 are indirectly attached and fixed via an adhesive member such as an adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a double-sided adhesive tape provided between them.

[0060] When the electric wire 20 and the second sheet portion 44 are fused together, at least one of the electric wire 20 and the second sheet portion 44 may contain a thermoplastic resin. When the second sheet portion 44 contains a thermoplastic resin, the waterproof layer may contain a thermoplastic resin, or the additional layer may contain a thermoplastic resin. Here, the waterproof layer contains a thermoplastic resin. Such a thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, PVC, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyolefin. When both the electric wire 20 and the second sheet portion 44 contain a thermoplastic resin, the thermoplastic resin contained in the electric wire 20 and the thermoplastic resin contained in the second sheet portion 44 may be compatible. For example, the thermoplastic resin contained in the electric wire 20 and the thermoplastic resin contained in the second sheet portion 44 may be the same type of resin.

[0061] The electric wire 20 may be fixed at the contact portion with the second sheet portion 44 in a section avoiding the connection section and the shift section. The electric wire 20 may be fixed at the contact portion with the second sheet portion 44 in the bundling section. The fixing portion 54 may be provided in the bundling section. A plurality of fixing portions 54 are provided along the extending direction of the electric wire 20. One fixing portion 54 may be provided along the extending direction of the electric wire 20. After the electric wire 20 is fixed at the contact portion with the third square-shaped portion 47C, the end portion may be stripped, the terminal 22 may be attached, and the electric wire 20 may be connected to the connector 30. Also, only some of the electric wires 20 among the plurality of electric wires 20 are fixed at the contact portion with the second sheet portion 44. The selection of some of the electric wires 20 may be arbitrary. For example, the electric wires 20 in the row on the upper surface 32C side may be selected, or the electric wires 20 in the row on the lower surface 32D side may be selected. Also, for example, the electric wire 20 located in the middle of the row may be selected, or the electric wire 20 located at the end of the row may be selected. All of the electric wires 20 among the plurality of electric wires 20 may be fixed to the second sheet portion 44 at the contact portions.

[0062] In addition, although the waterproof member 40 has been described so far as having the openings 45, 46 formed on the bottom surface 32D side of the connector housing 32 opposite the top surface 32C, this is not an essential configuration. The waterproof member 40 does not necessarily have to have the openings 45, 46 formed on the bottom surface 32D side of the connector housing 32 opposite the top surface 32C.

[0063] The sheet material 41 may be connected at portions corresponding to the two edges 32X, 32Y, ie, the edge 32X between the front surface 32A and the top surface 32C and the edge 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E, and may be separated at a portion corresponding to the edge 32Z between the top surface 32C and the side surface 32E. In this case, instead of the side surface covering portion 42E in the waterproof member 40, the protruding piece 43 may be configured to cover the entire side surface 32E. In this case, the sheet material 41 has a first square portion 47A having a dimension in the second direction that is twice the depth dimension of the connector housing 32 plus the width dimension W of the connector housing 32, and a second square portion 47B having a width dimension approximately equal to that of the third square portion 47C.

[0064] The sheet material 41 may be connected at a portion corresponding to the two edges 32Y, 32Z between the top surface 32C and the side surface 32E and the edge 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E, and may be separated at a portion corresponding to the edge 32X between the front surface 32A and the top surface 32C. In this case, the waterproof member 40 may be configured such that a protruding piece protrudes from the side surface cover portion 42E, and the protruding piece covers the entire front surface 32A instead of the front surface cover portion 42A. In this case, the sheet material 41 has a first square portion 47A having a dimension in the first direction that is the width dimension of the connector housing 32, and a second square portion 47A having a dimension in the second direction that is the height dimension of the connector housing 32. In addition, the first square portion 47A and the second square portion 47B are connected to one end of the second square portion 47B in the second direction.

[0065] The configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10, 110 Wiring material 20 Electric wire 22 Terminals 24 Binding material 30 Connectors 32 Connector housing 32A front 32B Back 32C top surface 32D bottom side 32E 1st side 32F 2nd side 32X, 32Y, 32Z edges 33 Cavity 34 Containment Space 36 Joint terminal 37 Connection 38 Connecting part 40 Waterproofing materials 41, 41B Sheet material 42 First sheet part 42A Front cover 42C Top cover 42E First side cover 42F 2nd side cover 43 Projecting piece 44 Second seat part 44A Proximal end 44B Tip 45, 46 aperture 47A 1st square shaped part 47B 2nd square shaped part 47C Third square shaped part 48 Slit 50 Adhesive Tape 52, 54 Fixed part

Claims

1. A plurality of wires; a connector to which the ends of the plurality of electric wires are connected; a waterproof member formed by bending a sheet material along the outer shape of the connector so as to cover the connector; Equipped with The connector is a joint connector including a connector housing having a plurality of cavities and a joint terminal for connecting the plurality of electric wires together, the waterproofing member includes a first sheet portion which is a part of the sheet material and covers the connector housing, and a second sheet portion which is another part of the sheet material and covers portions of the plurality of electric wires extending from a rear surface of the connector housing, the first sheet portion is bent so as to cover an area including a front surface, a top surface, and a side surface of the sheet material that are connected to one another in the connector housing; The sheet material before being bent is connected at portions corresponding to any two of an edge between the front surface and the top surface, an edge between the front surface and the side surface, and an edge between the top surface and the side surface, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge; A wiring member having an opening that forms a gap between the waterproof member and a lower surface of the connector housing opposite to the upper surface.

2. The wiring member according to claim 1 , A wiring member having a portion where the connector housing and the first sheet portion are directly fixed to each other at a contact portion.

3. The wiring member according to claim 1 or 2, A wiring member having a portion where the connector housing and the first sheet portion are fixed together by wrapping tape.

4. The wiring member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A wiring member in which at least one of the plurality of electric wires and the second sheet portion are fixed at a contact portion.

5. The wiring member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A wiring member in which the sheet material before being bent is connected at portions corresponding to two edges, an edge between the front surface and the top surface and an edge between the top surface and the side surface, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the edge between the front surface and the side surface.

6. A wiring member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an adhesive tape is wound around a portion of the lower surface of the connector housing and the waterproof member; The opening forms a gap between the waterproof member, the lower surface of the connector housing, and the adhesive tape.

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