Wire harness and wire harness inspection method

Abstract

To provide a wire harness and a wire harness testing method that make it possible to check the bent state of a communication cable even when a direct check of it is impossible.SOLUTION: A wire harness 1 has a wire 3, a communication cable 5, and a testing wire 7. The communication cable 5 is disposed in a bent state. The testing wire 7 can be checked for its continuity when it is bent at a curvature lower than or equal to the maximum curvature that can ensure the communication performance of the bent communication cable 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire harness and a wire harness inspection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a wire harness including an electric wire and a communication cable is known. The communication cable has a predetermined length to ensure noise resistance. In a path in which the wire harness is arranged, the communication cable may be long and may protrude outside the path. In this case, the communication cable is arranged in a bent state in order to accommodate the excess length of the communication cable protruding outside the path within the path.

[0003] A known method for bending a communication cable is to use a jig having a U-shaped electric wire holding portion, insert the electric wire into the electric wire holding portion, and bend the electric wire by utilizing the inner peripheral side of the electric wire holding portion (see Patent Document 1). The jig used for bending the electric wire is removed from the electric wire after an exterior covering such as tape wrapping is applied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-249945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in a bent communication cable, if the curvature at the bent portion is large, i.e., if the bent portion is bent sharply, the communication performance may be degraded. Therefore, in order to ensure the communication performance of the communication cable, it is necessary to maintain the bent state of the communication cable.

[0006] However, the jig used to bend the communication cable is removed when the wire harness is completed, and therefore the bent communication cable may not be able to maintain the bent state.

[0007] In addition, the wire harness having the bent communication cable is housed in an exterior component such as a protector. In a state in which the wire harness cannot be directly checked, such as when housed in an exterior component, it is not possible to check the bent state of the communication cable.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional techniques, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wire harness and a wire harness inspection method that are capable of checking the bending state of a communication cable even when the bending state cannot be checked directly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The wire harness of this embodiment includes an electric wire, a communication cable, and an inspection wire, and the communication cable is arranged in a bent state, and the inspection wire can check for continuity when the communication cable is bent at a curvature equal to or less than the maximum curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent.

[0010] It is preferable that the communication cable is bent around the electric wire, and the inspection wire is arranged at a bent portion of the communication cable and bent at a curvature equal to or greater than the curvature of the bent portion.

[0011] It is preferable that the communication cable is bent and arranged on the electric wire, the inspection electric wire is hooked onto the bent portion of the communication cable, and the radius of the inspection electric wire is equal to or greater than the minimum radius of curvature that can ensure communication performance when the communication cable is bent.

[0012] It is preferable that the inspection wire is bent in a direction different from that of the bent portion.

[0013] Both ends of the inspection wire are preferably disposed outside the range of the electric wire and the communication cable.

[0014] The wire harness inspection method according to the present embodiment includes an electric wire, a communication cable bent around the electric wire, and an inspection wire hooked onto the communication cable at the bent portion thereof, wherein the inspection wire is capable of checking continuity when the communication cable is bent at a curvature equal to or less than the maximum curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent, and the radius of the inspection wire is equal to or greater than the minimum curvature radius at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent, and includes a step of checking continuity of the inspection wire for a wire harness. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wire harness and a wire harness inspection method that are capable of checking the bent state of a communication cable even when the bent state cannot be checked directly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the inspection wire of the wire harness according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a wire harness and a wire harness inspection method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the wire harness 1 includes an electric wire 3, a communication cable 5, and an inspection electric wire 7. The electric wire 3 is, for example, a power line that electrically connects between a power source and a device, or between devices, and supplies power. The electric wire 3 has a predetermined length and is arranged. The electric wire 3 forms a trunk line in the wire harness 1.

[0019] The communication cable 5 is, for example, a communication line that electrically connects between a power source and a device or between devices and transmits information, or an optical fiber cable. The communication cable 5 is disposed on the electric wire 3 and constitutes the wire harness 1. The communication cable 5 needs to have a predetermined length in order to ensure noise resistance.

[0020] The communication cable 5 may be long and may protrude outside the path along which the wire harness 1 is arranged. In this case, the communication cable 5 is bent so that the excess length of the communication cable 5 protruding outside the path is accommodated within the path.

[0021] When bending the communication cable 5, for example, a jig or the like is used to bend the communication cable 5 so as to fold back at the bending portion 9. By bending the communication cable 5 at the bending portion 9, the communication cable 5 is accommodated within the path of the wire harness 1.

[0022] The communication cable 5 bent at the bent portion 9 is disposed on the outer periphery of the electric wire 3. The jig used for bending the communication cable 5 is removed from the communication cable 5 after forming the bent portion 9. Note that the communication cable 5 is preferably fixed to the electric wire 3 by wrapping tape around the outer periphery of the electric wire 3 so as to maintain the bent state at the bent portion 9.

[0023] The communication cable 5 has a maximum curvature such that communication performance can be ensured if the curvature at the bent portion 9 has a radius of curvature equal to or greater than the radius of the communication cable 5. In other words, the communication cable 5 has a minimum radius of curvature that can ensure communication performance.

[0024] For this reason, when the communication cable 5 is bent at the bent portion 9 with a curvature equal to or greater than the maximum curvature, communication may not be possible or the communication performance may be degraded, and communication performance may not be ensured. Therefore, it is preferable that the communication cable 5 having the bent portion 9 is held so that the bent state of the bent portion 9 does not change.

[0025] However, the jig used to form the bent portion 9 is removed from the communication cable 5 after the bent portion 9 is formed. Therefore, the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 may not be able to maintain the bent state.

[0026] In addition, the wire harness 1 having the communication cable 5 with the bent portion 9 formed therein is housed in an exterior component such as a protector for the purpose of, for example, protection and improving the appearance. In a state in which the wire harness 1 cannot be directly confirmed, such as when housed in an exterior component, the bent state of the communication cable 5 at the bent portion 9 cannot be confirmed.

[0027] Therefore, the wire harness 1 includes an inspection wire 7. The inspection wire 7 has a curvature that can ensure continuity when it is bent at a curvature equal to or less than the maximum curvature that can ensure the communication performance of the communication cable 5. Therefore, when the inspection wire 7 is bent at a curvature greater than the curvature that can ensure the continuity, it may break, making it impossible to ensure the continuity. Here, the curvature that can ensure the continuity of the inspection wire 7 is set to be the same as the maximum curvature that can ensure the communication performance of the communication cable 5.

[0028] Therefore, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be confirmed when the inspection wire 7 is bent to a curvature equal to or greater than the curvature of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5, it can be confirmed that the communication performance of the communication cable 5 is ensured. In other words, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be confirmed, it can be confirmed that the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 is maintained even in a state in which the communication cable 5 cannot be directly confirmed. On the other hand, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 cannot be confirmed, the communication performance of the communication cable 5 may not be ensured, and the bent state of the bent portion 9 may have changed.

[0029] The radius of the inspection wire 7 is equal to or greater than the minimum radius of curvature that ensures communication performance when the communication cable 5 is bent. Therefore, if the inner peripheral surface of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inspection wire 7, the bent portion 9 will not be bent beyond the maximum curvature, and the communication performance of the communication cable 5 can be ensured.

[0030] Therefore, the inspection wire 7 is arranged to be inserted through the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5. Therefore, the communication cable 5 is arranged to be caught by the inspection wire 7 at the bent portion 9. By arranging the communication cable 5 and the inspection wire 7 in this manner, the communication cable 5 is not bent at the bent portion 9 beyond the maximum bending rate. Therefore, the communication performance of the communication cable 5 can be ensured.

[0031] The inspection electric wire 7 is bent at the bent portion 9 with a curvature equal to or greater than the curvature of the bent portion 9 at the inspection bent portion 11. Here, the inspection bent portion 11 is bent with the same curvature as the bent portion 9. The inspection electric wire 7 bent at the inspection bent portion 11 is fixed to the outer periphery of the electric wire 3 with a fixing member 13 such as a tape in order to maintain the bent state of the inspection bent portion 11.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 are arranged outside the range of the electric wire 3 and the communication cable 5. Both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 shown in Fig. 2 are arranged within the radial range of the electric wire 3 in the side view as in Fig. 1, but are arranged outside the radial range A of the electric wire 3 and the communication cable 5 in the side view as in Fig. 2. Both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 shown in Fig. 3 are arranged outside the radial range B of the electric wire 3 and the communication cable 5 in the front view as in Fig. 1.

[0033] By arranging both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 outside the range of the electric wires 3 and the communication cable 5 in this manner, it is possible to arrange both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 in an exterior component that houses the wire harness 1. Therefore, even when the wire harness 1 is housed in the exterior component, the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be checked from outside the exterior component.

[0034] The inspection bent portion 11 is bent in a direction different from that of the bent portion 9. Here, the inspection bent portion 11 is bent in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the bent portion 9. By making the bending direction of the inspection electric wire 7 different from that of the bent portion 9, both ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 can be disposed in any position, such as a position close to an exterior product.

[0035] This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the two ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 drawn out from the wire harness 1, and reduces the impact on the design of peripheral components such as exterior components. In addition, by setting the arrangement positions of the two ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 close to the exterior component, the length of the inspection electric wire 7 can be shortened, and the cost of the inspection electric wire 7 can be reduced.

[0036] Both ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 drawn out from the wire harness 1 are provided with connectors 15, 15 housing terminals (not shown) electrically connected to the inspection electric wire 7. The connectors 15, 15 are arranged, for example, in an inspection section (not shown) provided in the exterior part. The inspection section of the exterior part is preferably protected by an openable and closable cover or the like. The connectors 15, 15 can be fitted into a connector of an inspection device (not shown) that checks continuity. The positions of the connectors 15, 15 can be easily changed by adjusting the fixing position by the fixing member 13 and the length of the inspection electric wire 7, and the influence on the inspection section of the exterior part can be minimized.

[0037] With such a wire harness 1 housed in an exterior component, the connectors 15, 15 arranged in the inspection section are fitted with the connectors of an inspection device to check the continuity of the inspection wire 7. If the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be confirmed, it can be confirmed that the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 is maintained. On the other hand, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 cannot be confirmed, the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 may have changed. In this case, the wire harness 1 is removed from the exterior component, and the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 is checked.

[0038] By providing the wire harness 1 with the inspection wire 7 in this way, even when the wire harness 1 cannot be directly inspected, the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 can be checked by checking the continuity of the inspection wire 7. When the continuity of the inspection wire 7 cannot be checked, the terminals may not be fully inserted into the connectors 15, 15, or the terminals may be disconnected from the inspection wire 7. For this reason, when the continuity of the inspection wire 7 cannot be checked, it is preferable to check the accommodation state of the terminals in the connectors 15, 15 and the connection state between the inspection wire 7 and the terminals.

[0039] In the manufacturing method of such a wire harness 1, first, the electric wire 3 is arranged. Next, the communication cable 5 is bent at the bent portion 9 with a desired curvature, and the communication cable 5 is arranged with respect to the electric wire 3. Next, the inspection electric wire 7 is inserted into the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5, and the inspection electric wire 7 is arranged on the electric wire 3. After the inspection electric wire 7 is inserted into the bent portion 9, it is preferable to electrically connect terminals to both ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 and accommodate the terminals in the connectors 15, 15.

[0040] Next, the inspection electric wire 7 is bent at the bent portion 9 at the inspection bent portion 11 with a curvature equal to or larger than that of the bent portion 9 (here, the same as the curvature of the bent portion 9). At this time, in order to maintain the shape of the bent inspection electric wire 7, it is preferable to fix the inspection electric wire 7 to the outer periphery of the electric wire 3 with a fixing member 13 such as a tape. Then, the completed wire harness 1 is housed in an exterior component such as a protector, and the connectors 15, 15 are arranged in the inspection portion of the exterior component.

[0041] In such a method for inspecting the wire harness 1, the connectors 15, 15 arranged in the inspection section of the exterior part are fitted with the connectors of an inspection device to check the continuity of the inspection wire 7. If the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be confirmed, it is determined that the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 is maintained. On the other hand, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 cannot be confirmed, it is determined that the bent state of the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 has changed. If the continuity of the inspection wire 7 cannot be confirmed, it is preferable to check the arrangement positions of the connectors 15, 15 relative to the exterior part and the connection state of the terminals to the inspection wire 7, etc.

[0042] Such a wire harness 1 includes the electric wires 3, the communication cable 5, and the inspection wire 7. The communication cable 5 is arranged in a bent state. The inspection wire 7 can check the continuity when the communication cable 5 is bent at a curvature equal to or smaller than the maximum curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable 5 is bent.

[0043] Therefore, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be confirmed when the inspection wire 7 is bent beyond the curvature of the communication cable 5, it can be confirmed that the communication performance of the communication cable 5, i.e., that the bent state of the communication cable 5 is maintained.

[0044] Therefore, with such a wire harness 1, the bent state of the communication cable 5 can be checked even in a state where it cannot be directly checked.

[0045] The communication cable 5 is arranged to be bent with respect to the electric wire 3. The inspection wire 7 is arranged at a bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5, and is bent with a curvature equal to or greater than that of the bent portion 9. Therefore, the inspection wire 7 can maintain the bent state of the communication cable 5.

[0046] Furthermore, the inspection wire 7 is arranged so as to be hooked on the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5. The radius of the inspection wire 7 is equal to or greater than the minimum radius of curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable 5 is bent. Therefore, the bent portion 9 of the communication cable 5 is not bent at a curvature equal to or less than the minimum radius of curvature, and can maintain a bent state at which the communication performance of the communication cable 5 can be ensured.

[0047] Moreover, the inspection electric wire 7 is bent in a direction different from that of the bent portion 9. Therefore, both ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 can be disposed at any positions, and the degree of freedom in disposing the both ends 17, 17 of the inspection electric wire 7 can be improved.

[0048] Furthermore, both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 are arranged outside the range of the electric wires 3 and the communication cable 5. Therefore, by arranging both ends 17, 17 of the inspection wire 7 in an exterior component that houses the wire harness 1, it is possible to check the continuity of the inspection wire 7 even when the wire harness 1 is housed in the exterior component.

[0049] The wire harness inspection method also includes a step of checking the continuity of the inspection wire 7 for the wire harness 1. Therefore, if the continuity of the inspection wire 7 can be checked when the inspection wire 7 is bent beyond the curvature of the communication cable 5, it can be checked that the communication performance of the communication cable 5, i.e., the bent state of the communication cable 5 is maintained.

[0050] Therefore, in such a wire harness inspection method, the bent state of the communication cable 5 can be confirmed even in a state where direct confirmation is not possible.

[0051] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0052] For example, the inspection wire is inserted through the bent portion of the communication cable, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be disposed on another portion of the cable. Even in this case, the bent state of the communication cable can be checked by bending the inspection wire to a curvature equal to or greater than the curvature of the bent portion of the communication cable and checking the continuity of the inspection wire.

[0053] Also, although there is one electric wire and one communication cable, this is not limiting, and there may be two or more electric wires and communication cables. In this case, an inspection wire may be disposed for each of the multiple communication cables, or there may be only one inspection wire if the maximum curvature that can ensure the communication performance of the multiple communication cables is the same. Note that, if the maximum curvature that can ensure the communication performance of the multiple communication cables is the same and there is only one inspection wire, the inspection wire may be bent with a curvature equal to or greater than the curvature of the bent portion with the greatest curvature.

[0054] In addition, both ends of the inspection wire are arranged outside the radial range of the electric wire and the communication cable, but this is not limited to the above, and both ends of the inspection wire may be arranged outside the longitudinal range of the electric wire and the communication cable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Wire Harness 3 electric wire 5. Communication Cable 7 Inspection wire 9 Bend 17 Test Wire End

Claims

1. Electric wires and A communication cable; An inspection wire; Equipped with The communication cable is bent and arranged on the electric wire, The test wire can check continuity when the communication cable is bent at a curvature equal to or smaller than a maximum curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent, The inspection wire is arranged so as to be hooked onto a bent portion of the communication cable, and is bent to a curvature greater than or equal to the curvature of the bent portion.

2. An electric wire, A communication cable; An inspection wire; Equipped with The communication cable is bent and arranged on the electric wire, The inspection wire is arranged so as to be hooked on a bent portion of the communication cable, The test wire can check continuity when the communication cable is bent at a curvature equal to or smaller than a maximum curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent, A wire harness in which a radius of the inspection wire is equal to or greater than a minimum radius of curvature that can ensure communication performance when the communication cable is bent.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inspection wire is bent in a direction different from that of the bent portion.

4. The wire harness according to claim 1 , wherein both ends of the inspection wire are arranged outside a range between the electric wires and the communication cable.

5. A wire harness comprising: an electric wire; a communication cable arranged by being bent around the electric wire; and an inspection wire hooked onto the communication cable at a bent portion of the communication cable, the inspection wire being capable of checking continuity when the communication cable is bent at a curvature equal to or smaller than a maximum curvature at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent; and a radius of the inspection wire being equal to or larger than a minimum curvature radius at which communication performance can be ensured when the communication cable is bent. The wire harness inspection method further comprises a step of confirming continuity of the inspection wire.

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