Sliding door power supply device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a device for feeding electric power to a sliding door which can attain a more compact sliding-door-side holding unit in the front-rear direction. [Solution] Provided is a device 1 for feeding electric power to a sliding door that feeds electric power from vehicle body 100 to electric parts built into a sliding door 200, the device 1 including an electrical cable 2 hung between the vehicle body 100 and the sliding door 200, a vehicle-body-side holding unit 3 which is secured to the vehicle body 100 and which holds one end of the electrical cable 2, and a sliding-door-side holding unit 4 which is secured to the sliding door 200 and which holds the other end of the electrical cable 2, wherein the sliding-door-side holding unit 4 is provided with a cable holder 40 that vertically crosses an intermediate portion of the electrical cable 2 routed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 100, and the cable holder 40 is secured to a side face of the sliding door 200 above and below the electrical cable 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide door power supply device that supplies power to electrical components incorporated in a slide door from a vehicle body.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electrical components such as a power window motor and an audio speaker have been incorporated in a slide door of an automobile. Therefore, there is a slide door power supply device that supplies power to these electrical components from the vehicle body (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] Such a slide door power supply device includes an electric cable spanned between the vehicle body and the slide door, a vehicle body side holding portion fixed to the vehicle body and holding one end side of the electric cable, and a slide door side holding portion fixed to the slide door and holding the other end side of the electric cable.

[0004] By the way, in a slide door, not only collision safety but also operability when opening and closing the door and convenience due to the arrangement of side pockets and the like are pursued. Therefore, the skeletal structure of the slide door has to be complicated, and there has been a problem that the space for accommodating the slide door side holding portion becomes small. Therefore, it has been required to make the slide door side holding portion compact so as to fit in a small space. In particular, it has been required to make the slide door side holding portion compact in the front-rear direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a slide door power supply device that achieves compactness in the front-rear direction of a slide door side holding portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention is a slide door power supply device that supplies power to electrical components incorporated in a slide door from a vehicle body, and includes an electric cable spanned between the vehicle body and the slide door, a vehicle body side holding portion fixed to the vehicle body and holding one end side of the electric cable, and a slide door side holding portion fixed to the slide door and holding the other end side of the electric cable. The slide door side holding portion is provided with a cable holder that intersects a middle portion of the electric cable routed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body in the vertical direction, and the cable holder is fixed to the side surface of the slide door above and below the electric cable. The cable holder has a main body portion disposed at a predetermined distance from the vehicle body side with respect to the sliding door, an upper side leg portion extending outward from the upper portion of the main body portion toward the outside of the vehicle, and a lower side leg portion extending outward from the lower portion of the main body portion toward the outside of the vehicle. A cable insertion passage through which the electric cable is inserted is formed, and the upper side leg portion and the lower side leg portion are provided with contact portions protruding toward the electric cable side inserted into the cable insertion passage. The contact portion In the upper side leg portion and the lower side leg portion, it is provided from the sliding door side across the main body portion and abuts on at least one of the flexible flat cable constituting the electric cable and the cable exterior member covering the flexible flat cable. It is characterized by the above.

[0008] According to the present invention, the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction. Specifically, according to the slide door power supply device according to the present invention, the cable holder constituting the slide door side holding portion is fixed to the side surface of the slide door above and below the electric cable. Therefore, the bolt seat portion or the fastener support portion used for fixing the cable holder does not extend in the front-rear direction, and thus the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

[0009] In addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent displacement of the flexible flat cable or the like (when the contact portion abuts on the cable exterior member, both the cable exterior member or the flexible flat cable and the cable exterior member in close contact with each other). As a result, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the connection portion of the electric cable (precisely, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable and the connector terminal).

[0010] As an aspect of the present invention, the slide door side holding portion is provided with a connector unit that connects the electric cable to a door side cable routed in the slide door, and the connector unit may be disposed inside the vehicle with respect to the electric cable that has passed through the cable holder.

[0011] According to the present invention, the routing path of the electrical cable passing through the cable holder is shortened, and the connector unit can be arranged adjacent to the cable holder. Therefore, the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

[0012] As an aspect of the present invention, the connector unit houses connector terminals for electrically connecting the electrical cable to the door side cable. The connector terminals and the electrical cable may be connected on the outside of the vehicle, and the connector terminals and the door side cable may be connected on the inside of the vehicle.

[0013] According to the present invention, the electrical cables can be distributed toward the respective connector terminals on the outside of the vehicle of the connector unit, and the door side cables extending from the respective connector terminals on the inside of the vehicle of the connector unit can be gathered and bundled together. Therefore, the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

[0014] As an aspect of the present invention, a shielding plate portion extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body at the inner end portion of the cable holder on the inside of the vehicle, and the shielding plate portion may be disposed on the inside of the vehicle of the connector unit and the door side cable extending from the connector unit.

[0015] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect of making the slide door side holding portion compact in the front-rear direction, the connector unit and the door side cable exposed on the inside of the vehicle can be protected. Further, the connector unit and the door side cable can be made invisible from the inside of the vehicle to ensure aesthetic appearance.

[0016] As an aspect of the present invention, a bending shape restricting portion for restricting the bending shape of the electrical cable is provided at the front end portion of the cable holder on the front side, and the bending shape restricting portion may be disposed on the outside of the vehicle at a predetermined interval from the inner side wall surface of the shielding plate portion on the front side of the inner side wall surface of the shielding plate portion.

[0017] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, a reserve elongation allowance when the electric cable is strongly pulled can be ensured. As a result, the load applied to the electric cable and the connection portion of the electric cable (specifically, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable and the connector terminal) can be reduced.

[0018] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, a clamp for a connector unit, which is a band clamp, is provided, and the clamp for the connector unit may fix the cable holder and the connector unit adjacent to the cable holder.

[0019] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the cable holder and the connector unit can be surely fixed with a simple configuration. As a result, the assemblability can be improved while ensuring reliability, and the cost can also be reduced.

[0020] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, a clamp for a door side cable, which is a band clamp, is provided, and the clamp for the door side cable may fix the cable holder and the door side cable extending from the connector unit.

[0021] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the cable holder and the door side cable can be surely fixed with a simple configuration. As a result, the assemblability can be improved while ensuring reliability, and the cost can also be reduced.

[0022] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, a clamp for an electric cable, which is a band clamp, is provided, and the clamp for the electric cable may fix the cable holder and the electric cable passing through the cable holder.

[0023] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the cable holder and the electric cable can be surely fixed with a simple configuration. As a result, the assemblability can be improved while ensuring reliability, and the cost can be reduced.

[0024] As an aspect of the present invention, the insertion hole of the band clamp may be provided in the cable holder. Here, the band clamp refers to at least one of a clamp for a connector unit, a clamp for a door side cable, and a clamp for an electric cable.

[0025] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent the band clamp wound around the object to be fixed from being displaced. As a result, higher reliability can be ensured.

[0026] As an aspect of the present invention, the guide portion of the band clamp may be provided in the cable holder. Here, the band clamp also refers to at least one of a clamp for a connector unit, a clamp for a door side cable, and a clamp for an electric cable.

[0027] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent the band clamp wound around the object to be fixed from being displaced. As a result, higher reliability can be ensured.

[0028] Also, as an aspect of the present invention te, mae A locking portion that protrudes toward the inserted electric cable is provided on the peripheral wall surface of the cable insertion passage, and the locking portion is ki fu a flexible flat cable and mae may be locked by being caught in at least one concave portion of a cable exterior member that covers the flexible flat cable.

[0029] According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent displacement of a flexible flat cable or the like (when the locking portion locks the cable outer member, both the cable outer member or the flexible flat cable and the cable outer member that are in close contact with each other). As a result, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the connection portion of the electric cable (specifically, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable and the connector terminal).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the slide door power supply device 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slide door side holding portion 4 viewed from the inner side of the vehicle obliquely upward in the front, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slide door side holding portion 4 viewed from the outer side of the vehicle obliquely upward in the rear. FIG. 4 is a front view viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a side view viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a plan view viewed from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a rear view viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the slide door side holding portion 4, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit 5.

[0033] In addition, in FIG. 1, a part of the cable exterior member 22 constituting the electric cable 2 is cut out so that the flexible flat cable 21 passing through the inside can be seen. In FIGS. 4 to 8, all of the electric cable 2 (flexible flat cable 21 and cable exterior member 22) are deleted so that the cable holder 40 can be seen. Also, in all the drawings, the directions with respect to the vehicle body 100 are shown. Specifically, arrow F indicates the front side, arrow R indicates the rear side, arrow I indicates the inner side of the vehicle, and arrow O indicates the outer side of the vehicle. And arrow U indicates the upper side, and arrow L indicates the lower side.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the slide door power supply device 1 according to the present invention supplies power to the electrical components incorporated in the slide door 200 from the vehicle body 100. The slide door power supply device 1 has an electric cable 2, a vehicle body side holding portion 3, and a slide door side holding portion 4. Further, the vehicle body side holding portion 3 and the slide door side holding portion 4 are each provided with a connector unit 5 having the same specifications.

[0035] The electrical cable 2 is laid between the vehicle body 100 and the sliding door 200. The electrical cable 2 is formed by laminating a plurality of flexible flat cables 21. Each flexible flat cable 21 has a structure in which strip-shaped conductors arranged in parallel are sandwiched between sheet-shaped insulators. A bundle of such flexible flat cables 21 is covered with a flexible cable exterior member 22.

[0036] The vehicle body side holding portion 3 is fixed to the vehicle body 100 and holds one end side of the electrical cable 2. The vehicle body side holding portion 3 has a cable holder 30 fixed to the floor panel 101 of the vehicle body 100. A connector unit 5 for connecting the vehicle body side cable 102 routed in the vehicle body 100 and the aforementioned electrical cable 2 is attached to the cable holder 30. The connector unit 5 will be described in detail later.

[0037] The sliding door side holding portion 4 is fixed to the sliding door 200 and holds the other end side of the electrical cable 2. The sliding door side holding portion 4 has a cable holder 40 fixed to the inner panel 201 of the sliding door 200 in a state of crossing (straddling) the middle portion of the electrical cable 2 in the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrical cable 2). A connector unit 5 for connecting the door side cable 202 routed in the sliding door 200 and the aforementioned electrical cable 2 is attached to the cable holder 40. Hereinafter, the cable holder 40 will be described in detail, and then the connector unit 5 will be described in detail.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cable holder 40 has a main body portion 41, an upper side leg portion 42, a lower side leg portion 43, a shielding plate portion 44, and a bending return shape restricting portion 45. In the cable holder 40 disclosed in the present application, a space surrounded by the main body portion 41, the upper side leg portion 42, and the lower side leg portion 43 is defined as a cable insertion passage 4P. The electrical cable 2 routed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 100 is inserted into the cable insertion passage 4P.

[0039] The main body portion 41 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the inner panel 201 of the sliding door 200. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the main body portion 41 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a rectangular hole 41a penetrating from the inner wall surface on the vehicle interior side to the outer wall surface on the vehicle exterior side is formed. In the main body portion 41, a central plate 411 that divides the rectangular hole 41a vertically is provided, and a pair of horizontal plates 412 extending in parallel with the central plate 411 interposed therebetween are provided. Further, a plurality of vertical plates 413 intersecting perpendicularly to the central plate 411 and the horizontal plates 412 are provided.

[0040] In addition, two locking portions 414 protruding toward the vehicle exterior are provided on the outer wall surface on the vehicle exterior side of the main body portion 41. That is, two locking portions 414 protruding on the side of the electric cable 2 inserted into the cable insertion passage 4P are provided. These locking portions 414 are formed at the front edge portion and the rear edge portion of the main body portion 41 and are caught by the bellows-shaped concave portion 22a in the cable outer member 22 (see FIG. 8).

[0041] However, these locking portions 414 may be configured to be caught by the concave portions formed in the flexible flat cable 21. Alternatively, one of the locking portions 414 may be caught by the concave portion formed in the flexible flat cable 21, and the other locking portion 414 may be caught by the concave portion formed in the cable outer member 22.

[0042] Furthermore, two insertion holes 41b for inserting a band clamp are formed from the upper wall surface to the lower wall surface of the main body portion 41. That is, two insertion holes 41b for inserting the electric cable clamp 91 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), which is a band clamp, are formed. The electric cable clamp 91 is wound around the electric cable 2 in a state of being inserted into the insertion hole 41b, so that it does not shift in the front-rear direction.

[0043] Note that the insertion hole 41b is formed at a position that overlaps with the aforementioned locking portion 414 when viewed from the outside of the vehicle. This is considered in view of the fact that the locking portion 414 does not come off from the concave portion 22a of the cable outer member 22 by tightening the electric cable clamp 91 (see FIG. 8).

[0044] The upper side leg portion 42 extends outward from the upper protruding portion of the main body portion 41 toward the outside of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the upper side leg portion 42 is formed in a substantially plate shape perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle body 100, and a bolt seat portion 421 extending upward is formed at the tip portion thereof. A circular hole 42a is formed at the central position of the bolt seat portion 421, and a cylindrical metal collar 422 is fitted into the circular hole 42a. Further, a bush 423 is disposed between the bolt seat portion 421 and the inner panel 201 in a state of being in contact with the bolt seat portion 421.

[0045] In addition, three contact portions 424 protruding downward are provided on the lower side wall surface of the upper side leg portion 42. That is, three contact portions 424 protruding toward the electric cable 2 side inserted into the cable insertion passage 4P are provided. These contact portions 424 are provided at the front edge portion, the rear edge portion, and the central portion of the upper side leg portion 42, and appropriately press the upper end portion of the cable outer member 22 (see FIG. 3).

[0046] However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the three contact portions 424 press the upper end portion of the cable outer member 22. For example, among the three contact portions 424, a configuration in which one or two contact portions 424 press the upper end portion of the cable outer member 22 may be employed. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which all of the three contact portions 424 do not press the upper end portion of the cable outer member 22 but simply contact it without a gap.

[0047] Furthermore, among the three abutting portions 424 provided on the upper side leg portion 42, the abutting portion 424 at the front edge portion is connected to the upper side wall surface of the main body portion 41 as the front side wall surface of the upper side leg portion 42. Also, the abutting portion 424 at the rear edge portion is connected to the upper side wall surface of the main body portion 41 as the rear side wall surface of the upper side leg portion 42. And the abutting portion 424 at the central portion is connected to the aforementioned horizontal plate 412. Thus, the upper side leg portion 42 is firmly integrated with the main body portion 41, and furthermore, each abutting portion 424 functions as a reinforcing rib.

[0048] In addition, when a concave shape is provided at the upper end portion of the cable outer member 22, each abutting portion 424 may be configured to be hooked on this concave portion. Also, when the cable outer member 22 is a so-called corrugated tube, each abutting portion 424 may be configured to be hooked on the concave portion of the corrugated tube.

[0049] The lower side leg portion 43 extends outward from the vehicle from the lower protruding portion of the main body portion 41. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the lower side leg portion 43 is formed in a substantially plate shape perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle body 100, and a bolt seat portion 431 extending downward is formed at the tip portion thereof. An elliptical hole 43a is formed at the central position of the bolt seat portion 431, and an elliptical cylindrical metal collar 432 is fitted into this elliptical hole 43a. Furthermore, a bush 433 is disposed between the bolt seat portion 431 and the inner panel 201 in a state of being in contact with the bolt seat portion 431.

[0050] In addition, three abutting portions 434 protruding upward are provided on the upper side wall surface of the lower side leg portion 43. That is, three abutting portions 434 protruding toward the electric cable 2 inserted through the cable insertion passage 4P are provided. These abutting portions 434 are provided at the front edge portion, the rear edge portion, and the central portion of the lower side leg portion 43, and appropriately press the lower end portion of the cable outer member 22 (see FIG. 3).

[0051] However, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the three abutting portions 434 press the lower end portion of the cable outer member 22. For example, among the three abutting portions 434, a configuration in which one or two of the abutting portions 434 press the lower end portion of the cable outer member 22 may be employed. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which all of the three abutting portions 434 simply contact the lower end portion of the cable outer member 22 without any gap therebetween without pressing it.

[0052] Furthermore, among the three abutting portions 434 provided on the lower side leg portion 43, the abutting portion 434 at the front edge portion is connected to the lower side wall surface of the main body portion 41 as the front side wall surface of the lower side leg portion 43. Also, the abutting portion 434 at the rear edge portion is connected to the lower side wall surface of the main body portion 41 as the rear side wall surface of the lower side leg portion 43. And the abutting portion 434 at the central portion is connected to the aforementioned horizontal plate 412. Thus, the lower side leg portion 43 is firmly integrated with the main body portion 41, and furthermore, each abutting portion 434 functions as a reinforcing rib.

[0053] In addition, when a concave shape is provided at the lower end portion of the cable outer member 22, a configuration in which each abutting portion 434 is engaged with this concave portion may be adopted. Also, when the cable outer member 22 is a so-called corrugated tube, a configuration in which each abutting portion 434 is engaged with the concave portion of the corrugated tube may be adopted.

[0054] The shielding plate portion 44 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 100 from the inner side end portion of the main body portion 41 in the vehicle interior. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the shielding plate portion 44 is formed in a substantially plate shape that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle body 100, and an upward extending portion 441 that extends upward is provided at the front end portion thereof. Also, a reinforcing plate 442 that extends outward of the vehicle is provided at the outer edge portion excluding the upper edge portion and the vicinity thereof of the upward extending portion 441. Two connecting plates 443 that extend from the inner side wall surface and the rear side wall surface of the main body portion 41 are connected to the reinforcing plate 442 that serves as the front side wall surface of the shielding plate portion 44.

[0055] In addition, one guide portion 444 protruding toward the vehicle interior is provided on the upward extending portion 441 of the shielding plate portion 44. That is, a guide portion 444 for guiding the door side cable clamp 92, which is a band clamp, is provided. The door side cable clamp 92 is wound around the door side cable 202 along the horizontally extending guide portion 444, so that it will not shift in the vertical direction.

[0056] However, the configuration is not limited to the one in which the plate-shaped guide portion 444 guides the door side cable clamp 92. For example, a configuration in which a groove-shaped guide portion is provided to guide the door side cable clamp 92 may be adopted. Alternatively, a configuration in which a groove-shaped guide portion and a plate-shaped guide portion are provided to guide the door side cable clamp 92 may be adopted.

[0057] Furthermore, a mounting portion 445 for the connector unit 5 is provided on the reinforcing plate 442 that forms the front side wall surface of the shielding plate portion 44. Locking grooves 446, which will be described later, are formed on the upper side wall surface and the lower side wall surface of the mounting portion 445. Further, one insertion hole 44b for inserting a band clamp is formed from the upper side wall surface to the lower side wall surface of the mounting portion 445. That is, one insertion hole 44b for inserting the connector unit clamp 93, which is a band clamp, is formed. The connector unit clamp 93 is wound around the connector unit 5 in a state of being inserted through the insertion hole 44b, so that it will not shift in the vehicle interior and exterior direction.

[0058] Note that the connector unit 5 attached to the mounting portion 445 is arranged on the vehicle interior side with respect to the electric cable 2 that extends toward the rear side after passing through the cable insertion passage 4P. The flexible flat cable 21 that constitutes the electric cable 2 is bent at a right angle only once toward the vehicle interior side and guided to the connector unit 5 (see Figure 3). For this reason, the cable routing is simplified and shortened.

[0059] The bending return shape restricting portion 45 is a portion that restricts the bending return shape of the electric cable 2 formed at the front end portion of the main body portion 41. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the bending return shape restricting portion 45 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with a constant radius with respect to the central axis C (see FIG. 6) along the vertical direction, and is composed of a plurality of semi-circular plates 451 arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction and a connecting plate 452 that connects the semi-circular plates 451 in the vertical direction. The outer peripheral surface of the bending return shape restricting portion 45 (specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the semi-circular plate 451) is continuously connected to the inner side wall surface and the outer side wall surface of the main body portion 41.

[0060] In addition, the bending return shape restricting portion 45 is provided on the opposite side of the shielding plate portion 44 with the main body portion 41 interposed therebetween. Also, the bending return shape restricting portion 45 is disposed on the outer side of the virtual line L (see FIG. 6) extending forward from the inner side wall surface of the shielding plate portion 44. That is, the bending return shape restricting portion 45 is disposed on the outer side at a predetermined interval d from the inner side wall surface in front of the inner side wall surface of the shielding plate portion 44. Then, the electric cable 2 that extends forward along the shielding plate portion 44 and then bends backward comes into contact only with the outer peripheral surface on the outer side of the bending return shape restricting portion 45 and draws a relatively large arc (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0061] However, the bending return shape restricting portion 45 is not limited to being in a semi-cylindrical shape with a constant radius with respect to the central axis C. For example, it may be a semi-cylindrical shape in which the curvature is changed so that the radius gradually increases from the inner peripheral surface on the inner side to the outer peripheral surface on the outer side. Alternatively, it may be a semi-cylindrical shape in which the curvature is changed so that the radius gradually decreases from the inner peripheral surface on the inner side to the outer peripheral surface on the outer side.

[0062] Furthermore, assuming that the electrical cable 2 is strongly pulled for some reason, the electrical cable 2 will draw a relatively small arc by contacting from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface on the vehicle interior side in the bending return shape restricting portion 45. In this way, in the situation where the electrical cable 2 is strongly pulled, by changing the electrical cable 2 from a large arc to a small arc, a reserve elongation allowance of the electrical cable 2 can be secured. As a result, the load applied to the electrical cable 2 and the connection portion of the electrical cable 2 (specifically, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable 21 and the connector terminal 54) can be reduced.

[0063] In the slide door power supply device 1, the aforementioned connecting plate 443 is obliquely connected to the vehicle interior side wall surface of the main body portion 41. With such a structure, the connecting plate 443 can have not only the function as a reinforcing rib but also the function of guiding the electrical cable 2 in the situation where the electrical cable 2 is strongly pulled. Considering this point, the connecting plate 443 may be provided so as to contact the inner peripheral surface on the vehicle interior side in the bending return shape restricting portion 45.

[0064] Next, the connector unit 5 will be described in detail. The connector unit 5 is configured by stacking a plurality of connector cases 50. The number of the connector cases 50 can be freely changed according to the specifications of the slide door 200. Specifically, it can be freely changed according to the number of flexible flat cables 21 required.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the connector case 50 has a main board portion 51, an upper side plate portion 52, and a lower side plate portion 53. In the connector case 50 disclosed in the present application, the space surrounded by the main board portion 51, the upper side plate portion 52, and the lower side plate portion 53 is defined as a connector housing portion 5C. The connector housing portion 5C houses a connector terminal 54.

[0066] The main board portion 51 is formed in a substantially plate shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 100. On the inner wall surface of the main board portion 51, three partition plates 511 are provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. Each partition plate 511 is formed with its middle portion in the vehicle interior and exterior direction being the highest, and an engaging piece 512 extending toward the vehicle interior is provided at its leading edge. Further, on the outer wall surface of the main board portion 51, a vertical plate 513 extending in the vertical direction is provided slightly on the vehicle interior side from the middle portion in the vehicle interior and exterior direction (see FIG. 8). The vertical plate 513 is formed with a constant height, and an engaging piece 514 extending toward the vehicle exterior is provided at its leading edge (see FIG. 8).

[0067] The upper side plate portion 52 is formed in a substantially plate shape perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle body 100 and is connected to the upper side edge portion of the main board portion 51. A horizontal plate 521 is provided on the upper side plate portion 52 so as to extend the upper side plate portion 52 from the vehicle interior side edge portion to the middle portion. The horizontal plate 521 is formed with a constant height, and a locking piece 522 extending downward is provided at its leading edge. Further, on the outer wall surface of the upper side plate portion 52, a stepped portion 523 is provided by digging down a predetermined range from the vehicle interior side edge portion to the middle portion. And a locking groove 524 extending from the vehicle interior side edge portion toward the vehicle exterior is provided on the bottom surface of this stepped portion 523.

[0068] Note that guide portions 525 are provided on the outer wall surface of the upper side plate portion 52 slightly on the vehicle interior side and slightly on the vehicle exterior side from the middle portion in the vehicle interior and exterior direction. These guide portions 525 guide the aforementioned clamp 93 for the connector unit (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0069] The lower side plate portion 53 is formed in a substantially plate shape perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle body 100 and is connected to the lower side edge portion of the main plate portion 51. A horizontal plate 531 is provided on the lower side plate portion 53 so as to extend the lower side plate portion 53 from the inner side edge portion to the middle portion. The horizontal plate 531 is formed to have a constant height, and a locking piece 532 extending upward is provided at the leading edge thereof. Further, on the outer wall surface of the lower side plate portion 53, a stepped portion (not shown) is provided in a predetermined range from the inner side edge portion to the middle portion, and a locking groove (not shown) extending from the inner side edge portion of the bottom surface of this stepped portion toward the outer side of the vehicle is provided.

[0070] Note that guide portions 535 are also provided on the outer wall surface of the lower side plate portion 53, slightly on the inner side and slightly on the outer side of the vehicle compared to the middle portion in the vehicle interior and exterior direction. These guide portions 535 also guide the aforementioned connector unit clamp 93 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0071] With such a configuration, the connector case 50 disposed on the most forward side of the vehicle body 100 is fixed in a state where the locking piece 522 of the upper side plate portion 52 and the locking piece 532 of the lower side plate portion 53 are hooked on the locking groove 446 in the aforementioned mounting portion 445. And the subsequent connector cases 50 are fixed in a state where the locking piece 522 of the upper side plate portion 52 and the locking piece 532 of the lower side plate portion 53 are hooked on the locking groove 524 in the adjacent connector case 50. At this time, the engaging piece 512 and the engaging piece 514 engage with each other (see FIG. 8).

[0072] By the way, a connector terminal 54 is fixed between the partition plate 511 provided on the main plate portion 51 and the partition plate 511. When accommodating one connector terminal 54 in one connector case 50, the connector terminal 54 is fixed between any partition plate 511 and the partition plate 511. When accommodating two or more connector terminals 54 in one connector case 50, the connector terminal 54 is also fixed between the partition plate 511 and the upper side plate portion 52 or between the partition plate 511 and the lower side plate portion 53.

[0073] The connector terminal 54 is electrically connected to the jacketed cable that constitutes the door-side cable 202 by crimping the jacketed cable with the barrel portion 541 provided at the vehicle interior side end. Also, the connector terminal 54 is electrically connected to the flexible flat cable 21 that constitutes the electric cable 2 by caulking the flexible flat cable 21 with the piercing portion 542 provided at the vehicle exterior side end. For this reason, the electric cable 2 can be distributed toward each connector terminal 54 outside the vehicle of the connector unit 5, and the door-side cables 202 extending from each connector terminal 54 inside the vehicle of the connector unit 5 can be gathered and bundled together.

[0074] As described above, the slide door power supply device 1 that supplies power to the electrical components incorporated in the slide door 200 from the vehicle body 100 has an electric cable 2 spanned between the vehicle body 100 and the slide door 200, a vehicle body side holding portion 3 fixed to the vehicle body 100 and holding one end side of the electric cable 2, and a slide door side holding portion 4 fixed to the slide door 200 and holding the other end side of the electric cable 2. And, a cable holder 40 that intersects (straddles) the middle portion of the electric cable 2 routed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 100 in the vertical direction is provided in the slide door side holding portion 4, and this cable holder 40 is fixed to the side surface of the slide door 200 (accurately, the inner panel 201) above and below the electric cable 2.

[0075] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, according to the slide door power supply device 1 according to the present invention, the cable holder 40 that constitutes the slide door side holding portion 4 is fixed to the side surface of the slide door 200 (accurately, the inner panel 201) above and below the electric cable 2. Therefore, the bolt seat portions 421 and 431 used for fixing the cable holder 40 do not extend in the longitudinal direction, and thus the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the longitudinal direction.

[0076] In addition, in the sliding door power supply device 1, a connector unit 5 for connecting the electric cable 2 to a door-side cable 202 routed to the sliding door 200 is provided on the sliding door side holding portion 4, and this connector unit 5 is arranged on the vehicle interior side with respect to the electric cable 2 that has passed through the cable holder 40.

[0077] According to such a sliding door power supply device 1, the routing path of the electric cable 2 that has passed through the cable holder 40 is shortened, and the connector unit 5 can be arranged adjacent to the cable holder 40. Therefore, the sliding door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

[0078] In addition, in the sliding door power supply device 1, a connector terminal 54 for electrically connecting the electric cable 2 to the door-side cable 202 is accommodated in the connector unit 5, the connector terminal 54 and the electric cable 2 are connected on the vehicle exterior side, and the connector terminal 54 and the door-side cable 202 are connected on the vehicle interior side.

[0079] According to such a sliding door power supply device 1, the electric cable 2 can be distributed toward each connector terminal 54 on the vehicle exterior side of the connector unit 5, and the door-side cables 202 extending from each connector terminal 54 can be gathered and bundled on the vehicle interior side of the connector unit 5. Therefore, the sliding door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction.

[0080] In addition, in the sliding door power supply device 1, a shielding plate portion 44 is extended along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body at the vehicle interior end of the cable holder 40, and this shielding plate portion 44 is arranged on the vehicle interior side of the connector unit 5 and the door-side cable 202 extending from the connector unit 5.

[0081] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the connector unit 5 and the door side cable 202 exposed on the vehicle interior side can be protected. Further, the connector unit 5 and the door side cable 202 can be made invisible from the vehicle interior side to ensure aesthetic appearance.

[0082] Also, in the slide door power supply device 1, a bending shape regulating portion 45 for regulating the bending shape of the electric cable 2 is provided at the front end portion of the cable holder 40, and this bending shape regulating portion 45 is disposed on the outside of the vehicle at a predetermined interval d from the vehicle interior side wall surface on the front side of the vehicle interior side wall surface of the shielding plate portion 44.

[0083] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, a reserve elongation allowance when the electric cable 2 is strongly pulled can be ensured. As a result, the load applied to the electric cable 2 and the connection portion of the electric cable 2 (accurately, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable 21 and the connector terminal 54) can be reduced.

[0084] Also, in the slide door power supply device 1, a connector unit clamp 93 which is a band clamp is provided, and this connector unit clamp 93 fixes the cable holder 40 and the connector unit 5 adjacent to the cable holder 40.

[0085] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the cable holder 40 and the connector unit 5 can be surely fixed with a simple configuration. As a result, the assemblability can be improved while ensuring reliability, and the cost can also be reduced.

[0086] Further, in the slide door power supply device 1, a door-side cable clamp 92 which is a band clamp is provided, and this door-side cable clamp 92 fixes the cable holder 40 and the door-side cable 202 extending from the connector unit 5.

[0087] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door-side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the cable holder 40 and the door-side cable 202 can be surely fixed with a simple configuration. As a result, the assemblability can be improved while ensuring reliability, and the cost can be reduced.

[0088] Further, in the slide door power supply device 1, an electric cable clamp 91 which is a band clamp is provided, and this electric cable clamp 91 fixes the cable holder 40 and the electric cable 2 passing through the cable holder 40.

[0089] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door-side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, the cable holder 40 and the electric cable 2 can be surely fixed with a simple configuration. As a result, the assemblability can be improved while ensuring reliability, and the cost can be reduced.

[0090] Further, in the slide door power supply device 1, insertion holes 41b and 44b of the band clamps (91, 93) are provided in the cable holder 40. Here, the band clamps (91, 93) refer to the electric cable clamp 91 and the connector unit clamp 93.

[0091] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door-side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent the band clamps (91, 93) wound around the electric cable 2 and the connector unit 5 from being displaced. As a result, higher reliability can be ensured.

[0092] In the slide door power supply device 1, the guide portion 444 of the band clamp (92) is provided on the cable holder 40. Here, the band clamp (92) refers to the door side cable clamp 92.

[0093] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent the band clamp (92) wound around the door side cable 202 from shifting. As a result, higher reliability can be ensured.

[0094] In the slide door power supply device 1, a cable insertion passage 4P through which the electric cable 2 is inserted is formed in the cable holder 40, and contact portions 424 and 434 protruding toward the inserted electric cable 2 are provided on the peripheral wall surface of the cable insertion passage 4P. The contact portions 424 and 434 are in contact with a cable exterior member 22 covering the flexible flat cable 21.

[0095] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent displacement of the flexible flat cable 21 or the like (the cable exterior member 22 or both the flexible flat cable 21 and the cable exterior member 22 in close contact with each other). As a result, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the connection portion of the electric cable 2 (specifically, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable 21 and the connector terminal 54).

[0096] In the slide door power supply device 1, a cable insertion passage 4P through which the electric cable 2 is inserted is formed in the cable holder 40, and a locking portion 414 protruding toward the inserted electric cable 2 is provided on the peripheral wall surface of the cable insertion passage 4P. The locking portion 414 is hooked and locked in a concave portion 22a of a cable exterior member 22 covering the flexible flat cable 21.

[0097] According to such a slide door power supply device 1, in addition to the above-described effect that the slide door side holding portion 4 can be made compact in the front-rear direction, displacement of the flexible flat cable 21 or the like (the cable outer member 22 or both the flexible flat cable 21 and the cable outer member 22 that are in close contact with each other) can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the connection portion of the electric cable 2 (specifically, the connection portion between the flexible flat cable 21 and the connector terminal 54).

[0098] In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the slide door power supply device of the present invention corresponds to the slide door power supply device 1, Similarly hereinafter, the electric cable 2 corresponds to the electric cable 2, the vehicle body side holding portion 3 corresponds to the vehicle body side holding portion 3, the slide door side holding portion 4 corresponds to the slide door side holding portion 4, the connector unit corresponds to the connector unit 5, the flexible flat cable corresponds to the flexible flat cable 21, the cable outer member corresponds to the cable outer member 22, the cable holder corresponds to the cable holder 40, the shielding plate portion corresponds to the shielding plate portion 44, the bending return shape restricting portion corresponds to the bending return shape restricting portion 45, the connector terminal corresponds to the connector terminal 54, the electric cable clamp corresponds to the electric cable clamp 91, the door side cable clamp corresponds to the door side cable clamp 92, the connector unit clamp corresponds to the connector unit clamp 93, the locking portion corresponds to the locking portion 414, the abutting portion corresponds to the abutting portions 424, 434, the guiding portion corresponds to the guiding portion 444, the insertion holes correspond to the insertion holes 41b, 44b, the vehicle body corresponds to the vehicle body 100, The sliding door corresponds to the sliding door 200, The door-side cable corresponds to the door-side cable 202. However, the present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the foregoing embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0099] For example, in the sliding door power supply device 1 disclosed in the present application, the electric cable 2 is formed by overlapping a plurality of flexible flat cables 21. However, it may be a bundle of coated cables having a round cross-sectional shape. Also, for example, in the sliding door power supply device 1 disclosed in the present application, a connector unit 5 capable of stacking a plurality of connector cases 50 is provided, but other connector units may be provided.

Explanation of Signs

[0100] 1... Sliding door power supply device 2... Electric cable 3... Body side holding part 4... Sliding door side holding part 5... Connector unit 21... Flexible flat cable 22... Cable exterior member 40... Cable holder 44... Shielding plate part 45... Bending return shape restricting part 54... Connector terminal 91... Clamp for electric cable 92... Clamp for door-side cable 93... Clamp for connector unit 414... Locking part 424... Contact part 434... Contact part 444... Guide part 41b... Insertion hole 44b... Insertion hole 100... Vehicle body 200... Sliding door 202... Door-side cable

Claims

1. A slide door power supply device for supplying power to electrical components incorporated in a slide door from a vehicle body, comprising: an electrical cable spanned between the vehicle body and the slide door; a vehicle body side holding portion fixed to the vehicle body and holding one end side of the electrical cable; a slide door side holding portion fixed to the slide door and holding the other end side of the electrical cable; the slide door side holding portion is provided with a cable holder that intersects a middle portion of the electrical cable routed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body in the vertical direction; the cable holder is fixed to the side surface of the slide door above and below the electrical cable; the cable holder is formed with a cable insertion passage surrounded by a main body portion disposed at a predetermined distance from the vehicle body side with respect to the slide door, an upper side leg portion extending outward from the vehicle outside from an upper portion of the main body portion, and a lower side leg portion extending outward from the vehicle outside from a lower portion of the main body portion, through which the electrical cable is inserted; the upper side leg portion and the lower side leg portion are provided with contact portions protruding toward the electrical cable inserted into the cable insertion passage; the contact portions are provided from the slide door side to the main body portion in the upper side leg portion and the lower side leg portion, and contact at least one of a flexible flat cable constituting the electrical cable and a cable exterior member covering the flexible flat cable; A slide door power supply device.

2. the slide door side holding portion is provided with a connector unit for connecting the electrical cable to a door side cable routed on the slide door; the connector unit is disposed on the vehicle interior side with respect to the electrical cable that has passed through the cable holder; The slide door power supply device according to claim 1.

3. the connector unit houses connector terminals for electrically connecting the electrical cable to the door side cable; the connector terminals and the electrical cable are connected on the vehicle outside, and the connector terminals and the door side cable are connected on the vehicle interior side; The slide door power supply device according to claim 2.

4. a shielding plate portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the vehicle interior side end of the cable holder; The shielding plate portion is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the connector unit and the door side cable extending from the connector unit. The slide door power supply device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. At the front end portion of the cable holder, a bending shape restricting portion for restricting the bending shape of the electric cable is provided. The bending shape restricting portion is disposed on the vehicle exterior side at a predetermined interval from the vehicle interior side wall surface in front of the vehicle interior side wall surface of the shielding plate portion. The slide door power supply device according to claim 4.

6. A clamp for the connector unit, which is a band clamp, is provided. The clamp for the connector unit fixes the cable holder and the connector unit adjacent to the cable holder. The slide door power supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. A clamp for the door side cable, which is a band clamp, is provided. The clamp for the door side cable fixes the cable holder and the door side cable extending from the connector unit. The slide door power supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. A clamp for the electric cable, which is a band clamp, is provided. The clamp for the electric cable fixes the cable holder and the electric cable passing through the cable holder. The slide door power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The insertion hole of the band clamp is provided in the cable holder. The slide door power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The guide portion of the band clamp is provided in the cable holder. The slide door power supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. A locking portion protruding toward the inserted electric cable is provided on the peripheral wall surface of the cable insertion passage. The locking portion is hooked and locked in at least one concave portion of the flexible flat cable and the cable exterior member covering the flexible flat cable. The slide door power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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