Protector and Wire Harness

Abstract

To provide a protector that can absorb length variation of electric wires.SOLUTION: A protector 30 includes an electric-wire housing part 50 that houses a portion in a longitudinal direction X1 of an electric wire 20. The electric-wire housing part 50 has an extra-length absorbing portion 51 that absorbs an extra length of the electric wire 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a protector and a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some wire harnesses mounted on vehicles such as automobiles include electric wires and a protector that protects the electric wires, as described in Patent Document 1. The protector accommodates a portion of the electric wires in the longitudinal direction. The protector protects the portion of the electric wire accommodated in the protector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-182322 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, electric wires included in wire harnesses are often prepared longer than the standard dimensions. Furthermore, the prepared electric wires often vary in length. That is, the prepared electric wires often vary in the amount of excess length relative to the standard dimensions. Therefore, if the prepared electric wires are used as they are, there is a risk of variation in the length of the wire harness. For example, there is a risk of variation in the length of the portion of the electric wire extending from the protector to the outside of the protector. Therefore, it has been desired to accommodate the variation in the length of the electric wires in wire harnesses equipped with protectors.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a protector and a wire harness that can accommodate variations in the length of electric wires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The protector of the present disclosure is a protector having a wire accommodating portion that accommodates a portion of the length of at least one electric wire inside, and the wire accommodating portion has a slack absorbing portion that absorbs the slack of the electric wire.

[0007] A wire harness according to the present disclosure includes the protector described above and at least one electric wire, a part of which in the length direction is accommodated inside the electric wire accommodating portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The protector and wire harness of the present disclosure can accommodate variations in the length of the electric wires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protector according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wire harness in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness in the same embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness in the same embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness in the same embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The protector of the present disclosure includes: [1] A protector having a wire accommodating section that accommodates a portion of the length of at least one electric wire, the wire accommodating section having a slack absorbing section that absorbs the slack of the electric wire.

[0011] According to this configuration, the excess length of the electric wire can be absorbed by the excess length absorbing portion, thereby reducing the variation in the length of the portion of the electric wire extending from the electric wire accommodating portion to the outside. In this way, the protector can absorb the variation in the length of the electric wire.

[0012] [2] Preferably, the wire accommodating section has a standard accommodating section aligned with the slack absorbing section in the direction in which the wire passes through the wire accommodating section, a cross section in the internal space of the standard accommodating section perpendicular to the direction in which the wire passes through the wire accommodating section has a standard cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the wire passing through the wire accommodating section, and a cross section in the internal space of the slack absorbing section perpendicular to the direction in which the wire passes through the wire accommodating section has the standard cross-sectional area and an additional cross-sectional area for absorbing the slack of the wire.

[0013] According to this configuration, the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction in the internal space of the slack absorbing portion has an additional cross-sectional area in addition to the standard cross-sectional area. Therefore, the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction in the internal space of the slack absorbing portion has a larger area than the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction in the internal space of the standard housing portion. The slack absorbing portion can have a slack absorbing space that enables the path of the electric wire passing through the slack absorbing portion to be lengthened within the slack absorbing portion. Therefore, the path length of the electric wire within the slack absorbing portion can be changed. That is, by arranging the electric wire so that it passes through the portion corresponding to the additional cross-sectional area, the path of the portion of the electric wire passing through the slack absorbing portion can be lengthened. In this way, by adjusting the length of the portion of the electric wire passing through the slack absorbing portion, the slack of the electric wire can be easily absorbed by the slack absorbing portion.

[0014] [3] A protector body having a wire arranging section with a groove-shaped accommodating recess in which a longitudinal portion of the electric wire is arranged and through which the electric wire passes; and a cover body covering the opening of the accommodating recess and constituting the wire accommodating section together with the wire arranging section, wherein the width of the accommodating recess in the standard accommodating section is a standard width corresponding to a cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire passing through the wire accommodating section, and the depth of the accommodating recess in the standard accommodating section is a standard depth corresponding to the cross-sectional area, and the width of the accommodating recess in the slack absorbing section is the standard width, and the depth of the accommodating recess in the slack absorbing section is the standard depth plus an additional depth for absorbing the slack of the electric wire.

[0015] According to this configuration, the protector can absorb the excess length of the wire while preventing the protector from becoming large in the width direction of the accommodating recess. [4] It is preferable that the wire accommodating portion has two reference accommodating portions: a first reference accommodating portion extending linearly along a first axis and a second reference accommodating portion extending linearly along a second axis intersecting the first axis; and that the slack absorption portion is located between the first reference accommodating portion and the second reference accommodating portion in the passing direction, and that the slack absorption portion connects the first reference accommodating portion and the second reference accommodating portion.

[0016] According to this configuration, the slack absorbing portion is located at a corner of the wire accommodating portion. Therefore, the slack of the wire can be absorbed at a portion inside the wire accommodating portion where the direction of the wire changes. This makes it easier to arrange the wire in the slack absorbing portion so as to absorb the slack, compared to when the slack absorbing portion extends linearly.

[0017] [5] The internal space of the accommodating recess in the slack absorption portion has a reference depth region, which is the region from the opening of the accommodating recess to the reference depth, and an additional depth region, which is the region from the end of the reference depth region opposite the opening to the additional depth, and when the length of the electric wire is a reference length that does not include an excess length, the part of the electric wire that passes through the slack absorption portion is located within the reference depth region, and when the length of the electric wire is a length that includes an excess length in addition to the reference length, it is preferable that at least a part of the part of the electric wire that passes through the slack absorption portion is located in the additional depth region.

[0018] According to this configuration, when the length of the electric wire has an excess length, the excess length of the electric wire can be easily absorbed by arranging at least a part of the portion of the electric wire that passes through the excess length absorbing portion in the additional depth region. Then, by adjusting the amount of the electric wire to be arranged in the additional depth region according to the excess length of the electric wire, the path length of the electric wire in the excess length absorbing portion can be adjusted, and therefore, different lengths of excess length can be easily absorbed.

[0019] [6] The additional depth region is a portion between the reference depth region and the bottom surface of the accommodating recess, and when the length of at least one of the electric wires is the reference length plus the maximum excess length that can be absorbed in the excess length absorption portion, it is preferable that the portion of the at least one electric wire that passes through the excess length absorption portion is positioned in contact with the bottom surface of the accommodating recess.

[0020] With this configuration, the size of the protector in the depth direction of the accommodating recess can be reduced compared to when the portion of the electric wire having the maximum excess length that can be absorbed in the excess length absorption section that passes through the excess length absorption section does not come into contact with the bottom surface of the accommodating recess.

[0021] The wire harness of the present disclosure includes: [7] A wire harness including the above protector and at least one electric wire, a part of which in the length direction is accommodated inside the electric wire accommodating portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, in the wire harness, the protector can absorb variations in the length of the electric wires, and the same effects as those described above can be achieved. [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the protector and wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention 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. Also, the accompanying drawings may show components enlarged to facilitate understanding. In the accompanying drawings, the dimensional proportions of the components may differ from those in actuality or from those in other drawings.

[0023] An embodiment of the protector and the wire harness will be described below. (Overall configuration of the wire harness 10) As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the wire harness 10 includes at least one electric wire 20 and a protector 30 that protects the electric wire 20. The wire harness 10 includes, for example, three electric wires 20. The wire harness 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The wire harness 10 electrically connects two or more in-vehicle devices.

[0024] (Configuration of electric wire 20) 3, each electric wire 20 is, for example, an insulated electric wire having a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21 and has insulating properties. Note that FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

[0025] The core wire 21 may be, for example, a stranded wire made by twisting together a plurality of metal wires, a columnar conductor made of a single metal rod with a solid interior, or a tubular conductor with a hollow interior. Alternatively, the core wire 21 may be a combination of at least two of the stranded wire, columnar conductor, and tubular conductor. The core wire 21 may be made of, for example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material.

[0026] The insulating coating 22 covers, for example, the outer periphery of the core wire 21 over the entire circumferential direction around the center line L of the electric wire 20. The insulating coating 22 is made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties.

[0027] For example, a connector (not shown) is provided at the end of each electric wire 20. The connector is electrically connected to, for example, a mating connector of an in-vehicle device. The electric wire 20 is electrically connected to the in-vehicle device via the connector.

[0028] 1, a center line L of the electric wire 20 is shown by a dashed line. The center line L is a line passing through the center of a cross section of the electric wire 20. A length direction X1 of the electric wire 20 is a direction in which the electric wire 20 extends, and is a direction along the center line L.

[0029] The length of each wire 20 is either a standard length or a standard length plus an extra length. The standard length is a length that does not include any error. The extra length is a length that is added to the standard length within the tolerance range.

[0030] (Configuration of protector 30) The protector 30 accommodates a part of the electric wire 20 in the longitudinal direction X1 inside, thereby protecting the electric wire 20 arranged inside the protector 30. The protector 30 includes a protector main body 31 and a lid body 32. The protector 30 is, for example, a resin molded product.

[0031] (Configuration of protector body 31) The protector body 31 has an electric wire arrangement portion 34 with an accommodating recess 33. The accommodating recess 33 is in the form of a groove through which the electric wire 20 passes. A part of the electric wire 20 in the length direction X1 of the electric wire 20 is arranged inside the accommodating recess 33.

[0032] Here, in the protector 30, the direction in which the electric wire 20 passes through the protector 30 is referred to as the passing direction X. The passing direction X is the same direction as the extension direction of the electric wire 20. In other words, the passing direction X is a direction along the center line L. Incidentally, the passing direction X is the direction in which the electric wire 20 passes through the electric wire accommodating section 50 described below. Also, an arrow Y shown in the drawings indicates the width direction of the accommodating recess 33. Hereinafter, the width direction of the accommodating recess 33 will be simply referred to as the "width direction Y." The width direction Y is a direction that perpendicularly intersects the passing direction X. Also, an arrow Z shown in the drawings indicates the depth direction of the accommodating recess 33. Hereinafter, the depth direction of the accommodating recess 33 will be simply referred to as the "depth direction Z." The depth direction Z is a direction that perpendicularly intersects the passing direction X and the width direction Y. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description are directions in a state where the parts are assembled together as the wire harness 10.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the electric wire placement section 34 has a gutter-like shape due to the presence of the accommodating recess 33. Note that Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 2. Also, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2. Both ends of the accommodating recess 33 in the passing direction X are open. One opening of the accommodating recess 33 in the passing direction X is a first passing opening 33a, and the other opening is a second passing opening 33b. Incidentally, the passing direction X is, for example, the direction from the first passing opening 33a to the second passing opening 33b.

[0034] The inner surface of the accommodating recess 33 has a bottom surface 33c and inner side surfaces 33d and 33e that extend along the passage direction X. The bottom surface 33c has, for example, a long strip shape in the passage direction X. The inner side surfaces 33d and 33e are located on both sides of the bottom surface 33c in the width direction Y. The inner side surfaces 33d and 33e face each other. The inner side surfaces 33d and 33e are, for example, parallel to each other. The width direction Y is the direction from one inner side surface 33d to the other inner side surface 33e.

[0035] The accommodating recess 33 has an opening 33f covered by the lid 32. The opening 33f is open in a direction perpendicular to the passage direction X. Specifically, the opening 33f is open in the opposite direction to the depth direction Z. The opening 33f is provided in the electric wire placement section 34 along the passage direction X from the first passage opening 33a to the second passage opening 33b. The depth direction Z is the direction from the opening 33f toward the bottom surface 33c.

[0036] 1 and 2, the protector body 31 has a first electric wire fixing portion 35 and a second electric wire fixing portion 36. The first electric wire fixing portion 35 and the second electric wire fixing portion 36 are located at both ends of the protector body 31 in the passing direction X. The first electric wire fixing portion 35 is one end of the electric wire placement portion 34 in the passing direction X, and protrudes from the end of the electric wire placement portion 34 where the first passing opening 33a is open. The second electric wire fixing portion 36 is the other end of the electric wire placement portion 34 in the passing direction X, and protrudes from the end of the electric wire placement portion 34 where the second passing opening 33b is open. The first electric wire fixing portion 35 and the second electric wire fixing portion 36 extend along the passing direction X.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2 , the wire harness 10 may include a first fixing member 11 for fixing the electric wire 20 to the first electric wire fixing portion 35. The wire harness 10 may also include a second fixing member 12 for fixing the electric wire 20 to the second electric wire fixing portion 36. The first fixing member 11 collectively surrounds the first electric wire fixing portion 35 and a part of the electric wire 20 in the length direction X1 extending from the first passing opening 33 a to the outside of the electric wire arrangement portion 34. The first fixing member 11 prevents a part of the electric wire 20 located inside the first fixing member 11 from moving relative to the first electric wire fixing portion 35. The second fixing member 12 collectively surrounds the second electric wire fixing portion 36 and a part of the electric wire 20 in the length direction X1 extending from the second passing opening 33 b to the outside of the electric wire arrangement portion 34. The second fixing member 12 prevents a portion of the electric wire 20 located inside the second fixing member 12 from moving relative to the second electric wire fixing portion 36. As the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12, for example, a cable tie or an adhesive tape can be used.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 , the protector body 31 may have a first fixing portion 37 and a second fixing portion 38 for fixing the protector 30 to the vehicle body. The first fixing portion 37 and the second fixing portion 38 protrude from the outer surface of the electric wire placement portion 34 to the outside of the protector 30. The first fixing portion 37 is fixed to the vehicle body panel, for example, by being pressed into a fixing hole provided in the vehicle body panel. The second fixing portion 38 has a through hole 38a into which a bolt is inserted. The second fixing portion 38 is fixed to the vehicle body by a bolt and a nut inserted into the through hole 38a.

[0039] The protector body 31 may also have a plurality of first engagement portions 39 for keeping the cover 32 covering the opening 33f. The plurality of first engagement portions 39 protrude from the outer surface of the electric wire placement portion 34. Each of the first engagement portions 39 is located near the opening 33f.

[0040] (Configuration of the lid 32) 1, 2, and 3, the lid 32 has, for example, a plate shape extending along the passage direction X. The lid 32 is disposed relative to the protector body 31 so as to cover the opening 33f of the accommodation recess 33. The lid 32 is connected to the protector body 31 via, for example, a hinge 41. That is, the lid 32 and the protector body 31 may be integrally molded. The lid 32 covers the opening 33f when the hinge 41 is folded. Note that the protector body 31 and the lid 32 may be separate bodies.

[0041] The cover 32 may have a plurality of second engagement portions 42 that respectively engage with the plurality of first engagement portions 39. The second engagement portions 42 are located at both ends of the cover 32 in the width direction Y. Each of the second engagement portions 42 engages with the corresponding first engagement portion 39, thereby maintaining the cover 32 in a state in which the opening 33f is covered. The first engagement portions 39 and the second engagement portions 42 are engaged with each other by, for example, snap fitting.

[0042] (Configuration of the electric wire housing portion 50) When the opening 33f is covered by the lid 32, the lid 32, together with the electric wire placement portion 34, constitutes an electric wire accommodating portion 50 that accommodates a part of each electric wire 20 in the length direction X1. The electric wire accommodating portion 50 is tubular, through which each electric wire 20 passes. Each electric wire 20 passes through a space surrounded by the inner surface of the accommodating recess 33 and the inner surface of the lid 32. Furthermore, a part of each electric wire 20 in the length direction X1 is arranged in the space surrounded by the inner surface of the accommodating recess 33 and the inner surface of the lid 32. The inner surface of the lid 32 is the surface that is exposed to the inside of the accommodating recess 33 of the lid 32.

[0043] The wire accommodating portion 50 has a slack absorbing portion 51 that absorbs slack in the wire 20. The wire accommodating portion 50 may also have two reference accommodating portions, a first reference accommodating portion 52 and a second reference accommodating portion 53. The first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53 are each aligned with the slack absorbing portion 51 in the passing direction X. For example, the slack absorbing portion 51 is located between the first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53 in the passing direction X.

[0044] (Configuration of the first reference storage section 52) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first reference accommodating portion 52 extends linearly along a first axis L1. The first axis L1 can be set arbitrarily. The first reference accommodating portion 52 has a tubular shape extending linearly along the first axis L1. The first reference accommodating portion 52 has a portion that extends linearly along the first axis L1 in the electric wire placement portion 34 and a portion that closes the opening 33f in the corresponding portion of the cover body 32. For example, a predetermined area including the first passage opening 33a in the electric wire accommodating portion 50 is the first reference accommodating portion 52.

[0045] 3 , a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S1 of the first standard accommodating portion 52 has a reference cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50. The reference cross-sectional area is an area large enough to not allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard accommodating portion 52. However, the reference area may be an area large enough to allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard accommodating portion 52 to an extent that does not absorb any excess length of the electric wire 20. In other words, the reference area may be an area large enough to not strictly allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard accommodating portion 52. Furthermore, not only in this case, but also in a case where the reference area is a size that does not generally allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard housing portion 52, within a range in which the operational effects of this embodiment are achieved. In other words, the reference area is a size that does not allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X to an extent that the electric wire 20 would be able to absorb the excess length of the electric wire 20, within a range in which the operational effects of this embodiment are achieved. For example, the reference cross-sectional area is a size that maximizes the area occupied by the electric wire 20 accommodated inside the first standard housing portion 52 in a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X of the first standard housing portion 52 that accommodates a part of the length direction X1 of the electric wire 20.

[0046] The cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space S1 perpendicular to the passage direction X is, for example, constant along the passage direction X. Furthermore, the shape of the internal space S1 perpendicular to the passage direction X is, for example, constant along the passage direction X. The cross-section of the internal space S1 perpendicular to the passage direction X has, for example, a pentagonal shape.

[0047] The width W1 of the accommodating recess 33 in the first standard accommodating portion 52 is a standard width W corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50. Furthermore, the depth D1 of the accommodating recess 33 in the first standard accommodating portion 52 is a standard depth D corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50. The width W1 is the distance in the width direction Y between the inner side surface 33d and the inner side surface 33e in the first standard accommodating portion 52. The depth D1 is the distance in the depth direction Z between the opening 33f and the bottom surface 33c in the first standard accommodating portion 52.

[0048] The values ​​of the reference width W and the reference depth D are values ​​that do not allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard housing portion 52. Note that the reference width W and the reference depth D may be values ​​that strictly do not allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard housing portion 52. This is not limited to this case. Furthermore, the reference width W and the reference depth D may also be values ​​that generally do not allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X relative to the first standard housing portion 52, within a range that provides the effects of the present embodiment. In other words, the reference width W and the reference depth D may also be values ​​that do not allow the electric wire 20 to move in the internal space S1 in a direction intersecting the passing direction X to an extent that the excess length of the electric wire 20 is absorbed relative to the first standard housing portion 52, within a range that provides the effects of the present embodiment.

[0049] For example, the reference width W and the reference depth D are set to values ​​that make the area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S1 of the first reference accommodating section 52 the reference cross-sectional area. For example, the reference width W and the reference depth D are set to values ​​that maximize the area occupied by the multiple electric wires 20 in the internal space S1 in a cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S1. The reference width W may be constant in the depth direction Z or may vary depending on the position in the depth direction Z. For example, in the first reference accommodating section 52, the reference width W is a constant value in the depth direction Z. The reference depth D may be constant in the width direction Y or may vary depending on the position in the width direction Y. For example, in the first reference accommodating section 52, the reference depth D is a constant value in the width direction Y.

[0050] 6, since the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S1 has a standard cross-sectional area, the portion of each electric wire 20 disposed inside the first standard housing portion 52 is unlikely to move relative to the protector 30 in a direction perpendicular to the passage direction X. Therefore, the portion of each electric wire 20 disposed inside the first standard housing portion 52 is held by the first standard housing portion 52 in a state in which it extends linearly along the first axis L1, i.e., in a state in which the center line L is parallel to the first axis L1. In other words, the first standard housing portion 52 positions the portion of each electric wire 20 disposed inside the first standard housing portion 52 linearly along the first axis L1.

[0051] Here, as shown in FIG. 3 , one of the three electric wires 20 is referred to as electric wire 20a, another electric wire 20 is referred to as electric wire 20b, and the remaining electric wire is referred to as electric wire 20c. Of the three electric wires 20, electric wire 20a is the electric wire 20 that is closest to the inner surface 33d and closest to the inner surface of the lid body 32. Of the three electric wires 20, electric wire 20b is the electric wire 20 that is closest to the inner surface 33e. Of the three electric wires 20, electric wire 20c is the electric wire 20 that is closest to the inner surface 33d and closest to the bottom surface 33c. A portion of the electric wire 20a in the length direction X1 is arranged inside the first standard accommodating portion 52, for example, in contact with the inner surface 33d and the electric wires 20b and 20c. A portion of the electric wire 20b in the length direction X1 is arranged inside the first standard accommodating portion 52, for example, in contact with the inner surface 33e and the electric wire 20a. A part of the wire 20c in the length direction X1 is disposed inside the first reference accommodation portion 52 in a state of contacting, for example, the bottom surface 33c, the inner surface 33d, and the wire 20a.

[0052] (Configuration of the second reference storage section 53) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the second reference accommodating portion 53 extends linearly along a second axis L2 that intersects with the first axis L1. The second axis L2 can be set arbitrarily as long as it intersects with the first axis L1. For example, the second axis L2 intersects with the first axis L1 perpendicularly. The second reference accommodating portion 53 has a tubular shape that extends linearly along the second axis L2. The second reference accommodating portion 53 has a portion that extends linearly along the second axis L2 in the electric wire placement portion 34 and a portion that closes the opening 33f in the corresponding portion of the cover 32. For example, the second reference accommodating portion 53 is a predetermined area including the second passage opening 33b in the electric wire accommodating portion 50.

[0053] 5 , a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S2 of the second standard accommodating portion 53 has a reference cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50, similar to a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S1 of the first standard accommodating portion 52. The width W2 of the accommodating recess 33 in the second standard accommodating portion 53 is a reference width corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50. The depth D2 of the accommodating recess 33 in the second standard accommodating portion 53 is a reference depth corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50. The reference cross-sectional area, reference width, and reference depth of the second standard accommodating portion 53 are set in the same manner as the reference area, reference width W, and reference depth D of the first standard accommodating portion 52. Therefore, detailed description of the reference cross-sectional area, reference width, and reference depth of the second standard accommodating portion 53 will be omitted.

[0054] The reference cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S2 may be the same as or different from the reference cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S1. For example, the reference cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S2 is smaller than the reference cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S1. The reference width of the second reference accommodation portion 53 may be the same as or different from the reference width W of the first reference accommodation portion 52. For example, the reference width of the second reference accommodation portion 53 is the same as the reference width W of the first reference accommodation portion 52. The reference depth of the second reference accommodation portion 53 may be the same as or different from the reference depth D of the first reference accommodation portion 52.

[0055] The cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space S2 perpendicular to the passage direction X is, for example, constant along the passage direction X. Furthermore, the shape of the internal space S2 perpendicular to the passage direction X is, for example, constant along the passage direction X. The cross-section of the internal space S2 perpendicular to the passage direction X has, for example, a rectangular shape.

[0056] A portion of the electric wire 20a in the longitudinal direction X1 is disposed inside the second reference accommodating portion 53, for example, in contact with the inner surface 33d and the electric wires 20b and 20c. A portion of the electric wire 20b in the longitudinal direction X1 is disposed inside the second reference accommodating portion 53, for example, in contact with the inner surface 33e and the electric wire 20a. A portion of the electric wire 20c in the longitudinal direction X1 is disposed inside the second reference accommodating portion 53, for example, in contact with the bottom surface 33c, the inner surface 33d, and the electric wire 20a.

[0057] (Configuration of slack absorbing portion 51) 2 and 4, the slack absorbing portion 51 connects the first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53. Because the first axis L1 and the second axis L2 intersect, the slack absorbing portion 51 corresponds to, for example, a bending corner between the first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53 in the electric wire accommodating portion 50. The electric wire accommodating portion 50 has, for example, an L-shaped tubular shape.

[0058] The slack absorbing portion 51 has a tubular shape extending in the passage direction X between the first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53. The slack absorbing portion 51 has a portion between a portion in the electric wire placement portion 34 that extends linearly along the first axis L1 and a portion that extends linearly along the second axis L2, and a portion that closes the opening 33f in the lid body 32 in the portion between them.

[0059] 4, a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 has a standard cross-sectional area corresponding to the transverse cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating portion 50, and an additional cross-sectional area for absorbing the slack of the electric wire 20. For example, a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 has the standard cross-sectional area of ​​the first standard accommodating portion 52 and the additional cross-sectional area. A cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 may have the standard cross-sectional area of ​​the second standard accommodating portion 53 and the additional cross-sectional area.

[0060] In FIG. 4 , dots are added to the portion of the first standard accommodating section 52 that corresponds to the reference cross-sectional area. In a cross section of the internal space S3 perpendicular to the passage direction X, the area from the inner surface of the lid body 32 to just before the bottom surface 33c corresponds to the reference cross-sectional area. In a cross section of the internal space S3 perpendicular to the passage direction X, the area between the portion that corresponds to the reference cross-sectional area and the bottom surface 33c corresponds to the additional cross-sectional area. Therefore, the cross section of the internal space S3 perpendicular to the passage direction X has a larger area than the reference cross-sectional area. That is, the cross section of the slack absorbing section 51 perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S3 has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross section of the internal space S1 of the first standard accommodating section 52 perpendicular to the passage direction X and the cross section of the internal space S2 of the second standard accommodating section 53 perpendicular to the passage direction X. That is, the slack absorbing section 51 is a portion of the wire accommodating section 50 whose cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space has a larger area than the reference cross-sectional area. The slack absorbing portion 51 is a portion in the wire accommodating portion 50, in which the area of ​​a cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space is larger than the reference cross section area to an extent that the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space can change the path of the wire 20 within the internal space. The cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S3 has, for example, a rectangular shape.

[0061] The width W3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 is, for example, the standard width W. Furthermore, the depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 has the standard depth D and an additional depth Da for absorbing the slack of the electric wire 20. That is, the depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 is the standard depth D plus the additional depth Da. The additional depth Da sets the size of the internal space S3 in the depth direction Z to a size that allows the path of the electric wire 20 to be changed. Since the depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 has the standard depth D plus the additional depth Da, the electric wire 20 can move in the slack absorbing portion 51 in a direction perpendicular to the passing direction X, more specifically, in the depth direction Z.

[0062] The internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 is the same as, for example, the internal space of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51. The internal space of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 has a reference depth region A1, which is a region from the opening 33f of the accommodating recess 33 to the reference depth D, and an additional depth region A2, which is a region from the end of the reference depth region A1 opposite the opening 33f to the additional depth Da. The additional depth region A2 is, for example, the portion between the reference depth region A1 and the bottom surface 33c of the accommodating recess 33. In FIG. 4, the reference depth region A1 corresponds to the dotted region. Also, in FIG. 4, the additional depth region A2 corresponds to the non-dotted region between the reference depth region A1 and the bottom surface 33c in the internal space S3.

[0063] (Arrangement of the wire 20 in the slack absorbing portion 51 when the length of the wire 20 is the reference length) 4 and 6, when the length of each electric wire 20 is a reference length without excess length, the portion of the electric wire 20 passing through the excess length absorbing portion 51 is located within the reference depth region A1. At this time, the electric wire 20 passing through the excess length absorbing portion 51 has the shortest path length within the excess length absorbing portion 51. The electric wire 20 passing through the excess length absorbing portion 51 is located in a straight line.

[0064] (Arrangement of the wire 20 in the slack absorbing portion 51 when the length of the wire 20 includes an excess length) 4 and 7 , when the length of the electric wire 20 is a length including an excess length in addition to the standard length, at least a part of the portion of the electric wire 20 passing through the slack absorbing portion 51 is arranged in the additional depth region A2. In FIG. 4 , the electric wire 20 having a length including an excess length is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. When at least a part of the portion of the electric wire 20 passing through the slack absorbing portion 51 is arranged in the additional depth region A2, the electric wire 20 in the slack absorbing portion 51 is arranged in a detour away from the lid 32 and closer to the bottom surface 33c. Therefore, the path length of the electric wire 20 passing through the slack absorbing portion 51 is longer than when the electric wire 20 is arranged in the standard depth region A1. The path length of the electric wire 20 passing through the slack absorbing portion 51 becomes longer as the electric wire 20 approaches the bottom surface 33c in the depth direction Z.

[0065] For example, if the length of the electric wire 20b is equal to the standard length plus the maximum length of excess length that can be absorbed by the excess length absorbing section 51, the portion of the electric wire 20b that passes through the excess length absorbing section 51 is positioned in contact with the bottom surface 33c of the accommodating recess 33.

[0066] The electric wire 20 is pushed closer to the bottom surface 33c by an operator who attaches the protector 30 to the electric wire 20, so that at least a portion of the electric wire 20 is disposed in the additional depth region A2. Then, the electric wire 20 is fixed to the protector 30 by the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12, so that the electric wire 20 is maintained in a state in which the excess length is absorbed.

[0067] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The protector 30 includes a wire accommodating portion 50 that accommodates a part of the wire 20 in the length direction X1. The wire accommodating portion 50 includes a slack absorbing portion 51 that absorbs the slack of the wire 20.

[0068] According to this configuration, the excess length of the electric wire 20 can be absorbed in the excess length absorbing portion 51. Therefore, it is possible to reduce variations in the length of the portion of the electric wire 20 extending outward from the electric wire accommodating portion 50. In this way, the protector 30 can absorb variations in the length of the electric wire 20.

[0069] Generally, high-voltage electric wires used to supply high voltages, such as several hundred to several hundred volts, have a larger diameter than low-voltage electric wires used to supply low voltages, such as several volts to several tens of volts. Therefore, high-voltage electric wires have higher rigidity than low-voltage electric wires. When such high-voltage electric wires have excess length, there is a concern that the electric wires may protrude from the protector in the passing direction even if an attempt is made to push the electric wires into a conventional protector that does not have an excess length absorbing portion 51 to absorb the excess length. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the protector 30 has the excess length absorbing portion 51, and therefore, there is a space inside the protector 30 for arranging the excess length of the electric wire 20. Therefore, when the electric wire 20 is such a high-voltage electric wire, even if the electric wire 20 is placed in the protector 30 in an L-shaped bent state, the electric wire 20 can be prevented from protruding in the passing direction X from at least one of the first passing opening 33 a and the second passing opening 33 b.

[0070] (2) The wire accommodating portion 50 has a first standard accommodating portion 52 and a second standard accommodating portion 53 aligned with the slack absorbing portion 51 in the passing direction X in which the electric wire 20 passes through the wire accommodating portion 50. A cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S1 of the first standard accommodating portion 52 has a standard cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the wire accommodating portion 50. A cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S2 of the second standard accommodating portion 53 has a standard cross-sectional area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the wire accommodating portion 50. A cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 has the standard cross-sectional area and an additional cross-sectional area for absorbing the slack of the electric wire 20.

[0071] According to this configuration, a cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S3 has an additional cross-sectional area in addition to the standard cross-sectional area. Therefore, the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 has a larger area than the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S1 of the first standard accommodating portion 52. Furthermore, the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 has a larger area than the cross section perpendicular to the passage direction X in the internal space S2 of the second standard accommodating portion 53. The slack absorbing portion 51 can have a slack absorbing space that enables the path of the electric wire 20 passing through the slack absorbing portion 51 to be lengthened within the slack absorbing portion 51. Therefore, the path length of the electric wire 20 can be changed within the slack absorbing portion 51. In other words, by arranging the electric wire 20 so that it passes through a portion corresponding to the additional cross-sectional area, the path of the portion of the electric wire 20 passing through the slack absorbing portion 51 can be lengthened. In this way, by adjusting the length of the portion of the electric wire 20 that passes through the slack absorbing portion 51 , the slack of the electric wire 20 can be easily absorbed by the slack absorbing portion 51 .

[0072] (3) The protector 30 includes a protector body 31 and a lid 32. The protector body 31 has an electric wire placement section 34 having a groove-shaped accommodating recess 33 in which a part of the electric wire 20 in the length direction X1 is placed and through which the electric wire 20 passes. The lid 32 covers an opening 33f of the accommodating recess 33 and, together with the electric wire placement section 34, forms the electric wire accommodating section 50. The width W1 of the accommodating recess 33 in the first standard accommodating section 52 is a standard width W corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20 passing through the electric wire accommodating section 50. The depth D1 of the accommodating recess 33 in the first standard accommodating section 52 is a standard depth D corresponding to the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire 20. The width W3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing section 51 is the standard width W, and the depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing section 51 has the standard depth D and an additional depth Da for absorbing the slack of the electric wire 20.

[0073] According to this configuration, the excess length of the wires 20 can be absorbed by the protector 30 while preventing the protector 30 from becoming large in size in the width direction Y of the accommodating recess 33. Furthermore, the depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 can be changed according to the length of the slack of the wires 20 to be absorbed in the slack absorbing portion 51, without changing the shape of the lid 32. Therefore, when the protector body 31 and the lid 32 are separate bodies, even if the molding die for molding the protector body 31 is changed, it is not necessary to change the molding die for molding the lid 32. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the protector 30 can be reduced.

[0074] (4) The wire accommodating portion 50 has two reference accommodating portions: a first reference accommodating portion 52 that extends linearly along the first axis L1, and a second reference accommodating portion 53 that extends linearly along a second axis L2 that intersects with the first axis L1. Furthermore, the wire accommodating portion 50 has a slack absorbing portion 51 between the first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53 in the passing direction X. The slack absorbing portion 51 connects the first reference accommodating portion 52 and the second reference accommodating portion 53.

[0075] According to this configuration, the slack absorbing portion 51 is located at a portion corresponding to a bend in the wire accommodating portion 50. Therefore, the slack of the wire 20 can be absorbed at a portion inside the wire accommodating portion 50 where the direction of extension of the wire 20 changes. Furthermore, compared to a case where the first reference accommodating portion 52, the second reference accommodating portion 53, and the slack absorbing portion 51 extend along a single linear axis, it becomes easier to arrange the wire 20 in the slack absorbing portion 51 so as to absorb the slack of the wire 20.

[0076] (5) The internal space of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 has a reference depth region A1, which is a region from the opening 33f of the accommodating recess 33 to the reference depth D, and an additional depth region A2, which is a region from the end of the reference depth region A1 opposite the opening 33f to the additional depth Da. When the length of the electric wire 20 is the reference length that does not include an excess length, the portion of the electric wire 20 that passes through the slack absorbing portion 51 is located within the reference depth region A1. When the length of the electric wire 20 is the reference length plus an excess length, at least a part of the portion of the electric wire 20 that passes through the slack absorbing portion 51 is located in the additional depth region A2.

[0077] According to this configuration, when the length of the electric wire 20 includes an excess length, by disposing at least a part of the portion of the electric wire 20 that passes through the excess length absorbing portion 51 in the additional depth region A2, the excess length of the electric wire 20 can be easily absorbed. Then, by adjusting the amount of the electric wire 20 to be disposed in the additional depth region A2 according to the excess length of the electric wire 20, the path length of the electric wire 20 in the excess length absorbing portion 51 can be adjusted, and therefore, excess lengths of different lengths can be easily absorbed.

[0078] (6) The additional depth region A2 is a portion between the reference depth region A1 and the bottom surface 33c of the accommodating recess 33. When the length of the electric wire 20b is equal to the reference length plus the maximum excess length that can be absorbed by the excess length absorbing portion 51, the portion of the electric wire 20b that passes through the excess length absorbing portion 51 is disposed in contact with the bottom surface 33c of the accommodating recess 33.

[0079] According to this configuration, when the length of the electric wire 20b is a length that includes the maximum excess length that can be absorbed in the excess length absorption section 51, the size of the protector 30 in the depth direction Z can be prevented from increasing compared to when the part of the electric wire 20b that passes through the excess length absorption section 51 does not contact the bottom surface 33c of the accommodating recess 33.

[0080] (7) The wire harness 10 includes the protector 30 and at least one electric wire 20, a part of which in the length direction X1 is accommodated inside the electric wire accommodating portion 50. According to this configuration, in the wire harness 10 including the protector 30, the protector 30 can absorb variations in the length of the electric wires 20.

[0081] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility. When the length of the electric wire 20b is equal to the standard length plus the maximum length of excess length that can be absorbed by the excess length absorbing section 51, the portion of the electric wire 20b that passes through the excess length absorbing section 51 does not need to come into contact with the bottom surface 33c of the accommodating recess 33.

[0082] The second axis L2 may intersect with the first axis L1 at an angle other than 90°. For example, the second axis L2 may intersect with the first axis L1 at an angle that causes the wire accommodating portion 50 to have a V-shaped tubular shape.

[0083] The wire receiving portion 50 does not necessarily have to have either the first reference receiving portion 52 or the second reference receiving portion 53. The width W3 and depth D3 of the accommodation recess 33 in the excess length absorbing portion 51 may be set based on the reference width and reference depth of the second reference accommodation portion 53.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the width W3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 is the standard width W. The depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 is the standard depth D plus the additional depth Da. However, the width W3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 may be the standard width W plus an additional width for absorbing the slack of the electric wire 20. In this case, the depth D3 of the accommodating recess 33 in the slack absorbing portion 51 may be the standard depth D or the standard depth D plus the additional depth Da. In this case, the cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51 is larger in the width direction Y than at least the cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S1 of the first standard accommodating portion 52. That is, in the cross section perpendicular to the passing direction X in the internal space S3 of the slack absorbing portion 51, the additional cross-sectional area is added to the side of the standard cross-sectional area in the width direction Y. In this way, the excess length of the electric wire 20 can be absorbed by the excess length absorbing portion 51.

[0085] The shape of the first reference accommodating portion 52 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The first reference accommodating portion 52 may have any shape as long as it can surround the outer periphery of at least one electric wire 20. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the internal space S1 of the first reference accommodating portion 52 perpendicular to the passing direction X may be changed to any of a polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a rounded rectangular shape, or any other arbitrary shape. The shapes of the second reference accommodating portion 53 and the slack absorbing portion 51 may also be changed in a similar manner.

[0086] The wire housing 50 may have a plurality of slack absorbing sections 51. The wire housing 50 may also have three or more reference housing sections. The shape of the protector 30 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the protector 30 may be composed of a single tubular part. Also, for example, the protector 30 may not have either the first fixing portion 37 or the second fixing portion 38.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the passage direction X is the direction from the first passage opening 33a to the second passage opening 33b. However, the passage direction X may be the direction from the second passage opening 33b to the first passage opening 33a. Also, in the above embodiment, the width direction Y is the direction from the inner surface 33d to the inner surface 33e. However, the width direction Y may be the direction from the inner surface 33e to the inner surface 33d.

[0088] The wire harness 10 may include a plurality of protectors 30. The number of electric wires 20 included in the wire harness 10 is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more. When the wire harness 10 includes a plurality of electric wires 20, the plurality of electric wires 20 may be different types of electric wires.

[0089] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10 Wire harness 11 First fixing member 12 Second fixing member 20,20a,20b,20c electric wire 21 Core Wire 22 Insulation coating 30 Protector 31 Protector body 32 Lid 33 Storage recess 33a 1st passage gate 33b 2nd passage 33c bottom 33d inner surface 33e inner surface 33f opening 34 Wire arrangement section 35 1st wire fixing part 36 2nd wire fixing part 37 1st fixed part 38 Second fixed part 38a through hole 39 First engagement portion 41 Hinge 42 second engagement portion 50 Wire housing 51 Excess length absorption section 52 First reference housing section (reference housing section) 53 Second reference storage unit (reference storage unit) A1 Reference depth area A2 Additional depth area D Reference depth Da additional depth D1 Depth D2 Depth D3 Depth L center line L1 First axis L2 Second axis S1 interior space S2 interior space S3 interior space W Standard width W1 width W2 width W3 width X1 Length direction X Passing direction Y width direction Z depth direction

Claims

1. A protector including a wire accommodating portion that accommodates a portion of at least one wire in the length direction, the electric wire accommodating portion has a slack absorbing portion that absorbs slack of the electric wire, the electric wire accommodating portion has a reference accommodating portion aligned with the slack absorbing portion in a passing direction of the electric wire passing through the electric wire accommodating portion, a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction in the internal space of the standard accommodating portion has a standard cross-sectional area corresponding to a transverse area of ​​the electric wire passing through the electric wire accommodating portion, a cross section perpendicular to the passing direction in the internal space of the slack absorbing portion has the reference cross-sectional area and an additional cross-sectional area for absorbing the slack of the electric wire, a protector body having an electric wire placement portion in which a part of the electric wire in the longitudinal direction is placed and which has a groove-shaped accommodating recess through which the electric wire passes; a cover that covers an opening of the accommodating recess and constitutes the wire accommodating section together with the wire placement section, a width of the accommodating recess in the standard accommodating portion is a standard width according to a cross-sectional area of ​​the wire passing through the wire accommodating portion, and a depth of the accommodating recess in the standard accommodating portion is a standard depth according to the cross-sectional area, a width of the accommodating recess in the slack absorbing portion has the reference width and an additional width for absorbing the slack of the electric wire, and a depth of the accommodating recess in the slack absorbing portion is the reference depth, The reference storage portion has a first reference storage portion and a second reference storage portion disposed on either side of the excess length absorbing portion, The first reference storage portion and the second reference storage portion have different cross-sectional shapes perpendicular to the passage direction, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second reference storage portion perpendicular to the passage direction is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first reference storage portion perpendicular to the passage direction, and with regard to the reference depth, the reference depth of the first reference storage portion is a constant value in the width direction perpendicular to the passage direction, and the reference depth of the second reference storage portion varies depending on the position in the width direction perpendicular to the passage direction.

2. the wire accommodating portion has two reference accommodating portions, a first reference accommodating portion extending linearly along a first axis and a second reference accommodating portion extending linearly along a second axis intersecting the first axis, and the slack absorbing portion is located between the first reference accommodating portion and the second reference accommodating portion in the passing direction, The protector according to claim 1 , wherein the slack absorbing portion connects the first reference receiving portion and the second reference receiving portion.

3. The protector according to claim 1 or 2; and at least one electric wire, a portion of which in a length direction is accommodated inside the electric wire accommodating portion.

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