Wiring materials

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses a cover member to easily waterproof two connectors that are mated with each other. The cover member is provided in a contracted state on one of the connectors before the two connectors are mated. After the two connectors are mated, the cover member expands to the other connector, thereby easily waterproofing the two connectors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-62675 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

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

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

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the joint connector can be easily waterproofed while keeping the size of the waterproofing member as small as possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0022] The multiple electric wires 20 are dispersed in positions corresponding to their respective connection destinations in the section connected to the connector 30 (hereinafter referred to as the connection section). The multiple electric wires 20 are gathered so as to be in close contact with each other in the section bundled by the bundling member 24 (hereinafter referred to as the bundling section). In the section between the connection section and the bundling section (hereinafter referred to as the shift section), the gathering state of the multiple electric wires 20 shifts between the dispersed arrangement in the connection section and the gathered arrangement in the bundling section. Specifically, in the shift section, the multiple electric wires 20 gather so that the spacing between them gradually narrows from the connection section to the bundling section. In the shift section, the multiple electric wires 20 are dispersed so that the spacing between them gradually widens from the bundling section to the connection section.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0047] <Effects, etc.> In the wiring member 10 configured as described above, the waterproofing member 40 is formed by bending the sheet material 41B to conform to the outer shape of the connector 30. The sheet material 41B is connected at portions corresponding to any two of the following edges: the edge 32X between the front surface 32A and the top surface 32C, the edge 32Y between the front surface 32A and the side surface 32E, and the edge 32Z between the top surface 32C and the side surface 32E, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge. This allows the waterproofing member 40 to be kept as small as possible while easily waterproofing the joint connector 30. Furthermore, by changing the shape of the sheet material 41B, it is easily adaptable to different types of connectors 30.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0055] The means for directly fixing the contact portions is not particularly limited, and known means such as welding, fusion, and the like can be used. Here, the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 are fused together. In this case, at least one of the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 preferably contains a thermoplastic resin. When the first sheet portion 42 contains a thermoplastic resin, the waterproof layer may contain a thermoplastic resin, or the additional layer may contain a thermoplastic resin. Here, the waterproof layer contains a thermoplastic resin. Such a thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, PVC, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyolefin. When both the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 contain a thermoplastic resin, the thermoplastic resin contained in the connector housing 32 and the thermoplastic resin contained in the first sheet portion 42 are preferably compatible with each other.

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

[0057] However, the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 may be fixed together by directly fixing the contact areas and by wrapping tape. In this case, the fixing portion 52, which directly fixes the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 at the contact areas, may be used to position and fix the connector housing 32 and the first sheet portion 42 until the tape is wrapped around them. For example, some surfaces of the connector housing 32 may be directly fixed at the contact areas to corresponding portions of the sheet material 41B. The sheet material 41B may be bent based on the portion fixed to the connector housing 32 so as to cover the other surfaces of the connector housing 32.

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

[0059] In addition to the direct fixation of the contact parts, the contact parts may be indirectly fixed. Here, the indirect fixation of the contact parts means that the electric wires 20 and the second sheet portion 44 are indirectly attached and fixed to each other via an adhesive material such as an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, or a double-sided adhesive tape provided between them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. A plurality of wires; a connector to which the ends of the plurality of electric wires are connected; a waterproof member formed by bending a sheet material along the outer shape of the connector so as to cover the connector; Equipped with The connector is a joint connector including a connector housing having a plurality of cavities formed therein and joint terminals for connecting the plurality of electric wires together, the waterproofing member includes a first sheet portion that is a part of the sheet material and covers the connector housing, and a second sheet portion that is another part of the sheet material and covers portions of the plurality of electric wires that extend from a rear surface of the connector housing, the first sheet portion is bent so that the sheet material covers an area including a front surface, an upper surface, and a side surface that are continuous with each other in the connector housing; the sheet material before being bent is connected at portions corresponding to any two of an edge between the front surface and the top surface, an edge between the front surface and the side surface, and an edge between the top surface and the side surface, and is separated at a portion corresponding to the remaining edge; A wiring member, wherein at least one of the plurality of electric wires and the second sheet portion contain the same type of thermoplastic resin and are fused together by the thermoplastic resin.

2. The wiring member according to claim 1, A wiring member having a portion where the connector housing and the first sheet portion are fused together.

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

4. The wiring member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A wiring member in which the sheet material before being bent is connected at portions corresponding to two edge portions, namely, an edge portion between the front surface and the top surface and an edge portion between the top surface and the side surface, and is separated at portions corresponding to the edge portion between the front surface and the side surface.

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