Harness exterior body and harness exterior body assembly method

Abstract

To provide a harness exterior body capable of conductively connecting an insertion tube having a metal layer and a braided wire without increasing the size and a method for assembling the same.SOLUTION: In a harness exterior body 10 configured in this way, an insertion tube 20 through which a wire harness WH is inserted and a cylindrical braided wire 30 are connected in series and the insertion tube 20 has at least a metal layer 22 of which end is exposed and includes a fixture 40 for fixing the braided line 30 placed over the exposed metal layer 22. The fixture 40 includes a pressing part 42 that presses the braided wire 30 placed over the metal layer 22 and a locking part 41 that is inserted into the braided wire 30 and the metal layer 22 from the outside and locked inside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a harness exterior body that exteriorizes, for example, a wire harness formed by bundling electric wires, and to an assembly method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrical equipment installed in automobiles and the like is connected to other electrical equipment and power supplies via a wire harness (hereinafter referred to as a harness) made of bundled insulated wires to form an electrical circuit. Such harnesses are prevented from being affected by noise by being inserted inside an insertion tube having a metal layer. The harness leading out of the insertion tube is inserted inside a tubular braided wire that is electrically connected to the metal layer of the insertion tube, thereby ensuring shielding while maintaining flexibility.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, in a portion where the braided wire is fixed to the pipe, the braided wire is placed around the outer periphery of the pipe and the outer periphery of the braided wire is fastened by a crimping ring. This is said to enable a conductive connection between the metal layer of the insertion tube and the braided wire. However, because the braided wire placed around the outer periphery of the pipe is fastened by a crimping ring attached to the outer periphery, the connection portion becomes large. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-81158 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a harness exterior that can electrically connect an insertion tube having a metal layer to a braided wire without increasing the size, and a method for assembling the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention is a harness outer casing in which an insertion tube for inserting a harness inside and a tubular braided wire are connected in series, wherein the insertion tube has a metal layer with at least an end exposed, and is provided with a fixture for fixing the braided wire covering the exposed metal layer, and the fixture is provided with a pressing portion for pressing the braided wire covering the metal layer, and a locking portion that is inserted from the outside into the braided wire and the metal layer and locks it inside.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to construct a harness exterior in which an insertion tube having a metal layer and a braided wire are electrically connected without increasing the size. In more detail, the braided wire is covered with a metal layer with at least the end exposed in the insertion tube through which the harness is inserted, and a retaining portion of a fixture inserted from the outside into the braided wire and the metal layer is retained inside, so that a harness exterior can be constructed that electrically connects the braided wire and the insertion tube without increasing the size of the insertion tube having a metal layer and the braided wire. Also, since the retaining portion is inserted from the outside and retained inside, connection can be easily made.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the fasteners may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer, or a plurality of the fasteners may be provided in the circumferential direction of the metal layer. Furthermore, the plurality of fasteners provided along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer and in the circumferential direction of the metal layer may be arranged in a grid pattern. According to this invention, the insertion tube having a metal layer can be connected to the braided wire at a plurality of locations, thereby improving electrical conductivity.

[0009] As an aspect of the present invention, an insertion hole for inserting the locking portion may be provided in the exposed metal layer. According to this invention, the locking portion can be easily inserted into the metal layer from the outside.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, the fastener may be a blind rivet, and the engaging portion may be a rivet body that is inserted through the insertion hole and deformed. According to this invention, the rivet body of the blind rivet is inserted into the insertion hole from the outside to the inside of the metal layer, and the mandrel is pulled out on the outside, causing the rivet body to deform and become engaged inside the metal layer.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the pressing portion may be curved along the outer surface of the metal layer. According to this invention, the pressing portion presses the braided wire along the outer surface of the metal layer, so that stable conductivity can be obtained.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the pressing portion may be a flange portion that is integrally formed with the rivet body and that projects radially outward from the rivet body. With this invention, simply by inserting the rivet body into the insertion hole and deforming it, it becomes engaged on the inside of the metal layer, and the metal layer and the braided wire can be sandwiched and connected between the pressing portion and the engaging portion, which are composed of a flange portion formed integrally with the rivet body.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the locking portion is the rivet body of the deformed blind rivet that has been inserted through the insertion hole, and the pressing portion may be formed separately from the rivet body and may be provided with a through hole through which part of the rivet body passes.

[0014] According to this invention, by inserting and deforming the rivet body while the passage hole of the pressing portion, which is formed separately from the rivet body, is connected to the insertion hole, the metal layer and the braided wire can be sandwiched and connected between the pressing portion and the locking portion, which are formed separately from the rivet body.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the pressing portion may be provided with a plurality of the through holes. This invention allows multiple rivet bodies to be inserted into one presser part. Furthermore, the braided wire between adjacent rivet bodies in the circumferential direction can also be pressed down by the presser part, further improving conductivity and stability.

[0016] As another aspect of the present invention, the pressing portion may be formed in a ring shape that fits over the braided wire that covers the metal layer. According to this invention, the ring-shaped pressing portion is fitted onto the braided wire covering the metal layer, and the locking portion is inserted into and locked into the communicating through hole and insertion hole, thereby easily and reliably connecting the braided wire and the metal layer and further improving conductivity and stability.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the insertion tube may include an outer layer surrounding the outside of the metal layer and an inner layer disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer, the braided wire may be fixed to the metal layer exposed when the outer layer is peeled off at the end of the insertion tube, and the engaging portion may be engaged with the inner surface of the inner layer. According to this invention, the harness inserted inside can be protected by the inner layer, and the outer layer can protect and insulate the metal layer.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the fixing device may be a square U-shaped staple having the locking portion on each end side of the pressing portion, and the locking portion that passes through the insertion hole may bend and lock inside the metal layer. According to this invention, the locking portion of the square U-shaped staple can be inserted into the insertion hole from the outside to the inside of the metal layer, and the locking portion can be deformed inside and locked inside the metal layer.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, the staples may be arranged along the circumferential direction of the metal layer, and the pressing portion may be curved along the outer surface of the metal layer, or the staples may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer. According to this invention, the staples connect the braided wire to the metal layer at a plurality of locations, thereby further improving conductivity.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, the insertion tube may be provided with an outer layer surrounding the outside of the metal layer and an inner layer disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer, the braided wire may be fixed to the metal layer exposed when the outer layer is peeled off at the end of the insertion tube, and the engaging portion may be disposed between the metal layer and the inner layer. According to this invention, the harness inserted inside can be protected by the inner layer, and the outer layer can protect and insulate the metal layer.

[0021] The present invention also provides a method for assembling a harness outer casing that includes an insertion tube through which a harness is inserted and a tubular braided wire, and is characterized in that the braided wire is placed over the exposed metal layer of the insertion tube, which has a metal layer with at least an end exposed, and the braided wire is fixed to the metal layer by inserting the locking part from the outside using a fixing device that is equipped with a pressing part that presses the braided wire placed over the metal layer and a locking part that is inserted from the outside into the braided wire and the metal layer and locks it inside.

[0022] According to the present invention, the harness exterior can be configured by electrically connecting the insertion tube having a metal layer and the braided wire without increasing the size. In more detail, the braided wire covered with the metal layer exposed from the end of the insertion tube is held down by a pressing portion, and the braided wire and the metal layer are inserted from the outside, and a locking portion is inserted from the outside and locked inside to fix the braided wire to the metal layer, so that the insertion tube having a metal layer and the braided wire can be easily connected to each other in a conductive manner without increasing their size.

[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, an internal jig may be inserted from the end of the insertion tube into the inside of the metal layer, the braided wire may be placed over the exposed metal layer, the locking portions of the fixing device, which are square U-shaped staples each having a locking portion on each end side of the pressing portion, may be inserted from the outside to the inside, and the locking portions may be bent and locked inside the metal layer by the internal jig.

[0024] According to this invention, with an internal jig inserted into the metal layer from the end of the insertion tube, the braided wire is placed over the metal layer, and the locking portions of the fixing device, which are square U-shaped staples each having a locking portion on each end side of the pressing portion, are inserted from the outside to the inside, whereby the locking portions are bent inside the metal layer by the internal jig. Therefore, the locking portions lock inside the metal layer, fixing the braided wire to the metal layer and easily achieving a conductive connection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a harness exterior that can electrically connect an insertion tube having a metal layer to a braided wire without increasing the size, and a method for assembling the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exterior-equipped wire harness. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram of an insertion tube. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram of a blind rivet. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views showing a process of connecting a braided wire to an insertion tube. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views showing a process of connecting a braided wire to an insertion tube. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a harness exterior according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process of connecting a braided wire to an insertion tube in another embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process of connecting a braided wire to an insertion tube in another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a harness exterior according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a harness exterior according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a harness exterior according to another embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a harness exterior according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention is a harness exterior 10 in which an insertion tube 20, through which a wire harness WH is inserted, and a braided wire 30 formed by braiding metal wires are connected in series. One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 8.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a wire harness 1 with an exterior body, and Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a harness exterior body 10. Fig. 3 shows an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an insertion tube 20, Fig. 4 shows an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a covering member 50, and Fig. 5 shows an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a rivet 60.

[0029] Figures 3 to 5 will be described in detail. Figure 3(a) shows a schematic plan view of the insertion tube 20, and Figure 3(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3(a). Figure 4(a) shows a schematic plan view of the covering member 50, and Figure 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 4(a). Figure 5(a) shows a schematic front view of the rivet 60, and Figure 5(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 5(a).

[0030] 6 and 7 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a method for connecting the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30. More specifically, Fig. 6(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the metal layer 22 covered with the braided wire 30, and Fig. 6(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the braided wire 30 covered with a covering member 50. Fig. 7(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the rivet 60 inserted into the through-hole 24 and the passing hole 52, and Fig. 7(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the mandrel 62 pulled out of the rivet body 61.

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a harness exterior 10 in which a braided wire 30 is connected in series to an insertion tube 20. Here, FIGS. 6 to 8 show schematic cross-sectional views taken along the line AA in FIG. 3(a).

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the wire harness 1 with an exterior body has a portion of the wire harness WH inserted inside the harness exterior body 10. The wire harness WH is for high voltage use and is configured by bundling together multiple electric wires, each of which has a conductor formed by bundling multiple conductive core wires and having its outer surface covered with an insulating coating. In this embodiment, the wire harness WH is for high voltage, but is not limited to this and may be for other voltages.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the harness outer casing 10 has a braided wire 30 made of braided metal wires connected to the tip of an insertion tube 20, which is a cylindrical body with a circular cross section, via a fixing device 40.

[0034] 2 and 3, the insertion tube 20 is a tubular body with a circular cross section having an inner diameter large enough to insert the wire harness WH therethrough, and has a certain degree of rigidity. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the insertion tube 20 has a three-layer structure in which, from the radially inner side, an inner layer 21, a metal layer 22, and an outer layer 23 are closely adhered to each other in the radial direction.

[0035] The inner surface layer 21 is a tubular body with a circular cross section made of insulating resin having insulating properties. The metal layer 22 is a tubular body made of conductive aluminum and having a circular cross section, and the above-mentioned inner surface layer 21 is disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer 22 .

[0036] In this embodiment, the metal layer 22 is made of aluminum, but is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive, and metal types such as iron, copper, and stainless steel can be appropriately selected.

[0037] The outer layer 23 is made of an insulating resin having insulating properties, similar to the inner layer 21 , and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the metal layer 22 . That is, the insertion tube 20 is a tubular body with a three-layer structure in which the inner and outer surfaces of a metal layer 22, which is a tubular body with a circular cross section made of a conductive metal, are covered with an inner layer 21 and an outer layer 23 made of insulating resin with insulating properties.

[0038] 2 and 3(a), the distal end portion of the insertion tube 20 configured in this manner, more specifically, the portion covering the braided wire 30, has the outer layer 23 peeled off to expose the metal layer 22. This exposed metal layer 22 has a plurality of through holes 24 formed radially so as to pass through the inside of the inner surface layer 21 and the outside of the metal layer 22 (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0039] The through holes 24 penetrating the metal layer 22 and the inner surface layer 21 are provided two by two at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction on the upper side and the lower side in Fig. 3(b). The through holes 24 are also provided three by three at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the insertion tube 20. That is, in this embodiment, a total of 12 through holes 24 are provided in the metal layer 22. In this embodiment, a total of 12 through holes 24 are provided in the metal layer 22, but the number of through holes 24 is not limited and can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] 1 and 2, the braided wire 30 is a flexible, tubular braided member formed by braiding tin-plated copper metal wires. The braided wire 30 has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the metal layer 22. In this embodiment, the braided wire 30 is made of commonly used tin-plated copper wire, but may be made of other metal wires such as aluminum wire.

[0041] The fixture 40 that connects the braided wire 30 to the insertion tube 20 is composed of a covering member 50 and a rivet 60, as shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 4, the covering member 50 is composed of a thin, flat covering body 51 made of flexible insulating resin and extending in a predetermined direction. This covering body 51 is configured in an arc shape that follows the outer periphery of the metal layer 22, and in the central part in the short side direction, two through holes 52 are provided at a predetermined interval along the width direction, as shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0042] The through holes 52 are circular holes formed so as to have approximately the same inner diameter as the through holes 24, and penetrate the coating body 51 along the plate thickness. The spacing between the through holes 52 in the width direction is configured to be equal to the spacing between the through holes 24 spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22.

[0043] The rivet 60 is a so-called blind rivet, and as shown in FIG. 5, is composed of a cylindrical rivet body 61 and an elongated mandrel 62 inserted inside the rivet body 61.

[0044] The rivet body 61 is made of a metal that is relatively easy to deform, and as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), it is composed of a cylindrically formed tubular portion 611 and a flange portion 612 that extends radially outward at the tip of the tubular portion 611.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5(b), the tubular portion 611 is configured in a cylindrical shape with an insertion hole therein having an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the mandrel 62, and is configured so that its height is longer than the total thickness of the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22.

[0046] The flange 612 is a flange that widens at the tip of the cylindrical portion 611 so as to protrude radially outward beyond the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 611. The surface of the base end side of this flange 612 is gently inclined so as to gradually approach the base end side as it extends radially outward (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0047] When the rivet body 61 configured in this manner is inserted into the through hole 24 from outside the metal layer 22, the flange portion 612 catches on the metal layer 22 so as to fit along the outer peripheral surface of the metal layer 22, and the base end of the tubular portion 611 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the inner surface layer 21.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the mandrel 62 is composed of a mandrel body 621, which is a long, cylindrical body tapered at the tip, and a roughly hemispherical base end 622 that protrudes toward the base end, and the mandrel body 621 is provided with a slit portion 623 whose diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the mandrel body 621.

[0049] The base end 622 is a substantially hemispherical shape having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tubular portion 611 and smaller than the outer diameter, and is provided at the base end of the mandrel body 621. When the mandrel 62 is inserted inside the rivet body 61, the base end 622 is positioned outside the base end of the tubular portion 611.

[0050] The slit portion 623 is a slit formed by cutting out the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel 62 radially inward on the tip side of the base end portion 622. This slit portion 623 is disposed inside the rivet body 61 when the tip side of the flange portion 612 abuts against the base end of the tubular portion 611.

[0051] Next, a method for connecting the braided wire 30 to the insertion tube 20 using the covering member 50 and the rivet 60 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. First, the braided wire 30 is placed over the exposed metal layer 22 at the tip of the insertion tube 20 (see FIG. 6(a)). Then, the covering member 50 is placed radially outside the braided wire 30 so that the passage holes 52 correspond to the through holes 24 provided in the metal layer 22 (see FIG. 6(b)).

[0052] Next, with a tool (not shown) attached to the tip of the rivet 60 (mandrel 62), the rivet 60 (rivet body 61) is inserted from outside the metal layer 22 into the passing hole 52 and the through hole 24. The rivet 60 inserted into the through hole 24 in this manner has the base end of the tubular portion 611 and the base end portion 622 positioned on the inner side of the inner surface layer 21 (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0053] Then, by pulling the trigger of the tool, the mandrel body 621 is pulled outward while the flange 612 presses the coating body 51 against the outer surface of the metal layer 22. This causes the base end 622 to be pressed against the base end portion of the tubular portion 611, deforming the base end portion of the tubular portion 611 so that the diameter of the base end portion expands radially outward of the rivet body 61. A locking portion 41 that locks with the inner surface of the inner surface layer 21 is formed at the base end of the rivet body 61 deformed in this way (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0054] Then, with the locking portion 41 locked with the inner surface layer 21, the mandrel 62 is pulled further toward the outer surface, causing the mandrel body 621 to break at the slit portion 623, where the strength is reduced. This allows the tip portion (tip portion 62a) of the mandrel 62 to be removed from the tip of the rivet body 61. In this case, the base end portion (base end portion 62b) of the mandrel 62, including the base end portion 622, remains embedded in the base end portion of the rivet body 61.

[0055] Similarly, by inserting the rivet 60 into the other through-holes 24 and pulling the mandrel 62 toward the outer surface, the inner surface layer 21, the metal layer 22, and the covering member 50 can be sandwiched between the flange 612 and the locking portion 41 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the flange 612 presses the covering body 51 toward the inner surface, and the covering member 50 and the locking portion 41 can connect the braided wire 30 to the insertion tube 20.

[0056] In this way, the covering member 50 and the rivet 60 form the fixture 40 that connects the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30. In the fixture 40, the base end portion of the tubular portion 611 that is deformed when the base end portion 622 is pulled toward the outer surface side becomes the locking portion 41 that locks the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 inside the insertion tube 20, and the covering member 50 (the inner surface of the covering body 51) becomes the pressing portion 42 that presses the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22.

[0057] In the fixture 40 configured in this manner, the pressing portion 42 presses the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22. Here, because the covering member 50 is configured in a flexible, flat plate shape, the flange portion 612 presses the covering body 51 toward the metal layer 22, causing the covering body 51 to press the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22 along the outer periphery of the metal layer 22. This ensures electrical continuity between the braided wire 30 and the metal layer 22, and allows noise generated in the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 to escape to the ground circuit via a ground wire (not shown).

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the covering member 50 is used as the pressing portion 42 that presses the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22, but the covering member 50 is not necessarily provided. For example, a rivet 60 (rivet body 61) may be inserted directly into the braided wire 30 that is covered on the metal layer 22, and the mandrel 62 may be pulled outward to connect the braided wire 30 to the metal layer 22 with the rivet 60 (see FIG. 9 ). In this case, the flange portion 612 functions as the pressing portion 42 that presses the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22. Note that the base-side surface of the flange portion 612 is gently inclined radially outward so as to gradually slope toward the base-side, and therefore the flange portion 612 can reliably press the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22.

[0059] The harness exterior 10 configured in this manner has an insertion tube 20, through which the wire harness WH is inserted, and a tubular braided wire 30 connected in series, and the insertion tube 20 has a metal layer 22 with at least an end exposed, and is provided with a fixture 40 that fixes the braided wire 30 covering the exposed metal layer 22. The fixture 40 has a pressing portion 42 (coating member 50) that presses the braided wire 30 covered by the metal layer 22, and a locking portion 41 that is inserted from the outside into the braided wire 30 and the metal layer 22 and locks it inside.

[0060] This makes it possible to configure a wiring harness WH exterior in which the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 are electrically connected without increasing the size. More specifically, the braided wire 30, which is covered with the metal layer 22 with at least the end exposed in the insertion tube 20 through which the wire harness WH is inserted, is held down by the pressing portion 42 (coating member 50), and the locking portion 41 of the fixing device 40 (tubular portion 611) inserted from the outside onto the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 is locked inside, so that the harness exterior 10 can be configured in which the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 are electrically connected without increasing the size. Note that, since the locking portion 41 is inserted from the outside and locked inside, connection is easy.

[0061] A plurality of fasteners 40 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer 22. A plurality of fasteners 40 are provided in the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22. This allows the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 to be connected to the braided wire 30 at a plurality of locations, thereby improving the conductivity between the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30.

[0062] Furthermore, since the exposed metal layer 22 has a through hole 24 through which the locking portion 41 is inserted, the tubular portion 611 that forms the locking portion 41 can be easily inserted into the inside of the metal layer 22 from the outside.

[0063] Furthermore, the fastener 40 is formed by a rivet 60, and the locking portion 41 is a rivet body 61 (tubular portion 611) that has been inserted through the through-hole 24 and deformed. As a result, the tubular portion 611 of the rivet 60 is inserted into the through-hole 24 from the outside to the inside of the metal layer 22, and the mandrel 62 is pulled out on the outside side, whereby the rivet body 61 is deformed and the tubular portion 611 can be locked inside the metal layer 22.

[0064] Furthermore, since the pressing portion 42 (coating member 50) is curved along the outer surface of the metal layer 22, the pressing portion 42 (coating member 50) presses the braided wire 30 along the outer surface of the metal layer 22, thereby achieving stable conductivity.

[0065] In addition, the locking portion 41 is the tubular portion 611 of the deformed rivet 60 that has been inserted through the through hole 24, and the pressing portion 42 is a covering member 50 that is formed separately from the rivet body 61, and the covering member 50 has a through hole 52 through which a portion of the rivet body 61 passes.

[0066] As a result, by inserting and deforming the tubular portion 611 while the passage hole 52 of the covering member 50, which is formed separately from the tubular portion 611, is connected to the through hole 24, the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 can be sandwiched and connected between the covering member 50, which is formed separately from the tubular portion 611, and the engaging portion 41 (tubular portion 611).

[0067] Furthermore, since multiple through holes 52 are provided in the covering member 50, multiple tubular portions 611 can be inserted into one covering member 50. Furthermore, the braided wire 30 between adjacent tubular portions 611 in the circumferential direction can also be held down by the covering member 50, thereby further improving conductivity and stability.

[0068] Furthermore, the insertion tube 20 includes an outer layer 23 surrounding the outside of the metal layer 22, and an inner layer 21 disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer 22. The braided wire 30 is fixed to the metal layer 22 exposed when the outer layer 23 is peeled off at the end of the insertion tube 20, and the locking portion 41 is locked to the inner surface of the inner layer 21. Therefore, the wire harness WH inserted inside can be protected by the inner layer 21, and the outer layer 23 can protect and insulate the metal layer 22.

[0069] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 are connected using the rivet 60, but the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 may be connected using a staple 70 instead of the rivet 60 (see FIG. 12). A harness exterior 10a according to another embodiment in which the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 are connected by a staple 70 will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS.

[0070] The harness outer casing 10a, which connects the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 in series via the staple 70, has the same configuration and produces the same effects as the above-described harness outer casing 10, but also has a characteristic configuration that produces additional effects. In the following, the same components of the harness outer casing 10a as those of the harness outer casing 10 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration will be described in detail. In addition, in the description of other embodiments described later, the characteristic configuration of each embodiment will also be described.

[0071] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a method for connecting the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 in the harness exterior 10a. More specifically, Figure 10(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the braided wire 30 is placed over the metal layer 22, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which an internal jig 80 is inserted inside the inner surface layer 21. Figure 11(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the end of a staple 70 is inserted into the through-hole 24, and Figure 11(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the staple 70 is pressed against the braided wire 30. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the harness exterior 10a. 10 to 12 are schematic cross-sectional views taken along the line AA in FIG. 3(a).

[0072] The staple 70 is made of a metal that is slightly harder than the inner surface layer 21 and softer than the metal layer 22. The staple 70 has a generally rectangular U-shape when viewed from the front, and is integrally made up of a pair of insertion portions 71 and a connecting portion 72 that connects the base end portions of the pair of insertion portions 71 (see FIG. 11(b)).

[0073] The insertion portions 71 are paired at intervals approximately equal to the circumferential intervals of the through holes 24 provided in the metal layer 22 (see FIG. 11(a)). The base ends of the paired insertion portions 71 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 72 that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the insertion portions 71.

[0074] A method for attaching the staple 70 and connecting the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. First, the braided wire 30 is placed over the exposed metal layer 22 at the tip of the insertion tube 20 (see FIG. 10(a)). Then, an internal jig 80 is inserted into the metal layer 22 (see FIG. 10(b)). The order of the step of placing the braided wire 30 over the metal layer 22 and the step of inserting the internal jig 80 into the metal layer 22 may be reversed or may be simultaneous.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10(b), the internal jig 80 in this embodiment is an approximately cylindrical body having an outer diameter the same as the inner diameter of the metal layer 22, and has four recesses 81 recessed from the outer peripheral surface toward the inside of the cross section along the longitudinal direction.

[0076] The recesses 81 are grooves formed in an arc shape toward the inside of the cross section, and are arranged in pairs on one side (upper side in Figure 10(b)) and the opposite side (lower side in Figure 10(b)) on the outer surface of the internal jig 80.

[0077] This recess 81 is configured so that when the internal jig 80 is inserted inside the metal layer 22, the circumferential outer end of the through hole 24 coincides with one side of the end of the arc of the recess 81, and so that the other side of the end of the arc of the recess 81 is positioned circumferentially more inward than the circumferential inner end of the through hole 24.

[0078] Therefore, a pair of insertion portions 71 are inserted from the outside of the metal layer 22 into the through holes 24 lined up in the circumferential direction (see Figure 11(a)), and by pressing the staple 70 against the metal layer 22, the insertion portions 71 are curved along the recesses 81, and the tips of the insertion portions 71 are positioned circumferentially inside the adjacent through holes 24 (see Figure 11(b)).

[0079] Furthermore, by pressing the staple 70 against the metal layer 22, the connecting portion 72 connecting the pair of insertion portions 71 is pressed along the outer peripheral surface of the metal layer 22. As a result, the insertion portion 71 and the connecting portion 72 sandwich the inner surface layer 21, the metal layer 22, and the braided wire 30 to fix the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30, and the connecting portion 72 can hold the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22.

[0080] 12, in the harness outer casing 10a, the insertion portion 71 is inserted through the through-hole 24, and the tip portion of the insertion portion 71 is curved on the inner surface side of the metal layer 22 and engages with the inner surface of the metal layer 22. That is, in the harness outer casing 10a, the insertion portion 71 functions as the engaging portion 41 in the harness outer casing 10.

[0081] Furthermore, the connecting portion 72 connecting the pair of insertion portions 71 is curved and arranged along the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22 on the outer surface side of the braided wire 30 covering the metal layer 22, and presses the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22. That is, in the harness outer casing 10a, the connecting portion 72 functions as the pressing portion 42 in the harness outer casing 10.

[0082] The harness exterior 10a configured in this manner has an insertion tube 20, through which the wire harness WH is inserted, and a cylindrical braided wire 30 connected in series, and the insertion tube 20 has a metal layer 22 with at least an end exposed, and is provided with a staple 70 that fixes the braided wire 30 covering the exposed metal layer 22. The staple 70 has a connecting portion 72 that holds the braided wire 30 covered by the metal layer 22, and an insertion portion 71 that is inserted from the outside into the braided wire 30 and the metal layer 22 and is engaged inside.

[0083] This makes it possible to configure a wiring harness WH exterior in which the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 are electrically connected without increasing the size. More specifically, the braided wire 30, which is covered with the metal layer 22 with at least the end exposed in the insertion tube 20 through which the wire harness WH is inserted, is held down by the connecting portion 72, and the insertion portion 71 of the staple 70 inserted from the outside into the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 is locked inside, so that it is possible to configure a harness exterior 10 in which the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 are electrically connected without increasing the size. Note that, since the insertion portion 71 is inserted from the outside and locked inside, connection is easy.

[0084] A plurality of staples 70 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer 22. Furthermore, a plurality of staples 70 are provided in the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22. This allows the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 to be connected to the braided wire 30 at a plurality of locations, thereby improving the conductivity between the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30.

[0085] In addition, since the exposed metal layer 22 is provided with the through-hole 24 through which the insertion portion 71 is inserted, the insertion portion 71 can be easily inserted into the metal layer 22 from the outside.

[0086] Moreover, staple 70 has a square U-shape with insertion portions 71 provided on each end side of connecting portion 72, and insertion portions 71 that pass through through hole 24 are bent and locked inside metal layer 22. As a result, insertion portion 71 of square U-shaped staple 70 can be inserted into through hole 24 from the outside to the inside of metal layer 22, and insertion portion 71 deforms inside and can be locked inside metal layer 22.

[0087] Furthermore, since the staples 70 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22 and the connecting portions 72 are curved along the outer surface of the metal layer 22, the staples 70 connect the braided wire 30 to the metal layer 22 at multiple points, thereby further improving conductivity.

[0088] In the harness exterior 10a, the connecting portions 72 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22. That is, the staples 70 are configured such that a pair of insertion portions 71 are inserted into through holes 24 adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction in the metal layer 22, and the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 are fastened together via the staples 70. However, the insertion portions 71 do not necessarily have to be inserted into through holes 24 adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction, and the pair of insertion portions 71 may be inserted into through holes 24 adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the insertion tube 20, and the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30 may be fastened together via the staples 70. In this way, the staples 70 connect the braided wire 30 to the metal layer 22 at multiple locations, thereby further improving conductivity.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described harness exterior 10a, the tip of the insertion portion 71 is engaged with the inner surface of the inner surface layer 21, but as shown in Fig. 13, the tip of the insertion portion 71 may be engaged between the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22. Below, a harness exterior 10b in which the tip of the insertion portion 71 is engaged between the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22 will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 13.

[0090] The harness outer casing 10b has the same configuration as the above-described harness outer casing 10 and harness outer casing 10a, and provides the same effects, but also has a characteristic configuration that provides additional effects. In the following, the same components of the harness outer casing 10a as those of the harness outer casing 10 are given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted, and the characteristic configuration will be described in detail.

[0091] 13, in the harness exterior 10b, instead of the through holes 24 provided in the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22, insertion holes 25 are provided that penetrate only the metal layer 22. The insertion holes 25 configured in this manner are provided at positions corresponding to the through holes 24.

[0092] The braided wire 30 is placed over the metal layer 22 configured in this manner, and the pair of insertion portions 71 are inserted from the outside of the metal layer 22 into the insertion holes 25 aligned along the circumferential direction, respectively, to press the staples 70 against the metal layer 22. By pressing the staples 70 against the metal layer 22 in this manner, the tip portions of the insertion portions 71 enter the boundary between the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22 along the outer peripheral surface of the curved inner surface layer 21.

[0093] This allows the insertion portion 71 to be locked between the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22, connecting the insertion tube 20 and the braided wire 30. Furthermore, since the insertion portion 71 is locked between the inner surface layer 21 and the metal layer 22, the connecting portion 72 can press the braided wire 30 against the metal layer 22.

[0094] In this way, in the harness outer casing 10b, the insertion tube 20 is provided with an outer layer 23 that surrounds the outside of the metal layer 22 and an inner layer 21 that is disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer 22, the braided wire 30 is fixed to the metal layer 22 that is exposed when the outer layer 23 is peeled off at the end of the insertion tube 20, and the insertion portion 71 is disposed between the metal layer 22 and the inner layer 21. This provides the same effects as the harness outer casing 10a, and furthermore, the wire harness WH that is inserted inside can be protected by the inner layer 21, and the outer layer 23 can protect and insulate the metal layer 22.

[0095] In correspondence with the configuration and embodiments of the present invention, The harness corresponds to the wire harness WH, and so on. The insertion tube corresponds to the insertion tube 20; The braided wire corresponds to the braided wire 30, The harness exterior bodies correspond to the harness exterior body 10, the harness exterior body 10a, and the harness exterior body 10b, The metal layer corresponds to metal layer 22, The fixing tool corresponds to the covering member 50, the rivet 60 (the cylindrical portion 611), and the staple 70. The pressing portion corresponds to the pressing portion 42, the covering member 50, the flange portion 612, and the connecting portion 72, The locking portion corresponds to the locking portion 41 and the insertion portion 71, The insertion hole corresponds to the through hole 24, The rivet body corresponds to the cylindrical portion 611, The flange corresponds to flange 612, The through hole corresponds to the through hole 52, The outer layer corresponds to outer layer 23; The inner surface layer corresponds to the inner surface layer 21, The staples are compatible with 70 staples, The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, but can be applied based on the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0096] For example, in the harness outer casing 10, the covering member 50 is arranged along the circumferential direction so that the through holes 52 correspond to the through holes 24 adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction, but the covering member 50 may also be arranged along the longitudinal direction so that the through holes 52 correspond to the through holes 24 adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the insertion tube 20.

[0097] Furthermore, in the harness exterior 10, the through holes 24 are provided at predetermined intervals along the circumferential and longitudinal directions of the metal layer 22. However, the arrangement of the through holes 24 is not limited to this, and for example, the through holes 24 may be arranged in a lattice pattern on the outer peripheral surface of the metal layer 22.

[0098] By arranging the through holes 24 in a grid pattern on the outer peripheral surface of the metal layer 22, as shown in the plan view of Figure 14, the covering member 50 can be arranged so that the through holes 52 correspond to adjacent through holes 24 along the circumferential direction, and the covering member 50 can be arranged so that the through holes 52 correspond to adjacent through holes 24 along the longitudinal direction.

[0099] In this case, the covering members 50 arranged in the circumferential direction and the covering members 50 arranged in the longitudinal direction are arranged in a lattice pattern, so that they partially overlap each other. This allows the insertion tube 20 having the metal layer 22 to be connected to the braided wire 30 at multiple locations, thereby further improving the conductivity between the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30.

[0100] In addition, in the harness outer casing 10, a circumferential portion of the braided wire 30 covering the metal layer 22 is held down by the covering member 50. However, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 15, the covering member 50 may be an annular covering member 90 having a ring shape that fits over the braided wire 30 covering the metal layer 22.

[0101] Here, Fig. 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the state in which the metal layer 22 and the braided wire 30 are connected by an annular covering member 90 fitted over the braided wire 30. Note that Fig. 15, like Figs. 12 and 13, shows a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the view seen from the arrow AA in Fig. 3(a).

[0102] The annular covering member 90 is formed to have an annular cross section and has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the metal layer 22, and therefore can cover the outer periphery of the metal layer 22 in the circumferential direction of the metal layer 22. Furthermore, the annular covering member 90 has through holes 91 at locations that correspond to the through holes 24 when the annular covering member 90 is fitted onto the metal layer 22. The through holes 91 have a configuration similar to that of the through holes 52, and therefore will not be described here.

[0103] In this way, the annular covering member 90, which replaces the covering member 50, is formed in a ring shape to fit around the braided wire 30 covering the metal layer 22. By fitting the ring-shaped annular covering member 90 around the braided wire 30 covering the metal layer 22 and inserting and engaging the locking portions 41 into the communicating through holes 91 and through holes 24, the braided wire 30 and the metal layer 22 can be easily and reliably connected, and conductivity and stability can be further improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10. Harness exterior body 10a Harness outer casing 10b Harness outer casing 20 Insertion tube 21 Inner layer 22 Metal layer 23 Outer layer 24 through holes 25 Insertion hole 30 braided wire 40 Fixtures 41 Locking part 42 Presser foot 50 Covering material 51 Covering body 52 Passing hole 60 rivets 70 Staples 71 Insertion section 72 Connecting part 80 Internal jig 90 Annular covering member 91 Passing hole 611 Cylinder part 612 Tsuba WH Wire Harness

Claims

1. A harness exterior body in which an insertion tube through which a harness is inserted and a tubular braided wire are connected in series, the insertion tube has a metal layer with at least an end exposed; a fixture for fixing the braided wire covering the exposed metal layer; The fixture is a pressing portion that presses the braided wire covered on the metal layer; and a locking portion that is inserted from the outside into the braided wire and the metal layer and locks them inside. Harness exterior body.

2. The fixing members are provided in a plurality in the circumferential direction of the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 1 .

3. The fixing members are provided in a plurality along the longitudinal direction of the insertion tube and in a plurality of circumferential directions of the metal layer, and are arranged in a grid pattern. The harness exterior according to claim 2 .

4. The fixing members are provided in a plurality along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 2 .

5. An insertion hole through which the locking portion is inserted is provided in the exposed metal layer. The harness exterior according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the fastener is a blind rivet, The locking portion is a rivet body that is inserted through the insertion hole and deformed. The harness exterior according to claim 5 .

7. The pressing portion is curved along the outer surface of the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 6.

8. The pressing portion is integrally formed with the rivet body and is a flange portion that protrudes radially outward from the rivet body. The harness exterior according to claim 6 or 7.

9. the engaging portion is a rivet body of a blind rivet that has been inserted through the insertion hole and deformed, The pressing portion is formed separately from the rivet body and has a through hole through which a part of the rivet body passes. The harness exterior according to claim 5 .

10. The pressing portion has a plurality of the through holes. The harness exterior according to claim 9.

11. The pressing portion is formed in a ring shape and fitted onto the braided wire that covers the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 10.

12. The insertion tube is an outer layer surrounding the outside of the metal layer; and an inner layer disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer; the braided wire is fixed to the metal layer exposed when the outer layer is peeled off at the end of the insertion tube, The locking portion is locked to the inner surface of the inner surface layer. The harness exterior according to any one of claims 6 to 11.

13. The fixture is The staple is a square U-shaped staple having the locking portions at the end sides of the pressing portion, The locking portion that has passed through the insertion hole is bent and locked inside the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 5 .

14. The pressing portion is disposed along the circumferential direction of the metal layer and curved along the outer surface of the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 13.

15. The staples are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the metal layer. The harness exterior according to claim 13.

16. The insertion tube is an outer layer surrounding the outside of the metal layer; and an inner layer disposed on the inner surface of the metal layer; the braided wire is fixed to the metal layer exposed when the outer layer is peeled off at the end of the insertion tube, The locking portion is disposed between the metal layer and the inner surface layer. The harness exterior according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. A method for assembling a harness exterior body including an insertion tube through which a harness is inserted and a tubular braided wire, comprising: the braided wire is placed over the exposed metal layer of the insertion tube having at least an end portion of the metal layer exposed; The braided wire is fixed to the metal layer by inserting the retaining portion from the outside using a fixture having a pressing portion that presses the braided wire covered on the metal layer and a retaining portion that is inserted from the outside into the braided wire and the metal layer and retained inside. A method for assembling a harness exterior body.

18. inserting an internal jig into the metal layer from the end of the insertion tube; Covering the exposed metal layer with the braided wire; The fastening portions of the fastener, which is a square U-shaped staple provided with the fastening portions at the end sides of the pressing portions, are inserted from the outside to the inside, and the fastening portions are bent and fastened inside the metal layer by the internal jig. A method for assembling the harness exterior body according to claim 17.

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