Wire harness

Abstract

To reliably fix a holder to a tubular member and present an electric wire housing space in the tubular member from being narrowed, simultaneously.SOLUTION: A wire harness 10 includes an electric wire 30. The wire harness 10 includes a metal pipe 40 that serves as a tubular member for housing the electric wire 30. The wire harness 10 includes a grommet 50 that serves as a fixed member that is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the metal pipe 40. The wire harness 10 includes a holder 80 that is disposed on an inner circumferential surface 44 of an end of the metal pipe 40 and an edge 46 of the end. The grommet 50 and the holder 80 are integrated with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a wire harness in which insulated wires are housed in a metal pipe serving as a tubular member made of a conductive metal material. In this wire harness, a holder is provided at the end of the metal pipe to protect the coating of the insulated wires from the edge of the metal pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-35915 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The holder has a portion that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the metal pipe. Therefore, when the wire harness includes the holder, the volume of the metal pipe that accommodates the insulated wires is smaller than when the wire harness does not include the holder by the thickness of the portion that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the metal pipe. In this case, in order to increase the volume inside the metal pipe, it is possible to form the portion of the holder that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the metal pipe thin. However, if the portion of the holder that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the metal pipe is thin, the holder becomes more likely to come off the end of the metal pipe.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to achieve both of the following: securely fixing the holder to the cylindrical member and preventing the space for accommodating the electric wires in the cylindrical member from being narrowed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wire harness of the present disclosure comprises electric wires, a tubular member that houses the electric wires, a fixing member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member, and a holder provided on the inner peripheral surface of an end of the tubular member and on the edge of the end, and the fixing member and the holder are integrated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the wire harness of the present disclosure, it is possible to reliably fix the holder to the tubular member and prevent the space for accommodating the electric wires in the tubular member from being narrowed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a holder and grommet in one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the grommet. 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. The wire harness of the present disclosure includes: [1] A device comprising: an electric wire; a tubular member for accommodating the electric wire; a fixing member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member; and a holder provided on the inner peripheral surface of the end of the tubular member and on the edge of the end, wherein the fixing member and the holder are integrated.

[0010] The holder is integrated with a fixing member. The fixing member is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member. With this configuration, even if the portion of the holder that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member is formed thin, the holder is less likely to come off the end of the tubular member. Furthermore, with this configuration, the portion of the holder that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member can be formed thin, sufficiently preventing the holder from narrowing the space in the tubular member where the electric wires are housed. Therefore, it is possible to reliably fix the holder to the tubular member and prevent the space in the tubular member where the electric wires are housed from being narrowed.

[0011] [2] It is preferable that the tubular member is one of a first tubular member and a second tubular member, and the fixing member is a grommet that is fixed in a state where it is placed over the end of the first tubular member and the end of the second tubular member.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the grommet can protect the electric wires from contact with foreign objects between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The grommet, which has this protective function, is integrated with the holder. Therefore, there is no need to provide a fixing member for fixing the holder solely for the purpose of fixing the holder. Therefore, the configuration of the wire harness can be simplified compared to when a fixing member is provided solely for the purpose of fixing the holder.

[0013] [3] It is preferable to provide a band for fixing the fixing member to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member. In the above configuration, the fixing member can be fixed to the cylindrical member by the band.

[0014] [4] The fixing member is preferably made of rubber. In the above configuration, since the fixing member is made of rubber, the pressure caused by fastening the band can be effectively applied to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member by the fixing member.

[0015] [5] It is preferable that the holder is made of a different material from the fixing member. When integrating the holder and the fixing member, the holder is required not only to protect the electric wires from the tubular member but also to be easily fitted into the tubular member. On the other hand, the fixing member is required to be securely fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member. Therefore, in the above configuration, the holder and the fixing member are formed from different materials. This makes it easy to satisfy the requirements for the holder and the requirements for the fixing member.

[0016] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the wire harness of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ between drawings. Furthermore, "orthogonal" in this specification does not only mean a strict orthogonal relationship, but also includes a roughly orthogonal relationship within the scope of the operation and effect of this embodiment.

[0017] In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or components facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both cases where a component separate from the two components is interposed between the two components, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two components.

[0018] "Overall structure of wire harness" The wire harness 10 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle V. The vehicle V may be, for example, an electric vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle V may be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine in addition to a motor generator 12 as an on-board prime mover.

[0019] The wire harness 10 electrically connects an inverter 14 installed in the front of the vehicle V to a high-voltage battery 16 installed behind the inverter 14 on the vehicle V. The wire harness 10 is formed in an elongated shape so as to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle V.

[0020] The inverter 14 converts the terminal voltage of a high-voltage battery 16, which is a DC voltage source, into AC voltage and applies it to the motor generator 12. The terminal voltage of the high-voltage battery 16 is, for example, several hundred volts. The wire harness 10 is routed in the vehicle V such that a middle portion of the wire harness 10 in the longitudinal direction passes outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle V, such as under the floor of the vehicle V.

[0021] The wire harness 10 includes connectors 20 and 22, an insulated wire 30, a metal pipe 40, a grommet 50, and a corrugated tube 60. The connectors 20, 22 are provided at both ends of the wire harness 10. The connectors 20, 22 constitute an interface that electrically connects the insulated wire 30 to an electronic device. The insulated wire 30 includes a conductive core wire and an insulating coating that surrounds the core wire and has insulating properties. The core wire may be, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting together multiple metal wires. Alternatively, the core wire may be, for example, a single-core wire formed of a single conductor. The insulating coating, for example, covers the outer surface of the core wire over the entire circumferential direction. The insulating coating is, for example, made of an insulating resin material.

[0022] The metal pipe 40 is a hollow cylindrical pipe. The metal pipe 40 is made of aluminum. A portion of the metal pipe 40 is disposed under the floor of the vehicle V. After the insulated electric wire 30 is inserted into the metal pipe 40, the metal pipe 40 is attached to the vehicle V. At this time, the metal pipe 40 is bent.

[0023] The grommet 50 connects the metal pipe 40 and the corrugated tube 60. The grommet 50 is a generally cylindrical body made of rubber. The corrugated tube 60 is a tube made of resin.

[0024] "Holder Configuration" 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the wire harness 10, particularly in the vicinity of the grommet 50. The cross-section shown in FIG.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 , a holder 80 is provided at the end 40a of the metal pipe 40. The holder 80 is a generally cylindrical body made of resin. The material of the holder 80 may be, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, or ABS resin. The holder 80 is a protective member that protects the insulated wire 30 from interference between the edge of the metal pipe 40 and the insulated wire 30. The holder 80 includes a first cylindrical portion 82, a second cylindrical portion 84, and a connecting portion 86. The first cylindrical portion 82 faces the inner circumferential surface 44 of the metal pipe 40. The second cylindrical portion 84 faces the outer circumferential surface of the metal pipe 40. The connecting portion 86 connects the first cylindrical portion 82 and the second cylindrical portion 84 and faces the edge portion 46 of the metal pipe 40.

[0026] 3 shows a perspective view of the holder 80. The holder 80 may be formed, for example, by injection molding. In this embodiment, the holder 80 is configured by arranging a first cylindrical portion 82, a second cylindrical portion 84, and a connecting portion 86 coaxially, and by integrally forming the first cylindrical portion 82, the second cylindrical portion 84, and the connecting portion 86.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 2 , the second cylindrical portion 84 of the holder 80 is embedded in the grommet 50. Therefore, the second cylindrical portion 84 faces the outer peripheral surface 42 of the metal pipe 40 via the grommet 50. The holder 80 and the grommet 50 can be integrated, for example, by the following first and second steps. The first step is a step in which, after the holder 80 is molded, the holder 80 is placed in a mold used to mold the grommet 50. The second step is an injection molding step in which the material of the grommet 50 is poured in a liquid state into the mold in which the holder 80 is placed.

[0028] The grommet 50 has a pressure-receiving surface 52. The pressure-receiving surface 52 is fastened by a band 70. Therefore, the grommet 50 is pressed with a strong force against the outer circumferential surface 42 of the metal pipe 40 by the band 70. Therefore, the grommet 50 is fixed to the metal pipe 40. The band 70 is made of resin.

[0029] 4 shows a perspective view of the grommet 50. The grommet 50 has a first end 50a where the pressure-receiving surface 52 is formed, a second end 50b on the opposite side from the first end 50a, and an intermediate portion 50c provided between the first end 50a and the second end 50b. Both the first end 50a and the second end 50b are formed in a straight shape. The intermediate portion 50c is formed in a bellows shape.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 2, the second end 50b of the grommet 50 is fixed in a state in which it is placed over the outer periphery of the end of the corrugated tube 60. "Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment" The edge 46 of the metal pipe 40 is covered by the connecting portion 86 of the holder 80. The holder 80 has a first cylindrical portion 82 that contacts the inner circumferential surface 44 of the metal pipe 40. The first cylindrical portion 82 is connected to the second cylindrical portion 84 via the connecting portion 86. A portion of the connecting portion 86 and the second cylindrical portion 84 are embedded in the grommet 50. A portion of the connecting portion 86 is embedded in the first end 50a of the grommet 50 from a direction perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface of the first end 50a. The second cylindrical portion 84 is embedded in the first end 50a of the grommet 50 with the circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 84 parallel to the inner circumferential surface of the first end 50a of the grommet 50.

[0031] That is, by integrating the holder 80 with the grommet 50, the holder 80, together with the grommet 50, can be firmly fixed to the metal pipe 40. For example, when an insulated electric wire 30 is inserted into the metal pipe 40, the insulated electric wire 30 applies a force to the holder 80 in a direction that separates the holder 80 from the metal pipe 40. This force is transmitted to the grommet 50 via the connection portion 86. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the grommet 50 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 42 of the metal pipe 40, and therefore exerts a reaction force on the holder 80. This prevents the holder 80 from being displaced in a direction that separates it from the metal pipe 40. Therefore, the holder 80 is less likely to come off the end 40a of the metal pipe 40.

[0032] Furthermore, when the metal pipe 40 is bent after the insulated wire 30 is inserted into it, a force may be applied to the holder 80 in a direction that moves the holder 80 away from the metal pipe 40. In this case, this force is transmitted to the grommet 50 via the connection portion 86. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the grommet 50 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface 42 of the metal pipe 40, and therefore exerts a reaction force on the holder 80. This prevents the holder 80 from being displaced in a direction that moves the holder 80 away from the metal pipe 40.

[0033] Here, the grommet 50 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 42 of the metal pipe 40. Therefore, even if the portion of the holder 80 that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the metal pipe 40 is formed to be thin, the holder 80 is unlikely to come off the end of the metal pipe 40. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the portion of the holder 80 that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the metal pipe 40 can be formed to be thin, which sufficiently prevents the space in the metal pipe 40 that houses the insulated electric wires 30 from being narrowed by the holder 80. Therefore, it is possible to reliably fix the holder 80 to the metal pipe 40 and prevent the space in the metal pipe 40 that houses the insulated electric wires 30 from being narrowed.

[0034] According to the present embodiment described above, the following actions and effects can be further obtained. (1) The member in which a part of the holder 80 is embedded is the grommet 50 that connects the metal pipe 40 and the corrugated tube 60. This eliminates the need to provide a fixing member for fixing the holder 80 solely for the purpose of fixing the holder. Therefore, the configuration of the wire harness 10 can be simplified compared to when a fixing member is provided solely for the purpose of fixing the holder 80.

[0035] (2) The grommet 50 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 42 of the metal pipe 40 by the band 70. As a result, the grommet 50 can be fixed to the outer peripheral surface 42 of the metal pipe 40 by tightening the band 70.

[0036] (3) The grommet 50 is made of rubber. This allows the pressure caused by fastening the band 70 to be effectively applied to the outer surface 42 of the metal pipe 40 by the grommet 50.

[0037] (4) The holder 80 is formed from a material different from that of the grommet 50. This allows selective use of both a material that is suitable for satisfying the requirements for the holder 80 and a material that is suitable for satisfying the requirements for the grommet 50.

[0038] (5) The holder 80 is made of resin. This increases the rigidity of the holder 80 compared to when the holder 80 is made of rubber. Therefore, it is easier to fit the holder 80 integrated with the grommet 50 into the metal pipe 40 compared to when the holder 80 is made of rubber.

[0039] <Correspondence> The correspondence between the items in the above "Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure" and the items described in the above "Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure" section is as follows. Below, the correspondence is shown for each number described in the "Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure" section. [1, 4, 5] The electric wire corresponds to the insulated electric wire 30. The tubular member corresponds to the metal pipe 40. The fixing member corresponds to the grommet 50. The holder corresponds to the holder 80. [2] The second tubular member corresponds to the corrugated tube 60. [3] The band corresponds to the band 70.

[0040] <Other embodiments> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0041] "Regarding the second cylindrical member" The second cylindrical member is not limited to the corrugated tube 60 made of synthetic resin. The second cylindrical member may be, for example, a corrugated tube made of metal. Alternatively, the second cylindrical member may be, for example, a pipe made of synthetic resin. Alternatively, the second cylindrical member may be, for example, a pipe made of metal. Note that if it is desired to protect the coating of the insulated wire 30, such as when the second cylindrical member is made of metal, it is desirable to provide a holder at the end of the second cylindrical member as well.

[0042] "Regarding the cylindrical member and the first cylindrical member" The cylindrical member is not limited to the hollow cylindrical member exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction may be a polygonal shape such as a regular octagon. Also, for example, the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction may be a polygonal shape such as a regular octagon.

[0043] The metal constituting the metal pipe 40, which is a cylindrical member, is not limited to aluminum. For example, the metal constituting the cylindrical member may be copper. Also, for example, the metal constituting the cylindrical member may be stainless steel or the like.

[0044] The cylindrical member does not necessarily have to be made of metal. For example, it may be made of graphite. "About the holder" It is not essential that the holder include the first cylindrical portion 82, the second cylindrical portion 84, and the connecting portion 86. For example, as described in the "Regarding the Cylindrical Member" section, if the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is a regular octagon, the following may be done. That is, instead of the first cylindrical portion 82, a member whose outer peripheral surface in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is a regular octagon may be provided. This outer peripheral surface is the surface that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member. Therefore, by matching this outer peripheral surface to the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the holder and the cylindrical member.

[0045] The holder does not necessarily have to be made of resin. For example, it may be made of rubber. If both the grommet 50 and the holder 80 are made of rubber, they may be integrally molded by injection molding or the like.

[0046] The holder does not necessarily have to be a member with lower rigidity than the cylindrical member. For example, it may be made of metal depending on the shape of the portion that may come into contact with the insulated wire 30. That is, it is sufficient if the portion of the holder that may come into contact with the insulated wire 30 has a larger radius of curvature than the end of the cylindrical member.

[0047] "About fixing parts" The grommet, which is the fixing member, is not limited to one having a holder integrated at one end. For example, as described in the section "Regarding the second cylindrical member," if a holder is also provided on the second cylindrical member, the holder may be integrated at both ends.

[0048] The grommet, which is the fixing member, does not necessarily have to be made of rubber. For example, it may be made of resin. If both the grommet 50 and the holder 80 are made of resin, they may be integrally molded by injection molding or the like.

[0049] The fixing member is not limited to a member that connects the first and second cylindrical members. For example, it may be a rubber tube that covers the insulated wires 30 from the metal pipe 40 to the connector 22.

[0050] "When the holder and the fixing member are made of different materials" It is not essential that the second cylindrical portion 84 of the holder 80 is embedded in the fixing member, that is, the grommet 50. For example, the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 84 may be configured to contact the outer circumferential surface 42 of the metal pipe 40.

[0051] "About the band" The band for fixing the fixing member to the cylindrical member is not limited to being made of resin, but may be made of metal, for example.

[0052] "Method for fixing a fixed member to a cylindrical member" It is not essential to use a band to fasten the fixing member to the cylindrical member. For example, the cylindrical member may be fastened to the fixing member with tape. Also, for example, the cylindrical member may be fastened to the fixing member with an adhesive.

[0053] "About Electric Wires" The electric wire housed in the cylindrical member does not necessarily have to be an insulated electric wire 30. Even if no insulating coating is provided, it is effective to provide a holder if interference with the edge of the cylindrical member becomes an issue.

[0054] "About Wire Harness Applications" It is not essential that the wire harness constitute an electrical path that electrically connects the high-voltage battery 16 and the inverter 14. For example, an electrical path that electrically connects the motor generator 12 and the inverter 14 may be constituted. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging the motor generator 12 at the front of the vehicle V and arranging the inverter 14 and the high-voltage battery 16 at the rear of the vehicle V.

[0055] The wiring harness does not necessarily have to form a single electrical path. For example, it may form a Y-shaped electrical path that electrically connects the high-voltage battery and two inverters.

[0056] It is not essential that the wire harness constitutes an electrical path for the high-voltage system in a vehicle equipped with a high-voltage system and a low-voltage system. "Wire harness layout" It is not essential that the wire harness constitute a path that electrically connects electronic devices arranged in the front of the vehicle V with electronic devices arranged in the rear of the vehicle V. This can be achieved, for example, in a configuration in which a motor generator is arranged in the front of the vehicle and a high-voltage battery and inverter are arranged in the rear of the vehicle V. In other words, it is sufficient that the wire harness constitutes an electrical path that electrically connects the high-voltage battery and the inverter.

[0057] It is not essential that part of the wiring harness be located under the vehicle floor. "Others" The embodiments and modifications disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. That is, the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] V vehicle 10 Wire harness 12 Motor generator 14 Inverter 16 High Voltage Battery 20 Connectors 22 Connectors 30 Insulated wire 40 Metal Pipe 40a End 42 Outer surface 44 Inner surface 46 Edge 50 grommets 52 Pressure-receiving surface 60 Corrugated tube 70 bands 80 Holder 82 First cylindrical part 84 Second cylindrical section 86 Connection

Claims

1. Electric wires and a cylindrical member that accommodates the electric wire; a fixing member fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member; a holder provided on an inner circumferential surface of the end of the cylindrical member and on an edge of the end, The fixing member and the holder are integrated, The holder is formed of a material different from that of the fixing member.

2. the tubular member is one of a first tubular member and a second tubular member, The wire harness according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing member is a grommet that is fixed in a state in which it covers the end portion of the first tubular member and the end portion of the second tubular member.

3. The wire harness according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a band for fixing the fixing member to an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member.

4. The wire harness according to claim 3 , wherein the fixing member is made of rubber.

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