Harness exterior material and its installation method

Abstract

To provide a harness sheath material in which a space required for work is small and the work can be easily completed in a short time.SOLUTION: A harness sheath material 10a protects a wire harness 50. The harness sheath material includes a winding member 20. The winding member 20 is a sheet-like member with a curling tendency, maintains a spread state by being warped, and changes to a wound state by canceling the warp. The harness sheath material is wound around the wire harness 50 by a winding force of the winding member 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a harness exterior material that protects a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wire harness that is attached to a vehicle body using a band clamp, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of protecting the wire harness by wrapping a tape around the outer periphery of the wire harness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-150840 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in order to wrap the tape around the wire harness, a large space is required around the wire harness, which may make it difficult to wrap the tape around the wire harness attached to a structure such as a vehicle body. Furthermore, the task of wrapping the tape around the wire harness may take a long time.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its main object is to provide a harness exterior material that requires a small space for work and allows work to be completed easily and in a short time.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a harness exterior material for protecting a wire harness having the following configuration: a protective member, a string, and a string holding portion. The wrapping member is a sheet-like member that has a tendency to curl, and maintains the unwrapped state when it is curled, and changes to the curled state when it is released. The protective member is a flexible sheet-like member attached to an end of the wrapping member, the string is attached to the protective member, and the string holder is attached to the protective member and holds the string. The winding force of the winding member The winding member and the protective member It is wrapped around the wire harness. The string is used to wrap and tighten the protective member after the protective member is wrapped around the wire harness.

[0008] This reduces the space required for the work, makes the work easier, and allows the work to be completed in a short time, compared to a method of protecting a wire harness by wrapping tape around it. While the winding member is limited to a material that tends to curl, the protective member can be made of a variety of flexible materials. Therefore, the wire harness can be protected using a protective member with the required protective performance. In addition, the string can firmly attach the harness exterior material to the wire harness.

[0011] In the harness exterior material, it is preferable that the winding member is attached to both ends of the protection member.

[0012] The protective member is unlikely to peel off from the wire harness after being wrapped around the wire harness.

[0013] The harness exterior material preferably has the following configuration: the protective member includes a main protective member and an end protective member. The main protective member is disposed at a position sandwiched between the two winding members in the winding axial direction. The end protective member is disposed on the opposite side of the main protective member with the winding member sandwiched therebetween in the winding axial direction.

[0014] Since the end protection member is disposed at the end of the harness exterior material, contact between the winding member and the wire harness can be suppressed, thereby making it possible to make the wire harness less susceptible to damage.

[0017] In the above-described harness exterior material, it is preferable that the string is attached to the protective member so as to appear alternately on the front and back surfaces of the protective member, and that the string wraps around and tightens the protective member by pulling the string.

[0018] The harness exterior material can be firmly attached to the wire harness with a simple operation, and the string is less likely to come off the protective member.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the following mounting method: That is, in the mounting method, a harness exterior material is mounted on an outer periphery of a wire harness. The harness exterior material includes a wrapping member, a protective member, a string, and a string holding portion. The wrapping member is a sheet-like member that has a tendency to curl, and when it is curled it maintains its unwrapped state, and when it is unwrapped it changes to its curled state. The protective member is a flexible sheet-like member attached to an end of the wrapping member, the string is attached to the protective member, and the string holder is attached to the protective member and holds the string. The harness exterior material is pressed against the wire harness to eliminate the warp of the winding member, The winding force of the winding member causes the winding member and the protective member to be wound around the wire harness. After the protective member is wound around the wire harness, the protective member is tightened using the string.

[0020] [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle body panel, a clamp member, and a harness. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a harness exterior material is attached to a wire harness. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a harness exterior material composed only of a winding member. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing a harness exterior material in which the protective member includes a main protective member and an end protective member. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how the harness exterior material is fixed to the wire harness by winding and tightening the string. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how the harness exterior material is fixed to the wire harness by pulling the string. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The wire harness 50 shown in Fig. 1 is arranged in the body of an automobile or the like. The wire harness 50 is a component in which a plurality of electric wires are bundled together. The wire harness 50 also includes a connector (not shown) that is connected to the electric wires. The connector of the wire harness 50 is connected to another electric wire or an electric component or the like.

[0024] A vehicle body panel 61 shown in Fig. 1 is a panel fixed to the body of an automobile. A panel hole 61a is formed in the vehicle body panel 61. Meanwhile, the wire harness 50 is bundled by a clamp member 62. A mounting protrusion 62a is formed in the clamp member 62. The mounting protrusion 62a can be fitted into the panel hole 61a. The wire harness 50 is attached to the vehicle body panel 61 by fitting the mounting protrusion 62a into the panel hole 61a.

[0025] After the wire harness 50 is attached to the vehicle body panel 61, the harness exterior material 10a is attached to the wire harness 50. The harness exterior material 10a protects the wire harness 50 by covering the outer periphery of the wire harness 50 (particularly, the area sandwiched between the two clamp members 62).

[0026] Conventionally, a corrugated tube or the like for protecting the harness has been attached with tape. However, after the wire harness 50 is attached to the vehicle body panel 61, the gap between the wire harness 50 and the vehicle body panel 61 is small. Therefore, it is not possible to pass a tape core through this gap, which makes it difficult to wrap the tape.

[0027] In this regard, the harness outer casing 10a of this embodiment can be attached to the wire harness 50 without using tape. A specific description will be given below. As shown in FIG. 2, the harness outer casing 10a includes a winding member 20 and a protective member 30.

[0028] The winding member 20 is a sheet-like member made of, for example, metal or silicone. The winding member 20 has a tendency to curl. The tendency to curl is a property of naturally curling in a predetermined direction when no other force is applied to resist the force in the winding direction (in other words, a force resisting the winding). The winding member 20 is manufactured, for example, by winding a material that easily curls around a rod-shaped body. The direction along which the winding member 20 is wound is referred to as the axial direction (FIG. 2).

[0029] Furthermore, before the harness exterior material 10a is attached to the wire harness 50, the winding member 20 is warped (upper view in FIG. 2). By warping the winding member 20, the winding of the winding member 20 can be prevented, and the winding member 20 can be maintained in an expanded state. Specifically, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the thickness direction, the winding member 20 is deformed to have a convex or concave shape.

[0030] Furthermore, by eliminating the warp formed in the winding member 20, the force resisting winding is eliminated, and the winding force caused by the winding tendency causes the winding member 20 to wind around the axial direction (see the upper and lower views of FIG. 2). Specifically, the winding member 20 is wound so that the convex portion formed by the warp faces inward. Because the winding member 20 is wound due to the winding tendency, there is no need for an operator to wind the winding member 20 manually.

[0031] The protective member 30 is a flexible sheet-like member. The protective member 30 is, for example, a vinyl sheet, but may also be a polyester fiber sheet or other material. The material of the protective member 30 can be appropriately selected depending on the abrasion resistance, waterproofness, etc. required for the wire harness 50.

[0032] A winding member 20 is attached to each of both axial ends of the protective member 30. The winding member 20 and the protective member 30 are attached using, for example, an adhesive. The end faces of the winding member 20 and the protective member 30 may be bonded together, or the winding member 20 and the protective member 30 may be overlapped and bonded together. Furthermore, the winding member 20 and the protective member 30 may be attached using a material other than an adhesive, or the winding member 20 and the protective member 30 may be attached via another member.

[0033] After the wire harness 50 is attached to the vehicle body panel 61, the worker prepares the harness exterior material 10a. Next, the worker inserts the harness exterior material 10a into the gap between the wire harness 50 and the vehicle body panel 61. At this time, the worker makes sure that the convex portion of the winding member 20 faces the wire harness 50 side.

[0034] Next, the worker presses the harness exterior material 10a onto the wire harness 50 as indicated by the thick arrow in the upper diagram of FIG. 2. This eliminates the warp in the winding member 20, causing the winding member 20 to be wound around the axial direction. As a result, the winding member 20 can be wound around the wire harness 50. Because the winding member 20 has a curl, the winding member 20 maintains its state of being wound around the wire harness 50. Furthermore, because the protective member 30 is flexible, the winding force of the winding member 20 causes the winding member 20 and the protective member 30 to be wound integrally around the wire harness 50. In this manner, the harness exterior material 10a can be attached to the wire harness 50.

[0035] The harness exterior material 10a is made up of a combination of sheet-like members, and therefore has a small size in the thickness direction. Although the size in the thickness direction increases slightly by forming a warp in the winding member 20, the winding member 20 does not need to be warped significantly, and the amount of warping can be adjusted as appropriate. Therefore, the size in the thickness direction of the harness exterior material 10a is significantly smaller than that of a tape core. Therefore, even if the gap formed between the wire harness 50 and the vehicle body panel 61 is small, the harness exterior material 10a can be wrapped around the wire harness 50.

[0036] Furthermore, when tape is used, the tape core needs to be threaded through the gap multiple times. In contrast, with the harness exterior material 10a of this embodiment, it is only necessary to insert the harness exterior material 10a into the gap and press it upward. Therefore, compared to when tape is used, the labor required for the work can be reduced. Furthermore, the work of wrapping the harness exterior material 10a around the wire harness 50 can be completed in a short time.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferable that the axial length of the harness exterior material 10a corresponds to the spacing between the clamp members 62. Therefore, the size of the harness exterior material 10a required varies depending on the position of the wire harness 50. Since the spacing between the clamp members 62 varies, harness exterior materials 10a of various sizes are required. Therefore, it is preferable to manufacture the harness exterior material 10a by, for example, manufacturing multiple types of protective members 30 with different axial lengths and adhering the winding member 20 to them. In this case, by using a common winding member 20, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Alternatively, a harness exterior material 10a that is long in the front-rear direction may be manufactured, and the harness exterior material 10a may be cut along the axial direction according to the required size in the front-rear direction.

[0038] Next, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a harness exterior material 10b composed only of a winding member 20. In the following description, the same or similar members as those in the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their description may be omitted. In Fig. 3 and subsequent figures, the wire harness 50, the vehicle body panel 61, and the clamp member 62 will be simplified or omitted.

[0039] The harness outer casing 10a of the above embodiment is composed of a winding member 20 and a protective member 30. In contrast, the harness outer casing 10b of the first modified example is composed of only the winding member 20 and does not include the protective member 30. The structure of the winding member 20 of the first modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment. However, the axial length of the winding member 20 of the first modified example needs to be the same as or similar to the length of the portion of the wire harness 50 to be protected.

[0040] The harness outer casing 10b of the first modified example has a simpler structure than the harness outer casing 10a of the above embodiment. Furthermore, since the harness outer casing 10b of the first modified example does not have any joints, it is less likely to break even if excessive force is applied to the harness outer casing 10b.

[0041] Next, a second modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a harness exterior material 10c in which the protection member 30 includes a main protection member 31 and an end protection member 32.

[0042] The protective member 30 of the second modified example includes a main protective member 31 and two end protective members 32. The main protective member 31 and the two end protective members 32 have the same configuration and are made of the same materials as the protective member 30 of the above embodiment. In addition, the axial length of the main protective member 31 is longer than the axial length of one of the end protective members 32.

[0043] The main protective member 31 is disposed in the axial center of the harness exterior material 10c. The main protective member 31 is sandwiched between two winding members 20 in the axial direction. The main protective member 31 and the winding member 20 are bonded together in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The axial length of the main protective member 31 is longer than the axial length of one end protective member 32. The main protective member 31 protects the axial center of the wire harness 50 and its vicinity.

[0044] The two end protection members 32 are respectively arranged at two locations on opposite sides of the main protection member 31 in the axial direction, sandwiching the winding member 20. Therefore, the end protection members 32 are located at the axial ends of the harness exterior material 10c. The end protection members 32 and the winding member 20 are bonded together in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The end protection members 32 protect the axial ends of the wire harness 50 and their vicinity.

[0045] The main protection member 31 and the end protection member 32 are bonded to the winding member 20. Therefore, when the warp of the winding member 20 is eliminated and a winding force is generated, the main protection member 31 and the end protection member 32 also wind around the wire harness 50.

[0046] Furthermore, the end protection member 32 also has the following function. That is, the winding member 20 may be harder than the protection member 30. In that case, when a bending force is applied to the wire harness 50, the end face of the winding member 20 may come into contact with the wire harness 50, potentially damaging the wire harness 50. In this regard, in the second modified example, the end protection member 32 is located at the axial end of the harness exterior material 10c. Therefore, even when a bending force is applied to the wire harness 50, the wire harness 50 is less likely to be damaged.

[0047] Next, a third modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing how the harness exterior material 10d is fixed to the wire harness 50 by wrapping and tightening the string 40.

[0048] In the third modified example, the harness exterior material 10d is configured to be firmly attached to the wire harness 50 using a string 40. Specifically, the harness exterior material 10d of the third modified example includes a string 40, a tip portion 41, and a string holding portion 42.

[0049] One end of the string 40 is attached to the protective member 30. Specifically, one end of the string 40 is attached to the surface of the protective member 30 that will be on the outside after being wrapped around the wire harness 50. There are various attachment methods, such as bonding with an adhesive, taping, or sewing. As shown in FIG. 5 , the string 40 is positioned on the outer surface by wrapping the harness exterior material 10d around the wire harness 50. For example, a worker holds the string 40 by hand and rotates the harness exterior material 10d to wrap and tighten the string 40 around the harness exterior material 10d (specifically, the protective member 30). Note that if there is a large gap between the wire harness 50 and the clamp member 62, the worker may insert his or her hand into this gap to wrap and tighten the string 40.

[0050] A tip portion 41 is formed at the other end of the string 40. The tip portion 41 is larger in size than other portions of the string 40. The tip portion 41 may be configured to have a member separate from the string 40 attached thereto, or may be a knot created using the string 40.

[0051] The string holding portion 42 is attached to the protective member 30. More specifically, the string holding portion 42 is attached to a surface of the protective member 30 that will be on the outside after being wrapped around the wire harness 50. The string holding portion 42 is attached by, for example, adhesive or sewing. As shown in FIG. 5 , by wrapping the harness exterior material 10d around the wire harness 50, the string holding portion 42 is positioned on the outer surface. After wrapping the string 40 around the harness exterior material 10d, the worker holds the tip portion 41 in the string holding portion 42. The string holding portion 42 is a disk-shaped portion formed to protrude from the protective member 30. After winding the string 40 around the outer peripheral surface of the string holding portion 42, the worker holds the string 40 in the string holding portion 42 by, for example, hooking the tip portion 41 onto the string 40.

[0052] The configuration of the string holding portion 42 of the third modified example is one example, and can be modified, for example, as follows. The string holding portion 42 may have a T-shaped cross section instead of a disk shape. Specifically, it may have a shape in which a large-diameter disk is formed on top of a small-diameter cylinder. In this case, a gap is formed between the large-diameter disk and the protective member 30, and the string 40 can be held by wrapping or pinching it in this gap. Furthermore, this T-shaped cross section of the string holding portion 42 may have a small-diameter cylinder that penetrates the protective member 30. In this case, the small-diameter cylinder can be held from the back side.

[0053] Furthermore, in the third modified example, one end of the string 40 is attached to the protective member 30, but one end of the string 40 may also be attached to the string holding portion 42. Furthermore, the string holding portion 42 is not limited to being a separate body from the protective member 30, and may be configured using a part of the protective member 30. For example, the string holding portion 42 can be formed by making a rectangular or T-shaped cut in the protective member 30 and peeling it off.

[0054] Next, a fourth modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing how the harness exterior material 10e is fixed to the wire harness 50 by pulling the string 40.

[0055] The fourth modified example differs from the third modified example in that the string 40 is sewn to the protective member 30. Specifically, the string 40 is sewn with a straight stitch so that it appears alternately on the front and back surfaces of the protective member 30. The other end of the string 40 is fixed to the protective member 30, as in the third modified example. However, the middle part of the string 40 simply passes through the protective member 30 and is not fixed to the protective member 30.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 6, by pulling the string 40 while fixing the protective member 30, wrinkles are formed in the protective member 30, reducing its diameter, and as a result, the harness exterior material 10e can be tightly attached to the wire harness 50. In particular, the string 40 of the fourth modified example is arranged in a portion including the inside of the protective member 30, and is unlikely to come off or shift from the protective member 30. Therefore, the harness exterior material can be firmly attached to the wire harness. Furthermore, compared to the method of wrapping the string 40, the worker's work load can be reduced.

[0057] As described above, the harness exterior materials 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e of this embodiment protect the wire harness 50. The harness exterior material includes a winding member 20. The winding member 20 is a sheet-like member that has a tendency to curl, and maintains an unfolded state by being warped, and changes to a wound state by being unwound. The harness exterior material is wrapped around the wire harness 50 by the winding force of the winding member 20.

[0058] This reduces the space required for the work, makes the work easier, and allows the work to be completed in a short time, compared to a method of protecting the wire harness 50 by wrapping tape around it.

[0059] The harness outer casings 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e of this embodiment include a flexible sheet-like protective member 30. The protective member 30 is attached to an end of the winding member 20. The protective member 30 is wound around the wire harness 50 by the winding force of the winding member 20.

[0060] While the winding member 20 is limited to a material that tends to curl, the protective member 30 can be made of various flexible materials. Therefore, the wire harness 50 can be protected using the protective member 30 having the required protective performance.

[0061] In the harness exterior materials 10a, 10c, 10d, and 10e of this embodiment, the winding members 20 are attached to both ends of the protection member 30.

[0062] After being wound around the wire harness 50, the protection member 30 is unlikely to peel off from the wire harness 50.

[0063] In the harness outer casing 10c of this embodiment, the protective member 30 includes a main protective member 31 and an end protective member 32. The main protective member 31 is disposed at a position sandwiched between two winding members 20 in the winding axial direction. The end protective member 32 is disposed on the opposite side of the main protective member 31 with the winding member 20 sandwiched therebetween in the winding axial direction.

[0064] The end protection member 32 is disposed at the end of the harness exterior material 10c, which can prevent contact between the winding member 20 and the wire harness 50. Therefore, the wire harness 50 can be made less susceptible to damage.

[0065] The harness exterior material 10d of this embodiment includes a string 40 and a string holding portion 42. The string 40 is attached to the protective member 30, and tightens the protective member 30 after the protective member 30 is wound around the wire harness 50. The string holding portion 42 is attached to the protective member 30 and holds the string 40.

[0066] The harness exterior material 10d can be firmly attached to the wire harness 50.

[0067] In the harness exterior material 10e of this embodiment, the strings 40 are attached to the protective member 30 so that they appear alternately on the front and back surfaces of the protective member 30, and the strings 40 wrap around and tighten the protective member 30 when pulled.

[0068] The harness exterior material 10e can be firmly attached to the wire harness 50 with a simple operation. In addition, the string 40 is less likely to come off the protection member 30.

[0069] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the winding member 20 is attached to both axial ends of the protection member 30, but the winding member 20 may be attached to only one axial end of the protection member 30.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the harness exterior material 10a is inserted into the gap between the vehicle body panel 61 and the wire harness 50 and pressed upward, but instead, the harness exterior material 10a may be attached to the wire harness 50 as follows. That is, the harness exterior material 10a is positioned on the upper surface of the wire harness 50 with the convex shape of the winding member 20 facing downward, and the harness exterior material 10a is pressed down, thereby winding the harness exterior material 10a around the wire harness 50.

[0072] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the present invention is applied to the wire harness 50 attached to the body panel 61 of an automobile, but the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the wire harness 50 is attached to another object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e Harness exterior material 20 Winding member 30 Protective material 31 Main protective member 32 End protection member 50 Wire harness 61 Body Panel 62 Clamping member

Claims

1. In harness exterior materials that protect wire harnesses, a wound member that is a sheet-like member with a tendency to curl, which maintains its unwrapped state by curling and changes to a wound state by uncurling; a flexible sheet-like protective member attached to an end of the winding member; A string attached to the protective member; a string holding portion attached to the protective member and holding the string; Equipped with The winding force of the winding member causes the winding member and the protection member to be wound around the wire harness, The harness exterior material is characterized in that the string is used to wrap and tighten the protective member after the protective member is wrapped around the wire harness.

2. The harness exterior material according to claim 1, The harness exterior material is characterized in that the wrapping member is attached to both ends of the protective member.

3. The harness exterior material according to claim 2, The protective member is a main protective member disposed at a position sandwiched between the two winding members in the winding axial direction; an end protection member disposed on the opposite side of the main protection member across the winding member in the winding axial direction; A harness exterior material comprising:

4. The harness exterior material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The string is attached to the protective member so that it appears alternately on the front and back surfaces of the protective member, and the string wraps around and tightens the protective member when pulled.

5. In a mounting method for mounting a harness exterior material on the outer periphery of a wire harness, The harness exterior material is a wound member that is a sheet-like member with a tendency to curl, which maintains its unwrapped state by curling and changes to a wound state by uncurling; a flexible sheet-like protective member attached to an end of the winding member; A string attached to the protective member; a string holding portion attached to the protective member and holding the string; Equipped with The harness exterior material is pressed against the wire harness to eliminate the warp of the winding member, thereby winding the winding member and the protective member around the wire harness by the winding force of the winding member; The method for attaching the wire harness includes wrapping the protective member around the wire harness and then tightening the protective member with the string.

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