Wire harness routing device

Abstract

To provide a wiring harness routing device that can be easily applied to a plurality of kinds of wiring harnesses with mutually different numbers of circuits.SOLUTION: A wiring harness routing device 10 comprises a guide part 20, a slider 40, and a wiring harness 50. The guide part 20 includes: a first rail member 21 and a second rail member 26 opposed to each other; and a spacer 34 that positions the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 so as to generate an accommodation space 30 between the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26. The slider 40 is supported by the guide part 20 so that it can reciprocate between a first position and a second position. The wiring harness 50 includes: a slider fixing part 55 fixed to the slider 40 so as to be interlocked with the movement of the slider 40; and a movement section connected with the slider fixing part 55 and that moves inside the accommodation space 30 by the movement of the slider 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wire harness wiring device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric wire wiring device for wiring an electric wire across a floor of an automobile and a seat slidable with respect to the floor. The electric wire is attached to a slider that slides in conjunction with the seat and is guided to the seat. The slider is slidably attached to a cylindrical moving portion parallel to the support rail.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the electric wire wiring device described in Patent Document 1, the size of the accommodation space for the electric wire in the cylindrical moving portion is determined in advance. Therefore, it may be difficult to apply one type of moving portion to a plurality of types of wire harnesses having different numbers of circuits.

[0005] Therefore, an object is to provide a wire harness wiring device that can be easily applied to a plurality of types of wire harnesses having different numbers of circuits.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The wire harness routing device of the present disclosure is a wire harness routing device comprising: a guide section including a first rail member and a second rail member facing each other, and a spacer for positioning the first rail member and the second rail member such that a accommodating space is created between the first rail member and the second rail member; a slider supported by the guide section so as to be able to reciprocate between a first position and a second position; a slider fixing section fixed to the slider and linked to the movement of the slider; and a movable section connected to the slider fixing section and moving within the accommodating space as the slider moves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a wire harness routing device that can be easily applied to multiple types of wire harnesses with different numbers of circuits. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness routing device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a wire harness routing device with the slider in the first position. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view showing a wire harness routing device with the slider in the second position. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness routing device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded view showing a wire harness routing device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the first rail member. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a wire harness. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The wire harness routing device of this disclosure is as follows:

[0011] (1) A wire harness routing device comprising: a guide section including a first rail member and a second rail member facing each other, and a spacer for positioning the first rail member and the second rail member such that a accommodating space is created between the first rail member and the second rail member; a slider supported by the guide section so as to be able to reciprocate between a first position and a second position; a slider fixing section fixed to the slider and linked to the movement of the slider; and a movable section connected to the slider fixing section and moving within the accommodating space as the slider moves.

[0012] According to the wire harness routing device of (1), the size of the storage space can be changed by changing the spacer. This makes it easy to accommodate differences in the number of circuits in wire harnesses with a single set of first and second rail members. Furthermore, changing the spacer is easier than changing the first and second rail members. As a result, the wire harness routing device can be easily applied to multiple types of wire harnesses with different numbers of circuits.

[0013] (2) In the wire harness routing device of (1), the first rail member has a first bottom and at least one first protruding wall portion projecting from the first bottom toward the second rail member, the second rail member has a second bottom facing the first bottom and at least one second protruding wall portion projecting from the second bottom toward the first rail member, the slider is supported by the first protruding wall portion or the second protruding wall portion, and the housing space may be a space surrounded by the first bottom, the at least one first protruding wall portion, the second bottom, and the at least one second protruding wall portion. As a result the slider is supported by the protruding wall portion and both sides of the moving section can be covered by the protruding wall portion. As a result the slider and wire harness can move more smoothly toward the guide portion.

[0014] (3) In the wire harness routing device of (2), the first rail member has two first protruding wall portions, the second rail member has two second protruding wall portions opposite to the two first protruding wall portions, the housing space is a space enclosed by the first bottom, the two first protruding wall portions, the second bottom, and the two second protruding wall portions, the slider has a first end located in the housing space and a second end located outside the guide portion, and the portion of the slider between the first end and the second end may extend between a pair of first and second protruding wall portions. As a result, the protruding wall portions can cover both sides of the slider and the moving section on both the first bottom side and the second bottom side. As a result, the slider and wire harness can move more smoothly relative to the guide portion.

[0015] (4)(3) In the wire harness routing device, the two first protruding wall portions are a first long protruding wall portion and a first short protruding wall portion having different protruding dimensions from the first bottom portion, and the two second protruding wall portions are a second long protruding wall portion and a second short protruding wall portion having different protruding dimensions from the second bottom portion, and the first long protruding wall portion and the second short protruding wall portion face each other, and the first short protruding wall portion and the second long protruding wall portion face each other, and the second rail member is positioned vertically below the first rail member, and the slider may extend from the first end through the space between the first short protruding wall portion and the second long protruding wall portion toward the second end. The space between the pair of first protruding wall portions and second protruding wall portions is an opening for the slider to pass through. Even in this case, because the protruding portion below the opening is the second long protruding wall portion, foreign objects located outside the guide portion are less likely to enter the containment space.

[0016] (5) In any one of the wire harness routing devices described in (1) to (4), the first rail member and the second rail member may have the same shape as each other. This makes it possible to have both the first rail member and the second rail member by preparing multiple parts of the same type.

[0017] (6) In the wire harness laying device of (5), the first rail member has a first cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, the second rail member has a second cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, and the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape may be the same as each other. Thereby, it is possible to cut out a predetermined length from a long extruded product to obtain the first rail member and the second rail member.

[0018] (7) In the wire harness laying device according to any one of (1) to (6), a stopper located at the end in the moving direction of the slider may be provided on the spacer. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a stopper at a position different from the spacer.

[0019] (8) In the wire harness laying device according to any one of (1) to (7), the wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and a protection member that keeps the plurality of electric wires in a flat arrangement in the moving section, and the spacer may separate the first rail member and the second rail member in the longitudinal direction in the cross-section of the flat wire harness. Thereby, when the number of circuits increases, the moving section becomes larger in the longitudinal direction in the flat cross-section. Thereby, even when the number of circuits of the wire harness increases, an increase in the thickness of the moving section is suppressed.

[0020] In the wire harness laying device of (9)(8), the moving section is a section in which the length accommodated in the accommodating space changes according to the position of the slider reciprocating between the first position and the second position. When a section that is accommodated in the accommodating space when the slider is in the first position and is located outside the guide section when the slider is in the second position in the moving section is defined as an extra-length section, the wire harness laying device may further include an extra-length accommodating section that accommodates the extra-length section located outside the guide section when the slider is in the second position in a spiral shape with an axis along the longitudinal direction as a central axis. Even when the number of circuits increases, the extra-length section also increases in the longitudinal direction in a flat cross section. By accommodating the extra-length section, which is flat, in the extra-length accommodating section in a spiral shape with an axis along the longitudinal direction in the cross section of the wire harness, even when the number of circuits of the wire harness increases, an increase in the diameter of the extra-length section held in the spiral shape is suppressed.

[0021] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the wire harness laying device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is intended to be represented by the claims and to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0022] [Embodiment 1] The following describes a wire harness routing device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness routing device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the wire harness routing device 10 with the slider 40 in the first position P1. Figure 3 is a plan view showing the wire harness routing device 10 with the slider 40 in the second position P2. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, the first rail member 21 and the cover 66 of the excess length storage section 60 are omitted. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the wire harness routing device 10. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wire harness routing device 10 cut at the position of line IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded view showing the wire harness routing device 10. In Figure 5, the parts shown by the dashed line indicate parts that are changed when the number of circuits in the wire harness 50 is greater than when shown by the solid line. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the first rail member 21. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the wire harness 50.

[0023] Figure 1 is labeled with arrows X, Y, and Z. The arrows X, Y, and Z in Figures 2 through 5 correspond to the arrows X, Y, and Z in Figure 1. In the following explanation, the direction along arrow X may be referred to as the X direction or left-right direction, the direction of arrow X may be referred to as the left, and the direction opposite to the direction of arrow X may be referred to as the right. Similarly, the direction along arrow Y may be referred to as the Y direction or front-back direction, the direction of arrow Y may be referred to as the front, and the direction opposite to the direction of arrow X may be referred to as the back. In addition, the direction along arrow Z may be referred to as the Z direction or vertical direction, the direction of arrow Z may be referred to as the up, and the direction opposite to the direction of arrow Z may be referred to as the down.

[0024] The wire harness routing device 10 of this embodiment is a device for routing a wire harness 50 that connects a first component and a second component that slide relative to each other in a vehicle (not shown), such as an automobile. Here, an example is described in which the combination of the first component and the second component is a vehicle body and a seat 80. The combination of the first component and the second component may be other than a vehicle body and a seat 80, for example, a vehicle body and a sliding door.

[0025] The seat 80 is supported so as to be slidable on the floor of the vehicle via a seat rail 82. For example, the lower part of the seat 80 is fixed to a seat slider that moves along the seat rail 82. The seat rail 82 is elongated in the Y direction. The seat 80 is reciprocating in the Y direction. The seat 80 is equipped with electrical components. Such electrical components are not particularly limited and may include, for example, an electric reclining device, a seat heater, a sensor for detecting whether an occupant is seated, and a sensor for detecting whether a seat belt is fastened. The seat may have one type of electrical component or two or more types.

[0026] The wire harness 50 in the wire harness routing device 10 connects the electrical components of the seat 80 to the electrical equipment of the vehicle body. The electrical equipment of the vehicle body is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a battery or an electronic control unit (ECU). The wire harness routing device 10 routes the wire harness 50 in conjunction with the sliding movement of the seat 80. The wire harness routing device 10 is positioned alongside the seat rail 82. The overall configuration of the wire harness routing device 10 will now be described.

[0027] <Overall Structure> The wire harness routing device 10 comprises a guide section 20, a slider 40, and a wire harness 50.

[0028] The guide section 20 includes a first rail member 21, a second rail member 26, and a spacer 34. The first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 face each other. The spacer 34 positions the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 such that a accommodating space 30 is created between them.

[0029] The slider 40 is supported by the guide section 20. The slider 40 is reciprocally movable between a first position P1 and a second position P2. The first position P1 is the position of the slider 40 when the seat 80 is positioned at one end in the Y direction (in this case, the rear end) relative to the seat rail 82. The second position P2 is the position of the slider 40 when the seat 80 is positioned at the other end in the Y direction (in this case, the front end) relative to the seat rail 82.

[0030] The wire harness 50 includes a slider fixing section 55 and a movable section 56. The slider fixing section 55 is fixed to the slider 40 and moves in conjunction with the movement of the slider 40. The movable section 56 is connected to the slider fixing section 55. As the slider 40 moves, the movable section 56 moves within the housing space 30.

[0031] In the wire harness routing device 10, the size of the accommodation space 30 is determined by the spacers 34. By changing the spacers 34, the size of the accommodation space 30 can be changed. This makes it possible to accommodate changes in the number of circuits in the wire harness 50 by changing the spacers 34, without changing the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26.

[0032] The individual parts of the wire harness routing device 10 will be explained in more detail.

[0033] <Guide section 20> The guide section 20 is positioned between the pair of seat rails 82. The guide section 20 may be positioned outside the pair of seat rails 82. The guide section 20 is positioned closer to the right seat rail 82 than the center of the pair of seat rails 82. The guide section 20 may be positioned closer to the left seat rail 82 than the center of the pair of seat rails 82, or it may be positioned in the center of the pair of seat rails 82.

[0034] The first rail member 21 has a first bottom 22 and at least one first protruding wall portion 23. The first protruding wall portion 23 protrudes from the first bottom 22 toward the second rail member 26. The second rail member 26 has a second bottom 27 and at least one second protruding wall portion 28. The second bottom 27 faces the first bottom 22. The second protruding wall portion 28 protrudes from the second bottom 27 toward the first rail member 21. The accommodating space 30 is the space enclosed by the first bottom 22, at least one first protruding wall portion 23, the second bottom 27, and at least one second protruding wall portion 28.

[0035] Here, the first rail member 21 has two first protruding wall portions 23. The two first protruding wall portions 23 are spaced apart in the X direction (left-right direction). The second rail member 26 has two second protruding wall portions 28. The two second protruding wall portions 28 are spaced apart in the X direction. As shown in Figure 4, the two first protruding wall portions 23 and the two second protruding wall portions 28 face each other (one pair faces each other). The storage space 30 is the space surrounded by the first bottom portion 22, the two first protruding wall portions 23, the second bottom portion 27, and the two second protruding wall portions 28.

[0036] Here, the two first protruding wall portions 23 have different protrusion dimensions from the first bottom portion 22. One of the two first protruding wall portions 23 is the first long protruding wall portion 23A, and the other is the first short protruding wall portion 23B. The two second protruding wall portions 28 have different protrusion dimensions from the second bottom portion 27. One of the two second protruding wall portions 28 is the second long protruding wall portion 28A, and the other is the second short protruding wall portion 28B. The first long protruding wall portion 23A and the second short protruding wall portion 28B face each other. The first short protruding wall portion 23B and the second long protruding wall portion 28A face each other.

[0037] Here, the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 are aligned along the Z direction (vertical direction). The second rail member 26 is positioned vertically below the first rail member 21. The spacer 34 separates the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 in a parallel direction (vertical direction in this case).

[0038] The first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 are fixed by bolts 35 at the position of the spacer 34. The first protruding wall portion 23 is provided in the middle of the width direction (X direction) of the first bottom portion 22. A fixing portion is provided on the edge of the first bottom portion 22 that is outside the first protruding wall portion 23. In this fixing portion 24, a through hole 24 is formed through which the bolt 35 is inserted. The second protruding wall portion 28 is provided in the middle of the width direction of the second bottom portion 27. A fixing portion is provided on the edge of the second bottom portion 27 that is outside the second protruding wall portion 28. In this fixing portion 29, a through hole 29 is formed through which the bolt 35 is inserted. The through holes 24 and 29 are formed on both sides of the accommodation space 30 in the X direction.

[0039] The spacer 34 may be cylindrical with a bolt 35 passing through it. In this case, the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 may be fixed using the bolt 35 and nut 36. In the example shown in Figure 5, the nut 36 is fastened to the tip of the bolt 35 which is passed through the through hole 24 of the first rail member 21, the spacer 34, and the through hole 29 of the second rail member 26.

[0040] The spacer 34 may be a threaded spacer. The threaded spacer may be a double-threaded spacer. In this case, the two male threads of the double-threaded spacer pass through the through hole 24 of the first rail member 21 and the through hole 29 of the second rail member 26, respectively, and nuts 36 are fastened to the ends of the two male threads. The threaded spacer may also be a double-threaded spacer. In this case, the ends of two bolts that pass through the through hole 24 of the first rail member 21 and the through hole 29 of the second rail member 26, respectively, are fastened to the two female threads of the double-threaded spacer. The threaded spacer may also be a male-female threaded spacer. In this case, one male thread of the male-female threaded spacer passes through one of the through holes 24 of the first rail member 21 and the through hole 29 of the second rail member 26, and a nut 36 is fastened to the end of the male thread. Furthermore, the tip of one bolt that passes through the other through hole (the through hole 29 of the second rail member 26) is fastened to one of the female threads of the male-female thread spacer.

[0041] The bolt 35 or nut 36 may be integrated with the first rail member 21 or the second rail member 26 by welding or the like. In this case, such a bolt or nut can be considered as a fixing part provided on the first rail member 21 or the second rail member 26 instead of the through holes 24 and 29.

[0042] An opening 31 is formed between the first short protruding wall portion 23B and the second long protruding wall portion 28A. An opening 32 is also formed between the second short protruding wall portion 28B and the first long protruding wall portion 23A. The wire harness 50 passes through at least one of the openings 31 and 32. In this case, the wire harness 50 passes through only one of the openings 31, and not through the other opening 32. When the wire harness 50 moves together with the slider 40, a portion of the wire harness 50 moves along the opening 31.

[0043] The opening 31 is kept open to allow the wire harness 50 to move. In this case, since the second long protruding wall portion 28A is located below the first short protruding wall portion 23B, the position of the opening 31 in the vertical direction is closer to the first bottom portion 22 than the midpoint between the first bottom portion 22 and the second bottom portion 27. As a result, even if a rod-shaped member such as an umbrella or walking stick is inserted from above between the first bottom portion 22 and the second bottom portion 27, it will hit the second long protruding wall portion 28A and is unlikely to reach the openings 31 and 32. Also, in the vertical direction, the position of the opening 31 is higher than the position of the opening 32.

[0044] Since the wire harness 50 is not passed through the opening 32, the opening 32 may be closed. The guide portion 20 may have a closing member that closes the opening 32. For example, a plate material that is longer than the distance between the openings 32 in the vertical direction may extend along the opening 32.

[0045] Here, bolt fixing points using through holes 24, 29 are provided at a total of three or more locations on the outside of the opening 32, at both ends in the longitudinal direction and at least one location in between. Here, five bolt fixing points are provided between the two ends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, a total of seven bolt fixing points are provided on the outside of the opening 32. On the outside of the opening 31, it is bolted at two locations at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and no bolt fixing points are provided between the two ends in the longitudinal direction. Here, since the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 have the same shape, through holes 24, 29 are formed on the outside of the opening 31 in the same positions as on the outside of the opening 32. On the outside of the opening 31, bolts 35 are not passed through the five through holes 24, 29 between the two ends in the longitudinal direction. There are through holes 24, 29 on the outside of the opening 31 that are not bolted.

[0046] Here, the opening 31 extends to the longitudinal edge of the guide portion 20. To prevent the slider 40 from falling off the longitudinal edge of the guide portion 20, a stopper 34B is provided on the spacer 34. The stopper 34B is located at the end of the slider 40 in the direction of movement and restricts the movement of the slider 40.

[0047] Here, some of the spacers 34A among the multiple spacers 34 do not serve as stoppers, while some of the other spacers 34B serve as stoppers. Here, the spacers 34A on the side with the opening 32 do not serve as stoppers. The spacers 34B on the side with the opening 31 serve as stoppers. The stoppers 34B are located outside the opening 31 at the longitudinal end of the guide portion 20.

[0048] For example, a spacer 34B that also functions as a stopper may be thicker than a spacer 34A that does not function as a stopper. Spacer 34A is cylindrical, while spacer 34B is rectangular. Alternatively, a rectangular component may be attached around a cylindrical spacer similar to spacer 34A to form spacer 34B.

[0049] The portion of the stopper 34B that comes into contact with the slider 40 may be provided with an elastic material such as rubber or a flexible material such as nonwoven fabric. This provides an impact absorption effect or a sound-dampening effect when the stopper 34B comes into contact with the slider 40.

[0050] The first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 have the same shape. The orientation of the second rail member 26 is the orientation of the first rail member 21 rotated 180 degrees around an axis along the longitudinal direction. The first rail member 21 has a first cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction. The first cross-sectional shape is the cross-sectional shape of the first rail member 21 shown in Figure 4. Here, the first cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction refers to the shape of the main body of the first rail member 21, excluding fixing parts such as through holes 24. The same applies to the cross-sectional shape of the second rail member described below. The second rail member 26 has a second cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction. The second cross-sectional shape is the cross-sectional shape of the second rail member 26 shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are the same. A long base material formed to have a first cross-sectional shape by extrusion molding of metal or resin is cut to a predetermined length, and through holes 24 and 29 are formed in the resulting member, thereby forming a first rail member 21 and a second rail member 26.

[0051] <Slider 40> The slider 40 moves together with the seat 80. The slider 40 may be fixed to the seat 80. The slider 40 is configured to move through the opening 31 on the left side of the guide section 20 (the seat rail 82 side of the pair of seat rails 82 that is furthest from the guide section 20). The slider 40 may also be configured to move through the opening 32 on the right side of the guide section 20 (the seat rail 82 side of the pair of seat rails 82 that is closer to the guide section 20) or through openings 31, 32 on both sides.

[0052] Here, the slider 40 has a first end 41 and a second end 42. The first end 41 is located in the housing space 30. The second end 42 is located outside the guide portion 20. The portion of the slider 40 between the first end 41 and the second end 42 extends between a pair of first and second protruding wall portions 23 and 28. Here, the slider 40 extends from the first end 41 towards the second end 42 through the opening 31 between the first short protruding wall portion 23B and the second long protruding wall portion 28A. The portion of the slider 40 between the first end 41 and the second end 42 that penetrates the opening 31 is designated as the through portion 43. The second end 42 of the slider 40 extends vertically outside the outer edge of the first rail member 21 in the width direction (X direction) of the first rail member 21.

[0053] The slider 40 is movably supported by either the first protruding wall portion 23 or the second protruding wall portion 28. Here, the slider 40 has a fitting recess 44. The fitting recess 44 is formed above and below the through portion 43, respectively. The first protruding wall portion 23 fits into the fitting recess 44 above the through portion 43. The second protruding wall portion 28 fits into the fitting recess 44 below the through portion 43.

[0054] <Wire Harness 50> The wire harness 50 includes a plurality of electric wires 51 and a protective member 52. The protective member 52 keeps the plurality of electric wires 51 in a flattened arrangement in the moving section 56. The spacer 34 separates the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 in the longitudinal direction in the cross-section of the flattened wire harness 50.

[0055] Here, the protective member 52 keeps the multiple electric wires 51 aligned in the Z direction. The protective member 52 has a long, strip-shaped base member 53 and multiple cover members 54. The base member 53 is bendable in the thickness direction. Each cover member 54 is formed in a trough shape with a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. The cover members 54 have a flattened shape. Here, the bottom wall of the cover member 54 is longer than the side walls. The multiple cover members 54 are attached to one main surface of the base member 53 so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the base member 53. When the base member 53 is not bent in the thickness direction, adjacent cover members 54 may be in contact with each other or may be separated. By attaching the cover members 54 to the base member 53, the base member 53 remains able to bend with the main surface opposite to the main surface to which the cover members 54 are attached facing inward, while bending with the main surface to which the cover members 54 are attached facing inward is restricted.

[0056] At least a portion of the wire harness 50 that extends along the slider 40 is fixed to the slider 40 to form a slider fixing portion 55. In this case, the portion of the wire harness 50 that extends along the slider 40 from the first end 41 to the second end 42 is the slider fixing portion 55. The method of fixing the wire harness 50 to the slider 40 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate, such as by adhesive tape, adhesive or clamping.

[0057] The multiple wires 51 are aligned in the Z direction at the position of the first end 41 of the slider fixing part 55, similar to the part where the protective member 52 is provided. The multiple wires 51 are aligned in the Y direction at the position of the second end 42 of the slider fixing part 55. Therefore, the direction in which the multiple wires 51 are aligned changes at the slider fixing part 55. Here, the multiple wires 51 are aligned in the Y direction at the position of the through-hole 43 of the slider fixing part 55. Therefore, here, the direction in which the multiple wires 51 are aligned changes between the position of the first end 41 and the position of the through-hole 43. Note that the multiple wires 51 do not have to be aligned flat at the positions of the through-hole 43 and the second end 42. The multiple wires 51 may be bundled together in a round cross-section at the positions of the through-hole 43 and the second end 42.

[0058] The end of the wire harness 50 that is on the electrical component side of the seat 80, beyond the slider fixing portion 55, extends upward from the slider 40. No protective member 52 is provided in this portion. A movable section 56 is provided in the wire harness 50 on the electrical component side of the vehicle body, beyond the slider fixing portion 55.

[0059] Here, the movable section 56 is a section whose length within the storage space 30 changes depending on the position of the slider 40 as it moves back and forth between the first position P1 and the second position P2. Here, openings to the storage space 30 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the guide section 20. The wire harness 50 extends outside the guide section 20 through one of the openings. The movable section 56 of the wire harness 50 moves in and out of the end opening of the guide section 20 as the slider 40 moves. As shown in Figure 2, the length of the movable section 56 within the storage space 30 is longest when the slider 40 is at the first position P1. As shown in Figure 3, the length of the movable section 56 within the storage space 30 is shortest when the slider 40 is at the second position P2. When the slider 40 is at the second position P2, the length of the movable section 56 located outside the guide section 20 is longest.

[0060] The excess length section 57 is defined as the section of the moving section 56 that is housed in the storage space 30 when the slider 40 is in the first position P1, and that is located outside the guide section 20 when the slider 40 is in the second position P2. As the slider 40 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the length of the excess length section 57 that is located outside the guide section 20 increases. Here, the wire harness routing device 10 further includes an excess length storage section 60. The portion of the excess length section 57 that is located outside the guide section 20 is housed in the excess length storage section 60.

[0061] <Extra storage area 60> The excess length storage section 60 is located at the front end of the guide section 20. The excess length storage section 60 may also be located at the rear end of the guide section 20. The excess length storage section 60 includes a main body 61 and a lid 66. The main body 61 and the lid 66 may be injection molded products made of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin.

[0062] The main body 61 has a bottom wall 62 and a peripheral wall 63. The bottom wall 62 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from above. The center of the bottom wall 62 is located on the side of the housing space 30 where the slider 40 is located (in this case, the left side). The center of the bottom wall 62 may also be located on the side of the housing space 30 where the slider 40 is not located (in this case, the right side). The peripheral wall 63 protrudes from the outer edge of the bottom wall 62 onto one main surface. An opening 64 is formed in the peripheral wall 63. The opening 64 is located in front of the end opening of the guide portion 20. The excess length section 57 extending from the end opening of the guide portion 20 is housed inside the peripheral wall 63 through the opening 64. The lid 66 closes the upper opening of the main body 61.

[0063] Near the center of the bottom wall 62, an outlet section 65 is formed for leading the wire harness 50 from the excess length storage section 60 to the floor or under the floor of the vehicle. For example, the outlet section 65 is formed in a cylindrical shape that rises from near the center of the bottom wall 62. Inside the outlet section 65, a through hole is formed that penetrates the bottom wall 62 vertically, and the wire harness 50 is led out to the floor or under the floor of the vehicle through this through hole. The wire harness 50 is fixed to the outlet section 65. For example, the outlet section 65 may be provided with a clamping section for clamping and fixing the wire harness 50. The portion of the wire harness 50 on the outer circumference side of the portion fixed to the outlet section 65 moves within the excess length storage section 60 as the slider 40 moves.

[0064] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the excess length storage section 60 accommodates the excess length section 57 located outside the guide section 20 when the slider 40 is in the second position P2, in a spiral shape with the axis along the longitudinal direction in the cross-section of the flattened wire harness 50 as the central axis. As shown in Figure 2, even when the slider 40 is in the first position P1, the wire harness 50 inside the excess length storage section 60 extends in a spiral shape. The number of turns of the spiral remains almost unchanged between the state where the slider 40 is in the first position P1 and the state where it is in the second position P2, but the wire harness 50 is inserted into and removed from the excess length storage section 60 by changing the size of the spiral (the distance between the radially inner circumference and the outer circumference).

[0065] As the slider 40 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the length of the wire harness 50 inside the main body 61 increases, and the spiral deforms so that it loosens and becomes larger. As a result, the excess length section 57 is gradually housed in the excess length storage section 60. As the slider 40 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the length of the wire harness 50 inside the main body 61 decreases, and the spiral deforms so that it tightens and becomes smaller. As a result, the excess length section 57 is gradually pulled out from the excess length storage section 60.

[0066] <Effects, etc.> With the wire harness routing device 10 configured as described above, the size of the accommodation space 30 in the guide section 20 can be changed by changing the spacer 34. This allows a single set of first rail member 21 and second rail member 26 to easily accommodate differences in the number of circuits in the wire harness 50. Furthermore, changing the spacer 34 is easier than changing the first rail member 21 and second rail member 26. As a result, the wire harness routing device 10 can be easily applied to multiple types of wire harnesses 50 with different numbers of circuits.

[0067] More specifically, in Figure 5, the number of circuits in the wire harness 150, shown by the dashed line, is greater than the number of circuits in the wire harness 50, shown by the solid line. The wire harness 150 has more wires 51 than the wire harness 50. The protective member 152 in the wire harness 150 is longer in the longitudinal direction of the flattened cross-section than the protective member. When the wire harness 150 is used instead of the wire harness 50, the guide section 20 can be made suitable for the wire harness 150 by using spacers 134A and 134B instead of spacers 34A and 34B. That is, spacers 134A and 134B are longer than spacers 34A and 34B. As a result, the distance between the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 when spacers 134A and 134B are provided is greater than the distance between the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 when spacers 34A and 34B are provided, and the accommodation space 30 is larger. These spacers 34A, 34B, 134A, and 134B are readily available general-purpose parts, and are smaller and easier to manufacture than the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26. As a result, changing the spacers 34A, 34B, 134A, and 134B is easier than changing the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26.

[0068] In Figure 5, when wire harness 150 is adopted in place of wire harness 50, bolt 35 is also changed to bolt 135. However, in some cases, such as when the spacer is a female-threaded spacer, bolt 35 may be usable without modification. Also, in some cases, such as when the spacer is a male-threaded spacer, bolt 35 may be omitted. In these cases, fewer parts are changed when wire harnesses 50 and 150 are used.

[0069] Furthermore, the slider 40 is supported by the first protruding wall portion 23 or the second protruding wall portion 28, and the storage space 30 is a space surrounded by the first bottom portion 22, at least one first protruding wall portion 23, the second bottom portion 27, and at least one second protruding wall portion 28. As a result, the slider 40 is supported by the protruding wall portions 23 and 28, and both sides of the moving section 56 can be covered by the protruding wall portions 23 and 28, making it easier for the slider 40 and the wire harness 50 to move smoothly relative to the guide portion 20.

[0070] Furthermore, the storage space 30 is a space enclosed by the first bottom 22, two first protruding wall portions 23, the second bottom 27, and two second protruding wall portions 28, and the portion of the slider 40 between the first end 41 and the second end 42 extends between a pair of first protruding wall portions 23 and second protruding wall portions 28. As a result, on both the first bottom 22 side and the second bottom 27 side, the protruding wall portions 23 and 28 can cover both sides of the slider 40 and the movable section 56. In other words, the protruding wall portions 23 and 28 can cover both sides of the slider 40 and the movable section 56 above and below the openings 31 and 32. This makes it easier for the slider 40 and the wire harness 50 to move smoothly relative to the guide portion 20.

[0071] Furthermore, the space between the pair of first protruding wall sections 23 and second protruding wall sections 28 is an opening 31 through which the slider 40 passes. Even in this case, the fact that the protruding wall section 28 below the opening 31 is the second long protruding wall section 28A prevents foreign objects located outside the guide section 20 from entering the storage space 30 through the opening 31.

[0072] Furthermore, the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 have the same shape. This allows the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 to be made by preparing multiple units of a single type of part. This reduces the number of different types of parts.

[0073] Furthermore, the first rail member 21 has a first cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, and the second rail member 26 has a second cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, with the first and second cross-sectional shapes being the same. This allows the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 to be cut to a predetermined length from a long extruded product. It also makes it easy to change the length of the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26.

[0074] Furthermore, a stopper 34B located at the end of the slider 40 in the direction of movement is provided on the spacer 34. This eliminates the need to provide the stopper 34B in a different location from the spacer 34.

[0075] Furthermore, the spacer 34 separates the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 in the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the flattened wire harness 50. As a result, the movable section 56 becomes larger in the longitudinal direction of the flattened cross-section when the number of circuits increases. This suppresses an increase in the thickness of the movable section 56 even when the number of circuits in the wire harness 50 increases.

[0076] Here, when the slider 40 moves, the moving section 56 (excess length section 57) of the wire harness 50 is bent in the thickness direction. Because the thickness does not change even if the number of circuits in the wire harness 50 changes in the moving section 56, the ease with which the wire harness 50 is bent remains relatively unchanged. As a result, it becomes easier to accommodate changes in the number of circuits in the wire harness 50 compared to a case where the ease with which the wire harness 50 is bent changes easily.

[0077] Furthermore, the wire harness routing device 10 includes an excess length storage section 60 that houses the excess length section 57 located outside the guide section 20 when the slider 40 is in the second position P2, in a spiral shape with the axis along the longitudinal direction in the cross-section of the flat wire harness 50 as its central axis. The excess length section 57 also increases in the longitudinal direction in the flat cross-section when the number of circuits increases. By housing the excess length section 57 in the excess length storage section 60 in a spiral shape with the axis along the longitudinal direction in the cross-section of the flat wire harness 50 as its central axis, the diameter of the spirally held excess length section 57 does not increase even when the number of circuits in the wire harness 50 increases.

[0078] [Note] Up until now, the first rail member 21 has been described as having a first protruding wall portion 23 and the second rail member 26 has a second protruding wall portion 28, but this is not an essential configuration. For example, the first rail member 21 does not have to have a first protruding wall portion 23. Also, for example, the second rail member 26 does not have to have a second protruding wall portion 28. Furthermore, up until now, the wire harness 50 has been described as passing between the first protruding wall portion 23 and the second protruding wall portion 28, but this is not an essential configuration. For example, the wire harness 50 may pass through a hole in the first bottom portion 22 of the first rail member 21 or a hole in the second bottom portion 27 of the second rail member 26.

[0079] Furthermore, while it has been described so far that the first rail member 21 has two first protruding wall portions 23 and the second rail member 26 has two second protruding wall portions 28, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the first rail member 21 may have one first protruding wall portion 23. Also, for example, the second rail member 26 may have one second protruding wall portion 28. For example, the first short protruding wall portion 23B in the first rail member 21 and the second short protruding wall portion 28B in the second rail member 26 may be omitted. Also, for example, the first rail member 21 may be provided with protruding wall portions other than the two first protruding wall portions 23. The second rail member 26 may be provided with protruding wall portions other than the two second protruding wall portions 28.

[0080] Furthermore, while it has been described so far that the first rail member 21 has a first long protruding wall portion 23A and a first short protruding wall portion 23B, and the second rail member 26 has a second long protruding wall portion 28A and a second short protruding wall portion 28B, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the protruding dimensions of the two first protruding wall portions 23 in the first rail member 21 may be the same. Also, for example, the protruding dimensions of the two second protruding wall portions 28 in the second rail member 26 may be the same. Furthermore, while it has been described that the first long protruding wall portion 23A and the second short protruding wall portion 28B face each other, and the second long protruding wall portion 28A and the first short protruding wall portion 23B face each other, this is not an essential configuration. The first long protruding wall portion 23A and the second long protruding wall portion 28A may face each other, and the first short protruding wall portion 23B and the second short protruding wall portion 28B may face each other.

[0081] Furthermore, although it has been explained so far that the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 have the same shape, this is not an essential configuration. The first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 may have different shapes.

[0082] Furthermore, although it has been explained so far that the first cross-sectional shape of the first rail member 21 and the second cross-sectional shape of the second rail member 26 are the same, this is not an essential configuration. The first cross-sectional shape of the first rail member 21 and the second cross-sectional shape of the second rail member 26 may be different.

[0083] Furthermore, although it has been explained so far that the stopper 34B is provided on the spacer 34, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the stopper 34B may be provided at a location other than the spacer 34.

[0084] Furthermore, although the cross-sectional shape of the wire harness 50 has been described as being flat, this is not an essential configuration. The cross-section of the wire harness 50 may be circular or square, for example. Also, although the spacer 34 has been described as separating the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 in the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the flat wire harness 50, this is not an essential configuration. The spacer 34 may separate the first rail member 21 and the second rail member 26 in the short direction of the cross-section of the flat wire harness 50.

[0085] Furthermore, although the wire harness routing device 10 has been described as having an excess length storage section 60, this is not an essential configuration. The excess length storage section 60 may be omitted. Also, although the excess length storage section 60 has been described as accommodating the wire harness 50 in a spiral shape, this is not an essential configuration. For example, the excess length storage section 60 may accommodate the wire harness 50 in a U-shape or the like.

[0086] Furthermore, the configurations described in each of the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Wire harness routing device 20 Guide section 21 First rail member 22 1st bottom 23 First protruding wall part 23A First long protruding wall section (first protruding wall section) 23B First short protruding wall section (first protruding wall section) 24 Through holes 26. Second rail member 27 Second bottom 28 Second protruding wall part 28A Second long protruding wall section (second protruding wall section) 28B Second short protruding wall section (second protruding wall section) 29 Through hole 30 Containment space 31, 32 Openings 34, 34A, 134A, 134B Spacers 34B Stopper (Spacer) 35,135 volts 36 nuts 40 Slider 41 First end 42 Second end 43 Penetration section 44 Fitting recess 50, 150 wire harness 51 Electric wire 52, 152 Protective members 53 Base member 54 Cover component 55 Slider fixing part 56 Travel Sections 57 Extra length section 60 Extra length storage section 61 Main unit 62 Bottom wall 63 Peripheral wall 64 Aperture 65 Derivation part 66 Lid 80 seats 82 Seat Rails P1 1st position P2 2nd position

Claims

1. A guide portion including a first rail member and a second rail member facing each other, and a spacer that positions the first rail member and the second rail member such that a accommodating space is created between the first rail member and the second rail member, A slider supported by the guide portion is capable of reciprocating between a first position and a second position, A wire harness including a slider fixing part fixed to the slider and linked to the movement of the slider, and a movable section connected to the slider fixing part and moving within the housing space as the slider moves, Equipped with, The first rail member and the second rail member are aligned vertically, The spacer is a wire harness routing device that separates the first rail member and the second rail member in the vertical direction.

2. A wire harness routing device according to claim 1, The first rail member has a first bottom and at least one first protruding wall portion that protrudes from the first bottom toward the second rail member, The second rail member has a second bottom facing the first bottom and at least one second protruding wall portion projecting from the second bottom toward the first rail member. The slider is supported by the first protruding wall or the second protruding wall, A wire harness routing device, wherein the housing space is a space enclosed by the first bottom, the at least one first protruding wall, the second bottom, and the at least one second protruding wall.

3. A wire harness routing device according to claim 2, The first rail member has two of the first protruding wall portions, The second rail member has two second protruding wall portions that are opposite to the two first protruding wall portions, The aforementioned storage space is the space enclosed by the first bottom, the two first protruding wall portions, the second bottom, and the two second protruding wall portions. The slider has a first end located in the housing space and a second end located outside the guide portion. A wire harness routing device wherein the portion of the slider between the first end and the second end extends between a pair of first and second protruding wall portions.

4. A wire harness routing device according to claim 3, The two first protruding wall portions are a first long protruding wall portion and a first short protruding wall portion, which have different protruding dimensions from the first bottom portion. The two second protruding wall portions are a second long protruding wall portion and a second short protruding wall portion, which have different protruding dimensions from the second bottom portion. The first long protruding wall portion and the second short protruding wall portion face each other, and the first short protruding wall portion and the second long protruding wall portion face each other, The second rail member is positioned vertically below the first rail member. The slider is a wire harness routing device that extends from the first end towards the second end through the space between the first short protruding wall portion and the second long protruding wall portion.

5. A wire harness routing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A wire harness routing device wherein the first rail member and the second rail member have the same shape as each other.

6. A wire harness routing device according to claim 5, The first rail member has a first cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, The second rail member has a second cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the longitudinal direction. A wire harness routing device in which the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are the same as each other.

7. A wire harness routing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A wire harness routing device wherein a stopper located at the end of the slider in the direction of movement is provided on the spacer.

8. A wire harness routing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and a protective member that maintains the plurality of electric wires in a flattened arrangement in the moving section. The spacer separates the first rail member and the second rail member in the longitudinal direction of the flattened cross-section of the wire harness, in a wire harness routing device.

9. A wire harness routing device according to claim 8, The aforementioned moving section is a section whose length within the housing space changes depending on the position of the slider as it moves back and forth between the first position and the second position. When the portion of the aforementioned movement section that is housed in the housing space when the slider is in the first position and located outside the guide portion when the slider is in the second position is defined as the excess length section, A wire harness routing device further comprising an excess length storage section that accommodates the excess length section located outside the guide section when the slider is in the second position, in a spiral shape with an axis along the longitudinal direction as its central axis.

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