Protector

Abstract

To provide a protector 1 in which a wire W can be inserted without being caught between a cover 20 and an end of a second side wall portion 13.SOLUTION: A protector 1 includes a protector body 10 having a bottom surface portion 11 and a pair of facing side wall portions (first side wall portion 12, second side wall portion 13) and having a recessed cross section, and a cover 20 that closes an opening in the protector body 10 facing the bottom surface portion 11. The protector protects a wire W inserted therethrough. In a case where a direction from the bottom surface 11 side to the opening side of the protector body 10 is defined as an upward direction, the protector body 10 has a columnar portion 14 that has a substantially columnar shape extending in the upward direction and is disposed to adjoin an outer side surface of the second side wall portion 13, and a coupling portion 15 that couples the columnar portion 14 with an outer side surface of the second side wall portion 13, has a thickness to be easily cut, and has a thin band-like shape. The columnar portion 14 is coupled with the second side wall portion 13 in a state of projecting upward relative to the second side wall portion 13 in the upward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a protector for protecting, for example, an electric wire inserted therein.

Background Art

[0002] For example, electronic devices mounted on a vehicle are electrically connected via electric wires routed in the vehicle. The electric wires routed in the vehicle are inserted into a protector and protected so as not to be damaged by interference with members around the routing path.

[0003] As such a protector, for example, there is one that protects an electric wire inserted therein by inserting the electric wire through an opening of a protector body configured to have a concave cross section with a bottom surface portion and a pair of side wall portions facing each other, and covering it with a cover so as to close the opening (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] By the way, in recent years, in vehicles, with the increase in electrical control for the purpose of improving safety and operability, the number of electrical devices and electronic components has increased. For this reason, in vehicles, the number of electric wires routed in the vehicle has also increased. Particularly in electric vehicles powered by an electric motor, more electric wires are used compared to vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine.

[0005] Then, since the number of electric wires to be inserted into the protector increases, when the electric wires are accommodated inside the protector body, a part of the electric wires tends to ride on the end portion of the side wall portion of the protector body. For this reason, in a protector having a structure as in Patent Document 1, when assembling the cover to the protector body, there is a risk that an electric wire may be sandwiched between the cover and the end portion of the side wall portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a protector that allows electric wires to be inserted inside without the electric wires being caught between the cover and the end of the side wall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention provides a protector for protecting electric wires inserted inside, comprising a protector body with a concave cross-section having a bottom surface and a pair of opposing side walls, and a cover that closes the opening of the protector body opposite the bottom surface, wherein the direction from the bottom surface towards the opening of the protector body is considered the opening direction, the protector body comprises a substantially columnar columnar portion extending in the opening direction and positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the side wall, and a thin-walled strip-shaped connecting portion connecting the columnar portion to the outer surface of the side wall with a thickness that is easily cut, wherein the columnar portion is connected to the side wall in a state that it protrudes in the opening direction relative to the end of the side wall in the opening direction. Furthermore, the cover is provided with a cutting section that cuts the connecting section when the opening of the protector body is closed. It is characterized by the following:

[0009] The above-mentioned cover refers to a cover that is pivotally connected to the other side wall of a protector body in which a columnar portion is connected to one side wall, or a cover that is constructed separately from the protector body in which a columnar portion is connected to one or both side walls.

[0010] The columnar parts mentioned above refer to shapes such as roughly cylindrical, roughly tubular, roughly triangular, or roughly polygonal. The above-mentioned easily cuttable thickness refers to a thickness that can be cut by hand, for example, or a thickness that can be cut by the edge of the cover that overlaps the outer surface of the side wall of the protector body.

[0011] According to this invention, the protector allows electrical wires to be inserted into the interior without the wires being pinched between the cover and the end of the side wall. Specifically, because the columnar portion protrudes in the opening direction relative to the end of the side wall in the opening direction, the columnar portion can prevent the electric wires placed inside the protector body from riding up onto the end of the side wall and flying out of the protector body.

[0012] Therefore, when closing the opening of the protector body with a cover, the columnar portion of the protector prevents the wires from being pinched between the end of the side wall and the cover. Furthermore, because the connecting portion is of a thickness that makes it easy to cut, the protector can be easily separated from the columnar portion by, for example, a worker cutting the connecting portion with their bare hands, or by a cutting section provided on the cover cutting the connecting portion as the opening of the protector body closes.

[0013] Therefore, the columnar and connecting parts of the protector do not obstruct the closing of the opening of the protector body. Therefore, the protector allows the wires to be inserted inside without being pinched between the cover and the edge of the side wall.

[0014] Also, The cover is provided with a cutting portion that cuts the connecting portion when the opening of the protector body is closed. There are . With this configuration, as the opening of the protector body closes, the cut portion of the cover cuts the connecting portion, allowing the protector to separate the columnar portion more efficiently than when a worker cuts the connecting portion with their bare hands.

[0015] Furthermore, the protector can perform the separation of the columnar section and the closing of the opening in the protector body in this sequence. As a result, the protector can efficiently insert the wires into the inside of the protector body while preventing the wires from riding up onto the ends of the side walls.

[0016] child In one embodiment of the invention, the cut portion may protrude from the main surface of the cover and be formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower towards the tip. According to this configuration, the cutting portion can cut the connecting portion more easily than a cutting portion with a non-tapering tip. Therefore, the protector can surely separate the columnar portion as the opening of the protector main body is closed.

[0017] As another aspect of the present invention, the columnar portion may be configured such that a position spaced apart from the base end in the opening direction by a predetermined interval is connected to the side wall portion by the connecting portion, and at least between the base end and the connecting portion is disposed to face the outer surface of the side wall portion.

[0018] According to this configuration, since the columnar portion is connected to the side wall portion at a position spaced apart from the base end in the opening direction, when the connecting portion is bent and deformed by the load from the cutting portion, the protector can bring the base end of the columnar portion into contact with the side wall portion.

[0019] At this time, the protector can suppress the bending deformation of the connecting portion due to the load from the cutting portion by the contact between the columnar portion and the side wall portion. Thereby, the protector can efficiently act on the connecting portion the load from the cutting portion as a tensile load. Therefore, the protector can cut the connecting portion more surely than when the columnar portion does not contact the side wall portion.

[0020] As another aspect of the present invention, the columnar portion may be connected to the side wall portion via a plurality of the connecting portions, and the plurality of the connecting portions may be arranged with positional displacements in the opening direction and in a direction orthogonal to the opening direction, respectively.

[0021] According to this configuration, since the plurality of connecting portions are sequentially cut in the direction opposite to the opening direction, the columnar portion will tilt in a predetermined direction as the connecting portions are cut. In other words, the protector can control the direction in which the columnar portion tilts by the plurality of connecting portions.

[0022] As a result, the protector can separate the columnar part in a desired direction. Therefore, the protector can facilitate the insertion of the columnar part into a collection box arranged in a desired direction, for example, and improve the workability of collecting the separated columnar part.

[0023] As another aspect of this invention, a pivoting part that pivotally connects one of the side wall parts and the cover may be provided, and the columnar part may be connected to the other side wall part. According to this configuration, the protector can eliminate the need to provide the connecting part and the columnar part on one side wall part, and the pivoting part can prevent the electric wire from climbing over the upper end of one side wall part.

[0024] Furthermore, the protector can reduce the quantity of the columnar parts to be separated compared with the case where columnar parts are provided on both of the pair of side wall parts. Therefore, for example, when discarding the separated columnar parts, the protector can reduce the waste.

[0025] In addition, since the protector main body and the cover are connected by the pivoting part, the protector can cut the connecting part only by rotating the cover around the pivoting part.

[0026] As a result, the protector can eliminate the need for aligning the cutting part and the connecting part, and can efficiently perform the cutting of the connecting part and the closing of the opening of the protector main body in this order. Therefore, the protector can efficiently insert the electric wire into the inside of the protector main body.

[0027] As another aspect of this invention, the columnar part may be arranged at a position intersecting with the rotation locus of the cutting part centered on the pivoting part. According to this configuration, as the cover rotates around the pivoting part, the cutting part presses the columnar part in a direction to separate it from the side wall part. Therefore, the protector can apply the load due to the contact with the cutting part and the load from the columnar part pressed by the cutting part to the connecting part as tensile loads.

[0028] Therefore, the protector can increase the tensile load acting on the connecting portion compared to a case where the rotational trajectory of the cutting portion and the columnar portion do not intersect. As a result, the protector can efficiently cut the connecting portion without, for example, making the tip of the cutting portion sharp.

[0029] In another aspect of this invention, the side wall portion to which the columnar portion is connected may be provided with a bulging portion that extends toward the other side wall portion, and the connecting portion may be configured to connect the bulging portion and the columnar portion with a length that does not protrude from the outer surface adjacent to the bulging portion when viewed from the direction of the opening.

[0030] With this configuration, the bulging portion of the side wall allows the protector to keep the wires away from the side wall portion where the bulge is located. Therefore, the protector can prevent the wires from riding up onto the upper end of the side wall portion where the bulge is located.

[0031] Furthermore, since the connecting portion connects the columnar portion and the bulging portion to a length that does not protrude from the outer surface adjacent to the bulging portion, the protector can prevent burrs from the connecting portion remaining on the protector body from protruding from the bulging portion when the columnar portion separates. Therefore, the protector can prevent unintended malfunctions caused by burrs on the connecting portion.

[0032] In another aspect of this invention, the bulging portion may be formed in the opening direction, from one end of the side wall on the bottom side to one end on the cover side. With this configuration, the protector can utilize the cover side of the bulging portion as the area where the columnar portion is positioned, and the bottom side of the bulging portion can be effectively used as a positioning area when, for example, the protector body is placed on an assembly jig.

[0033] In another aspect of this invention, the bottom surface may be formed in a shape having stepped portions that are positioned differently in the direction of the opening, with the longitudinal direction being the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the side wall portions face each other when viewed from the opening direction, and the columnar portion may be arranged at approximately the same position in the longitudinal direction as the stepped portion.

[0034] With this configuration, the protector can make the position of the wire at one end in the longitudinal direction and the position of the wire at the other end in the longitudinal direction different in the opening direction by the stepped portion of the bottom surface. Therefore, the protector can easily protect wires whose desired routing direction changes in the opening direction.

[0035] Incidentally, when the cover is open, the routing direction of the wires is changed by the stepped portion on the bottom surface, making them more likely to protrude towards the opening than the ends of the pair of side walls. Therefore, by arranging columnar sections at approximately the same longitudinal position on the stepped portion, the protector can prevent electric wires protruding in the opening direction beyond the ends of the pair of side walls from riding up onto the ends of the side walls. This prevents the wires from getting caught between the cover and the edge of the side wall, even if the protector has a stepped portion on its bottom surface.

[0036] In another aspect of this invention, when viewed from the opening direction, the longitudinal direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the side wall portions face each other, and a plurality of the columnar portions and connecting portions may be provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] With this configuration, the protector can prevent the electric wire from riding up onto the edge of the side wall using multiple columnar sections. Therefore, the protector can prevent the electric wire from getting caught between the cover and the edge of the side wall, for example, in the range from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] In another aspect of this invention, the protector body may be made of synthetic resin. With this configuration, the protector can have a lower tensile strength at the connecting parts compared to a metal protector body, making it easier to separate the columnar parts. Furthermore, because the protector body is made of synthetic resin, the protector can be easily recycled, for example, by separating the columnar portion from the side wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] The present invention provides a protector that allows electrical wires to be inserted inside without being pinched between the cover and the end of the side wall. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1] An external perspective view showing the protector's appearance with the cover open. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] An external perspective view showing the appearance of the protector with multiple wires inserted through it. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the protector as seen through arrow AA, with the electrical wire inserted. [Figure 5] A side view showing the external appearance of the connecting section. [Figure 6] A plan view showing the external appearance near the columnar section. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram illustrating the general assembly process in a cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram illustrating the general process of cutting the connecting section, as seen from the perspective of arrow AA. [Figure 9] A side view showing a connecting portion in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] One embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The protector 1 of this embodiment is a closed-section protector with an internal space through which multiple electric wires W can be inserted. Such a protector 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 shows an external perspective view of the protector 1 with the cover 20 open, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows an external perspective view of the protector 1 with multiple electric wires W inserted.

[0042] Furthermore, Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the protector 1 as seen through the arrow AA with the electric wire W inserted, Figure 5 shows a side view of the external appearance of the connecting portion 15, and Figure 6 shows a plan view of the external appearance near the columnar portion 14. Furthermore, in order to clarify the illustration, the electric wire W is shown as a dashed line in the figures, and the columnar portion 14 is shown as a dashed line in Figure 5.

[0043] Furthermore, in Figure 1, the upper side is considered the upward direction of the protector 1, and the lower side is considered the downward direction of the protector 1. In the figure, arrow X indicates the direction along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire W inserted inside the protector 1 (hereinafter referred to as longitudinal direction X), and arrow Y indicates the direction perpendicular to longitudinal direction X in a plan view (hereinafter referred to as short direction Y).

[0044] The protector 1 of this embodiment is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a protector body 10 with a concave cross-section extending in the longitudinal direction X, a cover 20 that closes the upper opening of the protector body 10, and a hinge portion 30 that pivotally connects the cover 20 to the protector body 10.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, this protector 1 forms a closed cross-sectional shape that is approximately rectangular in front view by closing the opening of the protector body 10, in which multiple electric wires W are arranged side by side in the short direction Y, with a cover 20, and protects the multiple electric wires W housed in the internal space of the closed cross-sectional shape. As shown in Figure 3, the protector 1 has its cover 20 secured to the protector body 10 by wrapping adhesive tape 2 around it.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protector body 10 of such a protector 1 includes a bottom surface portion 11 that forms the bottom of the protector body 10, and a first side wall portion 12 and a second side wall portion 13 that face each other in the short direction Y, with the bottom surface portion 11 in between.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the protector body 10 includes a columnar portion 14 positioned adjacent to the second side wall portion 13 when the cover 20 is open, and three connecting portions 15 that connect the columnar portion 14 to the second side wall portion 13.

[0048] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the bottom surface 11 of the protector body 10 has a length in the short direction Y that allows multiple electric wires W to be placed side by side, and is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the long direction X. As shown in Figure 1, this bottom surface 11 is formed in a stepped shape with one end in the long direction X and the other end in the long direction X being stepped in the vertical direction.

[0049] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the bottom portion 11 is configured in a stepped shape with a lower portion 11a extending from one end of the longitudinal direction X to the other, an upright portion 11b rising upward from the end of the lower portion 11a, and an upper portion 11c extending from the upper end of the upright portion 11b to the other end of the longitudinal direction X.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the bottom portion 11 is formed such that the lower portion 11a and the upper portion 11c are substantially flat and have thickness in the vertical direction, while the upright portion 11b is formed such that it has thickness in the longitudinal direction X.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the first side wall portion 12 of the protector body 10 is a substantially flat plate that is erected upward at approximately a right angle from one end of the bottom portion 11 in the short direction Y, has thickness in the short direction Y, and has a length in the longitudinal direction X that is approximately the same as that of the bottom portion 11.

[0052] This first side wall portion 12 is formed such that its lower end has a stepped shape that follows the bottom surface portion 11, and its upper end has a substantially horizontal end surface. Furthermore, of the two main surfaces of the first side wall portion 12 that face each other in the short direction Y, one main surface facing the second side wall portion 13 is designated as the inner surface of the first side wall portion 12, and the other main surface facing the inner surface is designated as the outer surface of the first side wall portion 12.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the second side wall portion 13 of the protector body 10 is a substantially flat plate that is erected upward at approximately a right angle from the other end of the bottom portion 11 in the short direction Y, has thickness in the short direction Y, and is formed to be approximately the same size as the first side wall portion 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the second side wall portion 13, like the first side wall portion 12, is formed such that its lower end has a stepped shape that follows the bottom surface portion 11, and its upper end has a substantially horizontal end surface. Furthermore, of the two main surfaces of the second side wall portion 13 facing each other in the short direction Y, one main surface facing the first side wall portion 12 is designated as the inner surface of the second side wall portion 13, and the other main surface facing the inner surface is designated as the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13.

[0055] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the second side wall portion 13 is composed of a lower wall portion 13a erected from the lower part 11a of the bottom portion 11, a bulging portion 13b erected along the upright portion 11b of the bottom portion 11, and an upper wall portion 13c erected from the upper part 11c of the bottom portion 11.

[0056] The lower wall portion 13a and the upper wall portion 13c are roughly flat plates with a roughly rectangular shape in side view, elongated in the longitudinal direction X, and the upper wall portion 13c is formed to be shorter in the vertical direction than the lower wall portion 13a. The outer surfaces of the lower wall portion 13a and the upper wall portion 13c are located at the same position in the shorter direction Y.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, the bulging portion 13b is formed in a shape where the boundary between the lower wall portion 13a and the upper wall portion 13c bulges out in a roughly arc shape in plan view toward the first side wall portion 12 at approximately the same longitudinal direction X position as the upright portion 11b of the bottom surface portion 11.

[0058] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the bulging portion 13b is formed in a roughly circular arc shape in plan view, with a radius that spans the lower portion 11a and the upper portion 11c of the bottom portion 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the bulging portion 13b is formed in the area from the lower end to the upper end of the second side wall portion 13.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the columnar portion 14 of the protector body 10 is formed as a columnar body extending in the vertical direction, consisting of a roughly cylindrical lower column portion 14a that extends vertically and has a smaller diameter than the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b, and a roughly frustoconical upper column portion 14b that extends upward from the lower column portion 14a and has a smaller diameter as it goes upward.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the central axis of this columnar portion 14, which extends in the vertical direction, is located on the first side wall portion 12 side of the outer surface of the lower wall portion 13a and the outer surface of the upper wall portion 13c, and its outer circumferential surface is positioned to overlap with the rotational trajectory of the cut portion 22 of the cover 20, which will be described later.

[0061] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, the lower column portion 14a of the columnar portion 14 is positioned facing the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b in close proximity, and a position separated by a predetermined distance upward from the lower end is connected to the bulging portion 13b of the second side wall portion 13.

[0062] In other words, the columnar portion 14 is positioned opposite the second side wall portion 13 from its lower end to the connecting portion 15, and the upper column portion 14b protrudes upward from the upper end of the second side wall portion 13, and is connected to the bulging portion 13b of the second side wall portion 13.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the columnar portion 14 is connected to the bulging portion 13b by a connecting portion 15 and is supported so as to be detachable from the protector body 10 during the process in which the cover 20 closes the opening of the protector body 10.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the three connecting parts 15 of the protector body 10 connect the lower column portion 14a of the columnar portion 14 to the bulging portion 13b of the second side wall portion 13 at approximately the same position in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the three connecting portions 15 connect the bulging portion 13b and the columnar portion 14 with a length that does not protrude from the outer surface of the lower wall portion 13a or the outer surface of the upper wall portion 13c in a plan view.

[0065] More specifically, the three connecting portions 15 are thin strips with thickness in the vertical direction, as shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6, and are formed to a thickness that makes them easily cut by the cutting portion 22 of the cover 20, which will be described later.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, these three connecting portions 15 are positioned at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b, extending from the bulging portion 13b toward the columnar portion 14. In other words, in a plan view, the three connecting portions 15 are arranged radially from the outer surface of the columnar portion 14 toward the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cover 20 of the protector 1 is composed of a substantially flat cover body 21 that covers the upper opening of the protector body 10, and a cutting portion 22 that cuts the connecting portion 15 of the protector body 10 when the opening of the protector body 10 is closed.

[0068] Furthermore, when the cover 20 is closing the opening of the protector body 10, the main surface of the cover body 21 facing the bottom surface 11 of the protector body 10 is considered the inner surface, and the main surface of the cover body 21 facing the inner surface is considered the outer surface of the cover body 21.

[0069] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cover body 21 of the cover 20 is formed in a substantially flat shape with thickness in the vertical direction when the opening of the protector body 10 is closed. The cover body 21 is provided with a notch (reference numeral omitted) which is cut out in a substantially semicircular shape along the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b of the protector body 10, in a portion that overlaps with the bulging portion 13b of the protector body 10.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cut portion 22 of the cover 20 is substantially arc-shaped along the notch of the cover body 21 and protrudes from the inner surface of the cover body 21. This cut portion 22 is formed to contact the columnar portion 14 and the connecting portion 15 in that order during the process of closing the opening of the protector body 10.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the cut portion 22 is integrally formed from an arc portion 22a extending from the inner surface of the cover body 21 and a tapered portion 22b extending from the arc portion 22a. The arc portion 22a is formed to have an outer diameter smaller than the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b and an inner diameter larger than the lower column portion 14a of the columnar portion 14. On the other hand, the tapered portion 22b is formed in a tapered shape with inclined inner and outer surfaces so that it gradually narrows from the arc portion 22a towards the tip.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the hinge portion 30 of the protector 1 is a plate-like structure that is thinner than the first side wall portion 12 of the protector body 10, and connects the cover 20 to the protector body 10 in a manner that allows it to rotate in a rotational direction with the longitudinal direction X as the axis of rotation. The hinge portion 30 is formed with approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction X as the protector body 10.

[0073] More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the hinge portion 30 is formed in such a way that, when the opening of the protector body 10 is closed by the cover 20, the tip extending from the upper end of the outer surface of the first side wall portion 12 toward one side in the short direction Y is folded back toward the other side in the short direction Y.

[0074] Next, the process of assembling the protector 1 with the above-described configuration to accommodate multiple electric wires W and put them in an inserted state will be explained using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the general assembly process in the direction of arrow AA, and Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the general cutting process of the connecting portion 15 in the direction of arrow AA.

[0075] First, an example of a mounting base 100 on which the protector 1 is placed will be described. As shown in Figure 7, the mounting base 100 is formed in a groove shape with an inclined surface on which the bottom surface 11 of the protector 1 abuts. Furthermore, the mounting base 100 has a substantially semicircular positioning portion 101 that fits into the protruding portion 13b of the protector 1, which protrudes from the surface on which the second side wall portion 13 abuts.

[0076] On such a mounting platform 100, the worker or assembly device places the protector 1 with the cover 20 open, as shown in Figure 7. At this time, the worker or assembly device places the protector 1, which is tilted so that the columnar part 14 is positioned downwards, onto the mounting platform 100 while fitting it into the positioning part 101.

[0077] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7, the worker or assembly device places the electric wire W inside the protector body 10, and then rotates the cover 20 around the hinge 30 to begin closing the opening of the protector body 10.

[0078] When the opening of the protector body 10 begins to close, the cover 20 rotates around the hinge portion 30, causing the cut portion 22 of the cover 20 to come into contact with the columnar portion 14, as shown in Figure 8, and press the columnar portion 14 in the short direction Y from the first side wall portion 12 toward the second side wall portion 13. Therefore, the columnar portion 14 begins to tilt so as to rotate in a direction centered on the connection point with the connecting portion 15. At this time, the connecting portion 15 is subjected to a load due to the tilting of the columnar portion 14.

[0079] As the cover 20 rotates around the hinge portion 30, the columnar portion 14's lower end comes into contact with the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13, thereby restricting its tilting. As the rotation of the cover 20 around the hinge portion 30 progresses further, the cutting portion 22 moves from the columnar portion 14 to the connecting portion 15 and begins to press the connecting portion 15 in the direction of rotation of the cover 20.

[0080] In this case, the deflection deformation of the connecting portion 15 due to the load from the cut portion 22 is suppressed by the columnar portion 14 whose tilting is restricted, so the load associated with the tilting of the columnar portion 14 and the load from the cut portion 22 act on the connecting portion 15 as tensile loads.

[0081] This tensile load causes the connecting portion 15 to break, separating the columnar portion 14 from the protector body 10. The separated columnar portion 14 then falls into a designated collection box and is recycled.

[0082] When the columnar portion 14 separates from the protector body 10, the opening of the protector body 10 is closed by the cover 20. Therefore, the worker or assembly equipment wraps adhesive tape 2 around the protector 1 to fix the cover 20 to the protector body 10. In this way, the worker or assembly equipment inserts the electric wire W into the protector 1 and fixes the cover 20 to the protector body 10.

[0083] As described above, the protector 1 of this embodiment includes a protector body 10 with a concave cross-section having a bottom surface 11 and a pair of opposing side walls (first side wall 12, second side wall 13), and a cover 20 that closes the opening of the protector body 10 facing the bottom surface 11, thereby protecting the electric wire W that passes through the inside.

[0084] Furthermore, the protector body 10 is substantially columnar in shape and extends upward, comprising a columnar portion 14 positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13, and a thin-walled strip-shaped connecting portion 15 that connects the columnar portion 14 to the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13 with a thickness that is easily cut. The columnar portion 14 is connected to the second side wall portion 13, with the columnar portion 14 protruding upward from the upper end of the second side wall portion 13.

[0085] With this configuration, the protector 1 can insert the electric wire W into its interior without the electric wire W being caught between the cover 20 and the upper end of the second side wall portion 13. Specifically, since the columnar portion 14 protrudes upward from the upper end of the second side wall portion 13, the columnar portion 14 can prevent the electric wire W, which is located inside the protector body 10, from riding up onto the upper end of the second side wall portion 13 and flying out of the protector body 10.

[0086] Therefore, when closing the opening of the protector body 10 with the cover 20, the protector 1 can prevent the electric wire W from being caught between the upper end of the second side wall portion 13 and the cover 20 by the columnar portion 14. Furthermore, since the cut portion 22 of the cover 20 cuts the connecting portion 15 as the opening of the protector body 10 closes, the protector 1 can be easily separated from the columnar portion 14 to the second side wall portion 13.

[0087] Therefore, the columnar portion 14 and the connecting portion 15 of the protector 1 do not obstruct the closing of the opening of the protector body 10. Therefore, the protector 1 allows the electric wire W to be inserted into its interior without being caught between the cover 20 and the upper end of the second side wall portion 13.

[0088] Furthermore, the protector 1 is provided with a cutting section 22 on the cover 20 that cuts the connecting section 15 when the opening of the protector body 10 is closed. With this configuration, as the opening of the protector body 10 is closed, the cut portion 22 of the cover 20 cuts the connecting portion 15, so the protector 1 can separate the columnar portion 14 more efficiently than when a worker cuts the connecting portion 15 with their bare hands.

[0089] Furthermore, the protector 1 can perform the separation of the columnar portion 14 and the closing of the opening of the protector body 10 in this order and in succession. As a result, the protector 1 can efficiently insert the electric wire W into the inside of the protector body 10 while preventing the electric wire W from riding up onto the upper end of the second side wall portion 13.

[0090] Furthermore, the cut portion 22 protrudes from the main surface of the cover 20 and is formed in a tapered shape that narrows towards the tip. With this configuration, the cutting section 22 can cut the connecting section 15 more easily than a cutting section that does not have a tapered tip. As a result, the protector 1 can reliably separate the columnar section 14 when the opening of the protector body 10 is closed.

[0091] Furthermore, the columnar portion 14 is connected to the second side wall portion 13 by a connecting portion 15 at a predetermined distance from its lower end in the upward direction, and at least the portion between the lower end and the connecting portion 15 is positioned opposite the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13.

[0092] With this configuration, since the columnar portion 14 is connected to the second side wall portion 13 at a position spaced upward from its lower end, when the connecting portion 15 is deformed by the load from the cutting portion 22, the protector 1 can bring the lower end of the columnar portion 14 into contact with the second side wall portion 13.

[0093] In this case, the protector 1 can suppress the bending deformation of the connecting portion 15 due to the load from the cut portion 22 by contact between the columnar portion 14 and the second side wall portion 13. As a result, the protector 1 can efficiently apply the load from the cut portion 22 as a tensile load to the connecting portion 15. Therefore, the protector 1 can cut the connecting portion 15 more reliably than when the columnar portion 14 does not come into contact with the second side wall portion 13.

[0094] Furthermore, the protector 1 is provided with a hinge portion 30 that pivotally connects the first side wall portion 12 and the cover 20. The columnar portion 14 is connected to the second side wall portion 13. With this configuration, the protector 1 does not need to provide the connecting portion 15 and the columnar portion 14 on the first side wall portion 12, and the hinge portion 30 prevents the electric wire W from riding up onto the upper end of the first side wall portion 12.

[0095] Furthermore, the protector 1 can reduce the number of columnar parts 14 that are separated compared to the case where columnar parts 14 are provided on both the first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13. Therefore, for example, when the separated columnar parts 14 are discarded, the protector 1 can reduce the amount of waste.

[0096] In addition, since the protector body 10 and the cover 20 are connected by a hinge portion 30, the protector 1 can cut the connecting portion 15 simply by rotating the cover 20 around the hinge portion 30.

[0097] As a result, the protector 1 does not require alignment between the cutting portion 22 and the connecting portion 15, and the cutting of the connecting portion 15 and the closing of the opening of the protector body 10 can be performed efficiently in this order. Therefore, the protector 1 can efficiently insert the electric wire W into the protector body 10.

[0098] Furthermore, the columnar portion 14 is positioned at a location that intersects with the rotational trajectory of the cutting portion 22, which is centered on the hinge portion 30. With this configuration, as the cover 20 rotates around the hinge portion 30, the cutting portion 22 presses the columnar portion 14 in a direction that separates it from the second side wall portion 13. As a result, the protector 1 can apply the load from contact with the cutting portion 22 and the load from the columnar portion 14 pressed by the cutting portion 22 as a tensile load to the connecting portion 15.

[0099] Therefore, the protector 1 can increase the tensile load acting on the connecting portion 15 compared to the case where the rotational trajectory of the cutting portion 22 and the columnar portion 14 do not intersect. As a result, the protector 1 can efficiently cut the connecting portion 15 without, for example, making the tip of the cutting portion 22 sharp.

[0100] Furthermore, the protector body 10 has a bulging portion 13b that extends toward the first side wall portion 12 at the second side wall portion 13 to which the columnar portion 14 is connected. The connecting portion 15 is configured to connect the bulging portion 13b and the columnar portion 14 with a length that does not protrude from the outer surface of the lower wall portion 13a or the outer surface of the upper wall portion 13c when viewed from above.

[0101] With this configuration, the bulging portion 13b of the second side wall 13 allows the protector 1 to separate the electric wire W from the second side wall 13 on which the bulging portion 13b is provided. Therefore, the protector 1 can prevent the electric wire W from riding up onto the upper end of the second side wall 13 on which the bulging portion 13b is provided.

[0102] Furthermore, since the connecting portion 15 connects the columnar portion 14 and the bulging portion 13b to a length that does not protrude from the outer surface of the lower wall portion 13a and the outer surface of the upper wall portion 13c, the protector 1 can prevent burrs of the connecting portion 15 remaining on the protector body 10 from protruding from the bulging portion 13b when the columnar portion 14 separates. Therefore, the protector 1 can prevent unintended malfunctions caused by burrs of the connecting portion 15.

[0103] Furthermore, the bulging portion 13b is formed in a vertical range from the lower end to the upper end of the second side wall portion 13. With this configuration, the upper part of the bulging portion 13b of the protector 1 is used as the part where the columnar portion 14 is positioned, and the lower part of the bulging portion 13b is effectively used as a positioning part when placing the protector body 10 on the mounting base 100.

[0104] Furthermore, the protector 1 is formed such that the bottom portion 11 has an upright portion 11b that is positioned at a different vertical position, and the columnar portion 14 is positioned at approximately the same longitudinal X position as the upright portion 11b.

[0105] With this configuration, the protector 1 can make the position of the electric wire W at one end in the longitudinal direction X and the position of the electric wire W at the other end in the longitudinal direction X different in the vertical direction by the upright portion 11b of the bottom portion 11.

[0106] Therefore, the protector 1 can easily protect the electric wire W whose desired routing direction changes in the vertical direction. Incidentally, when the cover 20 is open, the routing direction of the electric wire W is changed by the upright portion 11b of the bottom portion 11, making it easier for the wire to protrude upward from the upper end of the second side wall portion 13.

[0107] Therefore, by positioning the columnar portion 14 at approximately the same longitudinal direction X as the upright portion 11b, the protector 1 can prevent the electric wire W that protrudes above the upper end of the second side wall portion 13 from riding up onto the upper end of the second side wall portion 13. As a result, even if the protector 1 has an upright portion 11b on its bottom surface 11, the electric wire W can be prevented from getting caught between the cover 20 and the upper end of the second side wall 13.

[0108] Furthermore, the protector body 10 is made of synthetic resin. With this configuration, the protector 1 can have a lower tensile strength at the connecting portion 15 compared to the metal protector body 10, making it easier to separate the columnar portion 14. Furthermore, because the protector body 10 is made of synthetic resin, the protector 1 can easily recycle the columnar portion 14 separated from, for example, the second side wall portion 13.

[0109] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, The pair of sidewalls of this invention correspond to the first sidewall 12 and the second sidewall 13 of the embodiment, The same applies to the following: The opening direction corresponds to the upward direction. The base end of the columnar part corresponds to the lower end of the columnar part 14. The pivot part corresponds to the hinge part 30, The stepped section corresponds to the upright section 11b, This invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0110] For example, in the embodiment described above, multiple wires W were inserted into the protector 1, but the invention is not limited to this, and a wire harness, which is a bundle of multiple wires W, may also be inserted into the protector 1. Alternatively, multiple wires and multiple wire harnesses may be inserted into the protector 1. Furthermore, although protector 1 is described as being made of synthetic resin, it is not limited to this, and a metal protector may also be used.

[0111] In addition, although the cover 20 was secured to the protector body 10 by wrapping it with adhesive tape 2, the method is not limited to this, and for example, the cover 20 could be secured to the protector body 10 using cable ties. Alternatively, the cover 20 may be fixed to the protector body 10 by being secured to the protector body 10.

[0112] Furthermore, in the configuration where the cover 20 is locked to the protector body 10, the separation of the columnar portion 14, the closing of the opening of the protector body 10, and the fixing of the cover 20 can be performed in this order in succession, so that the protector 1 can insert the electric wires W into the inside of the protector body 10 even more efficiently.

[0113] Furthermore, although the bottom surface 11 of the protector body 10 is formed in a stepped shape by the upright portion 11b, the design is not limited to this, and the bottom surface 11 of the protector body 10 may be made of a substantially flat surface.

[0114] Furthermore, although the protector 1 is described as having a protector body 10 and a cover 20 connected via a hinge portion 30, it is not limited to this configuration, and the protector body 10 and the cover 20 may be separate components. In this case, the protector body 10 may be made of synthetic resin and the cover 20 may be made of metal. Furthermore, if the protector body 10 and the cover 20 are separate components, the protector body 10 may be configured such that the columnar portion 14 is connected to both the first side wall portion 12 and the second side wall portion 13, or the columnar portion 14 is connected to either the first side wall portion 12 or the second side wall portion 13.

[0115] Furthermore, although the bulging portion 13b of the protector body 10 is shown as being roughly arc-shaped in plan view, it is not limited to this, and may be a bulging portion that is roughly elliptical in plan view, or a bulging portion that is roughly groove-shaped in plan view, etc. In this case, the cut portion of the cover 20 is formed in a shape corresponding to the bulging portion of the protector body 10.

[0116] Furthermore, the second side wall portion 13 of the protector body 10 is not limited to a shape with a bulging portion 13b, but may also have a shape without a bulging portion 13b. In this case, the columnar portion 14 is directly connected to the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13 via the connecting portion 15.

[0117] Furthermore, although the columnar portion 14 and the bulging portion 13b are provided at approximately the same position in the longitudinal direction X, the invention is not limited to this, and the columnar portion 14 and the bulging portion 13b may be provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction X. Furthermore, although the bulging portion 13b is formed in the range from the lower end to the upper end of the second side wall, the configuration is not limited to this, and the bulging portion 13b may be formed in the range in the vertical direction opposite to the columnar portion 14.

[0118] Furthermore, although the hinge portion 30 is described as a thin plate shape, it is not limited to this, and the hinge portion may be composed of a shaft portion extending in the longitudinal direction X and a shaft cylinder through which the shaft portion is inserted. Furthermore, although the columnar portion 14 of the protector body 10 is made to be roughly cylindrical, it is not limited to this, and any columnar body extending in the vertical direction may be a roughly cylindrical columnar portion, a roughly triangular columnar portion, or a roughly polygonal columnar portion.

[0119] Furthermore, although the cover 20 is provided with a cutting section 22 for cutting the connecting section 15, the configuration is not limited to this, and the cover 20 may also be configured without a cutting section 22. In this case, the connecting section 15 may be formed, for example, into a strip of sufficient thickness that can be cut by a worker with their bare hands. Alternatively, an extended portion may be provided on the cover 20 that extends downward from the edge of the cover body 21 so as to overlap the outer surface of the second side wall portion 13 of the protector body 10, and the connecting portion 15 of the protector body 10 may be cut at the end of the extended portion of the cover 20.

[0120] Furthermore, although the protector body 10 is described as having one columnar section 14 connected to another, it is not limited to this, and the protector body may also have multiple columnar sections 14 and connecting sections 15 provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction X.

[0121] With this configuration, the protector 1 can prevent the electric wire W from riding up onto the upper end of the second side wall portion 13 by the multiple columnar portions 14. Therefore, the protector 1 can prevent the electric wire W from getting caught between the cover 20 and the upper end of the second side wall portion 13, for example, in the range from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0122] Furthermore, although the configuration described here involves three connecting portions 15 formed at approximately the same position in the vertical direction, the configuration is not limited to this, and multiple connecting portions 15 may be formed with an offset in the vertical direction. For example, as shown in Figure 9, which illustrates a side view of the connecting portion 15 in another embodiment, the three connecting portions 15 may be formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction when viewed from the side.

[0123] More specifically, of the three connecting portions 15, the first connecting portion 15 is formed at the uppermost position, and the second connecting portion 15 is formed at a predetermined distance below the first connecting portion 15, and at a position offset in the circumferential direction from the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b.

[0124] Furthermore, of the three connecting portions 15, the third connecting portion 15 is formed at a predetermined distance below the second connecting portion 15 and at a position offset in the circumferential direction from the outer surface of the bulging portion 13b.

[0125] In this configuration, the first connecting section 15, the second connecting section 15, and the third connecting section 15 are cut in that order, so the columnar section 14 tilts in a predetermined direction as the connecting sections 15 are cut. In other words, the protector 1 can control the direction in which the columnar section 14 tilts using the multiple connecting sections 15.

[0126] This allows the protector 1 to separate the columnar portion 14 in the desired direction. Therefore, the protector 1 can facilitate the loading of the columnar portion 14 into a collection box positioned in the desired direction, for example, thereby improving the efficiency of collecting the separated columnar portion 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1… Protector 10…Protector body 11…Bottom part 11b...Standing part 12...First side wall section 13...Second side wall section 13b...bulge part 14...Columnar part 15...Connection part 20...cover 22...Cut section 30...Hinge section W…Electric wire X...longest direction

Claims

1. A protector comprising a protector body with a concave cross-section having a bottom surface and a pair of opposing side walls, and a cover that closes the opening of the protector body opposite the bottom surface, thereby protecting an electric wire inserted inside, The direction from the bottom surface towards the opening side of the protector body is defined as the opening direction. The aforementioned protector body, A substantially columnar portion extending in the direction of the opening, and positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the side wall portion, The columnar portion is connected to the outer surface of the side wall portion with a thin, strip-shaped connecting portion that is easily cut. The columnar portion is It is connected to the side wall portion in a state that it protrudes in the opening direction relative to the end of the side wall portion in the opening direction, The cover is provided with a cutting section that cuts the connecting section when the opening of the protector body is closed. Protector.

2. The aforementioned cut portion, It protrudes from the main surface of the cover and is formed in a tapered shape that narrows towards the tip. The protector according to claim 1.

3. The columnar portion is, The connection portion connects the base end to the side wall at a predetermined distance from the base end in the direction of the opening, and at least the distance between the base end and the connection portion is positioned opposite the outer surface of the side wall. The protector according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The columnar portion is connected to the side wall portion via a plurality of connecting portions, Multiple of the aforementioned connecting parts, The following are arranged with offset positions in the direction of the opening and in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the opening. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A pivot is provided that pivotally connects one of the side walls and the cover. The columnar portion is connected to the other side wall portion. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The columnar portion is It is positioned at a location that intersects with the rotational trajectory of the cutting section, centered on the pivot section. The protector according to claim 5.

7. The side wall portion to which the columnar portion is connected is provided with a bulging portion that extends toward the other side wall portion. The aforementioned connecting portion, The configuration connects the bulging portion and the columnar portion by a length that does not protrude from the outer surface adjacent to the bulging portion when viewed from the direction of the opening. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The bulging portion is Formed in the opening direction range from one end on the bottom side to one end on the cover side of the side wall portion The protector according to claim 7.

9. When viewed from the direction of the opening, the longitudinal direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the side wall portions face each other. The bottom portion is, It is formed in a shape having stepped portions that differ in position in the opening direction, The columnar portion is The stepped portion is positioned at approximately the same longitudinal position as the aforementioned stepped portion. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. When viewed from the direction of the opening, the longitudinal direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the side wall portions face each other. Multiple columnar portions and connecting portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The protector body is made of synthetic resin. A protector according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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